Dress For Success
	Dressing for that all important interview
	Effective research and data collection
	Interpreting Body Language
	Preparing for your interview
	Research the company you are applying to
	Turning an interview to your advantage
	Why Are You A Candidate Of Choice?
	Why research?
	Writing your resume is preparation for the interview itself.

Dress For Success

When it comes to preparing for an interview, one of the most stressful decisions to make is in deciding what to wear. You may not know what is acceptable and what is not. You know you want the interview to go smoothly and you want it to be a major success, but you just don't know what to wear in order to make it a successful interview. Always dressing your very best is the key to dressing for success. You only get ONE first impression, make it a good one.

When you dress for your interview, you should dress in a manner in which you would want others to see the real you. How we dress is just an outward display of the people we are inside. If you dress sloppily for an interview, your potential employer will see you as a disorganized individual. Appearance is everything. Here are some helpful hints when deciding what to wear.

Solid Colored Conservative Suits

Solid colored suits are the safest way to go. Navy blues, charcoals and grays work well to relay a conservative attitude and stance. Avoid pinstripes and polka dotted suits. It doesn't really matter what type of job you are applying for because in the general business world, a professional and conservative appearance is widely accepted.

Color Coordinate

Color coordinate your attire to make a memorable impression. This is not to be taken as a suggestion to wear bright or "loud" colors with your conservative suit. This is only meant as a suggestion to pick wisely the color shirts and ties to wear with your nice conservative suit. Or which color blouses to wear with your conservative skirt suit. The possibilities are endless, but always keep style in mind. The style you are trying to achieve is conservative.

Easy on the Make-up and Cologne

For female interviewees, it is best to wear only the normal amount of makeup you would wear on a daily basis. Only wear small amounts or go for the natural look altogether. Whichever the case, less is best. This is also true regarding perfume and cologne. Who hasn't at one time in life stood next to someone who smelled like they had taken a bath in perfume or cologne? If you have, remember how unpleasant the experience was and go easy on the cologne or perfume. Or don't wear any at all. Again, less is best.

Accessories

Bring along your attaché, briefcase, portfolio, pen and/or pencil. There will be a time where you will need to take notes. Employers often "fake" losing their pen and ask for yours. You do not want to be in the situation where you are unprepared for this event. Take along everything you would use on a daily basis in the office. For example: A pen and pencil, calculator, notepad, paper clips and maybe a cube of sticky notes. Of course all these things should be kept inside of your attaché case. Make sure you bring it!

Your goal is to make a memorable first impression during your interview and increase your chances of getting the job. If you dress successfully and do your best, most likely you will increase your odds of beating out the other applicants for the job. The fundamental key to dressing for success is always dressing your best.

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Dressing for that all important interview

The fact is that many of us evaluate people on sight. We make our minds up about them immediately based on the way they look or speak. Interviewers are no different.

On many occasions our first impression of a candidate has colored their interview as our initial view has given us a negative impression and despite the content of their interview it can prove difficult to change from our initial judgement.

It is important that you promote yourself on sight and to do this you must present yourself at interview in a professional manner. If you turn up for interview unsuitably dressed it puts you on the back foot immediately.

Firstly it is a sign to the interviewer that you are not taking the interview seriously and this in itself is disrespectful. Secondly it is apparent that you don't take yourself too seriously and this too makes it difficult for the interviewer to respect you.

To demonstrate your interest in the position and your professionalism you should choose your interview attire carefully. It will enhance your image before an interviewer and give you additional confidence as you prepare to answer some tough interview questions.

We all know that when we look good we feel good and indeed appropriate dress will heighten your sense of self-esteem as you prepare to enter your interview.

While your clothes will not guarantee you get the job they can guarantee that you don't.

The following are tips that will help you dress for that all-important interview:

MEN

* Suits should be worn in colors of navy, dark blue, dark to light grey.
* Do not wear a black suit; it is too somber and severe.
* Long sleeved shirts should always be worn.
* Shirts should be white or cream or a subtle shade of blue.
* Shirts should be ironed and crease free.
* A silk tie is preferable as it ties neater and has a better finish.
* Your tie should complement your shirt and your suit.
* Ties should be conservative or more preferably plain.
* Wearing a busy tie with icons or pictures can prove distracting.
* Shoes should be black leather preferably, brown is also acceptable.
* They should be pristine and polished.

