HowToDoThings.com Recent Interviewing Articles

How To Get a Job with a Criminal Record

niko — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:04:29 -0500

If you're one of those unfortunate souls who've got a criminal record, whether for minor misdemeanors or for more serious crimes, getting a job after completing your sentence can be an extremely difficult process. Most companies conduct detailed pre-employment and background checks these days, to avoid future complications or litigation on account of hiring employees with questionable backgrounds. This does not mean that there is no hope of getting a job for people with a criminal record. Below are some tips and guidelines to follow if you are looking for work.

Tips & Guidelines

How To Read Body Language

Deirdre — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:06:53 -0500

When preparing for a job interview, first date or sales call, one of your greatest assets is the ability to read body language. If you want to learn to read between the lines and get ahead, follow these steps. Pay attention and you can read anyone’s body language.

How To Be Pragmatic in Your Job Search

CVRAJAN — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:36:15 -0500

Anyone searching for a job is bound to have mixed feelings--on one end, hope, positive thinking, and anticipation, and on the other end, fear of rejection, lingering self-doubts and worry. If you have been searching for a job for quite a while, initial optimism and enthusiasm may gradually fade, only to be replaced by anxiety and an inferiority complex if nothing clicks over a period of time. If you are already employed comfortably, searching for a better job to get better pay or perks is a less stressful affair. But for someone who is searching for the job for the first time, or who has lost his job, the stress is going to be severe and the search, daunting.

As a job hunter, you will have your list of expectations. The key to a satisfactory outcome in the job search is to match your expectations to the reality of the market. Let us consider a few aspects where you have to be pragmatic.

How To Make a Good First Impression in Your Job Interview

tommcb99 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:23:10 -0500

How To Eliminate the Interview Jitters

tommcb99 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:29:07 -0500

How To Build a Winning CV that Positions your Personal Brand Powerfully

lalittara — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:17:51 -0600

The words "Curriculum Vitae" translated literally mean "the story of your life." Your CV is a very important document: With it rest your hopes and dreams for the future, that next step up the career ladder, a better position, more money, new challenges, etc. Therefore, if you do not want to miss out on that ‘dream opportunity,’ your CV has to represent the best you can offer. Writing a CV that has the potential to be short-listed and/or make a positive impact is a skill and requires expertise. Many brilliant professionals and top brains haven’t been able to make it to the top or get the desired results in their careers only because they couldn’t position their talents, skills, knowledge and experience positively.

How To Prepare for an Interview

kriszelunka — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:59:14 -0500

You've been sending off applications and you've finally landed an interview with one of the companies you applied for. Many people find interviews to be nerve-racking, but there are several things you can do to prepare yourself.

How To Make a Good First Impression at Job Interviews

JimLow — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:50:59 -0500

While most everyone is aware that you should dress well and appear well-groomed for a job interview, there are other steps that will help you to make the best impression possible. The five steps below can help you know how to make a good first impression at job interviews.

How To Land an Entry Level Job

Just Jayne — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:03:59 -0500

Landing an entry-level job would seem like an easy task right? Well, for the most part it is, but there are some things to definitely consider when searching for this job and landing it. You will want to research the company, write an incredible resume and go into the interview with confidence!

How To Answer Technical Interview Questions

Stacy451 — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 12:03:00 -0500

Are you ready for that big interview? You've prepared your résumé. You've picked out the perfect professional suit. You've spent hours on the Internet reading practice interview questions. You can easily recite from memory why you would be a good employee and you are ready to give an example of the greatest hurdle you've had to overcome in the workplace. It sounds like your ready. Oh wait - have you practiced your technical interview questions? If you haven't, you need to learn what technical interview questions are and know how to answer them.

How To Answer Undergraduate Admissions Interview Questions

Beth141 — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 16:37:00 -0500

The big day has arrived. You're about to go from being just a name and number to being a flesh and blood person to the people who decide whether you're in or out at the college of your choice. Sure, you might be nervous, but if you think over the process before you go and keep a few things in mind, a college admissions interview can be a painless experience that helps you put your best foot forward.

How To Use Job Interview Etiquette

Elizabeth69 — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 11:28:00 -0500

Successful job interviews are often as much about the personalities of the participants as they are about the qualifications of the applicant. Both people are trying to sell something. The prospective employee is certainly trying to prove that he is the best candidate for the position, while the company's representative is not only seeing if the applicant will fit in, but is also hoping to present a terrific workplace. Proper etiquette, for both parties, will help them to achieve their goal. Here are a few guidelines when it comes to job interview etiquette.

For the interviewer:

Before the applicant arrives, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with her resume. She deserves to be treated respectfully, and knowing a little bit about her background will show that you are giving her application true consideration.

