Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer

So you've figured out, more or less what you want to do and where the opportunities are. Now; you have been called for an interview. Here are five steps for interview success for students and graduates:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Thoroughly research each employer you pursue. It is not enough just to show up for the interviews and hope for the best.

Take the time to research and understand the company and the person who is giving the interview. Students should approach their answers from the perspective of the person who is doing the hiring. What would that person be looking for if the roles were reversed? Job seekers need to plan their responses so they cover key information about what they can bring to the job, and then rehearse out loud until they feel confident.

2. Attitude makes a difference.

The key element to successful interviewing is not your experience, your grades, what classes you took, your extracurricular activities, or any of the other basic necessities. Those skills are what got you the interview. The key element to successful interviewing can be summed up in one word: attitude. If you want to rise above others with better experience, better grades, or better anything, you will need to work on developing a highly positive work attitude.

Your attitude determines whether you will "make the cut" or be discarded. Remember, there are plenty of competitors with the ability to do almost any given job-- especially at the entry level. The way most employers differentiate at the entry level is by candidates' attitudes toward the job.

You can teach a new employee many things, but attitude is not one of them. Many employers are willing to teach skills to new employees if they come through the door with a positive, energetic "can do" attitude.

3. Ask the right questions.

Ask about the position, job responsibilities and company values.

4. Dress for success.

Before the interview, the student job seeker should find out the company's dress code and dress a level up from that. It's better to be overdressed than under-dressed.

This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and have a chance to see what the standard "uniform" is for the company), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.

5. Leave a lasting impression.

There are two simple steps you can take to make a lasting impression after your interview and greatly increase your odds of success.

The first is to call the interviewer to thank them for their time. If possible, you may want to add additional information which was not discussed in the interview. An example would be: "I understand from speaking with the receptionist that Microsoft Office is your corporate software standard. I just wanted to mention that I'm also fully proficient in each of the tools in the Office suite." This phone call should ideally take place the same day. If you are unable to reach the interviewer directly, leave a voicemail message.

The second activity is to immediately write the interviewer a short note, thanking them for their time and reemphasizing your interest in the position. Then do your best to get it to them as quickly as possible. E-mail it, fax it, hand deliver it, messenger it, use overnight mail, whatever. But be sure they have it before the end of the following day. Ideally, you want to get it in their hands by the end of the day of the interview or first thing the following morning. Why? Because the quicker your letter arrives, the greater the likelihood of affecting a positive impact. A thank you note provides an opportunity to thank the interviewer for his or her time, and one last chance to express interest in the position and reinforce why you are the right person for it.

Visit CareerGazette.com - The Career Gazette weekly edition of articles about average job salaries and how to answer job interview questions. The Career Gazette also provides information about work at home careers and specific career descriptions.

---

Career Education Options For Working Adults

Ask yourself this question: "Do I like what I do for a living?" If you answered "no", what are you doing about it? Maybe you have a... Read More

The Inevitable Job Interview Question: ?Why Did You Leave (Are Planning To Leave) Your Last Position

This is a question that you can almost count on being asked at your next interview What the interviewer wants to know is, "Why are you available?"The... Read More

Career Planning for Gifted Adults

"James is so restless and energetic. I wonder if he's hyperactive.""Nancy seems to be all over the place. She's got a dozen projects going at once!""Harley does... Read More

Shades of Grey

A paperweight sits on my desk, etched in silver the message: Life isn't always black and white. It serves as a reminder there are few... Read More

Gray Hair, Black Prospects

If you're reading this article, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that discrimination has become much more sneaky than in the past. No one comes... Read More

Where Will Your IT Staff Come From NOW?

The labor recession is over. During the course of the recession, almost 500,000 IT positions were lost according to publicly collected data and anecdotal information suggests even... Read More

How To Deal With A Difficult Boss

Most people at some point in their lives have to deal with a difficult boss. Difficult supervisors vary in personality from being a little pushy or rude,... Read More

Integrity At Work - How Do You Show Up?

As the business sections of today's papers and magazines read more and more like the police blotter, ''Integrity'' is fast becoming a hot topc of conversation in... Read More

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing - Part One

To begin, make a decision to discard any former knowledge learned about the "rules" of resume and cover letter writing. People commonly become stuck in "bad" writing... Read More

How To Get Promoted - Take Control Of Your Destiny!

It Is Up To YouSo, you want to get promoted. The possibility really lies in your own hands. Remember the trite but true saying, "If it is... Read More

Cleaning Houses for a Living Has Some Unexpected Benefits

If you're looking for a way to earn a living or just to make some extra money on the side, cleaning houses for a living is probably... Read More

5 Simple Rules for A Great Job Interview

Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn, I ventured to New York City to take a bite out of the big apple of opportunity.When... Read More

An RX For Your Résumé

Whether you are an accountant, virtual assistant, or a corporate executive, your job skills are constantly refined. A new sales presentation you've organized or the new spreadsheet... Read More

Think About a Nursing Degree

If you decide to get a degree in nursing, there are many things you need to know and consider first. Choosing your nursing school may not be... Read More

Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For

When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you, there are certain things that they are looking for from you. Naturally, you are likely to focus... Read More