WOMEN

* Suits should be well tailored and stylish.
* Preferred colors are Gray, Light Gray, Black, Dark Blue and Navy.
* A shift dress with matching jacket is also a good choice versus the traditional suit.
* A conservative hemline, preferably knee length is desirable.
* Blouses should be made of cotton or silk preferably and should be long sleeved.
* Soft colors are preferable, white, cream, lemon or pale blue.
* Take care with the accessories; do not ruin a smart suit with a gaudy brooch or a poor quality scarf.
* The color of your shoes should match your clothes.
* Shoes should be made of leather, pristine and polished.
* Shoes can be black, navy, brown or wine.
* A classic court shoe with a medium sized heel is preferable.
* Stockings or Tights should be a neutral color. (Remember to always keep a spare pair with you to cover emergencies.
* Jewelry should be subtle. Wear a minimum of well-chosen jewelry that reflects good taste.
* Ensure that your bag is good quality leather, clean and polished and matching your shoes.
* Make-up should be subtle and natural. In this case less is more.

As you can see there is a lot of variables at work here. The overall message is that a professional but subtle understated look is best. Do not power dress but do not under dress either.

Personal hygiene is an important point. Interviews can lead to emotional sweats and it is extremely important that you project a pristine image. Pay attention to your fingernails, breath and hair. Very obviously no interviewer wants to be put in the position where it is difficult to conduct an interview because of someone's poor personal hygiene.

The attention you give to your personal appearance will reap its own rewards.

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Interview Tips - Effective research and data collection.

As you begin your research think about the following:

* What should you check out prior to interview?
* What do you need to know about the company?
* What should you leave for the interview so you use the opportunity to ask a pertinent question?

Use this checklist to assist you as you begin the process of collecting information:

* How long has the company been in existence?
* What is its current position? How is it performing?
* What are its products or services?
* What are its future plans?
* Who owns it?
* PLC, Private, Partnership etc, what is its status?
* Are there plans for it to be floated on the Stock Exchange?
* Does it have subsidiaries and if so where are they located?
* What market share does it currently have versus the competition?
* How many staff does it employ?
* Are there plans for expansion?
* What is the staff turnover rate?
* What assets does it have?
* What is its organizational structure?
* Where does its funding come from?
* Who are the key members of the organization?
* Gather some operations details.

While this list is not exhaustive, it will give you a starting point.

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Interpreting Body Language

It is vital that you are aware of the signals that your body language communicates to your interviewer.

Very obviously the first thing to examine is your handshake. This is your initial contact with your interviewer and a limp handshake will do nothing to advance your chances of success.

Clasp the interviewers hand firmly, smile confidentially and make eye contact. A point to note is that the interviewer should initiate the handshake as they make the initial introductions.

Remember that your interviewers are analyzing your behavior to gain an insight into your personality, ability and flexibility.

Our body language speaks volumes about they way we are feeling or what we are thinking. It is very possible to judge a persons honesty and integrity by their actions as much as their words.

Your handshake should be polite but warm, open and friendly.

Wait until you have been offered a seat and then sit down ensuring that you maintain a comfortable distance between you and your interviewer.

Once you have been seated the interview will commence. It is easy to become distracted at this point as you begin to formulate answers to anticipated questions.

Focus on the interviewer and actively listen to what they are saying. The interviewer will be watching you intently throughout this time to see how you are dealing with your nervousness and waiting for you to begin your part in the proceedings.

It is important to maintain eye contact with your interviewer throughout the interview. If you continually shift your glance away from them it can give the appearance of disinterest or worse still it may give the impression that have something to hide.

Be careful that you do not stare at the interviewer in your desire to maintain good eye contact as this can appear disdainful and belligerent.

Smile at your interviewer when the opportunity arises indicating an open friendly personality. One concern we have when we say this is that many people have made the mistake of grinning ridiculously throughout the entire interviewer leaving the interviewer with little choice but the wonder at the sincerity and mentality of the candidate seated before them.

Be aware of your head movements. In everyday conversations we have witnessed people who are so interested in making their own point that they do not listen to the point that is being made to them. Don't fall into this trap. Listen to each question and take a moment to ponder your answer. If you nod your head slowly in acknowledgement of a point that is put to you it indicates interest and demonstrates that you are considering the point before answering. This is a positive response to an interviewer who will be encouraged to continue with their conversation.

Crossing your arms over your chests sends a negative signal to your interviewer. It demonstrates nerves and a degree of in approachability.

