Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Make a Great First Impression

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    4,629
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Make a Great First Impression

    [I][B]Let's face it -- initial impressions count, especially when you're interviewing for a job. In this Monster Special Feature, we help you make the best possible first impression when you go for an interview. Learn how to prepare, send the right nonverbal cues, develop an awareness of your interview image and more.

    http://featuredreports.monster.com/f...mc_n=MNL000195

    Unfortunately Monster has updated there site and changed/deleted these articles, however these articles should be equally informative
    Ten Interviewing Rules

    Look Sharp

    Before the interview, select your outfit. Depending on the industry and position, get out your best duds and check them over for spots and wrinkles. Even if the company has a casual environment, you don't want to look like you slept in your clothes. Above all, dress for confidence. If you feel good, others will respond to you accordingly.

    Be on Time

    Never arrive late to an interview. Allow extra time to arrive early in the vicinity, allowing for factors like getting lost. Enter the building 10 to 15 minutes before the interview.

    Do Your Research

    Researching the company before the interview and learning as much as possible about its services, products, customers and competition will give you an edge in understanding and addressing the company's needs. The more you know about the company and what it stands for, the better chance you have of selling yourself. You also should find out about the company's culture to gain insight into your potential happiness on the job.

    Be Prepared

    Bring along a folder containing extra copies of your resume, a copy of your references and paper to take notes. You should also have questions prepared to ask at the end of the interview. For extra assurance, print a copy of Monster's handy interview take-along checklist.

    Show Enthusiasm

    A firm handshake and plenty of eye contact demonstrate confidence. Speak distinctly in a confident voice, even though you may feel shaky.

    Listen

    One of the most neglected interviewing skills is listening. Make sure you are not only listening, but also reading between the lines. Sometimes what is not said is just as important as what is said.

    Answer the Question Asked

    Candidates often don't think about whether or not they actually are answering the questions asked by their interviewers. Make sure you understand what is being asked, and get further clarification if you are unsure.

    Give Specific Examples

    One specific example of your background is worth 50 vague stories. Prepare your stories before the interview. Give examples that highlight your successes and uniqueness. Your past behavior can indicate your future performance.

    Ask Questions

    Many interviewees don't ask questions and miss the opportunity to find out valuable information. Your questions indicate your interest in the company or job.

    Follow Up

    Whether it's through email or regular mail, the follow-up is one more chance to remind the interviewer of all the valuable traits you bring to the job and company. You don't want to miss this last chance to market yourself.

    It is important to appear confident and cool for the interview. One way to do that is to be prepared to the best of your ability. There is no way to predict what an interview holds, but by following these important rules you will feel less anxious and will be ready to positively present yourself.
    Six Sloppy Speech Habits

    Six Sloppy Speech Habits
    By Diane Diresta, Monster Contributing Writer
    

    You may look good on paper or in your suit, but if you're looking to nail your big interview, looks aren't everything. How you sound is often more important. But many job seekers let careless speech habits sink their chances of landing that plum job.

    Here are six common language mistakes and how to keep them from sabotaging your interview:

    1. Non-words

    Filler words such as "um," "ah," "you know," "OK" or "like" tell the interviewer you're not prepared and make you sound like a Valley Girl (or Boy). A better strategy is to think before you speak, taking pauses and breaths when you lose your train of thought. Everybody utters an occasional "um," but don't let it start every sentence.

    2. "Up-Talk"

    A singsong or rising inflection at the end of every sentence creates a tentative impression and makes it sound as though you're asking a question instead of making a definitive statement. You need to speak with conviction when selling yourself in an interview. Bring your intonation down when ending a sentence to avoid talking up.

    3. Grammatical Errors

    The interviewer may question your education when you use incorrect grammar or slang. Expressions such as "ain't" "she don't," "me and my friend" and "so I goes to him" aren't appropriate. Be sure you speak in complete sentences and that tenses agree. The interview is not the venue for regional expressions or informality.

    4. Sloppy Speech

    Slurring words together or dropping their endings impairs the clarity of your message. To avoid slurring and increase understanding, speak slowly during an interview. Make a list of commonly mispronounced words, and practice saying them into a tape recorder before the interview. Some common incorrect pronunciations include "aks" for "ask," "ath a lete" for "athlete," "wif" for "with" and "dree" for "three."

