Interview Tips – Top Ten Job Seeking Tips

Top Ten Job Seeking Tips

1. Always cast a wide net.
2. If you build it, they can come. (Instead of simply posting your resume on a Web site, take it one step further and design a physical portfolio, or Web site or online portfolio, this makes you stand out more than other candidates very quickly if it is done professionally).
3. Always have more than one person read and edit your resume and cover letter!
4. Always follow-up with phone calls and emails in a professional manner that effectively communicates your interest in a position without being too demanding.
5. Always be patient, the hiring managers are busy and will normally always get back to you.
6. If you are not getting a good response from your resume, likely something is wrong and you may wish to consult a job coach or mentor.
7. Informational meetings can and do lead to job offers.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice for what you want.
9. Do decide specifically what position you want; people that know what they wish to do always get the job. Even if you are not sure, pick something.
10. Volunteering where you want to work is the fastest way to get hired there.

Interviewing Tips

I .30% of successfully interviewing is all about your enthusiasm, excitement, and energy.
- So smile.
- Relax, but stay alert.
- Stay positive (no one likes negativity).
- Use eye contact.
- Be yourself.
- Always represent yourself honestly.
- Sit up straight.
- Ask questions about the position, company and the interviewer. (Get them talking about themselves, and listen).
- and NEVER ask questions about salary, commission, bonuses, vacations or anything else the company can do for you. Wait until you’ve gotten the job offer.
- Never get too comfortable. Remain professional and on guard. This is a main reason why many people do not excel in final interviews.

II. 30% of the interview is about showing that you have the skills and desire to conduct the responsibilities of the position.
- So, offer specific examples of prior work, and projects, or duties that relate to each question that is asked of you.
- Do not offer general sweeping answers without specific examples.
- Always use examples of responsibilities that relate to the employer area of expertise and the position you are applying for.

III. 30% of the interview is selling yourself.
- Describe your skills.
- Communicate your passions that related to the position you are interviewing for.
- Show them that you can get along with others and that you can address questions in an organized fashion.
- Always make sure to have a personality be excited, but never be too loud, or overpowering/dominating that your lead the discussion process.

IV. 10%+ of the interview is the close.
The interview is a sales call; you are the product.
- Ask questions.
- Overcome objections.
- Tell them your interest level, availability, and why you are a superior candidate.
- And this is the hardest part, have fun! Candidates that enjoy the meeting, get the job.

How To Prepare For Your Interview:
- For your meeting with your Scion Staffing recruiter or client interview always dress in a plain navy or dark colored business suit.
- We Recommend that both men and women for all interview stages wear conservative professional attire, and shoes that present well.
- Always dress for success.
- Make sure to research the employer and position you are interested in and be on time.
- We do not represent candidates that do not possess knowledge and passion about the position thatthey are applying for. Remember that not being prepared tells an employer that you do not respecttheir time.
- Arrive 10-15 minutes before an interview.
- Bring at least 3 copies of your resume.
- Prepare and bring a copy of your references.
- Bring a pen and notebook to takes notes before and during the interview.
- Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
- Greet everyone in the office with a smile and hello.
- Make sure to fill out all applications neatly and completely because you are being judged on all steps in the procedure.

- Make sure to write down notes to help you remember the highlights of the interview (write down your questions, impressions, and notes about your performance). This will help you in the future interviews and writing thank you letters.
- Directly after any client interview Scion Staffing sends you on, make sure to call your Scion Staffing Account Executive to provide feedback on the interview. (All feedback is critical)
- ALWAYS email, mail, or drop off a thank you letter with-in 24 hours, preferably the same day you interview.

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How To Prepare For A First Interview – Modern Techniques

It is vital that before you go into an interview that you have properly prepared yourself to talk. But before you can talk about yourself and the company you first need to do your homework.

So do read their website cover to cover, re-read and memorize the job description you are interviewing for, and look up your interviewers on LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter, to have a better understanding about where they are from, where they have worked, and who they are. Trust me, it helps! But at the same time make sure not to divulge to much personal info about them, or ever be anything but 100% formal!