Fidgety hands can be a terrible distraction to an interviewer. Beware of the following telling gestures.

* Jangling coins.
* Tapping a pen.
* Adjusting your tie.
* Picking at imaginary fluff on your clothes.
* Running your hands through your hair.
* Scratching.

These gestures are annoying for an interviewer. At the end of the interview these will be what your interviewer associates with you rather than your performance.

The way you are seated is particularly important. Do not slouch or assume a relaxed posture. The correct way to sit is to sit back in your chair, keep your back straight and face your interviewer at eye level. You may sit slightly forward when asked a question as this indicates interest and friendliness on your part. As we have just discussed be conscious of your hands. If your chair has arms it is best to relax and leave your hands on the arms of your chair. If not leave your hands in your lap.

If you feel more comfortable crossing your legs the best way to do so is to cross your legs at the ankle and angle your legs away from the interviewer. For men in particular a tip is not to rest one ankle across a knee as it indicates a wilful or stubborn personality.

Avoid tapping your foot against the floor as it signifies nerves and can be distracting to the interviewer.

So as you prepare for the interview remember a few key points.

* Firm Handshake
* Maintain good eye contact but avoid staring
* Good Personal Hygiene
* Be aware of your hands and feet.
* Don't fold your arms
* Be open and friendly
* Firm Handshake

As you prepare to leave the interview, once again give a firm handshake, give an open and confident smile and thank your interviewer for their time.

One last tip is not to comment on personal items in the office. Remember the old mistake that people have made when complementing children in a photograph who are boys and not girls. It may sound like a cliche or a scene from an old Cary Grant/Doris Day movie but believe us it has happened.

A simple mistake at this point can have grave consequences. Be professional at all times and mirror your interviewers behavior.

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Preparing for your interview

As you prepare to attend your interview the follow instructions will help assure you of success:

* Prior to the interview itself get directions to the interview venue and check out the parking that is adjacent. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue, park and be on time for your interview.
* Get a contact number for your interviewer or the company itself so in the event that you are unavoidably detained you can make them aware to avoid added inconvenience.
* Bring a copy of your Resume, a notepad and a ballpoint pen. This will give you a look of organisation and efficiency and give you something to do with your hands during the interview itself.
* Do not arrive too early for your interview as it indicates anxiousness on your part.
* Do not arrive late even momentarily as this indicates disinterest and is inconsiderate. In the event of an unavoidable delay as stated above call ahead to explain the situation.
* Collect your references from your employers prior to the interview. If they are requested the fact that you have them available will indicate your attention to detail.
* Be confident that you are able to answer the questions, which will be put to you.
* Relax and breathe deeply before you enter the interview itself. This will help calm your nerves and reduce your tension.
* Be open and friendly to the receptionist of the staff member sent to greet you, this is part of the process itself and will be considered part of your interview.
* Be formal and polite, mirror your interviewer. Call them by their title, Mr, Mrs, Ms etc and not their first name. To do so without being invited can be a sign of disrespect.
* Remember a firm handshake is a good starting point.
* Do not look at your watch or look around the room as your interviewer begins the process.
* Do not offer personal opinions on sex, race, culture, age or equal rights.
* Do not ask about company benefits, salary or holiday entitlements.
* Respect your interviewer and treat them with the deference they are entitled to.
* Be aware of your body language throughout the interview.

By following these directives you will greatly improve your chances of success in your interview and you will present yourself to your interviewer in the best possible light.

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Research the company you are applying to:

To perform well at interview it is important that you have some knowledge of the company to which you are applying. Firstly it will give you extra confidence, and secondly your interviewer will be pleased at the initiative you have shown in conducting this research.

Establish some basic facts about the company.

* How many people does it employ?
* What are its products?
* How has it performed over the past 12/24 months?
* Is it a public or private company?
* Who are its customers or client base?
* Who are its main competitors?
* What are the challenges it is currently facing?
* What type of Management Structure does it have?
* Does it have other branches nationally or internationally?
* What type of revenue does it make per annum?
* What level of attrition/staff turnover does it have?
* Who is on its Management Team?
* What are its policies?

There are many methods available to you to find this information.

* The Internet.
* Company Circulars.
* Business Guides.
* Staff Members.

The Internet contains a wealth of data and has fast become the most popular way to search for information. Businesses are increasingly designing their own web pages whereby they can advertise and promote their company and therefore reach a new consumer base. This is a good place to start.

