Employer Evaluations (job interview tips)

Employers are generally monitoring and evaluating you on
three skill sets during an interview. Those three skill sets
can easily be broken down into these sections:

Content Skills

These are the skills that are directly related to
performing a specific job in your profession. You get these
skills by learning your craft in an accredited school through
specialized training, work experience, attaining a degree, and
internships. This shows an employer that you are have acquired
all of the knowledge that you will need to perform your job
efficiently.
If you do not have this type of skill available, you can
simply express that you are looking into specialized training,
and/or would be willing to start. It may not be exactly what
the employer is looking for, but it shows that you show
initiative.

Functional Skills
These are the skills that reflect your ability to work with
others, and how you incorporate data. This is where an
employer decides whether or not you are a team player. You can
display this skill by displaying your past employment record
and accomplishments that are directly job related.
Generally an employer will get an idea of your ability to
work with others depending on your reasons for leaving
previous jobs, whether or not your were fired before etc. If
you have been fired before, don’t lie about it, and do not act
bitter about it when discussing the reason, this will not
benefit you in the end. Be forthcoming and sincere. Express
that it was a learning experience for you and tell them what
you learned from it. It reflects well on your temperament.

Adaptive Skills
This is a general show of your personality and temperament.
It also covers your self management skills. During your
interview, the employer will be evaluating you on your general
ability to get along with him/her. Your general personality
traits are monitored during this time.
When faced with a difficult question, you do not want to
get defensive or angry. Just take a few seconds to think about
what you should say rather than say something you will regret.
If you must; simply explain that you are little nervous so
that you can buy a few extra seconds to answer.
You want to appear at ease, (or as much so as you can)
during your interview. You want the employer to think that you
anticipated everything that he/she is going to say. Even if
you are terrified at your replies, do not let them see you
sweat.

What Employers Are Looking For (job interview tips)

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 on these things during an
interview, but you should remember all of the tips in this
manual because following those tips is what is going to make the
employers see all of those things in you.
Since everybody wants to have a leg up when it comes to an
interview, it naturally seemed to be appropriate to let you in
on what the employers are evaluating you on during an interview.
So here is that list.
• Your Enthusiasm: Employers want to know that you are
willing and eager to be a part of their company. Being
fully stocked with knowledge about the company is a sure
fire way to show your enthusiasm.
• Your ability to speak clearly: If you approach an interview
mumbling and speaking slang, a prospective employer will
not see you as a professional.
• Showing your teamwork skills: You should show an example of
your ability to work as a team during your interview.
• Leadership skills: You should show your leadership
abilities by approaching your interview with an offensive
train of thought.
• Problem solving ability: Employers needs to know that you
can handle yourself when a problem arrives.
• Work related experience: You definitely want to show that
you have some experience in the field already, so that the
employer knows that you will not be overwhelmed.
• Community involvement: Employers love to see that you have
done volunteer work. It shows that you take pride in your
community, and a willingness to be a team player.
• Company knowledge: Again, this stipulates that employers
like to see that you have done your research about their
company. It shows that your interest in working for them is
sincere.
• Flexibility: Employers want to know that you are able to go
with the flow. It proves that they can depend on you later.
• Ambition and Motivation: Ambitious people are generally
motivated enough to make great improvements in the company
as they are working their way up the ladder. Ambition
usually means more money for the company.
• People skills: Your ability to get along with others is
very important to an employer. They need to know that you
won’t ruffle any feathers when you are hired.
• Professional appearance: Nobody wants a slob working in
their office. Be certain to dress appropriately for the job
that you are applying for.
• Ability to Multitask: This is getting to be a very
necessary skill in the workplace. Most days, you will be
required to multitask. Even if you are not, employers need
to know that you can do it without freaking out on them.
• Computer ease: These days, just about every company in the
world is running on computers. The ability to work a
computer with at least minimal amount of ease is important.
It is best to keep a leg up on the most common software
like MS Office, Quark Express, and Linux.
• Reliability: Employers want dependable and reliable people
to work for them. Your ability to arrive on time is a good
place to start when trying to prove that you possess this
quality.

