- Be prepared! Always bring a few copies of your resume, all of your documentation neatly organized in a presentable file (You may want to bring extra copies to leave with the interviewer).
- Rehearse sample interview questions; it will make you more familiar with your own qualifications.
- The first impression is very important...Make sure you are dressed in business attire. The less jewelry, the better. You want the interviewer to be focused on you.
- Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your interview.
- Research the company you are interviewing with; this shows that you have an interest.
- Always know your resume. Be prepared for the interviewer to go back to your first job and be able to answer the question as if it were your current position. Your past success is a good indication of your future success.
- If you keep a daily planner and it is neat and organized, take it with you. You may be asked how you plan your day.
- Never discuss money on the first interview. You want to show them you are there for the opportunity; with the right opportunity, the money will follow.
- When your interview is over, ask for a business card and immediately send a thank you card for the chance to interview.
- As soon as you have finished interviewing, contact your recruiter! Give feedback regarding the interview. The recruiter needs to know if you are interested in pursuing the opportunity. The faster you get back to the recruiter, the faster the recruiter can contact the hiring manager for feedback.
TOP 20 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
- What would your boss say about you?
- What would your best friend say about you?
- Why are you interviewing?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- What is your biggest strength? weakness?
- What responsibilities do you have at your current position?
- Who is your greatest mentor? Why?
- What do you know about our industry?
- What is an example of a turnaround situation?
- What do you consider the perfect sale?
- What are your short term and long term career goals?
- Where did you go to college? Why did you choose your college?
- Are you assertive or aggressive?
- What is your sales approach?
- Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?
- What criteria would you use in measuring your own performance over the next year-what would you like to be used?
- What would you have liked to accomplish in your present position that you didn't? Why didn't you?
- How long do you think the challenges of this job will excite and interest you?
- Do you belong to business, community, and social organizations? What businesses interest you?
- What gives you the most satisfaction during
free or vacation time?
THE RESIGNATION PROCESS
There are 2 parts to the resignation process:
RESIGNATION LETTER TASK LIST
Your resignation letter states that you have made your final decision to resign as of a specified date from your current employer and thanks the company for all of the opportunities they have provided for you.
Your task list makes it clear that you are serious about leaving and that you have thought through the decision to leave. It's a way to demonstrate your professionalism and to avoid a counter-offer. The majority of people who accept counter-offers leave the job within 4-6 months.
COUNTER-OFFERS:
When your employer receives your letter of resignation, he may make you an offer to stay with him instead of leaving. Most times it causes an inconvenience; one he doesn't want to have to deal with.
You may be offered an instant raise, added benefits, promises of projects,etc., all of which bring added expectations and the uneasy feeling you may have people "looking over your shoulder".
You obviously weren't happy with your current position, or you wouldn't have been looking elsewhere. Careful consideration needs to be given to your decision. Most times, employers are just buying time until you can be replaced, especially if you're currently in the middle of a large project.
When you resign, do it in a professional manner. Remember, you may need your employer to give you a future reference.
