Careers & Employment Information

5 Simple Rules for A Great Job Interview


Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn, I ventured to New York City to take a bite out of the big apple of opportunity.

When it came to finding a job in a crowded city of millions, I quickly learned that it's much easier on one's sanity to sign up with one of the many employment agencies which helps job seekers looking for work.

I scoured the newspaper and found a large ad for one such well-known employment agency. True to their word, they promptly sent me off on several interviews - none of which I felt particularly comfortable at. Needless to say, I didn't get any job offers.

While nursing a cold, I decided I needed a change. So, I contacted a much smaller agency and decided to see if my luck would be different.

These people rocked! They were down-to-earth friendly and genuinely concerned about helping me find a job. Before they sent me out on any interviews, they put me through a mock interview session and evaluated my performance (something the larger fancy-pants agency didn't do). Afterwards, an advisor sat me down and we chatted about the results of my mock interview.

I am forever grateful for the feedback I got that day, because the interview preparation tips they gave me have served me well over countless interviews these many years. I've condensed their pointers into five simple rules that anyone can follow for better success at a job interview.

  • Eye Contact - Look directly at your interviewer. Don't cast your eyes down.

  • Sit up Straight - Don't slouch in your chair - it makes you look lazy and uninterested. Good posture makes you look like a confident person.

  • Don't Fidget - Keep your hands in your lap when you're not making a point in the conversation. Fidgeting looks unprofessional.

  • Speak Up - Don't mumble your words. Speak directly at your interviewer with a clear, strong voice.

  • Smile and Show Some Personality - It's ok to be a little nervous, but remember to stay loose and be yourself. Personality counts for a lot.

    Of course, there's a lot more to think about when preparing for an interview. But even if you only remember these five simple interviewing rules, you'll be able to make a good impression on the one person standing between you and a job - your interviewer.

    About The Author

    Copyright 2004

    Donna Monday writes employment related articles for http://www.get-a-job-interview-quick-tips.com.


    MORE RESOURCES:
    Google

    New York Times

    Amid ugly job picture, tech related employment holds up
    ZDNet - Jul 3, 2008
    The US economy lost 62000 jobs in June for the sixth straight month of employment losses with an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent, but underneath the ...
    Little doubt that US is in recession; rest of the world can't ... The Age
    Jobs continue to fade Chicago Tribune
    Six Months of Job Loss Push Economy Toward Recession ABC News
    Amerisurv (press release) - Christian Science Monitor
    all 404 news articles


    Reuters

    Why tech jobs are beating the employment odds
    ZDNet - Jul 3, 2008
    ... impressively choreographed fireworks displays, we?re capping off one of the most depressing weeks for employment reports in the better half of a decade. ...
    Treasurys rise ahead of employment report The Associated Press
    Treasurys advance after ADP jobs report MarketWatch
    US ADP Employment foresees larger than expected decline in June's ... International Business Times
    Forbes - guardian.co.uk
    all 168 news articles


    Earthtimes (press release)

    ADP National Employment Report Shows US Employment Decreased by ...
    CNNMoney.com - Jul 2, 2008
    According to today's ADP National Employment Report®, private sector employment decreased by 79000 in June. The ADP National Employment Report, ...
    ECONOMY: Little to Cheer on US Independence Day Inter Press Service (subscription)
    DJ: ADP Sees June US Private Sector Jobs Down 79000 Onet.pl
    Small - Business Job Growth Eases New York Times
    TheStreet.com - Bizjournals.com
    all 81 news articles


    US stocks advance as employment report comes as expected
    MarketWatch - Jul 3, 2008
    By MarketWatch NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- US stocks end mostly higher, offering a benign reaction to the government's report on employment, which fell only ...
    MARKET SNAPSHOT: US Stocks Advance As Employment Report Comes As ... CNNMoney.com
    US stocks advance as employment report comes as expected MarketWatch
    Dollar loses ground after weak jobs report MarketWatch
    all 26 news articles


    Survey shows biggest decline in employment for six years
    Financial Times, UK - 21 hours ago
    By Daniel Pimlott in New York The US suffered its largest drop in employment in nearly six years in June in a sign of the deteriorating economic environment ...


    Outlook Darker as Jobs Are Lost
    New York Times, United States - 9 hours ago
    Responding quickly to the government employment report, issued Thursday, the presidential candidates called for action, beyond the recent stimulus package, ...
    Employers Cut Workers for a Sixth Month New York Times
    all 11 news articles


    The Week Ahead Japan & Australia: Australian Employment, Japanese CGPI
    CEP News, Canada - 35 minutes ago
    (CEP News) - Despite a relatively slow start to the week, the economic action in the Asia-Pacific really picks up on Wednesday with Australian employment ...


    June is sixth straight month of job losses
    Kansas City Star, MO - 18 hours ago
    Since December, payroll employment has fallen by 438000 jobs. Another indicator, also reported Thursday, suggested further upward revisions in jobless ...
    Why Lousy Jobs Numbers Might Be OK U.S. News & World Report
    Job market: No bottom until '09 CNNMoney.com
    all 5 news articles


    Getting The Deal Through - Labour & Employment 2008
    Mondaq News Alerts (subscription), UK - 7 hours ago
    As Australia is a federation, employment law is governed by laws made by the parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia (federal law) as well as by ...
    Who Owns IP Produced "On The Job Mondaq News Alerts (subscription)
    all 2 news articles


    CEO confidence drops again in June
    Bizjournals.com, NC - Jul 3, 2008
    Employment and Investment Confidence Indices were hit the worst, reaching their lowest levels since 2002 when polling began. Employment Confidence Index ...

    Employment - Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2006