How to Land the Job You Want Part 2: Acing that Interview

Last month, I talked about the right ways to send out cover letters and resumes. There were a few thank you’s; hopefully there were many successful send-outs. Now that we got that phase over with, we will discuss techniques on how to ace interviews.

I don’t really think I’m an expert at this, but I can say that I have enough experience (more than a dozen interviews, all successful). Enough to give advice about it. Of course I wasn’t able to ace those without practice and a little reading. Let me compress everything I found important in this article.

Your job interview is a psychological game. It doesn’t start the moment you open your mouth. Rather, it starts the moment you enter the office. Even if it’s only the receptionist who saw you, the moment you are already seen, that’s when the game starts. During this time, carry yourself with utmost care and professionalism.

Just before you enter, take a quick side trip to the comfort room to do a last minute check on your clothes, hair and nails. Make sure everything is pristine. Enter the room and politely ask about your appointment. Thank the receptionist for ANY information s/he gives you and take a seat.

At this time, it’s likely that you are requested to wait for a little while for the interviewer to be ready. I’ve read that many companies use this “window time” for the receptionist to do a first hand evaluation on you as you wait. There were even a few companies that place cameras on the waiting area and the  bosses do the once-over  via that.

When you enter the room, greet the interviewer, smile brightly and offer a handshake. Really be the first to initiate the handshake; it is a powerful tool for personal PR. Make that a firm handshake, with matching eye contact. A lousy one is a turn off.

Sit down as soon as you are asked to. When you sit, only sit down on the outer half of the chair. If you take the entire space up and you lean back, you will appear too relaxed. It will look like you are taking the interview too casually. Sit straight, keep your hands on your lap and don’t cross your legs. If you want to relax your legs a bit, just fold one leg at the back of another, with your legs on a diagonal position, one foot hiding at the back of the other’s ankle.

Speak clearly, maintain eye contact and smile once in a while. Remember to relax. Listen to every question carefully and take a little time to think about your answer. Rehearse your answer swiftly in your head before you actually say them. Avoid saying racist, religious and political jokes.

Most of the interviewers ask you many personal questions. This is because they already know what you finished and what you have achieved—it’s in your resume. What they don’t know is how you behave, what your immediate environment is like and how you respond to it, and what kinds of attitudes you display given different circumstances. Most of these interview questions include: What is your greatest fear? What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? If there’s one word to describe yourself, what is it? What is your greatest achievement? Rehearse possible answers as early as when you are still sending out your cover letters and resumes.

For you to really relax, just treat the interview like a normal conversation. Yes, no matter how much you need the job. The more relaxed you are, the more presence of mind you’ll have, and that’s gold during interviews.

When the interview is over, smile, let them know that you’ll also be in touch, and finish off with another firm handshake. Thank the receptionist when you go out and hold your “professional countenance” until you’re out of the building.

I know interviews can be really nerve wrecking. The best way that you can leave (emotionally) unscathed is when you know you did a great job, no matter what the outcome is. So practice, practice, practice. Also, there will  be employers who really like you but they won’t be able to afford you, so practice a speech for turning offers down also. You pretty much know what you deserve, don’t you? Gah! Much ado about interviews!

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How to Land the Job You Want Part 1: Sending Resumes and Cover Letters

As I was going through a lot of Facebook status messages regarding kids’ newfound boredoms and, er, “unemployed” statuses, I realized that I wanted to write something that will help these kids land the job that they want. Really, it pains me to see many smart and highly skilled individuals go to the industries where they aren’t able to practice their strengths or creativity. So here goes:

When I was fresh out of college, I hopped among many job offers. I remember working as a project assistant for a government dole-out project, an executive assistant for a Montessori School directress, a writer, a marketing officer and an editor. I also remember applying (and getting hired) for a nice marketing spot at a leading car company and another one at a super famous shoe store. Looking back, I didn’t really had problems getting the jobs which I applied for. And looking back at my transcript of records, I didn’t have very impressive grades.

So what made me do it? I realized that what really gave me the nods from these prestigious companies was the way I asserted myself from e-mailing of the cover letter up to the minute where I was walking out of their office. Treat job application as a game, and it starts the moment you type your cover letter.

For your cover letter, be 100% professional and formal about it. Absolutely no wrong grammar, no smileys and no nonsense. If you are not confident with your English, have someone (very credible) check it. I don’t care if you have to pay for it. It’s an investment, after all.

For your resume, highlight the things which really make you stand out. Volunteered at Red Cross? Good at landscape photography? Won medals for chess, debate or volleyball? Sat through boring-but-info-packed seminars? Include it there. A lot of HR managers hire people who have stellar backgrounds in their extra curricular activities because these activities display opportunities to hone the skills which are demanded in the workplace, skills you don’t always get inside the classroom. Skills and traits such as creativity, teamwork, resourcefulness, patience and leadership are gems inside the office.

The language you use for your letter and your resume must be formal and assertive. Sure, adjectives such as “supportive”, “compassionate” and “caring” is nice to hear but if you put that in your paperwork, you sound like you’re describing a homestay mom rather than a career woman. Use strong adjectives such as “competent”, “confident” and “willing” to describe how driven you are as a career person. Most of the time, these little adjustments mean the difference between yes or no.

When you send in your cover letter and your resume, whether electronically or in print, triple check for errors. The moment that it escapes your hand, it is the ONLY package responsible for you  landing an interview or not. Make it count.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week; I’ll be talking about how to behave, speak and dress for your interview. For the mean time, good luck!