1. The Job Interview Because you only get one chance to make a first impression.

2. Source: http://www.sietoebie.be/soft/category/weekend-cartoon/http://www.sietoebie.be/soft/category/weekend-cartoon/

3. Congratulations! You have a great resume, the right qualifications, and you’ve been given a job interview. Now what? Don’t panic!

4. What are employers looking for?

5. Someone who stands out and who has the right skill set but more importantly, someone who has excellent interpersonal skills. works well with others. will fit in. Soft skills!

6. Types of Interviews Screening Interviews Phone Interviews Panel Interviews Group Interviews One-on-one interviews

7. Before your interview

8. P repare: Ask questions when they call you. Research the company or organization. Make copies of your resume. Call your references (if you haven’t talked to them recently) and make clean copies of your reference list. P ractice some interview questions. P lan how to get there, what you will wear, etc.

9. The Basic Dos and Don’ts Be prepared! Do bring several copies of your resume. Do arrive a little early, but don’t arrive too early. 10 minutes early is perfect. Set aside enough time. Don’t apologize for your English! Turn your cell phone off. Check that your cell phone is off. Check again. Image source: http://blog.bookingbuddy.com/2008/05/southwest-passe.htmlhttp://blog.bookingbuddy.com/2008/05/southwest-passe.html

10. Dress appropriately Dress one step above the job you are applying for. Too informal makes you look unsuitable. Too formal makes you look over-qualified.

11. Dress appropriately Dress neatly and professionally. Make sure your clothes are clean, neat, and ironed. Clothes shouldn’t smell of food or smoke.  And watch the body language!

12. What’s that smell? Don’t wear any scented products to your job interview. No perfume No cologne No aftershave

13. Going to your interview Know where you are going and who you are going to meet. Relax! Shake your hands Deep breathing Voice warm-up

14. The handshake (if appropriate) The business handshake: Firm grip and count 1, 2 (maximum 3) pumps. Maximum of 3 seconds (2 is better!)  Note the eye contact!

15. Beware of: the limp handshake the damp handshake (aka the dead fish) the finger shake the muscle grip the sandwich handshake (aka the politician’s handshake)

16. The interview begins Don’t sit down until you’re invited! Small talk Company information

17. During your interview First impressions are made in the first seven seconds. Those seven seconds can often determine whether you get the job or not. Smile. Be honest. Participate. Make eye contact. Be positive and confident. Remember personal space. Watch your body language. But don’t look at your watch!

18. Get the tone and register right! Source: http://blog.sironaconsulting.com/sironasays/2009/10/my-top-10-funny-job-interview-cartoons.htmlhttp://blog.sironaconsulting.com/sironasays/2009/10/my-top-10-funny-job-interview-cartoons.html

19. Q: How much should you talk? A: The right amount. But how much is the right amount? Answer questions fully but don’t put the interviewer to sleep! Be careful with small talk! Image source: http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/patients/?page=cattails_2008_mayjun_sleepdisordershttp://www.marshfieldclinic.org/patients/?page=cattails_2008_mayjun_sleepdisorders

20. What should you say? You have 2 – 4 seconds to start speaking in response to questions. Limit your use of fillers. (Remember your water!) Don’t change the topic. Don’t complain. Don’t ramble. Be succinct. Be specific. Be positive.

21. What kinds of questions will you be asked? General Technical Situational / hypothetical Behaviour-based / competency-based

22. General Questions Tell us why you want to work for our company. Tell me about yourself. Where were you educated? Tell me about your last job. Strengths and weaknesses Why did you leave your last job?

23. Technical Questions These include questions about your hard skills. Technical questions may include job- specific questions about your training. Computer skills Mechanical skills Health care skills

24. Situational / hypothetical questions What would you do if... ? Here’s a scenario for you: You are working alone at night, and.... What would you do?

25. Behaviour-descriptive / Competency-based questions This is the most common kind of question for higher-level positions. Tell me about a time when you...

26. The interviewer(s) will ask you if you have any questions. Be prepared! Your questions should be sincere and relevant. The interviewer(s) will indicate when the interview is over. Follow their lead. At the end of the interview

27. References Bring your list of references with you to the interview. Give it to the interviewer(s) only when they ask for it. Make sure you have asked and received permission from all your references! Make sure the contact information is current.

28. Remember... A job interview is a chance to show what you can give to the company, not what you want to get from the company.

29. You are selling something: If you don’t believe in yourself, neither will your interviewer.

30. After your interview Thank-you letter or email  Use spellcheck! The follow-up phone call Reflection and self-evaluation