Balancing Act

Between tax season, traveling to visit clients and just being plain busy, it has been a long while since we have had an update to Balancing Act.

In this post we are going to share some general interviewing tips for those who are job seeking in this oh-so-competitive jobmarket.

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People won’t care what you know until they know that you care - do some research on the company. Get to know the company, the culture, etc. This will demonstrate that you have done your homework and you will be able to say why you like them as an employer. Also this gives you some information to ask questions about during the interview.

1. People do business with people they like, know and trust. The point here is to be professional and friendly. Do not be nervous. In a very real way remember that you are also interviewing them to see if they are a good fit for you.

2. Preparation and confidence are very important tips. Good preparation always creates confidence. So the important thing in an interview is to be well-prepared. In this you have to consider two things:
• You must prepare yourself practically for the interview.
• You have to gather information which is useful during the interview.

3. Checklist
While going to interview you must consider the following things:
a. You have to confirm about the time, date and location of the interview and name of interviewee where appropriate.
b. You have to plan to get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time.
c. You must dress professionally.
d. Concentrate on the interview at the interview.
e. If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc., get them ready before the day. Your interview letter must be with you.
f. On arrival, ensure the receptionist knows you are there.

4. Be on time!
Public transport may be useless if the traffic is heavy. Always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So be on time at the particular location of interview.
Also if you are there very early, you can wait at a nearby cafe or shop. And if you are going to be late, then best option is call them.

5. Be Prepared!
Look at the company’s website and learn something about the company before you attend your interview. Additionally look at other relevant information about the company.

6. Write down and practice possible questions!
If you collect the job interview sample questions and practice for it then it will make it easy to remember when you get to the interview.
Do not talk about compensation until the employer brings it up. If this comes up in the first interview, you may want to offer that you will look at all offers or that you are flexible. There is nothing more off-putting than talking money before the candidate really understands the position or what the employer is asking of them.

7. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
First keep in mind that you never the second chance to make a first impression so be careful.
Some points are here to remember:
• Smiling is one of the things which may matter in your impression. Good smiles always please people.
• Dressing neatly and appropriately is also an important thing. You should wear professional looking attire.
• Offer a firm, honest handshake. (Not too hard - not too soft)
• Eye contact without glaring is showing your confidence.

8. Do not talk too much!
Always remember that communication is a two-way street so give them a chance. Also, don’t interrupt to interviewer when he/she is talking. Give him/her full chance to talk. One common mistake candidates make when interviewing is talking too much. It is important to listen to the question asked and answer that question. Keep your answers to two to three minutes at the most. When you limit your time, you tend to stay more focused. It is very easy to stray off the subject and ramble about things irrelevant to the job if your answer is too long.

9. Be enthusiastic and positive!
During the interview always be enthusiastic and positive. Never put down previous employers. Be diplomatic at all times and focus on positive achievements and views.

10. Answer Briefly
The best interviews have a give and take atmosphere. To do this, you need to ask questions and try to draw out your interviewer rather than talking about yourself nonstop. When it comes to talking during an interview, sometimes less is more. A general rule is you should speak one-third of the time and definitely no more than half of the time. When it is your turn to speak, do not hesitate to talk about yourself.

11. Look Them in the Eyes
Eye contact is showing your confidence. Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication and can make a significant difference in how you present yourself. If you look away when speaking to someone, you are viewed as lacking confidence or interest. So always answer the question with eye contact to interviewer.

12. Talk about specific achievements!
Interviewers like to know how you felt about a particular success. Some will ask for specific examples of things you have done that you are particularly proud of; how you solved problems; how you learned - and improved - from difficult situations.

13. Think of an Interview as a First Date
Instead of the Inquisition, think of a job interview as a first date: you are both trying to figure out if there is a match. This mindset allows you to interview more naturally. You will be able to avoid the appearance of being desperate, and stuffy. The idea is to be natural. By thinking of the interview more like a first date you will be in a better position to decide if the job is really right for you.

14. Be Willing to Discuss Weaknesses
We each have strengths and weaknesses and it is preferable if we are honest in our personal assessment of our strengths and weaknesses. It is okay to admit that there is an area that you need to improve on. Don’t avoid this in an interview. Without dwelling on it, it shows great professionalism to address the things you do well and those that you are working on.

15. Always Follow Up With a Thank Your Letter
Depending on the corporate culture, this can be done via email but it is always nice to send a formal letter of thanks. Personally, I do both but you can pick the method that works for you.

16. Be Prepared to Explain Why You Left
Ultimately this question will come up in almost every interview. “Why did you leave your last job?” Prepare to answer the questions. Offer the reason and circumstances surrounding your departure. Unless you are pressed, you do not necessarily need to go into great detail but be prepared to give references. Keep it factual, be prepared to offer explanations for what you did, how you felt and what you learned. Then describe how you will handle things differently in the future.

Hopefully you find these tips helpful. Let us know if you have any additional tips to help our readers.