5 Tips To Excel At Interviewing

Currently, for my day job, I work on contract to develop software. Most of my contracts run months, not years so I have ample opportunity to go in to a company and interview for a position. In addition, I am asked on occasion to take part in an interview to help a client determine if a prospective developer would be a good fit for the organization.

So having sat on both sides of the table, with a frequency higher than most, I was asked by a client to come up with a short list of tips for interviewing. This short list of five tips will help you get an edge in your interview.

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Tip #1 - Understand what you are doing there (an interview goes two ways)

This is the one tip that will influence all the others. What is an interview? Inter- as in intersection, interruption, and even Internet. The prefix inter means among or between. There is a bidirectional component. An intersection is where two roads cross, an interruption is where two thoughts cross, the Internet is where our collective networks cross. And an interview is where our views of each other cross.

Many people lose this perspective when interviewing. I think I'm going into an examination and being judged on whether I'm good enough to get the job. This is only partially true. The other half of the event is that I'm "viewing" them. I am deciding if this is a place I want to work and I can contribute with my talents and time to be a happy and productive partner.

So I'm going to be viewing very closely this hiring manager, the surroundings, the technical interviewer, the process they use, the tests they may give - everything I can to help me determine if this place is for me. I'm going to kick the tires. I'm not a lab rat in this process, I'm a participant in an inter-view.

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Tip #2 - Be prepared (you've got to know what you want to know)

The last time you bought a car, did you just pull up at a dealer, walk around the lot and point at a car as the salesmen came running out to help you and just say, "I'll take that one over there in the corner?" Of course not. You probably looked at models, prices, fuel efficiency, comfort and amenities, horsepower, and safety features, oh don't forget the color, and maybe even more.

Knowing that I am making a decision about my potential hire, I don't want to go in unprepared. What am I looking for? Does this company do meaningful work? Will I be doing something that interests me? Or am I just looking to get a paycheck and hoping nobody notices me. I need to take a little time to decide what I'm looking for and actually ask about the situation and environment I'd be in.

For example, I've been put in places where contractors share a cubicle. It's a tight place to begin with, and I'd want to know who my bunk mate is before such a voyage. I've been at places where I worked in a meeting room with 6 other developers shoulder to shoulder around a big table with laptops. It's always fun when somebody takes a phone call, because we all get to listen in! I've even sat at a small table in the copy room where the faxes practically floated down onto my keyboard. At one place I came to work and didn't have a computer or even a chair, I sat on my desk for the first week reading manuals. And at another place I was given a box with my desk ready to assemble. We spent two days with electric drills assembling our desks before we could start working! If I wanted that, I would've been a handyman (which I'm not!). If I'm going to work somewhere - even for a few months - I want to see where I will be sitting.

What's important to you? The location, some of the other people? If you get a chance, stop and ask a future colleague what they think, how they're liking it. Don't expect the whole truth, but if you listen, you can get enough of a clue.

So be prepared for your interview with some questions and an idea of what you are looking for.

Tip #3 - Don't sweat it (everybody's nervous if you pay attention)

I'm always surprised how nervous people get in interviews. I guess I shouldn't be, I get fairly nervous myself. And as a person who often suffers from sweaty palms, that first handshake can really make me on edge. But a chuck to the shoulder or a parade float style wave just aren't acceptable, and a friendly hug is right out of the question! So just get used to the fact that you are going to be some degree of nervous.

But again - this is an interview. Stop and look at your interviewer, they're a little nervous themselves. They come in and shuffle through your resume. They have a stack of 50 on their desk and they have to talk to you like they know a little about you, that's stressful. They are usually meeting with you because they have a position they need filled. They have a need and it's not currently being met, this is stressful. They probably needed to fill this spot weeks ago and it got to the point where they had to get going on this, time is of the essence and stress is piling up.

So, understand and accept that you will be nervous, but it's not too hard to see the signs from your co-interviewers, that they are nervous as well. This can be a great comfort knowing that you're all in this together.

Tip #4 - Making a first impression... on purpose

As I've said, you are viewing them, so they are giving you a first impression. You need to pay attention and get the full benefit of what they have to offer. But you are also making your first impression and you should take some time to put your best foot forward.

