Behavioral Interviews
	How To Handle A Second Interview
	How To Succeed At Phone Interviews
	Interview confidence
	Make A Lasting Impression At Interviews
	Mastering Phone Interviews
	Performing Well During A Behavioral Interview
	Projecting Confidence In An Interview Situation
	Promoting A Positive Image At An Interview

Behavioral Interviews

More and more these days, employers are implementing behavioral interviews to screen potential employees. Behavioral interviews are quite different from the straightforward methods used in traditional interviews. What exactly is a behavioral interview?

Behavioral interviews are defined as interviews in which an employer chooses an applicant based on his or her behavior in the past. The main objective of the employer is to discover how you have acted in past employment related situations. Employers who use this interview method firmly believe that your past effects how you will handle present and future situations.

Differences between Behavioral and Traditional Interviews

There was one person that once said, "An interview is an interview!" This may be true in some instances; behavioral interviews differ greatly from traditional interviews. First of all traditional interviews usually are conducted by asking straightforward questions such as: "How many years did you work at your previous company?" or "What was the office atmosphere like?" And secondly, the questions asked usually center around your actual working experience.

Behavioral interview questions on the other hand focus on how you behavedin a particular situation in your past working experience. To clarify, here are a few example questions that may be asked during a behavioral interview session.

Please describe a situation when you felt particularly stressed, and how you handled the situation.

Give me an example of a time you had to use your logical and reasoning abilities to solve a certain problem that arose. What was the outcome?

In times past, when certain stressful situations arise how did you handle yourself?

How well have you worked under pressure?

How do you handle workmates who are difficult to work with?

When you were faced with a troublesome issue, which approach did you take in order to deal with the issue? What was the outcome?

You can see from the above questions that these are truly different from traditional interview questions. Behavioral questions tend to be more "probing". The potential employers, by your answers, acquire a better understanding of the type of person you are on the inside. Most employers who use behavioral interviews use them solely for the purpose of selecting those whose personality is best suited for their company. And that may not be the most educated or previously highest paid applicant either.

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How To Handle A Second Interview

When hiring for a new position, many employers conduct a series of interviews rather than trying to gather all their information from one. Holding a series of interviews has several perks for the employer, but it can be nerve-wracking for the candidate. Keep in mind that there are several reasons a company could call you back for a second interview. They may want to clarify that you are the impressive person they thought you were at the first meeting. They may want you to meet with other supervisors. Alternatively, they may be narrowing down a short list of applicants with further questions. Whatever their reasons for calling you back, there are a few things you can do to make your second interview as successful as possible.

First, try to find out if you will be meeting with the same person or with someone new. Most companies will tell you this when they set up the second interview, but it is also okay to ask. This merely shows that you like to be prepared, a desirable quality in an applicant. If you are meeting with the same person, you do not want to simply repeat the same things you said at the previous interview. You will not need to be as aggressive, nor put so much emphasis on proving your qualifications. You can relax a bit and remember that this interview will help the potential employer to get to know you a bit better. Try asking some more questions about the direction the company is going in and its history. Your interest in these areas will be appreciated. In addition, as you learn more about the company's goals, you can highlight how your skills mesh with the culture of the organization.

If however, you are meeting with someone new, keep in mind that they are already aware of some of your skills. You will need to go over some of the things you spoke about in the first interview, but you can also take some of the advice for those applicants meeting with the same person. At the second interview, you may also be required to negotiate a compensation package, so be prepared to speak about what you need.

Overall, the second interview should be handled with confidence and a strategic plan of how you can ease any qualms about your experience and negotiate a salary. If you can relax and show the interviewer your true personality, all the better.

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How To Succeed At Phone Interviews

Many potential employers tend to prescreen applicants over the phone. Sometimes the interview lasts thirty minutes and sometimes that they even last five! Hopefully yours will be one that last longer than five minutes. Why? Having a telephone interview could be thought of as the same as having a traditional face to face interview. You could be completely successful or you could fail miserably. And it's really all up to you! In order to succeed at telephone interviews you must possess three important things.

You Must Possess Your Resume

There is no doubt about this. It is vital to have your resume in front of you when you are having a phone interview. Prepare beforehand for this event by placing a copy by each phone in your house. That way, if an employer calls unexpectedly, you won't have to put them on hold to search for it! Having your resume in your possession will give you many advantages over the applicant without it.

You'll have INSTANT access to your references and your histories of work.

You will appear organized

You will appear clearly focused to potential employers

You Must Possess Enthusiasm for Your Interview

Possessing a suitable amount of enthusiasm for your interview is one way to make your interview successful. Let your potential employer know that you are the best for the job. And let him/her know that you are willing to learn more about the job in order to succeed and benefit the company.

You Must Possess Courage

Yes, courage! You must possess enough courage to TELL your potential employer that you WANT the job! Tell him/her that you know you can do a fine job at whatever you're applying for and you want an official face-to-face interview. Possessing all of these things will help you to be successful and your prospective employer will KNOW that you are a candidate that requires further scrutiny.

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Job Interview Tips - Interview confidence

Most candidates feel anything but confident as they enter the interview room. Shaking like a leaf, petrified and terrified are often words and phrases used to describe a candidates feeling just prior to interview.

