Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer

So you've figured out, more or less what you want to do and where the opportunities are. Now; you have been called for an interview. Here are five steps for interview success for students and graduates:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Thoroughly research each employer you pursue. It is not enough just to show up for the interviews and hope for the best.

Take the time to research and understand the company and the person who is giving the interview. Students should approach their answers from the perspective of the person who is doing the hiring. What would that person be looking for if the roles were reversed? Job seekers need to plan their responses so they cover key information about what they can bring to the job, and then rehearse out loud until they feel confident.

2. Attitude makes a difference.

The key element to successful interviewing is not your experience, your grades, what classes you took, your extracurricular activities, or any of the other basic necessities. Those skills are what got you the interview. The key element to successful interviewing can be summed up in one word: attitude. If you want to rise above others with better experience, better grades, or better anything, you will need to work on developing a highly positive work attitude.

Your attitude determines whether you will "make the cut" or be discarded. Remember, there are plenty of competitors with the ability to do almost any given job-- especially at the entry level. The way most employers differentiate at the entry level is by candidates' attitudes toward the job.

You can teach a new employee many things, but attitude is not one of them. Many employers are willing to teach skills to new employees if they come through the door with a positive, energetic "can do" attitude.

3. Ask the right questions.

Ask about the position, job responsibilities and company values.

4. Dress for success.

Before the interview, the student job seeker should find out the company's dress code and dress a level up from that. It's better to be overdressed than under-dressed.

This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and have a chance to see what the standard "uniform" is for the company), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.

5. Leave a lasting impression.

There are two simple steps you can take to make a lasting impression after your interview and greatly increase your odds of success.

The first is to call the interviewer to thank them for their time. If possible, you may want to add additional information which was not discussed in the interview. An example would be: "I understand from speaking with the receptionist that Microsoft Office is your corporate software standard. I just wanted to mention that I'm also fully proficient in each of the tools in the Office suite." This phone call should ideally take place the same day. If you are unable to reach the interviewer directly, leave a voicemail message.

The second activity is to immediately write the interviewer a short note, thanking them for their time and reemphasizing your interest in the position. Then do your best to get it to them as quickly as possible. E-mail it, fax it, hand deliver it, messenger it, use overnight mail, whatever. But be sure they have it before the end of the following day. Ideally, you want to get it in their hands by the end of the day of the interview or first thing the following morning. Why? Because the quicker your letter arrives, the greater the likelihood of affecting a positive impact. A thank you note provides an opportunity to thank the interviewer for his or her time, and one last chance to express interest in the position and reinforce why you are the right person for it.

Visit CareerGazette.com - The Career Gazette weekly edition of articles about average job salaries and how to answer job interview questions. The Career Gazette also provides information about work at home careers and specific career descriptions.

---

10 Tips For Writing A Winning Resume

Your resume (or curriculum vitae), combined with the cover letter,... Read More

Five Powerful Tips for Interns

Interning is about more than earning money during summer break.... Read More

The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development

Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More

Risk-taking - Get Your Feet Wet!

We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More

Job Search -- One of the Secrets of a Trade Show

A trade show is a great place to network, look... Read More

An Unexpected Career Direction

My starting point was how to draw on 25 years... Read More

Job Interviews -- What Your Pre-Interview Research Should Cover

When you go in for a job interview, you're not... Read More

The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising

An interesting combination of factors at this time in history... Read More

The 7 Tough Job Interview Questions That Can Make or Break You - and How to Answer Them

Some interview questions are asked so frequently that they've become... Read More

The Hidden Agenda of Interviews

It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of... Read More

What is a Career Anyway?

A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss

Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More

Why Do You Want This Job?

Why Do You Want This Job? Is it because any... Read More

3 Questions No Job Seeker Ever Wants To Be Asked?

Employer and interviewers expect you to answer tough question during... Read More

The Case For Internships

America may be the Land of Opportunity, but this is... Read More

Job Interviews: Six Steps to Acing a Telephone Interview

Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's... Read More

Everyday Is Saturday: Help for the Suddenly Unemployed

I recently was "unhired" by my former employer. Unhired is... Read More

Finding the Right Travel Nursing Placement Agency

Travel nursing is becoming one of our nation's fastest growing... Read More

Job! Money! Career!

Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Assessing Personal Value

A week out of work is a vacation. You can... Read More

Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment Success

Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment SuccessBefore... Read More

Resume That Effectively Promotes You!

Imagine for a moment that you have created a wonderful... Read More

How to Pick the Best Career for You: Part 3

Marketing-with-Intent precisely drives you to your target and with greater... Read More

Self-Knowledge: The Key To Finding The Right Career Direction

Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end... Read More

How Can Qualifications Help Your Proof Reading Career?

For those who are looking for a career as a... Read More

How to Write a Simple Job Description

1.0 A timely reminderIn a recent decision in a New... Read More

Create A Rappin? Resume

(Percussion sounds emanating from who knows where while you listen... Read More

How To Find Quick, Free, Job Search Resurces

There are many free job search resources available in any... Read More

Chicken Soup for Job Seekers

Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More

Fantastic Job Fair Follow-up

Set the stage for fantastic job fair follow-up while you... Read More

How to Receive Multiple Job Offers After You?re Fired

Ask survivors of the most popular reality television shows and... Read More

It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!

Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More

Seven Tips to a Job-Winning Interview

These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More