They say, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." But often we don't know when we are going to have that first encounter. You bump into a friend while out running errands and they introduce you to their friend who they've "told all about you." There you are - BOOM - a first impression, hope you were ready!

Interviews are very convenient in that you know you are going there to make a first impression. So make it count. Look your best, be confident, be excited for the new possibilities this opportunity may present to you - this day could change your life! For me moving from no paycheck to having a paycheck is a major difference that impacts my whole family. So I need to take advantage and get on edge and use the fact that this is my first impression for all it's worth.

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Interview Bloopers And How To Correct Them

I'm sure you've sat through movie or TV "bloopers" at the end of shows and laughed at the mistakes the actors make during the filming of the show. If I could put together a film with bloopers that people make in interviews it might seem funny as well – but not when it happens in real life - to you!

How do you avoid bloopers? First you become aware of what some of the pitfalls of interviewing are and then you prepare and practice so that it won't happen to you. Here are 10 of those very pitfalls to watch for.

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1. Poor non-verbal communication – slouching – fidgeting – lack of eye contact

It's about demonstrating confidence - standing straight, making eye contact, and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning, or a quick ending to your interview.

2. Not dressing for the job or company – "over casual"

Today's casual dress codes in the office, do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well groomed, above all. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call and find out what the company dress code is before the interview.

3. Not listening – only worrying about what you are going to say

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not listening – turning up your intuitive - you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what they said. Observe your interviewer and match that style and pace.

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4. Talking too much – telling it all – even if it's not relevant

Telling the interviewer more than they need to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting; matching your skills with the requirements of the position, and relating only that information.

5. Being over-familiar – your new best friend is NOT the interviewer

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. The level of familiarity should mimic the demeanor of the interviewer. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview, and to ask questions, but not to over-step your place as a candidate looking for a job.

6. Using inappropriate language – you "guys" know what I mean

It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics, or sexual preferences – these topics could get the door slammed very quickly.

7. Acting cocky – being overconfident – "king of the hill"

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism, and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, over-doing is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

8. Not answering the question asked – "jumping in without thinking"

When an interviewer asks for an "example of a time," you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a "specific" example, you not only don't answer the question, but you miss an opportunity to prove your ability and tell about your skills.

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Want to Win the Job? Show Employers Your S.C.A.R.s

August 2007 brought some bad news for job seekers. The number of Americans with jobs fell in August for the first time in four years, raising fears that weakness in the economy has spread beyond the housing and financial sectors that have panicked markets in recent weeks. It appears that job seekers had a harder time finding work in August. June and July job figures where revised downward by 24,000 and 57,000.

Yet with this news, some people are still getting hired. 

How can you ensure you'll be the candidate who gets that great phone call with a job offer? Be sure to answer the 4 glowing needs every employer has in both your resume and in the interview. If you need help doing this, try using S.C.A.R. as a guide: 

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Problem Solver

I can't think of one company, business, or organization that doesn't have problems. Companies hire people to come in and solve problems. Demonstrate how your past performance includes problems identified and solved. Try using the following guide:

S - Situation - "I was working at XYZ corporation last year when...

C - Challenge - ...we had this major crisis happen in the IT department...

A - Action - ...so rather than sit on my butt and watch it happen, I ...

R - Result - ...and because I took the action, the server came back up quickly and work continued."

Show them you fix problems and you'll get the offer. 

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Money Maker

Companies ultimately exist to make money. Corporate mission and vision statements aside, it's the whole business of business. Are you a good investment? Will the organization make more money as a result of hiring you? If so, then prepare some stories about how you've helped make money.

Here's an example:

S - Situation - "I was working at XYZ corporation last year when...

C - Challenge - ...I identified a process that seemed to be fraught with rework...

A - Action - ...so rather than sit on my butt and let that process continue, I modified it so that ...

R - Result - ...and because I took the action, we saved over $100,000 last year." Show them you can make money and you'll get the offer.

People Lover

People are an organization's most valuable commodity and also the one that's most difficult to manage. Processes can be fixed but people are much more complex. Demonstrate that you have a heart for people and a great ability to deal with them and you'll be very attractive to an employer.

Here's an example:

S - Situation - "I was working at XYZ corporation 2 years ago when...

C - Challenge - ...I took over the management of a division where there was high employee turnover...

A - Action - ...so rather than sit on my butt and let that continue, I instituted a coaching and feedback system ...