    5. Speed Talking

    While everybody is a bit anxious during an interview, you don't want your information to fly by like a speeding bullet. A rapid speaking rate is difficult to follow, and speed talkers are seen as nervous. Slow down your racing heart by doing some breathing exercises before the interview. To avoid rushing, listen to the question, and then count two beats in your head before answering. When you finish a sentence, count two beats again before continuing. Don't be afraid of silence. Pausing is an effective communication technique. The interviewer needs a few seconds to process what you just said anyway.

    6. Weak Speak

    Wimpy words modify or water down your conviction and in the end your position. When you pepper a conversation with "hopefully," "perhaps," "I feel," "kind of" and "sort of," the message you convey is a lack of confidence. Use power words such as "I'm confident that," "my track record shows," "I take the position that," "I recommend" or "my goal is." The language you use gives the listener an impression about your level of confidence and conviction.

    The Bottom Line

    You don't have to study elocution to speak well. Simply slow down, take time to pronounce all the syllables, and leave slang at home.

    Companies want job candidates who are well-spoken and articulate, and recruiters won't represent a job candidate if they don't match the client's profile. According to Lori Zelman, vice president of human resources at Strategic Workforce Solutions in New York City, "The people most highly sought after are the ones who are succinct in the explanation of their work experience."
    Last edited by kilaj1; Jun 25, 2009 at 07:56 AM.
    CompTIA A+ Certified
    MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist - Server Virtualization
    MCSA - Microsoft Certified System Administrator - Messaging

    It wasn't me!...........okay it was but you have no right to assume!!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    2,394
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    thanx for the post this is very valuable to me now seeing that i'm finishing up my associates degree and need to prepare my self to re-enter the working world
    To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says: "Leave no stone unturned." Edward Bulwer Lytton

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1,108
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Thanks kilaj for this awesome post i tried hard to find it now i got i finally find it. This is valuable info which alot of us can use. I think it can be made sticky or has sticky potential moderators? care to elaborate? wats ur take?
    H E L T A - S K E L T A...........Simple but Effective
    Certified Wifi Penetration Specialist
    CompTIA A+ Certified

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    717
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    The link makes sense. One has to all times try to have the edge in such competitive work arena
    Shhhh!I see dead people!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    4,242
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    nice refresher, thanks for the link.
    |--- www.RealJamaicaEstate.com ™ ---|
    Invest small = small returns [micro enterprise] | Invest Big = returns Big [macro enterprise]
    --- www.fashionsJAMAICA.com ™ -|- www.ChampsJamaica.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    4,629
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    hehe you'll dig this thread up....thinking back I actually used the second link in a Job interview, the job I'm currently working at
    CompTIA A+ Certified
    MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist - Server Virtualization
    MCSA - Microsoft Certified System Administrator - Messaging

    It wasn't me!...........okay it was but you have no right to assume!!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1,108
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    thanks alot kilaj1 i learnt alot from that lick most grateful to u for it
    H E L T A - S K E L T A...........Simple but Effective
    Certified Wifi Penetration Specialist
    CompTIA A+ Certified

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    4,629
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    not a prob....there is also a thread I made with a virtual IT interview, that one was exceptionally helpful, stares you alway from the common IT interview mistakes, mistakes I've made in IT interviews...Not asking questions, stating "I love computers"....ect
    CompTIA A+ Certified
    MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist - Server Virtualization
    MCSA - Microsoft Certified System Administrator - Messaging

    It wasn't me!...........okay it was but you have no right to assume!!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    261
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    thanks for this post.
    The average human spends 1/3 of his/her life sleeping.
    Why sleep when u r wasting 1/3 of your life?
    U have dreams to fulfill. Why waste the time by sleeping?
    There is always enough time to sleep when u r dead.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1,108
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    woww fantastic...simply awesome...the thread it has finally been made sticky..........thanks again kilaj for such an excellent post
    H E L T A - S K E L T A...........Simple but Effective
    Certified Wifi Penetration Specialist
    CompTIA A+ Certified

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •