Now a days when applying for a job many employers will give you a phone interview before giving you a formal in person interview. Employers do this to speed up the interview process and can go through many applicants each day to find ones that are best suited for the current opening. A phone interview can catch you off guard but with a few simple steps you can nail it and obtain a more formal in person interview
1. Once you have a applied for a position with a company make sure you read up a little on the company. The person giving you the phone interview or a formal interview is always impressed that you took the time to learn about the company.
2. On the same notion make sure you learn about the position you are applying for. This includes what the requirements are for the position as well as the basic responsibilities.
3. During the phone interview make sure to go to a place or room where you can be alone. Outside distractions can cause the interview to not go as planned. Don't interrupt the interviewer so you can answer or talk to the person sitting next to you. Treat the interviewer with respect and give your full attention.
4. Be confident with yourself and your abilities. Make sure you let the interviewer know why you would be great for their company. Make yourself seem like a asset if you were given the opportunity to work at their company.
April 13, 2011
The 25 Most Difficult Questions Asked During A Job Interview
Being prepared for a Job Interview is half the battle of the journey
1. Tell me about yourself.
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.
2. What do you know about our organization?
You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more.
You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies.
Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."
Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.
3. Why do you want to work for us?
The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you like-animals?
Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers.
If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization.
Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want.
4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a bit egotistical. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with this history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems, and use your experience and energy to solve them.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.
2. What do you know about our organization?
You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more.
You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies.
Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."
Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.
3. Why do you want to work for us?
The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you like-animals?
Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers.
If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization.
Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want.
4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a bit egotistical. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with this history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems, and use your experience and energy to solve them.
March 28, 2011
Common Mistakes When Writing a Resume
With so many people competing for jobs, employers are finding themselves swamped with stacks of resumes. Employers are now looking for resumes that standout from the pile. The key to landing a job interview is to present a strong and effective resume. A resume that is filled with errors will only end up in the waste basket. The following is a list of common mistakes people make when writing a resume:
1. No Cover Letter: Employers want to see a cover letter with a resume. A cover letter is your introduction and summarizes your job intentions.
Typing Errors: A resume with typos and grammatical errors will make an employer think that you do not pay attention to details. A computer spell check does not always pick up every mistake. Proofread your resume and then have a friend read it.
Disorganized Content: It is important to list the most important information at the top of the resume. Experience and employment history are the most important parts of the resume. Your hobbies should be placed near the end of the resume. Make sure your information is easy to read. Filter out information that is not relevant to the job.
Unprofessional Email Address: Email addresses should not be amateurish. For instance, happyguy104@hotmail.com is not appropriate. A better email would be JohnDoe@hotmail.com.
Layout Lacking Consistency: You should have equal spacing between headings. Your margins should be equal. Include dates on your resume. A recommended font size is 11 or 12. When using verbs, make sure you are using the correct verb tense. Use different action verbs when highlighting your skills. Do not use abbreviations or contractions.
Unclear Focus: Your resume should be written to match your experience and education with the job you are seeking. You want the employer to think that you are the best person for the job.
Boring Content: Your resume should tell a mini story about your experience and education. Don't just list your duties. Highlight valuable experience to show why you should be chosen for the job. Do not use phrases such as "responsibilities included" or "duties included."
Lacking Extracurricular Activities: Employers want to read about additional activities such as certificates of achievement, training, volunteer experience, and awards. This will show employers that you are outgoing and well-rounded. When listing your achievements, make sure you emphasize the results of your work.
Key skills Do Not Stand Out: Use a format such as "bullets" to highlight skills the employer will like. You want to show the employer that you will be an asset to the business.
Inappropriate Personal Information: Don't put in personal information such as gender and age. Do not include a picture of yourself. Keep your personal and professional life separate in order to be taken seriously.
Inaccurate Information: It is important that you do not lie or embellish. It would be embarrassing if you were caught lying. Your resume should be truthful.
Job Experience Too Old: It is important not to go back too far when listing your employment experience. If you are older, employers will not want to see what summer job you had in high school.
A resume is the entryway to a job interview. It is important to understand that your resume is a marketing tool, not an autobiography. Make your resume an interesting read. A resume should be written so that it is focused on the job position. When you write a professional resume that stands out from the others in the pile, you will have a better chance of getting your dream job.
Do you want to advance in your career? Improve your English speaking and pronunciation skills with our online free English lessons. Visit our resume cover letter section.
1. No Cover Letter: Employers want to see a cover letter with a resume. A cover letter is your introduction and summarizes your job intentions.
Typing Errors: A resume with typos and grammatical errors will make an employer think that you do not pay attention to details. A computer spell check does not always pick up every mistake. Proofread your resume and then have a friend read it.
Disorganized Content: It is important to list the most important information at the top of the resume. Experience and employment history are the most important parts of the resume. Your hobbies should be placed near the end of the resume. Make sure your information is easy to read. Filter out information that is not relevant to the job.
Unprofessional Email Address: Email addresses should not be amateurish. For instance, happyguy104@hotmail.com is not appropriate. A better email would be JohnDoe@hotmail.com.
Layout Lacking Consistency: You should have equal spacing between headings. Your margins should be equal. Include dates on your resume. A recommended font size is 11 or 12. When using verbs, make sure you are using the correct verb tense. Use different action verbs when highlighting your skills. Do not use abbreviations or contractions.
Unclear Focus: Your resume should be written to match your experience and education with the job you are seeking. You want the employer to think that you are the best person for the job.