R - Result - ...and because I took the action, our employee retention rate increased by 20%."

Show them you get along well with others and you'll get the offer.

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Competency-Based Interviews: 5 Steps to Success!

Competency-based interviews are intended to get the best from you, the candidate, whilst also fulfilling the needs of the organization to get the very best person for the job. There are some easy steps to make the most of yourself and have a much better chance of success.

Prepare well, but keep it sensible

As long as you know the job you are going for, ask for details of what you will be measured against. Ask for a set of competencies. Ask for a job description. This sets you up to succeed, not just because you are better informed, but also because you have asked - which will impress the decision-makers, before you even get there! 

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1. Get Creative Here is the time to use your own experiences to create 'stories' which you can use in the actual interview. These 'stories' are real scenarios that you have been a part of, which over a period of days and weeks beforehand, you write up. Maybe you will have 20+ initial ideas.
2. Leverage! Take the very best scenarios and write them out, bullet points first. Then flesh them out, whilst referring carefully to the competencies you've been given. It is amazing how you can 'tune-in' your scenario to include many, if not all of the competencies. And if you can't fit them all in, there will be a use for them - later!
3. Practice By reading through your scenarios (and by now you should not have more than six or seven) you will familiarise yourself with the contents, so well, that they will become second nature - even in the scary experience of an interview.
4. In the Interview There are some tactics in here too!
   
   • Using your scenarios make just three key points about what you've been asked. Make them relevant and the right 'weight'. Not too long or too short.
   • After that, leave space for them to ask more - that's what they are listening for.
   • Say 'I' a lot - they want to know what your personal involvement and experience was, not 'the team' or 'they'.
   • Have fun - whilst not contrived, smile and make some simple jokes, if you feel comfortable with that - they want to employ happy as well as capable people.
   • Can't answer? That's fine. Make sure that you reflect on your shortcomings by saying things like, 'It's one of the first things I want to develop in my next job - if you did your stuff on your scenarios and your competencies well enough, you will have covered 90% of the bases well and you'll be forgiven for not being 'perfect'. If you are really stumped - say so!
   • Ask questions - relevant, about their culture, focus on developing you, opportunities - the positive 'peopley' things (remember it's your chance to see if you want to work with them!).
   • Also ask about current issues they may be facing - you did do your homework on them, didn't you?
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5. Strong Ending!Keep the whole thing light, even as you leave at the end. Have a conversation in general terms - about anything! Do make sure that you ask them some things that are about them - they will love it if you ask them some open (what, how, when, where, who) general questions about your new job! About something nice in the building or their clothes - take as it comes and do what feels comfortable!
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Your Interview Environment: More Than Just the Interview

Most job seekers think the interview begins the moment they stand up to greet the person interviewing them. This is false. An interview is a two-way street, so your interview should begin the moment you walk through the company’s door. In your haste to make a good impression, don’t forget to keep your eyes open and your senses tuned to what’s taking place around you.

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Most job seekers think the interview begins the moment they stand up to greet the person interviewing them. This is false. An interview is a two-way street, so your interview should begin the moment you walk through the company’s door. In your haste to make a good impression, don’t forget to keep your eyes open and your senses tuned to what’s taking place around you.

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Is there a receptionist? How is the phone answered? Do any employees wander out to ask the receptionist a question? Are they terse or chatty? Do they scuttle away quickly when your interviewer appears? And do you find yourself smiling at what’s going on around you, or becoming even more nervous than you were when you came in the door?

On your way to the interviewer’s office, odds are you’ll be walking through some part of the company. Notice what’s going on around you. Are people jovially discussing different projects? Or intently bent over their computers, silently at work? Do you hear laughter? How are the employees moving from one place to another? What is their interaction like?

Depending on your awareness level, you may or may not pick these cues up cognitively, but you are registering them nonetheless. So the main question here is: while you’ve been waiting, and as you walk through the company to the interviewer’s office, how do you feel? And is that feeling agreeable to you? For instance, silence or conversational buzz is neither good nor bad. What’s important is how you feel about it and whether you can work in that environment.

What if your interviewer forgot he had an appointment with you? Does he apologize and reschedule? Stop what he’s doing and conduct the interview anyway? If you have meetings with multiple people, does someone bring you to the next office?