With the Internet so freely accessible, there is nothing stopping you from obtaining the data you require for your preparations/research.

If the companies to whom you have applied for a job are not on the Internet don't worry, there are many other methods of researching your information.

Many large firms today will collate and present company information in the form of a company circular or sales brochure or indeed in the pages of a business guide which covers the local district.

This information will generally detail past performances, plans for the future, the challenges they face in this competitive business world we work in and their achievements.

From this information you will establish what their goals are and what challenges face them in the future.

Gathering this information is the easy part, knowing what to do with it can be more difficult.

A good place to start is to speak with a present or past employee who will give you an insight into the everyday workings of the firm.

Employees can provide accurate information on the company they work for. They can give a 'warts and all' account of life within the company. It is important to see the company for what it is, both strengths and weaknesses.

If you are not familiar with any employees, it is good to make contact with a member of the Human Resources Department. While they will not provide you with their own personal insight into the company, they will at least provide you with sufficient information for you to build a picture of the working environment.

They will provide information on the company's products or services, details on the facility itself, promotion opportunities, achievements, company goals and other relevant information.

From this information you will be able to formulate questions that you can put to interviewer around company structure, goals and challenges. The fact that you will have researched the company will ensure that the answers you receive will clarify areas you may not completely understood and provide you with an insight into the company you are hoping to join.

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Prepare For An Interview - Turning an interview to your advantage.

We have all been told that often it is not the most suitable candidate that gets the jobs but the candidate who performs best at interview.

There is an element of truth in this statement because let’s face it a candidate may ruin their chances of success by performing badly at the interview stage.

As with your resume, portrayal and presentation are two of the most important weapons in your arsenal. While poor presentation can destroy the content of your interview, a slick polished presentation can’t compensate for lack of content.

Interviewers are smart people who have generally seen it all. Glib conversation or a smooth talker rarely fools them. They are seeking out the substance contained within the answers and the actual knowledge that is fuelling the answers.

It is difficult to find the happy medium, while you can’t develop a line of smooth answers it is equally ineffective to sit back passively and wait for an interviewer to pull answers from you.

You must participate from the very outset. It is a 30-minute forum, which offers you the opportunity to showcase your talents, skills and experience. It really is a one –time opportunity, there won’t be a second chance given.

Prepare, practice and practice again.

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Why Are You A Candidate Of Choice?

Before you walk into an interview it is imperative that you ask yourself this question, "Why are you a candidate of choice?" Why are you the person for this job above all others? Most people have a problem answering a question worded in such a way because many believe it is arrogant and conceited to think in such terms. However, if you do not have the confidence in yourself, you can not expect your would-be employers to believe in you either. You have to walk in knowing you are the person for the position and be able to explain why that is the case to your interviewer. Of course, this will require a little work on your part beforehand.

While you should have an impressive resume prepared at all times, you should customize your cover letter for the position you are applying for. Read through the specifications of the job and alter your cover letter accordingly. Once you submit your resume and cover letter and are called back for an interview, then the real preparation begins.

A day or two before your interview, you should sit down and review the qualifications for the position in correlation with your resume. Specifically, what is it they are looking for? How do you meet this need? It is important to not only think this through, but write it down. You must have a clear picture in your mind how you will be successful in this position. You should gather all of your supporting documentation, such as diplomas, certificates, and referral information, make copies, and have it organized in a neat presentation folder. Now that you have a clear idea why you are a perfect candidate, verbalize it. Actually practice speaking out loud what qualifications they need and how you satisfy their criteria. You have to say the words to ingrain them in your mind so you do not freeze up when they come up in the interview. Take detailed notes of your thoughts and the words you choose; however, do not use this as a script. Do not memorize an answer; simply practice answering the question aloud in various ways.

The morning of the interview, you should review your notes and go back over what you will say. It is a good idea to think through many potential questions and what your answers may be. This way, when they ask you a question, you do not stumble or stutter; you speak with ease. Once you read through your notes once or twice, put them away; you want to speak naturally and not mechanically or from a script. The more you go over these answers in your mind, the more you will convince yourself of their reality. When you walk into your interview, you will be prepared to tell them exactly why they should hire you.

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Job Interview Help - Why research?

Why do I have to put so much time into preparation you may ask? The reason is that comprehensive research gives you these advantages:

The reasons are:

The reasons are:

1. It gives you vital information that enables you to ask relevant questions.
2. It puts you ahead of your competitors, as you will be in a position to demonstrate the knowledge acquired and your ability to acquire it.
3. It gives you a confidence boost, knowledge is a powerful tool.
4. The research will have confirmed your decision to seek the position enabling you to focus on the achievement of that goal.