common question in interview

Common Questions When Applying for Your First Job After College
Graduation (job interview part X)

1. Tell me what your most rewarding college experience was.
2. What extra curricular activities did you participate in?
3. What have you learned in college that applies directly to
this job?
4. How have you prepared yourself for the transition from
college to the workplace?
5. Are you going to graduate school? If so, do you plan to
continue working as well?
6. How do you plan to manage graduate school and working?
7. Did you get any hands on experience in College?
8. How do you feel that college has prepared you for this
job?
9. Have you ever done an internship that helped to prepare
you for this type of work?
10. What do you think is the best asset that you could
bring to the company?

Questions That You Should Ask Your Interviewer (job interview part XI)

Just like you will be fielding questions from your
interviewer, it is best to ask a few of your own. It shows that
you are genuinely interested in working there, and that you have
some concerns of your own. It also shows that you feel
relatively certain that this is the place for you.
Asking the right questions to your prospective employer
will show him/her that you are serious in you efforts to work
for their company, and that you are an organized individual. You
should steer clear of asking any personal questions or any
questions that are not directly job related.
If you wish, you may jot down some of the answers that you
are given for reference later on. Keep your questions simple and
polite. Make sure that you are asking direct questions about the
job and/or work environment.
Here are some questions that you should ask your
prospective employer:
1. Why is this position available right now?
2. How many times has this position been filled in the past 5
years?
3. What should the new person do that is different from the
last person that had this position?
4. What would you most like to see done in the next 6 months?
5. What are the most difficult problems that this jobs
entails?
6. How much freedom do I have in the decision making process?
7. What are my options for advancement?
8. How has this company succeeded in the past?
9. What changes do you envision in near future for this
company?
10. What do you think constitutes success in this job?

Questions Employers Cannot Ask (job interview part XII)

Just like there are many questions that an interviewer can
ask, there are many that he cannot ask. Some questions are
illegal to ask. Many people don’t realize that there are off
limit questions for employers. That is why I felt that it was
important to include them.
When or if you do encounter some of these questions there
are ways that you can choose to respond to them. Since some
people would probably answer them, it is good to know that you
don’t have to answer those kinds of questions. You can simply
ask how those questions pertain to the job you’re applying for.
Here is a list of the questions that are illegal for an
interviewer to ask.
1. Questions about your age are not allowed during an
interview because it should not be a factor upon hiring
you.
2. Questions about your marital status are inappropriate and
can easily be mistaken for sexual harassment. This question
also applies to whether or not you have children, your
child care plans etc. This type of question also includes
any other aspect of your personal life that should not
effect your chances of being hired.
3. Questions about your personal health are also off limits.
4. Questions about your ethnicity should not be asked by an
interviewer or answered by the person being given the
interview.
5. Your sexual preference cannot be a factor in your chances
of being hired either. This type of question should not be
asked.
6. Whether or not you have disabilities is a question that
should not be asked either.
7. Your arrest record is information that doesn’t have to be
answered. All an interviewer can ask you is if you have
ever been convicted of a crime, they cannot ask you what
for or how many times.
8. Basically, personal information cannot be asked by an
interviewer. It is illegal, and you do not have to respond.

The Post Interview Follow-up (job interview tips)

Now that the interview is over, the hard work is over, but
you still have to follow up on the interview later. Sending a
thank you note is the best way to start. The thank you letter
should be written with your thanks for their time and
consideration in seeing you.
If you haven’t heard from the employer within a week, you
should call the office to ask if they have reached a decision
yet. This is not being pushy; it shows your enthusiasm and
persistence. If they haven’t reached a decision, ask when you
might expect to hear from them. If they don’t give an answer try
again in another week and so on.

Common Interview Questions (job interview part IX)

Every interview compiles of the interviewer asking you a
great deal of questions. Many of them are standard questions
that every interviewer asks. I’ve listed the most common
questions that you will encounter during an interview to help
you get a handle on them before you go to one. It is always good
to be prepared.

By reading these common questions that interviewers ask,
you will have a leg up on the competition. You will also have
time to prepare your answers so that you don’t get stumped. So
here is your key to acing a job interview.