One person I know was conducting her own job search. Having passed the screening interview, she was to meet with all four of the company’s principles in the same afternoon. The first one was out of town. The second one was rude and insulting. The third one made her wait. She actually stayed to interview with the fourth one! The time to leave was somewhere during – or certainly after – the second interview. Why they brought her back for these interviews is another subject entirely.

In a more functional environment, she would have been written in on each principal’s calendar and anticipated. The secretary/receptionist would have offered her something to drink. She would have been led to each person’s office, instead of having been pointed toward the office of the next principal.

Factors other than the people who work there are important too. What’s the light source? Is it artificial or are there windows? Will you have an office or a cubicle? What floor will you be on? If you don’t have visual access to the outside, will that affect your emotional level and thus your work?

When you walk into a company you form an impression almost instantly, in the same way you do when you enter a strange room or party, or meet a new person. That impression comes from the energy level you are picking up subconsciously. It sends a signal to your gut – thus your “gut instinct” about what’s going on, even though you might not be able to pinpoint any specifics.

Although it’s wise to pay attention to the details, if your concentration during the interview was focused on what you learned during the conversation, it doesn’t matter. Because while you were paying attention to the larger cues, your gut instinct picked up the smaller ones – and it’s often the small ones that are telling. Whatever that gut instinct is telling you – trust it – especially if you’re getting a bad vibe. It can be the difference between happiness and misery a few months down the line.

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Fired? The Interview Solution

So you were fired? Now what? How will you explain it when you interview?

There are many questions that plague job seekers. “What salary are you looking for?” is a big one. “Why should we hire you?” is another. And “Why did you leave your last job?” can leave you spluttering if you were fired and don’t know how to answer. And most people don’t! After they’ve stumbled through a few answers—trying in vain to phrase it in an acceptable way—and are not invited back for a second interview, their fears are confirmed. No one will hire them because they’ve been fired.

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Except that’s not what’s really happening. The problem is not that they were fired, but how they answered the question.

We don’t stay at a job our entire lives like most of our grandparents did. Not only is it common to change jobs, some believe it's the best way to leverage salary and career. While most of the changes may be of your own volition, odds are a few will involve being fired or laid-off. Companies are bought out, merge, and consolidate, which means inevitably there’s a duplication of staff. It can be as simple as the new president wanting to bring in his own team. He probably didn’t even look at your capabilities, He just decided you were …outta there.

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These departures aren’t as difficult to explain. You can say:

• “Our company was bought and the entire department was eliminated.” (It’s not me; a bunch of us were asked to leave.) Safety in numbers.
• “The new president wanted to bring in his own guy. I lasted about a week.” (It’s not me; the president didn’t even take the time to find out if I was good at what I do.) A prospective company can’t possibly hold something against you that’s so… impersonal.
• “The company was losing money and downsized.” (It’s not me; if the company had been profitable, I’d still be there!)

The common thread is, “It’s not me.” Therefore, I am not flawed, unwanted, performing poorly, or any other reason you can think up or worry about. But these types of partings, while they seem impersonal, can still have a detrimental effect. We’ll get to that in a minute.

The instances that cause real damage feel very personal, even when they aren’t. You are the only one who was dismissed, and what’s more, you know they’ll replace you. You’re caught off guard, angry, and frightened, too. In an instant, you’re on the defensive, which is usually where people remain. And that’s exactly what causes the problem.

Firing isn’t always about the individual, even though that’s who’s impacted the most. Sometimes it’s about the boss—especially bosses with issues. It might be about poor performance, but that’s not always negative. It could be the result of having different philosophies. For instance, the company may value those who work weekends, nights and holidays. You prefer to balance your life.

Once you’re fired, you can’t change the circumstances. But you can control how you view them. While departmental or companywide layoffs are easier to explain, they can also cause damage. You wonder, “If I’d been really good, wouldn’t they have found another spot for me?” In addition, you’re in an insecure place that sometimes is difficult to adjust to.

Take time to clear some tears or anger. If you’re tempted to recoil, rehash, threaten revenge or otherwise communicate with your previous employer, don’t. Remember one word: reference! Don’t burn your bridges. Leave the company gracefully.

