Life Hackery

Job hunting is as competitive as it has ever been. When someone calls you to set up an interview, make sure you don’t blow it. Your path towards a very rewarding career begins when you put down the phone. Don’t just rely on luck and take control of your destiny. Follow these tips and make your interview bear a sweet, delicious fruit.

1. Prepare

Once the company calls you and schedules for an interview, it’s time to get to work. Like Miguel de Cervantes once said, preparation is already half the victory. Here are some things you can practice in front of a mirror to make your interview run smoothly.

• Rehearse a response for every possible question that an interviewer may ask, such as your employment history, skills, and career goals among others.
• Research as much as you can about the company, including its market, products and objectives.
• Memorize all the information you included in your resume.
• Understand the position you applied for.
• Make a list of possible questions to ask your employer, especially about your future job responsibilities.
• Prepare the documents you need for the interview so you won’t forget anything.

2. Look The Part

Whether you are applying for manual labor or a desk job, looking good is never a bad idea. Standing out is one thing, but looking weird is another. Maintain a professional look by dressing up in a smart, conservative outfit. Prepare it in advance and save time. Many people arrive late for interviews because they can’t choose what clothes to wear.

Minimize the perfume and aftershave so your scent doesn’t grab the attention of everyone in the room. A strong fragrance may even upset the allergies of your interviewer, who may be forced to cut your interview short. It isn’t fair to judge an applicant based solely on appearance but since this may be your only shot at your dream job, it’s best to leave a positive impression.

3. Dress Your Resume

Your resume must be a statement of relevant facts, not a mini-biography. It should only contain your basic contact information, education, skills, work history, training certificates and professional accomplishments. Here are the basic rules to follow when creating your curriculum vitae.

• Although your resume is mostly in bullet points, you still need to proofread for spelling errors or typos.
• Use a standard business letter template for a professional look.
• Give specific examples from your working experience, rather than vague statements like “excellent typing skills” or “proficient in verbal communication.”
• Limit your cover letter to two pages at most, as employers have other resumes to sift through.
• Always customize your resume according to the position and employer to show how much you really want the job.
• Detail your work experience and accolades from former employers, not previous duties and responsibilities.

4. Be On Time

Nothing is worse than being late for an interview. It wastes your interviewer’s time and hurts your stock as someone looking for work. Arrive at least 10 minutes before schedule so you still have time to wipe your sweat and review your notes.

Leave your place early so you in case you run into heavy traffic or can’t find the meeting place. Failing to arrive on time speaks volumes, but in a negative way. Punctuality might be the only difference between starting your dream job and continuing an extended unemployment streak.

5. Stay Calm

You will soon realize that the actual interview is a bit different from what you expected. It’s like comparing practice drills to playing in the championship game. Even experienced applicants get jitters. Don’t get overwhelmed by the sudden gush of emotions. Remain calm and exude confidence. Recall everything you rehearsed and take note of the following tips.

• Start strong. Shake hands and make eye contact. Let the interviewer know that you are the best candidate for the job before the meeting even starts.
• Necessities only. Only bring your work portfolio to the interview. Leave the phone and cup of coffee behind.
• Don’t ramble. Don’t yap on and on about unrelated events in your life. Keep your answers precise and straight to the point.
• Do elaborate. Answering questions in a word or two isn’t amusing either. Don’t be a drone and give appropriate responses.
• Wrong answer. Be attentive and gather your thoughts before you answer. Politely ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you didn’t hear it the first time.
• No resentment. Backstabbing your previous boss won’t earn you points with the person in front of you. The employer you’re currently applying for don’t want to be talked about negatively either.
• Follow up. Call the company after a day or two and ask how your interview went. Even if you aced it or not, be sure to say thank you for considering you for the position.

When it comes to employment, first impressions last so make sure you leave one in impressive fashion.

* Finding a job entails patience and perseverance and while there are many steps involved such as resume-making and job interview-hopping, it all boils
down if you are qualified and gutsy in your application. Learn how to find a
summer job by browsing through job sites.