It is no secret that
jobs are few and far between these days. Even those who get interviews
end up being overlooked for someone more qualified or someone looking
for less money. The key to finally landing the job of your dreams is not
just getting noticed enough to get an interview, but to really stand
out during the interview. You need to leave a great impression on your
potential employer so they understand the value of hiring you and
remember you when it comes time to make the final hiring decision.
There
are a few things you can do to get started on the right foot and really
make yourself stand out among the competition. There are also a few
things you should avoid when interviewing. Start by putting the past
behind you and focusing on the positive future you could have with this
new company. Avoid talking about previous employment problems, and when
you have to do so, downplay the negative. If you have had experiences
with a comp lawyer or a worker's comp attorney, do your best to leave
the details out of the meeting. Even in cases when you were not at fault
in any way, it is still best if you not bring this information into the
interview.
If
you find yourself in a situation where you must give the details of
previous problems, be sure to accentuate the positive. Chances are, you
learned a valuable lesson, you had a chance to change how you see
things, or you may have had a chance to make amends. The important thing
is to show your potential employer that even though something bad
happened, you made the best of it and learned a lesson.
Those
who are concerned about what you should do in an interview should first
take a look at their wardrobe. It is important that you dress
professionally and approach your interview with a positive attitude.
Some people like to wear certain colors like navy blue, gray, or black
to an interview. Others choose to stand out with a colorful accessory or
sharp pair of shoes. Make sure your clothing is clean, pressed, and in
good repair.
Along
with dressing the part, be sure you act professionally. Do not bring
anyone along with you to the interview, even if you feel insecure about
traveling alone. Bring a note pad along to make notes and jot down a few
questions you can ask the potential employer so you appear interested.
Keep the discussion away from salary and benefit topics, but ask them
about the history of their company, their company philosophy, or what a
typical work day would be like. You may also want to share a few facts
you already know about the company just to show you did your research.
Finally,
no matter what else you do or do not do during the interview, be sure
you arrive on time. Leave yourself at least a fifteen minute cushion so
you have time to check in with the receptionist and catch your breath
for a few minutes before the interview begins. If you will be traveling a
long way, account for traffic problems.