Most importantly, detach yourself from the event and honestly examine what happened. That’s the only way you’re going to get any insight and begin adjusting your thoughts and perspective. There are hundreds of reasons for dismissal, so no pat answer will suffice. The unequivocal rule is to tell the truth. If they discover you lied, you’ll be wondering for a long time how you’ll pay your bills. So when you’re asked why you left – tell them you were fired. Forthright brevity is best. It’s all in how you phrase it. The trick is a shift in perspective, which is easier when you’ve purged the defensiveness and shame.

Don’t give a long, rambling story or blame the company, your boss, or anyone else. Were you –even partially- at fault? Take responsibility. Did you learn from the experience? Say so. Are you completely at sea as to what happened? That’s okay. Not every job is right for everyone. There are philosophical differences, chemistry problems, tough spots, and bosses who are difficult and self-absorbed.

Regardless of the reason, it wasn’t your perfect job or you weren’t quite what they needed. The great thing is that it was recognized (in whatever form) and everyone is moving on. The goal is to be real about what works for you and why the firing took place.

The first step, as trite as it sounds, is to look at it as a blessing. It may take some time to see, but no matter how bad it looks or feels, something good will come of it. Maybe it will be a better job, a chance to grow, or the realization that you hated your career – who knows?

But if you’re too busy being angry and defensive, not only will you miss the chance to capitalize on the positive outcome, but you’ll also keep experiencing negative consequences. When you're in a victimized frame of mind, you'll miss recognizing an opportunity and continue to perpetuate your unemployment.

Let’s examine two answers to the question: “Why did you leave your last job?”

HOLDING-ON HENRIETTA: I don’t know. I was doing my job. Everyone liked me. They always came to me for advice instead of our boss. When the other manager left, they promoted the assistant. She’s maybe about 28. I guess they thought she’d be good just because she’d been there a long time, but she really was a shrew. I think she hated me. She was always talking down to me. One time she took credit for one of my projects. She’s the one that should have left! I’m glad to be out of there.

OBJECTIVE OLIVIA: I was fired, actually. The assistant manager was promoted to manager because she had seniority and she was very good at her job. Unfortunately, she was young and perhaps she thought respect was automatically accorded instead of earned, because when everyone else began coming to me instead of her, it didn’t seem to sit well with her. Despite that I excelled in my responsibilities and met my goals, she let me go. I’m sorry to have had to leave the company. I learned a lot there.

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Tips to Work with Article Writing Services

To outsource the article writing can be a profitable and easy way to extent business in a meaningful manner, but to get the best outcome, it needs a body of work. In this article, five tips are described to help you to get most of the benefit from article writing services.
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Research Keywords
No one will get the web contents or articles if they are based on the keywords that are not suitable or excessively competitive. Therefore, you need to do the best keyword research for the content you are writing to be on the top. Well you need to understand this as well that it is generally not a component of the article writing services; it is usually additional, and you need to have confidence of whoever is doing that kind of work for you, because it is very essential. The keywords are the victory or collapse of your business, therefore ensure to arm your content writers with the best you have.
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Identify Your Market
It is important to tell your writer the intent and focus that you have for the content. As much you will be able to make clear the task, the more your writers will be capable to write useful and meaningful contents for you that will benefit you more in shape of your business profit. This is also good to address it at the beginning of the task; it will help you to avoid such end when you are not pleased and dissatisfied with the output. Make this openly clear about who are your audience and what you wish to deliver to them and this way each one will be more focused and will do his best!
Get the Recommendations
You are not the only one who has stepped into an outsourcing of web writing; therefore, you must seek opinions and recommendations on the article writing services. Whether these recommendations are from your colleagues, from a forum or trusted friends, or any of the information you get will benefit you in a decision-making. Must ask them about the things like about the quality, delivery time etc.
Outsource As Much As Possible Once you will be in the position of to outsource, perform and try to achieve as much as your budget or resources allow you. This will give you the chance to scale your business in a way you yourself would be pushed to do!
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Keep the Best
Once you will find an article writing service and at a service, a particular writer then hand onto them as they were gold. To find the good web content writers is not easy job. Therefore, once you will find someone who understands exactly what you want and delivers the quality work in timely fashion, then it is better for your business to hang onto him or her.
For your websites, web content creation and marketing efforts is no longer an option currently; it is a necessity. Search someone who can assist you to create a lot of content that will affect your business in a positive manner.