Confidence in an Interview

Confidence in your ability and the value you bring to the position is how you sell yourself on an interview.  It’s rare to hear truly confident job candidates utter phrases such as “I think so”, “you know what I mean” and the ever popular “um”.

Confident candidates speak assertively because they know it’s tough to get a job offer if you can’t speak with conviction.

The 6 P’s for landing your Dream Job

1.      Positivity

2.      Preparedness

3.      Professionalism

4.      Perseverance

5.      Persistence

6.      Performance

SAMPLE NETWORKING LETTERS

Invitation Request for LinkedIn

Hi Jane, It was great seeing you at the State U Alumni meeting.  As we discussed, let’s get connected on LinkedIn.  If I can assist you with anything, please do not hesitate to ask.  The best way to reach me is john.doe@lhh.com.  I look forward to getting to know you better. Sincerely, John Doe

General Networking:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I noticed that you work in the medical device industry and have recent experience in job search. I am trying to find out about the market in Atlanta. I have 11 years in the pharmaceutical industry and would love to talk with you for a few minutes to see if you have any advice.  I totally understand if you are too busy to reply, and thank you for reading this far.

Respectfully,

Bob Smith

404-555-1234

Set Yourself Apart- Thank You Cards

I’ve been in HR going on 28 years.  I can count on one hand how many job candidates have sent me a hand-written thank you card.  The candidates who did, all have one thing in common…. they were all hired or promoted!

An e-mail thank  you follow-up is important to quickly reinforce with the hiring manager that you are very interested in the position.  However, no one gets mail anymore.  A nice card in the mail, a few days later will not only keep your name fresh in the hiring manager's mind, it will set you apart from the other candidates.

Example:

Dear Ms. Jones,

It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you on Monday.  I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Acme Corporation and how you see the sales position role. 

I believe my skills and personality match up well with what Acme Corporation is looking for in an employee.

Your insights and perspective solidified my interest in joining your team!

Sincerely,

Bob Smith

(212) 555-1212

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Resume Tips:

Simplicity * Honesty * Focus on Accomplishments & Achievements rather than activities

Everything you wanted to know about the “Tell me about yourself…..” interview question.

1.      Why is Tell me about yourself the #1 interview question?

This question is an easy question to start the interview.  It’s an “ice breaker” and should give the hiring manager valuable information for the rest of the interview. This is your first impression and it will set the tone for the rest of the interview.

2.      Do they really want to know all about you?

No, the hiring manager wants to hear that you can solve their problem.  They want to hear that you have the competency for the position, will fit in well with their team and add value.

3.      How long should my answer be?  A good answer is around 2 minutes long.  Too short and it won’t be enough information, too long and you lose your audience.  The interviewer, if they are good, they will ask you follow up questions based on your answer.

4.      How do you structure your answer? Start off with your education & experience, then your expertise (it should solve the employer’s big problem), then transferable skills (match your skills based on the job description) ex. leadership, analytical, communication, etc. Then I would end it by the added value you bring to the position.

5.      Can you use your answer for other questions?  Yes, you can use it as a base for: Why should we hire you? What can you do better than the other candidates? What are your strengths?

6.      Is walk me through your resume and tell me about yourself the same answer?  No, when you are asked to walk me through your resume, the interviewer wants to know what you were responsible for and what you accomplished in each of the positions you listed on your resume.

7.      Do you need to tailor your answer for each position?  Yes, based on the job description, the hiring manager’s big problem, and the core competencies, you need to tweak your answer for each position. 

8.      What are some tips on how not to answer this question?  Don’t talk about your personal life, ramble on or talk negative.

9.      What are some more tips on how I can ace this question? Show enthusiasm, thank them for the opportunity to show them why you are the ideal candidate.

10.   How do I get better at answering this question? Practice!  You need to be prepared for this question and rehearse it over and over. 

Vince Dooley & Butch Reiser