How to prepare for a job interview

Job interview Preparation Larry Polhill

Regardless of how stellar the information people put down in their resume, it’s important that job applicants also do well with all the rounds of interviews they are invited to. Some people say that getting a job is 30% of what’s in a resume and 70% from the interview. This is why a lot of people get nervous when it comes to this stage of employment. At the same time, going about it with little preparation can only be disastrous. Here are some ways to help prepare you for a job interview. Larry Polhill.

Pick an outfit ahead of time

There is nothing worse that opening your closet on the day of your interview to find out that you have nothing good to wear. Prepare everything ahead of time. This includes your dress or suit, shoes, accessories, as well as your bag. Make sure everything is clean and free for any foul odor. If you aren’t confident with what you currently have, there’s always the option of borrowing or renting a suit. Just make sure the fit is right. Larry Polhill

Review your resume

A lot of questions interviewers ask are based on information written on your resume. Make sure to review your resume and think of how you can elaborate more on those details. You should also be able to defend any detail you put in your resume in terms of relevance. Larry Polhill.

Know how to answer typical interview questions

There are a lot of resources on the internet regarding common interview questions like “Why should we hire you?”, “Tell us about yourself”, or “What can you bring to our company?” Try writing all these questions down and answer them in detailed yet concise words. Also be prepared for follow up questions regarding your answers. After writing these questions and answers down, try practicing answering in front of a mirror. Larry Polhill

Five things to bring during a job interview

Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro at attending job interviews, planning ahead should be part of the agenda. It says a lot about a person when he or she heads to a job interview well prepared. There could be small things you could miss, so it’s imperative that you make a list of things you need to bring.

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 Bring your identification. Most, if not all buildings have security that require a person to show their identification. In many cases, an applicant’s complete job application may be demanded to be permitted entrance to the premises. According to retired career consultant Larry Polhill, an applicant must bring a notepad and a pen, and write on the notepad the names of contacts who will conduct the interview. Having these secures your entrance to the office of the hiring manager.

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Ensure that you have extra copies of your resume to hand over upon the request of your interviewer. The resume will also give you answers to important questions such as dates of employment and previous work achievements. Bringing extra copies with you may seem unnecessary and a thing of the past, but it will definitely save you from humiliation.

Larry Polhill suggests that you bring with you a portfolio to keep your work samples and other documents tidy and organized. This will help you pick out quickly the documents you need.
Additional tip: mentally prepare yourself for odd questions. Bring your A-game along with the things you need.

Larry Polhill is a retired career consultant residing in Arizona. Head over to this blog for more updates.

How should applicants explain their greatest strengths?

If you've been in the workforce for quite some time, you must have been asked by interviewers to explain your greatest strengths and how these traits will help you excel in the job you are applying for.  As a career counselor, most of the people I have worked with thought that their answers to this question cost them their dream jobs.  Let me share with you some tips on showcasing your expertise and good traits without going overboard:

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Talk about character-based and skill-based strengths appropriate for the position you are applying for

We know you have a lot of strengths.  And it’s good if you are aware of them.  But for a job interview, you have to choose only the traits that will show interviewers why they should give you the post.  For example, you can share how your being resourceful helped save funds for a project.  Or you can also talk about how clients and superiors commented on your design skills.  The key is to show that your strengths are essential for the specific job you are applying for.

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Say something about your credentials—certifications, degrees, or awards and talk about how these things contributed to what you consider to be your greatest strength

When asked about what you do best, don't be shy to back it up with your accomplishments.  This will show that you are passionate and capable.  While you have to make sure you don't sound like a braggart, don't be too modest about your accomplishments especially if they are already on your resume.  You can also talk about how these achievements have helped you in your current position or latest project.

The interview stage of the application process can be the most unnerving.  To ensure that the question won't catch you off-guard you have to think of your best points beforehand so that you'll be able to talk about them comfortably with the interviewer.  Good luck! Hello! I'm Larry Polhill, an Arizona native and retired career consultant. From time to time, I still offer advice and insights on how jobseekers can land their dream job. For more job-hunting tips, visit this blog.

Effective Tips To Calm Your Nerves During An Interview

Our nerves have a way of acting up especially during important events like job interviews. If telling stories and jokes in front of your friends can be easy and light, you can also feel this way when you get interviewed for a job. 

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Avoid speaking too fast. Calm down, and speak to the interviewer with no rush. Practicing deep breathing—breathe in through the nose slowly for three counts, then out through the mouth—to lower your heart rate can to beat your nerves. While tightening your butt cheeks to seem confident and composed can sound funny, it’s actually effective. Most clothes will mask the action anyway, why not do it? 