It smacks of a careless and laid back attitude, neither of which will endear you to an interviewer. The second mistake is being unable to formulate a pertinent question when asked by the interviewer. Again, it will be very obvious that you did little more than turn up for the actual meeting without thought for the consequences or indeed the attainment of goals.

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Writing your resume is preparation for the interview itself.

Writing your resume is preparation for the interview itself. The structuring and writing of your resume is good preparation for the interview itself. As you reflect on your past work experience and breakdown the detail behind each of your roles it makes you refocus on the job itself and what you liked and disliked about your role. With the added benefit of hindsight you can learn from the negative aspects of your role and focus on gaining employment in a role that will both challenge and fulfil you.

When we leave employment we have a tendency to move on and leave the past behind us, always looking forward and never back. Your writer will delve into your daily and weekly activities in an effort to cover aspects of your role that are so commonplace to you that you may disregard their importance.

As you detail your activities in past roles you will begin to focus your attention on your skills and abilities. While working with your writer to formulate your resume, you will simultaneously begin to formulate answers to prospective interview questions.

The value of writing your resume in this way means that you will gain enormous benefit from the time spent analyzing your strengths and past achievements. Added to this, your resume writer is experienced in the needs of the employer. While they concentrate on writing your resume to enhance your abilities they will also concentrate on providing the information that is required by an employer.

You will be surprised to realize that your experience is deeper and more varied than you even imagined. You will see your contributions to previous employers and realize their importance and worth.

We are all guilty of underselling ourselves and being dismissive of our achievements. Starting a sentence with the words 'I only work at or I only do' have been spoken at interviews. This is the kiss of death for your information and to describe your work experience with this type of negativity will guarantee failure.

Through the recreation of your work experience for your resume you will see your value as a solid employee increase. You will gain a confidence that will be useful both at your interview and later on in your future career.

Remember that no detail is too insignificant. What was part of the daily grind to you could be seen as a valuable tool or skill to an employer.

Your resume writer will work on ensuring that your skills are displayed to the best of your potential. Your resume writing exercise will provide you with the best possible interview preparation techniques. You will be amazed by what you learn about yourself in the process.

Find Your New Job Faster With A Perfect Professional Resume And Cover Letter. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Quick Turnaround.

Writing your resume is preparation for the interview itself.

Writing your resume is preparation for the interview itself. The structuring and writing of your resume is good preparation for the interview itself. As you reflect on your past work experience and breakdown the detail behind each of your roles it makes you refocus on the job itself and what you liked and disliked about your role. With the added benefit of hindsight you can learn from the negative aspects of your role and focus on gaining employment in a role that will both challenge and fulfil you.

When we leave employment we have a tendency to move on and leave the past behind us, always looking forward and never back. Your writer will delve into your daily and weekly activities in an effort to cover aspects of your role that are so commonplace to you that you may disregard their importance.

As you detail your activities in past roles you will begin to focus your attention on your skills and abilities. While working with your writer to formulate your resume, you will simultaneously begin to formulate answers to prospective interview questions.

The value of writing your resume in this way means that you will gain enormous benefit from the time spent analyzing your strengths and past achievements. Added to this, your resume writer is experienced in the needs of the employer. While they concentrate on writing your resume to enhance your abilities they will also concentrate on providing the information that is required by an employer.

You will be surprised to realize that your experience is deeper and more varied than you even imagined. You will see your contributions to previous employers and realize their importance and worth.

We are all guilty of underselling ourselves and being dismissive of our achievements. Starting a sentence with the words 'I only work at or I only do' have been spoken at interviews. This is the kiss of death for your information and to describe your work experience with this type of negativity will guarantee failure.

Through the recreation of your work experience for your resume you will see your value as a solid employee increase. You will gain a confidence that will be useful both at your interview and later on in your future career.

Remember that no detail is too insignificant. What was part of the daily grind to you could be seen as a valuable tool or skill to an employer.

Your resume writer will work on ensuring that your skills are displayed to the best of your potential. Your resume writing exercise will provide you with the best possible interview preparation techniques. You will be amazed by what you learn about yourself in the process.

Find Your New Job Faster With A Perfect Professional Resume And Cover Letter. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Quick Turnaround.