It is not unusual to feel all of the above, however, if you intend to portray yourself as a serious and professional candidate you must project an air of confidence and professionalism.

Do not confuse this with arrogance, believe me this is a common mistake. Adopting a cocky manner will only put an interviewers back up and will create such a bad first impression recovery will not be possible.

Interviewers actually expect nerves and apprehension and allow the candidate to settle in taking deliberate steps to help them relax. The absence of nerves may make you complacent which in turn communicates itself to the interviewer. Be grateful for the tense keyed-up feeling, without it you may not perform to your best. The adrenalin tends to push each candidate that little bit more, keeping them on edge and even more determined to convey their message with sincerity and professionalism.

Confidence should be teamed with enthusiasm but beware of falling into the trap and appearing desperate. If you do this, you will lose negotiating power when the actual job offer is made. Remember, confidence is they key but moderately!

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Make A Lasting Impression At Interviews

When you begin your job search, it is vital to assess your strengths and get an objective idea about what you have to offer potential employers. You can do this by reviewing past resumes and including new job experience on a revised version. You may also want to get a new suit that represents your professionalism and style. At interviews, you need to project your very best. All of these are important aspects of a successful job search, but of these, the interview process is the one where you can make the most lasting impression.

You resume is important because it is a precursor to the real thing. It will be your ambassador and show potential employers what you can bring to their company. Your work history should display a general knowledge of your field and plenty of past positions that show your ability to transfer into this new position.

If you lack the specific job titles you think you need to get an interview, you may want to try a skills resume. These resumes emphasize your skills as opposed to your chronological work history. By arranging your resume in order of the important skills necessary to perform the new job, you are drawing attention to your positive attributes and away from any shortcomings in your experience.

Once an employer has received your resume, they may call you to schedule an interview. Keep in mind that the interview starts with this phone call. Your phone etiquette and demeanor will be noted, even if the person doing the calling is a secretary or assistant. So be polite and speak clearly. Try to avoid using slang when you express your excitement about the interview. You want to show the person on the other end of the phone that you would be a good phone representative for the company.

At the interview, you will hopefully be prepared after rehearsing some sample interview questions with a friend. This will put you more at ease and create the image that you are confident and relaxed. These attributes could help you stand out from less experienced or qualified applicants who have created a good looking resume. The less confident person will appear to be more nervous and agitated. Their answers will include stutters and long pauses.

To make a lasting impression, smile and be straightforward. Ask the questions that you really want to know in a manner that assumes you have the position already. Your confidence and interest in the company will present the impression that you are a good fit for the job.

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Mastering Phone Interviews

Your job search may take you into new places and new markets. If you are looking to change careers, you may have to look outside of your geographical area to find a position to suit you or a company interested in hiring someone with little or no experience. If you are trying to make a move, finding a company to work for after your relocation can be difficult. Either way, you may have to conduct a phone interview for a long distance job. Some local jobs also ask that you complete a phone interview, perhaps prior to being asked in for an on site interview.

Phone interviews make some people very nervous. But there is no need to be nervous if you prepare for it well. A good plan is to use the same technique you use with interviews in person and rehearse some common interview questions with someone you trust. Ask for honest feedback and be sure you conduct the practice sessions over the phone. You want feedback on your vocal quality and your demeanor as well as your answers.

To get ready for the interview, you need to have some paper handy, as well as a pen. This is to take notes about any questions or comments you may have and also to jot down any pertinent information that the interviewer shares with you, such as the date and time of your on site interview. In addition to note taking supplies, try having a glass of water on hand in case your nerves cause you to cough.

Some people make the mistake of thinking that a phone interview is more casual than an interview in person. They dress down, even wearing their pajamas during the phone call. They have the television or radio on in the next room and may pause to answer another call. All of these are reasons that a phone interviewer might get the impression you are not really serious about the position.

But how, you might ask, would a phone interviewer know if you are wearing your pajamas? They wouldn't of course. But you would. You would be surprised at the difference in your voice and your demeanor when you are in your pajamas as opposed to your suit. Try it out for yourself and notice the difference in how you feel. The confidence and professionalism that your suit inspires in you will be lost if you are not wearing it. So dress like you are going to the interview and it will come across on the phone.

Reduce all distractions. Turn off the radio, television, and any other phones. Disable call waiting for duration of the call. Ask family members not to interrupt you for that period of time and close the door to minimize noise. Remember to keep a copy of your resume handy, as well. These precautions should help you to have a successful phone interview.

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Performing Well During A Behavioral Interview

Don't worry; it is ok to be nervous during a behavioral interview. After all, you are trying to make a good impression on your potential employer. When you notice your potential employer implementing this method, just relax and try your best to relay how you have behaved during certain employment situations in the past. You will not know which method he or she plans on using until the interview has begun. But you may ask: "Can I prepare for a behavioral interview, even if I'm not sure which the employer will use?" The answer is YES!

