Interview Waiting Room Etiquette

If you are lucky enough to land an interview for a job you want, don’t blow it all before you even get a chance inside. Here are some truths that might seem to be self-evident, but people sometimes take stupid pills and do these things. You shouldn’t. Avoid the following behavior. This means you! Flirting with Staff. If you are a guy, don’t flirt with the female receptionist or assume you can call her by her first name just because you are all dressed up and looking cute. Ms, or Miss or Mrs, whatever, is the proper way to address … Continue reading →

Some More No-Nos During An Interview

A successful interview involves many factors. Two important ones are being honest about your past and researching the company beforehand so that you can navigate the questions beforehand. The more you know, the better equipped you will be. Avoid some of the following and if Mr. Murphy doesn’t have it out for you, you will do well: 1. Don’t turn down a glass of water or cup of coffee if offered. Take it even if you don’t want it, haven’t been thirsty in a very log time and/ or break out in hives from either or both). To accept puts … Continue reading →

The Art of The Interview: Some Things Not To Do

Whether you are about to be interviewed by a vampire, former king of France or just the run-of-the-mill office personnel manager, there are some things that you should never do. While some of these tips might seem as obvious as not sitting for an length of time on the railroad tracks, you would be surprised at how many of the following things have actually been committed by either people I know or people I read about (that may have been committed). So a word to the wise and avoid the following if you can. 1. Never bring your dog or … Continue reading →

Five Ways to Turn Off Potential Employers

Do yourself and the interviewer a favor, and don’t waste your time or theirs. Avoid these things if you want to make a good impression. Name Dropping The hiring officer does not want to hear how you attended high school with a girl that dated her boss’s grandson. It is generally not a good idea to try to throw names around. If an executive of the company specifically referred you for the position, ask that person for a letter of recommendation instead of dropping his or her name. Acting Too Familiar You do not have a personal relationship with the … Continue reading →

Job Interview Tips

The job interview offers you what may be your first and only chance to make a great impression on a prospective employer. 1. Start by being punctual. It is wise to arrive just a few minutes early. Too early isn’t good either, but late says you don’t care too much about the job, about the interviewer’s time, or about being on time for work should you be hired. 2. Dress impeccably. Don’t overdo it with flashy colors, too much jewelry, or overly expensive attire, but dress smart and stylishly. Pay attention to detail. Take the time to press your shirt … Continue reading →

More Negotiating Tips for Graduating Students

If you really want the job, but just don’t feel the offer is what you’re worth (realistically), make sure you negotiate carefully. You don’t want to close any doors by reacting poorly. A written proposal may be the best alternative, since you will have time to polish it and avoid emotional responses that may occur if you are unprepared. In other words, with documentation there are fewer chances to make serious mistakes. If you decide to attempt negotiations, present any higher offers you have received from other companies. Just saying you have received a better offer from another source will … Continue reading →

Salary Negotiation for Graduating Students

Moving from school into the world of employment is exciting, but sometimes things don’t work out according to plan. You have worked hard to get a good education, and now you hope to land the career of your dreams. You found the perfect job, the perfect company to work for, but unfortunately, the salary is not at all what you expected. Should you give up and look elsewhere? Not necessarily. First, ask the employer in a respectful way if it is possible to negotiate or if the offer is firm. If he or she is not willing to negotiate, do … Continue reading →

Questions to ask the prospective employer

The interview is almost over and the prospective employer asks you if you have any questions you want to ask him or her. This is where your research comes into effect, you should ask a couple of questions to show you are very interested in the position and the company. There are some employers that go over everything so you may not have any questions, but many don’t. So, let’s take a look at some questions you can ask the prospective employer. There are a few things to remember when asking questions to the employer. Make sure the employer can … Continue reading →

The purpose of an Informational Interview

An informational interview is for those who are just entering in the workforce, those who have been absent from the workforce for a long period of time or even those who are seeking a career change. Although some people will see this as a waste of time, it can be very beneficial in providing someone knowledge about certain careers and companies that they may be interested in. An informational interview consists of having a meeting with someone in a particular field, industry, or company that you are interested in. An informational interview will help you prepare for a real interview … Continue reading →

Research prospective employers

Many people don’t do this or don’t think to do but researching a prospective employer is a very important step in not only getting an interview but also having a successful interview. Because it is time consuming many people may ask someone do they know anything about a particular company, which works if that person has accurate information. To use your time effectively, divide your research into two different stages. The first stage should include getting all the basic information about different companies. That includes the company’s name, address, phone numbers, names and job titles of key contacts, if the … Continue reading →