1. Tell me something about yourself. Remember, say something
positive.
2. How do handle stressful situations?
3. How do you deal with criticism and stress?
4. What is your definition of success?
5. Why do you think that you would fit in with this company?
(This is where your research comes in handy)
6. Have you ever been fired, and why?
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
8. Do you prefer to work on your own or as a team?
9. Why are you interested in working for this company?
10. How do you handle a difference of opinion with your
colleagues or superiors?
11. Why should I hire you?

Closing the Interview (job interview part VIII)

Closing the Interview (job interview part IIX)

Once you have run the bases of the interview, it is still
important that you end the interview well. The hard part is over
and now all that is left is for you close out the interview in
the same winning manner.

Wait until your interviewer stands up or requests that you
do. Give your closing greeting. Thank the interviewer for his
taking the time to see you. Offer another firm handshake, and
ask when you might know when you might expect to hear from them
about their decision.

Extra Tips
With all of the information that was given in this manual,
you would think that you have learned everything that there is
to know about acing an interview. However there are still a few
extra tips that you should know, and a few more helpful hints.

1. Market your skills and related experience in the field that
you are applying for. Be sure to do it in a way that is
positive and not cocky.

2. Researching the company before your interview is a good way
to know where you would fit into it. It lets the employer
know that you really want to be a part of the company too.

3. Bring your list of questions with you in a folder with the
company’s name on it with you so that you don’t forget
them. You should also keep your extra resumes in there too.

4. You want to describe your weaknesses as strengths. For
example, saying that you are overenthusiastic about
performing at your best.

5. Since many interviewers ask you what your biggest fault
might be, you should pick a fault that is actually a good
thing. Try saying “I don’t take on projects that I can’t
give 110% on.

6. Let your interviewer bring up the topic of salary first.

7. Don’t volunteer your personal opinions to your interviewer
about any subjects unless you are asked.

8. Try to establish a good rapport with your interviewer. Be
casual but professional, and most importantly BE YOURSELF!

Common Interview Questions

Every interview compiles of the interviewer asking you a
great deal of questions. Many of them are standard questions
that every interviewer asks. I’ve listed the most common
questions that you will encounter during an interview to help
you get a handle on them before you go to one. It is always good
to be prepared.

By reading these common questions that interviewers ask,
you will have a leg up on the competition. You will also have
time to prepare your answers so that you don’t get stumped. So
here is your key to acing a job interview.

• Tell me something about yourself. Remember, say something positive.
• How do handle stressful situations?
• How do you deal with criticism and stress?
• What is your definition of success?
• Why do you think that you would fit in with this company? (This is where your research comes in handy)
• Have you ever been fired, and why?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Do you prefer to work on your own or as a team?
• Why are you interested in working for this company?
• How do you handle a difference of opinion with your colleagues or superiors?
• Why should I hire you?

The Restaurant Interview (job interview partVII)

The Restaurant Interview (job interview partVII)

Sometimes recruiters will ask you to conduct your interview
during lunch or dinner. It makes for a more relaxed setting for
the recruiter, but you should remember that it is still an
interview, and your behavior must be in accordance to that.
During this type of interview, you should try to look at it
as a relaxing way for you to talk about and sell yourself to the
recruiter. Making a little bit of small talk is expected. Do not
bring up the topic of the interview until the interviewer does.
He/she might want to get to know you a bit first.

Remember to talk about yourself, but do not get too
personal. There are also basic points of etiquette and common
sense rules that you should follow as well. They are as follows:

• Remember your basic table manners, like putting your elbows
on the table etc.

• Always fold your napkin on your lap before eating.

• Do not order messy or sloppy foods. That includes finger
foods like ribs, and extremely large sandwiches. Avoid
pastas with thick sauces, and French fries.

• Do not order the most expensive item on the menu either.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages if you can.

• When you get up to use the restroom, place your napkin on
your chair or on the arm of your chair.

• Common sense; don’t smack your lips or talk with your mouth
full.