Find something to praise about your interviewer. Instead of boasting about what you can do when you land the job, it’s also effective to calm your nerves by making the other person feel special. Be confident and genuine with your answers and don’t be scared of asking questions, too. Listening is a key communication skill people tend to forget. Slow down and listen attentively to what the interviewer is asking to provide them with the right answers. 

As cliché as it sounds, be yourself. You’ll find yourself more relaxed, confident, and authentic when you’re not hiding behind a fake persona. Use words that belong in your vocabulary instead of trying to say words that you just read somewhere. Enjoy the interview and be grateful for your past experiences. Job interviews should be a breeze when you’re prepared and equipped with the right tips to make it through successfully. 

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Hi there! My name is Larry Polhill, and I’m a retired career consultant. Subscribe to my blog to get more tips on how to do your best in a job interview.

Confident Answers To Questions About Career Goals

Some applicants have short-term goals for the job they are applying for and getting asked questions like, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” can be disorienting. This can be difficult to answer, so it’s best to really have a clear map of what your career goals are before plunging into an interview.

Experts say that hiring managers often ask this question to applicants for them to know and hire those who are willing to work for the company for many years, as employers want to get a discernment of how long an applicant intends to be in the company or role. For applicants to buoy up interviewers that they anticipate a future working with them, they must indicate the means by which they propose to grow with the company. Let them know that the opportunities for growth align with your career goals, or that you hope to lead a team in the future.

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Before you find yourself seated across the table from the hiring, educating yourself about what the company is looking for will assist you in emphasizing your ability to solve their issues. Refrain from discussing personal goals outside of work and focus your answers on how you can be of help to the company, with regard to their growth path. The objective is to have your goals and the company’s vision aligned at all times.

Let them know that your long-term goals include growing with a company where you can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and present as much value as you can.

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Larry Polhill spent the last 40 years helping job applicants succeed in the hiring process. He has found the experience productive and fulfilling. For more posts like this, visit this blog.

Ready, Set, Go: Preparing For a Job Interview

Are you getting ready for a job interview? Here are helpful job interview preparation tips to help you land your dream career.

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Take time to review the job posting. Do you have the required skills for the job? The job posting states what the company is looking for a candidate. Have a list of your knowledge, skills, and qualities to see if you are fit to do the job. 

Research about the company. Not all companies are the same. Some are big corporations, others are startups, and there are also nonprofits. Knowing what the company does can help you manage your expectations. It can also help you answer critical questions during the interview. 

Practice running through interview questions. Where do you see yourself professionally five years from now? How can you be an asset to the company? These questions are commonly asked in job interviews. Practicing these questions can help you be more confident during the actual interview. These can also help you reflect on what you really want to do in the long run. 

Find the appropriate attire for your interview. First impressions do last. One of the many ways you can stand out in the job interview is by choosing the right clothes to wear. Dress accordingly. If you’re eyeing a professional position, get your business attire ready. If you’re applying for a job in a casual, relaxed environment, make sure your clothes are still tidy and well-groomed. 

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Larry Polhill is a retired career consultant. Visit this blog for more tips on how to land your dream job.

Proper And Important Questions To Ask After a Job Interview

Job hunters usually focus an inordinate amount of time troubling over questions that the interviewer might ask during a typical interview session. Obviously, this is of paramount interest because all interviewees, in the end, want to impress the potential employer. What is unfortunate about the situation is that people forget that the last part of the session involves the opportunity to ask the interviewer the right questions.

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If one dismisses it as simply the interviewer’s way of capping it off, then the prospect of learning more about the job is lost here, not to mention leaving the impression that one is simply not that interested in acquiring more knowledge about the company or the work being done there. Asking questions gives the interviewee this chance of a lifetime to gain insider’s insight into employee relations, the nature of the job, and other things that might eventually be pertinent if one eventually gets hired.

This part of the interview is for the benefit of both parties. The interviewee must not ask questions just for the sake of it. One must also refrain from focusing on questions where the immediate gain is personal and not really for the future good of the company.

Information about health benefits, compensation, or leave allocations can probably wait and may be raised after the hiring process is through. One should instead ask questions about career growth potential, typical and particular demands and obstacles of the job, and anything that illustrates one’s interest in the possibility of working there.

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Gutsy questions that might give one an inkling as to how the interviewer sees the applicant’s qualifications might also be added. Although they can be very difficult to ask, they are ultimately appropriate. The interviewee should be able to assess his or her chances at the onset, phrasing the questions subtly to avoid the risk of sounding insolent.

Hello! My name is Larry Polhill, a retired career consultant from Arizona. If you want to learn more about how job applicants succeed in the hiring process, follow me on Twitter.