Advance Preparation and Performance

If you suspect your potential employer may use a behavioral interview, it is best still to prepare for a traditional interview. Prepare your answers for a straightforward interview. Jot down answers that you have difficulties remembering. When you have prepared your straightforward answers, take a moment to meditate on your previous career experiences. Recall events in your work history in which you have been put to the test and recall how you handled them. It is also wise to jot down some of these events that highlight your logical, reasoning, problem solving and/or your creative abilities. The objective is to highlight who you are as an employee and to highlight how you handle yourself (behave) under stressful employment situations.

If the employer says something that is unclear, always ask him or her to clarify the question. Do not be afraid to ask him or her to repeat the question as well. Always remember to include the certain situation that you have recalled to mind, the tasks that were entrusted in you to handle the situation, the constructive actions you took and the outcome of the positive actions taken by you.

There aren't any right or wrong answers given during a behavioral interview. By asking these questions, your potential employer is trying to understand you as a person and as a potential employee. He or she is also trying to decide if you will fit into their company's corporate structure. So relax and do your best.

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Projecting Confidence In An Interview Situation

You have no doubt heard the saying about first impressions. If you are job hunting, this may make your stress level jump exponentially. You send in a resume with a cover letter that could make or break your chances to get an interview. You answer a job listing with an online response and a skills resume that could come across as too weak or too long or too anything other than what the employer is looking for in a new hire. But most of all, when you walk in the room to meet your potential employer, you could make or break that first impression instantly.

Now, do not let this scare you off from trying. Plenty of people make bad first impressions and turn the situation around only to recover their good standing and get the job. However, the more you can do to instill the right impression on your interviewer from the start, the better your chances for having a successful interview. This is not just because the first impression could color what the person thinks of you, but it could also color what you think of yourself.

For example, if you walk into the employer's office and stick out your hand to shake, but you shake too firmly for the person, you may make a poor first impression that you are not even aware of. This could color the person's opinion of you and make them think you are too forceful or nervous. But if you walk into the office and trip over the rug, the first impression that is in jeopardy is your own. Everyone falls from time to time, and chances are that your interviewer will laugh with you rather than hold it against you. But your self-confidence might be shaken just enough to affect the answers you give and the way you communicate for the next half hour.

So to make a good first impression and project confidence at your interview, try these tips:

Dress appropriately. This may seem like a simple thing, but you would be surprised at some of the things people wear to interviews. Men should wear a suit and tie with appropriate dress shoes. Be sure they are not too slick on the bottoms. Women should wear either a suit or a blouse with pants or skirt. Always wear hose if your legs are showing and do not wear too high of a heel. Keep the jewelry and the makeup to a minimum.

Smile. When you first see your employer, give them a nice friendly smile. Not one that says you are desperate or false, but one that says you are looking forward to this conversation.

Shake hands. This part can make some people nervous, as everyone has a slightly different idea of what makes a good handshake. But overall, be firm but do not squeeze too hard. Practice on people you know, both men and women to get their responses.

Look them in the eye. This applies to the first impression when you are smiling and shaking hands, as well as to the rest of the interview. When you answer questions, show your confidence in your answers by looking at the interviewer and not darting your eyes around the room.

Control your body language. To show that you are comfortable speaking with people, do not fidget or bounce your knee around. Lean forward a bit to show your interest in what the interviewer is saying.

Be short and to the point. If you are confident in your ability to do the job, there is no need to ramble on about your skills or your work history. Answer questions directly and allow the interviewer to ask any follow up questions for clarification.

Overall, a straightforward and respectful attitude will project the right impression at an interview. Remember that the more confident you feel about yourself, the more confident you will appear to others.

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Promoting A Positive Image At An Interview

The interview is the place where you get the opportunity to shine. You have polished your resume and ensured that it showed the proper skills and emphasized the appropriate work experience. You sent out neat and professional cover letters along with your application packets. And you were friendly and professional on the phone when called to schedule the interview. Now that you are about to meet your potential employer, you need to be sure you project the most positive image possible.

Many experts advise practicing your interview skills with a friend or family member who will give you honest feedback about your abilities. You want to be professional and courteous, always addressing the employer with a formal name unless instructed otherwise. You also want to answer some standard interview questions in a short and specific way. Practice your answers to some sample questions you find online. This will give you a feel for the type of questions the interviewer may ask and also for the type of environment you may encounter.

Along with the practice sessions, it is important to give yourself a pep talk. You need to be confident in your ability to do the job. Otherwise, the employer will pick up on your doubt and sense that there is a reason you would not be suitable for the position. Review your resume and look at the skills you have that meet the requirements of the job. Practice talking about these skills and be positive about your achievements. Do not be afraid to mention awards, sales records, or other accolades that you have received.

Above all, go into the interview with a positive attitude. One of the biggest mistakes that people make going into an interview situation is thinking about how much more qualified other people are or what aspects you lack. Focus on your attributes and not your shortcomings. And remember that this is not the only job out there, so if you do not get it, you will get another one.

Another thing to remember is that you may be asked to comment on people or situations you do not like. Do not take the opportunity to bad mouth anyone or insinuate that your problems at your last job were someone else's fault. Anything negative you share will only reflect badly on you. So keep your comments positive and redirect any attempt to be negative.

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