• Always excuse yourself if you plan to leave the table for
any reason.

• Do not have your cell phone turned on.

• Continue to speak formally to your interviewer unless
requested not to.

After your interview is over, be certain to thank the recruiter
for the meal and their time. Offer a firm handshake, and ask
when you should expect to hear from them. It shows confidence
and a continued interest in the job. Send a thank you card that
same day.

Your Cover Letter (job interview part VI)

Your Cover Letter (job interview part VI)

Creating the perfect cover letter does not have to be
difficult. Cover letters are generally short and to the point.
You should address your cover to someone in particular. You
should never address your cover letter with “To whom it may
Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madame” it is unprofessional and doesn’t
show a genuine interest in the company or the job.

The cover letter is the sole purpose for looking at the
resume. If it is written badly, the resume might not get a once
over. In most cases, the resume is just as important as the
resume, so I have briefly written the right formation of one.

The cover letter should begin with a basic greeting and the
position that you are applying for. It should be nor more than 2
lines long. The second paragraph should be a brief description
of your qualifications and why you applied to work for them. The
closing should announce an interest in hearing from them soon,
and a thank you for their time. Here is a sample of a successful
cover letter.
*****************************************************************************************
July 4, 2004
In regards to: The clerical position that is available.
Mr. Brown
3232 Jackson St.
Jackson City, FA
32443
Attention: Mr. Joe Brown
Dear Mr. Brown,
This letter is in regards to the clerical position that is recently available in your company. As my
enclosed resume will show you, I have three years experience as a clerk.
During my career I have successfully integrated a new filing system for my previous employer,
Wayne Law Firm that increased their productivity by 33%. That filing system is still in use there
now, and has been integrated into two other companies.
I thank you for your time in reading this letter. I hope to hear from you once you have had time to
read my resume.
Respectfully,
YOUR NAME
Enclosure (1)

Dos and Don’ts (job interview part V)

Dos and Don’ts (job interview part V)

There are quite a few things that you should do and not do
during an interview that could make the whole thing a lot easier
for both you and the interviewer. I have listed them quickly in
the table below.

Dos
• Arrive on time, or better yet 10 minutes early.
• Refer to the interviewer by name.
• Smile and use a firm handshake.
• Be alert and act interested throughout.
• Maintain eye contact at all times.
• Make all comments in a positive manner.
• Speak clearly, firmly, and with authority.
• Except any refreshment offered.
• Promote your strengths.

Don’ts
• Be overly aggressive or egotistical
• Spend too much time talking about money.
• Act uninterested in the company or the job.
• Act defensively when questioned about anything.
• Speak badly about past colleagues or employers.
• Answer with only yes or no.
• Excuse your bad points about work history.
• Excuse yourself halfway through the interview, even if you have to use the bathroom.
• Ask for coffee or refreshments.

Your Resume (job interview part IV)

Your Resume (job interview part IV)

This may seem like an unimportant thing during an
interview, but this is the sole reason why you may get that
interview so you should be prepared with a well written resume.

You should tailor your resume to highlight the
qualifications, work experience and any education that you’ve
had that best represents the type of work you are applying for.
You should also include any other work experience that you’ve
had, as well as any accomplishments that you have made in your
field.

You may also want to dress up your resume to let it stand
out a bit. A nice border is an elegant way to make your resume
stand out without being a distraction to the information within
it.

Of course there also quite a few things that recruiters
hate to see on resumes as well. Many people do not think that
recruiters really go all the way through a resume, but they
really do. Recruiters have certain pet peeves when it comes to
reading a resume. I’ve included a list of some of the pet peeves
that you should avoid when putting your resume together. These
are the things that recruiters hate to see.

• Hiding or not including vital information on a resume is
like death. A recruiter needs to see all of your important
information without having to search for it.

• Major gaps in your employment history leave a recruiter
wondering about your work ethic. Be prepared to answer
questions if you have such gaps in yours.

• Summaries that are hard to follow and understand are
annoying to recruiters. Keep your summary easy and brief.

• Use easy and simple fonts. Fancy fonts and colors are not
eye catching in the manner that you likely wanted it to be.
Yours will become to how-to on making resume errors.

• Avoid writing your resume as a narrative or in the first or
third person. It is really irritating for a recruiter, and
comes off as arrogant and/or egotistical.

• Pictures and/or graphics on a resume is distracting to a
recruiter. Things like that will likely get your resume
tossed out without a glance.

• Needlessly adding objectives and introductions on your
resume bores recruiters. They know what your objective is,
and your resume is not meant to be a novel.

• Lying or putting misleading information on your resume is a
major no-no. There are always ways for a recruiter to check
up on you and many do, so don’t lie. Getting caught in a
lie on a resume just says that you can’t be trusted.

• Adding unnecessary information on a resume like your
hobbies is completely useless. You should save that section
to describe any accomplishments that you have made in your
field.

• Sending a resume that doesn’t match the type of job that
you are applying for is extremely irritating to a
recruiter. You are wasting their time.

• Using overly long paragraphs in a resume will get yours
tossed aside. It is harder for the recruiter to read and
makes the task take too long.

• Resumes that are more than two pages will not be fully read
by a recruiter. That’s just the way it is.

• Dating the information in your work history in the wrong
order makes your resume harder to follow. (Work history
should be listed with most current jobs at the top)

• Resumes that have too much detail when talking about your
previous duties are a waste of your time. Duties are
generally just sifted through. They are rarely given very
much attention, just enough to give the recruiter an idea
of what you have done in the past.

• Spelling and grammatical errors just proves that you are
not very keen on details.

How Should I Act? (job interview part II)

How Should I Act? (job interview part II)

There are many things that you can do that can take some of
the pressure off during an interview. The way that you behave is
one of the most important. It’s not all in the words that come
out of your mouth, but often has a lot to do with the mannerisms
that you use.

Interviewers are not just wondering if you are skilled
enough for the job, they are often wondering if you would fit in
nicely with you co-workers. Your personality is a big part of
your interview and can make all the difference. Here are some of
the little things that you should pay particularly close
attention to during an interview.

You do not want to be chewing gum or breath mints during
your interview. You also don’t want to speak in slang during
your interview either. It is unprofessional and rude.

Show Confidence
You cannot enter into an interview with a defeatist
attitude. You cannot mope or exude too much placidity in your
manner. It is not inviting, and does not give the impression of
a person that you want to face every day.

Be sure of your abilities without appearing cocky or
narcissistic. You want to let you interviewer know that you are
equipped to perform well at your job, without alienating other
workers. You should point out your accomplishments in your field
while remaining somewhat humble.

List your accomplishments in a matter of fact way without
going into too much detail. I know this sounds repetitive, but
you can never get this point too strongly. Understand that body
language plays a large part in exuding confidence to others. Sit
straight. Practice good posture, and keep your head up.

Keep a Positive Attitude
You should always try to smile and keep a positive outlook
during your interview. If what you are hearing something that
doesn’t sound good to you, don’t frown and look disgruntled,
just keep a slight smile on your face until it is time for you
to say something. Then approach your interviewer with your
questions or concerns when the time is appropriate.

Maintain Eye Contact
Keeping eye contact with your interviewer is very
important, especially when one of you is speaking to the other.
If you are looking around the room or at the items on the
interviewer’s desk, you will appear uninterested. Just imagine
what you would be thinking if you were speaking to him and he
was looking all over the room. You would probably think that you
already lost the interview.

Body Language
We’ve touched on this a little bit but you should mind some
of the common errors that many people make when they are
speaking to others. I’ve listed some of the common things that
you should avoid when sitting through an interview.

• Avoid fidgeting while speaking to your interviewer. It
shows a lack of self confidence.

• Avoid speaking while using overly expressive hand
gestures. It is distracting.

• Avoid biting your lips in between sentences. It gives
the impression that you are making things up.

• Do not sit with your arms crossed because it makes you
appear stand-offish.

• Do not shrug your shoulders when asked a question that
you are unsure of. Take a second to think of your
response. Shrugging your shoulders gives the
impression that you don’t know the answer.