Boring Content: Your resume should tell a mini story about your experience and education. Don't just list your duties. Highlight valuable experience to show why you should be chosen for the job. Do not use phrases such as "responsibilities included" or "duties included."
Lacking Extracurricular Activities: Employers want to read about additional activities such as certificates of achievement, training, volunteer experience, and awards. This will show employers that you are outgoing and well-rounded. When listing your achievements, make sure you emphasize the results of your work.
Key skills Do Not Stand Out: Use a format such as "bullets" to highlight skills the employer will like. You want to show the employer that you will be an asset to the business.
Inappropriate Personal Information: Don't put in personal information such as gender and age. Do not include a picture of yourself. Keep your personal and professional life separate in order to be taken seriously.
Inaccurate Information: It is important that you do not lie or embellish. It would be embarrassing if you were caught lying. Your resume should be truthful.
Job Experience Too Old: It is important not to go back too far when listing your employment experience. If you are older, employers will not want to see what summer job you had in high school.
A resume is the entryway to a job interview. It is important to understand that your resume is a marketing tool, not an autobiography. Make your resume an interesting read. A resume should be written so that it is focused on the job position. When you write a professional resume that stands out from the others in the pile, you will have a better chance of getting your dream job.
Do you want to advance in your career? Improve your English speaking and pronunciation skills with our online free English lessons. Visit our resume cover letter section.
3 Common Resume Writing Mistakes for Information Technology Candidates
Creating an IT resume is not always an easy task. There is usually a lot of information to convey. Candidates putting together their own resume for the IT industry often make a few critical mistakes that can cost them dearly in today's job market, especially if their job search strategy is not up to snuff.
Mistake #1: Too Much Information
The primary mistake made by IT professionals is in simply providing way too much detail. Most candidates load each thought, bullet, or statement with as much technical mumbo jumbo as they can. For example, it is common for candidates to show the technologies they used in each position. In addition, they will list all the technologies they used for individual projects for which they were involved.
It may prove beneficial to list some key technologies that are relevant for the position you are now pursuing to communicate your level of understanding. As an example, if you are pursuing a position with a firm that has an extensive network of employees who operate remotely in the field, it would serve you well to incorporate technologies like secure VPN, Citrix Presentation Server, and other related tools. However, to list things like Visual Basic, MS Office, and HTML within the specific bullet point will serve as more of a distraction than anything else. After all, who wants to read a bullet point that describes a project that takes up five lines of text?
To address this issue, I recommend that you simply prepare a technical proficiencies or technical skills section at the end of your resume so that a prospective employer can reference a single list to get a flavor for the technologies with which you are familiar. Unless the technology is of the upmost importance in demonstrating your knowledge and ability in a particular area, do not include it in the job description or the job achievements sections.
Mistake #1: Too Much Information
The primary mistake made by IT professionals is in simply providing way too much detail. Most candidates load each thought, bullet, or statement with as much technical mumbo jumbo as they can. For example, it is common for candidates to show the technologies they used in each position. In addition, they will list all the technologies they used for individual projects for which they were involved.
It may prove beneficial to list some key technologies that are relevant for the position you are now pursuing to communicate your level of understanding. As an example, if you are pursuing a position with a firm that has an extensive network of employees who operate remotely in the field, it would serve you well to incorporate technologies like secure VPN, Citrix Presentation Server, and other related tools. However, to list things like Visual Basic, MS Office, and HTML within the specific bullet point will serve as more of a distraction than anything else. After all, who wants to read a bullet point that describes a project that takes up five lines of text?
To address this issue, I recommend that you simply prepare a technical proficiencies or technical skills section at the end of your resume so that a prospective employer can reference a single list to get a flavor for the technologies with which you are familiar. Unless the technology is of the upmost importance in demonstrating your knowledge and ability in a particular area, do not include it in the job description or the job achievements sections.
Resume Mistakes
Sometimes, when reviewing a resume, it is easier to eliminate the mistakes that we see than to try to improve the resume per se. One way to go about it is actually to remove all the mistakes and then see what else needs to be improved (or do the opposite). In this section, we have listed some articles that discuss errors that are often made by job seekers when drafting their resume. Go through the articles and see if you recognize yourself. If you do, consider yourself lucky that you have been made aware of your mistakes in time.
As you go about writing your resume, keep these two tips in mind:
Writing a resume is not about luck, but about hard work. Don't expect the recruiter to see something special in your application unless you make it apparent. Don't fall into the trap of wishful thinking. Whether or not you get a job is not up to the recruiter, it's up to you to show your worth to him or her.
Recognize your limitations. If you don't have good writing skills, acknowledge your weakness. Do the best you can and ask for help from a professional, a family member or a friend.
As you go through the literature, remember that resume writing is an art and not a science. There will be exceptions and there will be instances where you will disagree with what is written. When and if that happens, use your judgment and decide what is the best course of action for yourself.
As you go about writing your resume, keep these two tips in mind:
Writing a resume is not about luck, but about hard work. Don't expect the recruiter to see something special in your application unless you make it apparent. Don't fall into the trap of wishful thinking. Whether or not you get a job is not up to the recruiter, it's up to you to show your worth to him or her.
Recognize your limitations. If you don't have good writing skills, acknowledge your weakness. Do the best you can and ask for help from a professional, a family member or a friend.
As you go through the literature, remember that resume writing is an art and not a science. There will be exceptions and there will be instances where you will disagree with what is written. When and if that happens, use your judgment and decide what is the best course of action for yourself.
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