Ex: If you learned that are passionate followers and attendees of Burning Man, don’t mention it, perhaps they do not want their co-workers to know! By divulging to much personal information about your interview you may look odd, or like a stocker. There is a fine line so just stick to the basics. Talk about where they are from, lived aboard, or went to school.

In your research, do try to find a news story about them, or watch a YouTube video the company may have been in – they offer wonderful clues into the culture of where you are interviewing.

Look, interviewing is a technique. And the most important thing that you can do to prepare is to practice and know what you are going to say before you say it! Here is an easy approach for preparing for any interview, be it for a mail clerk position, or VP level.

Step one: make up, and formulate an answer for the most popular questions that will be asked of you.

Think about it, most employers always ask the about the same questions, or at least will include some similarities in questions when they bring you in. You may also be thinking, what about the “odd-ball questions,” that are sometimes asked like: “If you were a car what kind of car would you be and why?” These, can sometimes be asked, but are normally not really relied upon to decide if you are a good candidate or not. So, try not to worry about the unexpected. Odd questions are generally used, just to make the interviewer feel less square, and feel more cool. So just act like they are a fun question and you cant go wrong. Instead, turn your attention to prepare yourself for what you can expect. This is proven to be the best way to be successful in an upcoming interview.

Here’s a tip – know, and get used to the idea that at least once (probably twice) you will get tongue tied or stumble answering the questions. DO NOT PANIC! This is NORMAL! All candidates do this, just move on. So take you time and don’t worry if you do. If you even need to buy a second to regain your composure, or think about what you will say, just ask them to repeat the question and take a deep breath.

The best way to knock an interview “out of the park,” is to practice, practice, practice, answering the most popular questions out-loud. Grab a friend, or if your buddies are too busy, make flash cards and repeatedly make yourself answer the questions aloud while sitting at a table.

In a perfect world, you should have another person mock interview you to prep. There is not better way to prepare. Give them the following questions and tell them to throw in some questions of their own. Tip – do not at any time break character or start talking about how you are doing with your mock interviewer! Always pretend like you do not know them, and talk to them like the interview is really happening.

Following are a list of popular and great questions you should prepare yourself with. Know these forward and backward and you are on your way to rocking the interview!

Top General Interview Questions

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • What would you do for us that someone else can’t?
  • What about this position do you find most attractive? Least Attractive?
  • How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
  • How do you describe your personality?
  • What would you say are the major personal traits/qualities this job demands?
  • Describe to me how this job would relate to the overall goals of the company?
  • What aspects of your job do you like best?
  • What aspects of your current job do you like the least?
  • Of all the work you have done, where have you been the most successful?
  • How do you make yourself indispensable to a company?
  • Why do you want to work in this position?
  • What do you look for in a job?
  • What are the three most important responsibilities of this position?
  • How long would you stay working at a position such as this?
  • What do you see yourself doing ten years from now?
  • Tell me about a time when your course load was heavy. How did you complete all your work?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to accomplish a task with someone who was particularly difficult to get along with.
  • If you were hiring for this job, what would you look for?
  • What are you looking for in a job?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What would your most recent employer say about you if we asked?
  • Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
  • What salary are you seeking?
  • What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
  • Do you have any questions for us?

Top Management Questions

  • What is your management style?
  • What did you look for when you hired people in the past?
  • What do you see as being the most difficult task in being a manager?
  • What is your biggest weakness as a manager?
  • How many people did you supervise on your last job?
  • Give of an example of problem that occurred with a subordinate and how did you resolve it?
  • How do you motivate others?
  • Give of an example of a training program you lead or created?
  • Please give an example of your experience with budgets or project management? What are you strengths in the area?

Step two: anticipate what they might ask you about and practice answering these additional questions as well! Normally your biggest clues on what will be ask to you, is listed on the job description. Expect a question, or the interviewer to want to talk about each bullet point in some way. So do your research and spend time thinking about the job and the responsibilities if you really want to land it!

Step three: repeat.

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