• Don’t answer with nods and head shakes. Use your words
to answer questions.

• Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview.
You don’t want to yawn in front of the interviewer. He
will think that you are expressing boredom.

job interview

Preparing for the Interview (job interview part I)

Once you get the call for the interview, the next thing
that you have to do is prepare for it. You can never over
prepare for an interview. The more prepared you are, the harder
it will be to make mistakes. It is best to prepare yourself
emotionally as well as intellectually for an interview. Giving a
great interview is not as hard as some may think, but not as
easy as others do either. Here are a few things that must be
done in order to prepare for your next interview.

Remember, during an interview, you are a salesman. You are
there to sell yourself to your prospective employer. You want to
market yourself in the most interesting way possible. Great
preparation for the interview is your best bet. A salesman that
is knowledgeable, friendly and positive always gets the close.

Do Your Research
It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or experience you have
about the position that you are trying to get in a company if
you don’t have a clue who the company is or what they do. It is
disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to tell
your interviewer what their company is about. How else are you
going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good
addition to their company?

A good and less time consuming way to get to know about a
company is to look up their website. You can get all of the
general knowledge about them that way, including the names of
key people and their job titles. (There will be more on that in
a minute) You should sift through most of their pages, including
the pages that show samples of their work and/or products.

You can also look them up in the media files if there are
any. Read the articles about them and soak in as much
information as possible. Another thing that would be nice to do
is to check out the surrounding area around the company. It
makes for a nice breaker during the interview. You can make a
comment about a particular monument or resting place nearby.
A trickier way to get a little extra information about the
company is to call them on the phone and ask general questions,
without referring to yourself as a potential employee. It’s a
nice way to get the goods on upcoming promotions etc.

Know Your Contact
When called for an interview, ask to whom you will be
talking to. It is nice to be able to greet your interviewer by
name at the beginning of the interview without first being told
who they are. It shows that you are on top of things, and have
prepared before hand.

You will also want to do some research on the person that
will be conducting your interview. Learn what they do for the
company and try to get some samples of their work or
achievements in the company.

If you know what department that you are going to work in
you may want to get the names of your potential colleagues and
superiors prior to the interview as well. This way you can get
some information about their roles in the company and the types
of work that they have done.

Mention some of the things that you learn about your
potential colleagues in the interview and about how much you
look forward to working with them in the future. If you can,
give an example of their work so that you will appear more
sincere.

Practice Your Responses
It is best, if you are prone to nervousness, to practice
giving your responses to the questions that may be asked of you.
(A list of the most common questions will appear later on in the
manual) You should practice your wording and the tone of voice
that you plan to use; Try keeping your responses as brief as
possible, but with as much detail as you can.

When you are trying to work out the proper responses to the
interviewer’s questions, you will also want to practice the art
of getting your nerves under control as well as ridding yourself
of any other odd habits while talking; like expressing yourself
with your hands.

Practice answering your interview questions with a friend.
Get his or her opinion about your delivery and gestures. Perhaps
your friend will have some nice insights for you to use during
the real interview.

Dress the Part
Pre-select your attire the day before your interview. You
want to make sure that your clothes do not have any wrinkles or
stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the type of job
that you are applying for. If you are going to work in an office
setting, you should dress conservatively. Soft earth tones are
best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show
too much skin. A nice dark suit is good for a male.

Of course if you are planning to work outdoors or in an
artistic environment, you can dress a little more casually. Just
be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over sized clothing,
and under sized clothing. Women should try and avoid wearing too
much make-up as well. It gives the wrong impression.

Even in the hotter seasons, you should not wear sandals or
gym shoes to an interview. It sends an unprofessional message.
The same goes for hats and other accessories.

Get Organized
Make sure that all of the things that you will need for the
interview are prepared the day before. Make a checklist of the
things that you will need if you have to. You should always have
an extra resume handy during the interview. You should also
bring with you a note pad to take notes during the interview if
needed. (Only write down the important things that you think you
will need to remember)If you have a business card, have one
handy, it makes for easy contact later, and it also shows that
you are professional and may help the employer to remember your
name.