TIP OF THE WEEK: Interview strategies from a Recruiter to help you GET THAT JOB!!!

[AJT]

We’ve decided to write this blog today to offer advice, interview tips and discuss the do’s and don’ts of interviewing. We’ve been both the interviewer and the interviewee and it’s important to understand BOTH roles to have a successful interview with the ultimate goal being to get that job!

The first thing to understand is why employers conduct interviews?

Employers conduct interviews to:
a) Learn more about your qualifications for the job and b) Determine how well you will fit with in the organization.
Interviews are your chance to sell your skills and experience. They also give you a chance to find out if not only the job is what you’re looking for, but more importantly the company values and culture match yours. It’s not all about THEM hiring YOU – it’s also about YOU hiring THEM.

I would say that probably the most important thing you can do before you interview is PREPARE. I think anticipation is a crucial part of that. Being able to anticipate the kinds of questions they’re going to ask and the appropriate answers.

To do this successfully, you should plan what you’re going to say. Try to have some stories about your work experience that illustrate your skills, experience, and education.

These stories should relate to the skills that the employer is seeking, while emphasizing your: strengths, leadership skills, ability to learn new things, contributions to the organizations in which you have worked or volunteered, creativity in solving problems and working with people. Remember to make these stories relevant to the job you are interviewing for and don’t talk their ear off. Let them ask you the questions because they WILL ask questions to provoke these stories. Having 1 or 2 stories and questions prepared will make you look good and be very thoughtful in you answer by making it relevant.

In answering and asking questions, you want to demonstrate that you are:

1. Willing to work by giving examples of your productivity on past jobs.

2. Committed to learning by demonstrating this through examples of learning experiences (independent study, professional development, education, workshops, etc.). Your plan for future development also communicates your commitment to learning.

3. Flexible by talking about how well you work with others and how you can adjust and fit into a new environment without complaints or special requests etc…

4. Willing to contribute by emphasizing what you can do for the company.

Really what it all boils down to is your communication, attitude and behavior.

Display confidence through your posture, dress, walk, energy, and eye contact, shake hands firmly but not crushing, let the interviewer start the dialogue, listen carefully, maintain good eye contact at all times, and be engaging in the way you speak. Welcome all questions, even the difficult ones, with a smile, develop answers in your head before you respond, and if you don't understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or clarified – there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Give honest, direct answers - you don't have to rush, but you don't want to appear indecisive.

There you have it – simple, but not easy. Know who you are, what you’re looking for, what you’re NOT looking for, and just relax, have fun and be yourself!

We’ve got a lot of great opportunities on AJT right now. Create your user account, fill out a complete profile including your resume information and find that job!

Have a great weekend.

Team AJT