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· Socks - should match your suit and not allow any skin to show when you cross your legs. · Trousers should be long enough to cover your socks, and cuffs are a mark of a sophisticated businessman. · Leather belts with quiet, small belt buckles. · SHOES -- One of the most important fashion factors, they are a strong statement of personality and executives (men and women!) notice shoes. Choose black, cordovan or brown classic lace-ups, shined, and in good repair. By looking at shoes you can tell … Economic status -- “well heeled” expensive shoes Detail oriented -- cared for, polished shoes Styling – trendy hip creative or serious businessmen Color - black more serious, but brown worn with a gray suit shows sophistication, but be sure your interviewer knows that! · GROOMING No cologne (especially on your right hand, it rubs off when you shake hands) Check breath Clean nails NEVER Chew gum (also a great tip for after you get the job) Hair longer than shoulder length for women and over the ears for men diminishes perception of authority, but increases a feeling of accessibility. So short hair for power, long hair for friendliness. · Make sure you have a nice pen and carry it in the inside jacket pocket (not the shirt pocket). · Name tags go on the right (easier to read when you shake hands) although most people stick them on the left. Before the Interview YOUR RESUME: http://members.aol.com/mbastyle/web/verbs.html for resume verbs resume tips, jobs, interview questions REHEARSE: If you are not accustom to wearing a suit or interviewing. Drill with someone or by yourself. Dress up, enter a room, sit down, practice answering questions etc. SHOW UP SLIGHTLY EARLY. Find the location (parking, etc.) the day before the interview. Research the company and know what’s current in that industry. Sound like an insider. If possible, stop in a restroom for one last check of your appearance (hair, tie knot, etc.) Treat everyone nicely and with respect, especially the receptionists and secretaries. Often one bad word from them can ruin your chances. During the Interview: Bring something to give to the interviewer: a resume, a three ring binder presentation of you accomplishments. Listen! Actively. Ask questions (have some ready!) Beware that nodding the head “too much” is perceived as negative with regard to displaying power and authority. Hand shake (aim for thumb) firm squeeze not death grip. It’s “yes” and “no” not “yeah”, “un-huh” nor “unt-huh” Body Language Eye contact! Don’t stare, but look the other person (persons) in the eye 40 to 60% of the time, otherwise you’ll be perceived as having something to hide. Smile, but “over smiling” gives the impression of weakness. Sit with your back straight, but lean slightly forward to show how interested you are in the interviewer and the company! Choose a chair not a sofa. Sofas are too low and difficult to sit up straight, you look sloppy, thus putting you in a weak position. If possible angle the chair at a 45 angle to the interviewer. This avoids the confrontational straight across position. Mirror: People are most comfortable with people who are “like” themselves (in dress, mannerisms, thoughts, etc.) try to “mirror” the interviewer’s body position and mannerisms such as speech speed, (to a certain degree). Be Ready To Talk About Your: · strengths and weaknesses · accomplishments and achievements · failures and how you learned from them and made them successes · key decisions · interests, likes and dislikes · Men tend to brag too much. Talk about your family and hobbies (appear well rounded). It’s OK to admit mistakes and don’t forget to listen! · Women don’t brag enough in interviews. Go ahead tell the interviewer how great you are, but don’t bad mouth your former boss or company. You do not want to be categorized as a whiner! http://members.aol.com/mbastyle/web/intervw1.html for interview questions Some good questions to be ready for (or to ask if you're the interviewer): When were you excited about your work?
What major mistake from you past do you not regret?
What’s your favorite movie?
What’s a misconception people have about you?
In 5 years how will you justify having taken this job? (a newer version of where do you want to be in 5 years).
Added Dimensions: SCREENING STAGE: You may be asked to meet with one or two people in succession or in a group. DINNER , Breakfast or Lunch: This is presently a strong practice since it allows the interviewer to ascertain your manners, how you handle social situations. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, even if the interviewers are drinking. GOLF: Another method of interview, make certain you have substantial (name brand) golf attire. SPOUSE: If they suggest you bring your wife, it is not a suggestion. She must show up appropriately dressed. FINAL INTERVIEW: Often the “final” determination is made by the big, big boss. Sometimes this meeting is played down by calling the visit a “courtesy call”, but beware this is a very important showing of yourself. Wear your best and conduct yourself accordingly (often a very formal, very important few minutes). After The Interview: Send a thank you/follow up letter to the interviewer (restate your qualifications, and if you felt anything didn’t go well this is your opportunity to restate your strengths and the things you didn’t think of/say during the interview.
Keep Your Sense Of Humor! Taken from the files of real resumes (as reported in Fortune Magazine and on the internet): “Please don’t misconstrue my 14 jobs as job hopping. I have never quit a job” “I have lurnt Word Perfect 6.0 computor and spreasheet progroms” “Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year” “Failed bar exam with relatively high grades” “Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details” What The Human Resources Dept Really Means: “Good Communication Skills” -- Management communicates, you listen, figure out what they want and do it. “Problem Solving Skills a must” -- you’re walking into a company in perpetual chaos. “Join our fast-paced company” -- we don’t have time to train you. “Some overtime required” -- some each night and some each weekend.
Or you can fill out your application like this, reportedly an actual job application that a 75 year old senior citizen submitted to Wal-Mart in Arkansas.
They hired him because he was so funny!!! AFTER YOU GET THE JOB: And after you get that perfect job, here are some tips from
Jeffrey J. Fox, author of “How To Become CEO”! Don’t expect the Personnel Department to plan your
career.
There are no automatic steps on the corporate ladder.
You must be responsible for making your own destiny. Think for one hour everyday.
Spend the hour planning, dreaming, scheming, calculation
reviewing your goals. Write
down ideas. Do this
everyday at the same scheduled time and not while you’re at work
(you’ll be interrupted there). Keep and use a special idea notebook.
Write down all your ideas, plans, goals and dreams in one place. Arrive forty-five minutes early and leave fifteen minutes
late. If you a re
going to be firs tin your corporation start practicing by being first on
the job. People who arrive
late to work don’t like their jobs (that’s what management thinks). Don’t say at the office until ten o’clock every night.
That’s a signal that you can’t keep up or that your personal
life is poor. Leave fifteen
minutes late instead. Use
those fifteen mutes to organize your next day and clean your desk.
You‘ll be leaving after 95% of all the employees anyway.
Best of Luck!!! -- Andy Gilchrist
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