In Control - Inside Tips on Interview Success

No, you can't control how the interview will be conducted, nor can you control the outcome. But you can influence it greatly by the way you present your personality and your skills.

Part of acing an interview, is preparation. Do your homework on the company you're applying to. Read their stock performance if they're listed. Surf for their web site, and be sure to read the About Us page as well as any news or press releases. Check out any trade-related publications, or annual reports. Being able to comment knowledgeably on subjects the recruiter may bring up, is a plus on your side.

Dress to impress, but not to blind them with your fashion statement. If you have submitted an application in person, and have some idea of what the company staff wears, then pick a middle of the road outfit between any extremes you may have noted. Understated is always better.

Before you leave home, make sure you have copies of your resume, letters of reference, and work samples if applicable. Taking more than you anticipate needing, provides a cushion against surprises, and shows that you know how to prepare for the unexpected.

Make sure you're out the door with time to spare for traffic problems or unforeseen delays. Time is money to a company, and punctuality can be the key that opens their door to you. Show that you appreciate the opportunity of applying for the position by arriving a few minutes early, and thanking the interviewer, when you are admitted to their office.

Never hog the interview by jumping on a topic and running away with it. Answer questions succinctly and truthfully. Be prepared to answer in the most positive way, questions that touch on negative areas of your resume, such as a gap in employment, or lack of experience in a particular area.

Always finish your interview with an upbeat attitude. As the recruiter prepares to wind up your session, this is an opportunity to mention your USP (unique selling position), that skill or experience that some background work has told you they value, or may need in the position that is open. For example, you might be asked if you have any questions, and can then respond "No, thank you. I think the two years spent in managing human resources with Company X has allowed me to understand the needs of ________(the interviewer's business) better."

Then thank your interviewer, and ask what the next step in their selection process, is. A courtesy note by email or surface post, thanking them for the opportunity of interviewing for the position can also be a plus, indicating attention to the courtesies of doing business.

Joel Vance is an Human Resources expert who has been in HR for 17 years and interviewed 3,159 people. He has also taught at 4 major universities around the country and currently has a best selling book on interviewing entitled The Perfect Interview at http://www.theperfectinterview.com

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Google News Updated : Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:52:22 GMT Stricter criteria for the state's graduates? - Seattle Post Intelligencer Stricter criteria for the state's graduates? Seattle Post Intelligencer - 1 hour ago By JESSICA BLANCHARD New rules adopted Thursday by the Washington State Board of Education would strengthen high school graduation requirements by 2016 -- but they may not come to fruition unless the state Legislature provides more money for public ... Proposals would raise standards for education grants Houston Chronicle State board votes to boost high school graduation requirements TheNewsTribune.com Dallas Morning News - The Columbian - Houston Chronicle all 26 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:56:48 GMT US Expands Visa Program for Iraqi Allies - New York Times Earthtimes (press release) US Expands Visa Program for Iraqi Allies New York Times - 58 minutes ago By ALISSA J. RUBIN BAGHDAD - The American Embassy in Baghdad announced Thursday that it had expanded tenfold its program to help Iraqi employees of the American government here, who faced threats for their work, to obtain visas and ultimately ... US Can't Keep Up On Visas for Iraqis Washington Post US unveils Iraqi visa program Middle East Times MLive.com all 108 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:53:41 GMT 4 Spitzer appointees accused of ethics violations - The Associated Press New York Daily News 4 Spitzer appointees accused of ethics violations The Associated Press - 8 hours ago ALBANY, NY (AP) - Three former aides to ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the former head of the state police were charged with ethics violations Thursday over travel records released to discredit a political rival, a scandal that consumed Spitzer's ... Spitzer Adminsitration Broke Law with "Travelgate" WNYC No Charges For Spitzer In "Choppergate" Scandal NY1 WXXA - WNBC - WENY-TV - North Country Gazette all 252 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:41:09 GMT News in Brief - Ha'aretz News in Brief Ha'aretz - 7 hours ago Israeli and Syrian officials will meet for a fourth Turkish-brokered round of talks in Turkey early next week, Saudi newspaper Al-Watan reported yesterday, citing diplomatic sources in Damascus. Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:49:05 GMT Heavyweights to Lobby for More Biofuel - Washington Post Washington Times Heavyweights to Lobby for More Biofuel Washington Post - 1 hour ago A group of the world's biggest agribusiness companies announced it will use lobbyists on Capitol Hill and national ads to build the case for fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, even as grain prices climb worldwide. Agribusiness Group Forms To Protect Ethanol Subsidies Wall Street Journal Agribusinesses join forces to combat ethanol critics Chicago Daily Herald Reuters - CNNMoney.com - International Herald Tribune - Feedstuffs all 53 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:46:07 GMT Diversity in news media could falter - USA Today Diversity in news media could falter USA Today - 5 hours ago By Edward Iwata, USA TODAY CHICAGO - As the economy sputters and media companies slash jobs, diversity in US newsrooms is likely to suffer, minority journalism leaders here said Thursday. Plenary Session at UNITY '08 on Globalization at 9:00 AM in ... MarketWatch McCain ignores 5000 journalists Chicago Sun-Times Editor & Publisher - Broadcasting & Cable - Chicago Defender - MarketWatch all 29 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:54:41 GMT 20 Questions for Steve Ballmer - PC Magazine 20 Questions for Steve Ballmer PC Magazine - Jul 22, 2008 Microsoft's CEO faces a tough test this week as he prepares to face financial analysts. Before he gets to their questions, here are some of my own. Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:03:44 GMT RSS to HTML Increase Online Traffic

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