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How To Prepare for a Behavioral Interview

Donald128 — Mon, 22 May 2006 10:30:00 -0500

The form of interviewing known as Behavioral Interviewing is a relatively new type of interview in which your behavior in specific situations is analyzed. Many employers believe examining your past performance to be a much more accurate predictor of future performance.

Here are some examples of behavioral interview questions:

Give me a specific example of how you handled a particularly stressful situation.
Describe a time when you used your logic and problem-solving skills.
Tell me about a time when something you tried to accomplish didn't work out.
Give me an example of how you deal with conflict.
Explain a time when your leadership skills were put to the test.

It is a bit more difficult to prepare for a behavioral interview than a traditional interview, but there are some things you can do to enhance your chances of doing well.

How To Utilize Interview Techniques

Donald128 — Mon, 22 May 2006 09:02:00 -0500

Let's face it. Interviewing for a job is one of the more stressful situations a person can go through. The greatest cause of that stress is the fear of the unknown. What will the interviewer ask? What should I say? Am I the person they are looking for? The best way to curb that fear is to prepare by removing some of the unknown variables. Here are a few techniques that you can put into play in advance of your interview.

Before the Interview:

Research. The best way to be able to address how you will fit in and contribute to the company is to know where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Know what the company does, how well they do it, and who their competition is. The more you know, the more you can tailor your discussion of your experience to fit their needs.

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How To Avoid Illegal Interview Questions

Elizabeth69 — Tue, 16 May 2006 05:51:00 -0500

Job interviews, even those that go the smoothest, can be a bit stressful. No matter which side of the desk you are on, you want to be sure that the time is well spent and that all questions are properly addressed.

If you are hoping to secure a job, you need to present yourself in the best possible light while convincing the potential employer that you are the right choice. If you are the one doing the hiring, you want to get a clear picture of the candidate's strengths and weaknesses while remaining sensitive to their rights. The law provides clear guidelines for conducting job interviews. Here are a few tips to be sure that you avoid asking illegal interview questions:

How To Find Sample Interview Questions

Liz71 — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 15:45:00 -0500

Newly dry-cleaned suit? Check. Professional resume printed on ivory-colored heavy paper? Check. Black binder with notebook, additional copies of resume, and letters of recommendation? Check. Interview questions and answers? CHECK.

How To Improve Your Job Interviewing Techniques

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 06:00:00 -0500

If you want to pursue a career change, now is a good time to improve your interviewing skills. All it takes is a little research and a lot of practice, and soon you will excel at the interviewing process. Next thing you know, the job of your dreams may be yours for the taking.

Be prepared. Familiarize yourself with possible interview questions. By coming up with a list of topics and types of things an interviewer might ask, you can think through some of your answers and be prepared for anything.
Know your audience. Find out in advance whom will be interviewing you and what her position is, so you can have an idea of what type of information you can provide to help the interviewer make a decision.

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How To Conduct a Phone Interview

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:02:00 -0500

If you are an employer with a job opening to fill, phone interviews are a good way to screen potential employees without investing too much time or money in the process. At the same time, phone interviews give applicants a chance to set themselves apart from the competition and pique an employer's interest. No matter which side of the phone you are on, here are some tips to make the most of the interview process:

For Employers:

Use phone interviews as a way to quickly assess a pool of candidates and identify those people you want to pursue further.
Prepare before you make the call. Review the applicant's resume and know the position you are looking to fill.
Come up with a list of questions you want to ask and key points about the job that you want to convey so you can keep the call moving along.

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How To Answer Job Interview Questions

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:00:00 -0500

When you interview for a job, you want to put your best foot forward and demonstrate that you are a good fit for the position. But don't forget that at the same time, you also want to find out as much as you can about the company to see if it is a good match for your needs, too. It has to be a win-win situation! Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you need to answer some job interview questions:

How To Prepare for Phone Interviews

Donald128 — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 07:55:00 -0500

There are few things in life that cause as much trepidation as the job interview. While the job seeker may think that he has "dodged a bullet" by having been granted a telephone interview, the need for due diligence and preparation for this type of interview is no less than that of a face-to-face interview. Here are a few tips that might make your telephone interview run more smoothly.

Be prepared. You will be asked many of the same questions on a telephone interview as you would during a face-to-face interview. You must be ready to answer questions about your past experience, your short- and long-term goals, your strengths and weaknesses, and situations you've handled in the past. You need to know the company with whom you are interviewing as well. You will most assuredly be asked what you know about the company, and what prompted you to want to work for them.

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How To Prepare for Typical Interview Questions

Liz71 — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 20:08:00 -0500

You are twenty-four hours away from having the perfect interview and landing the career of your dreams. From the moment you got the phone call, "Hi, this is Ms. X from ABC, Inc. We took a look at your resume and would like to have you come in for an interview," you have been preparing, right? Whether this is your very first interview or your forty-ninth, to present yourself as a professional and organized individual, the key is to be prepared for both the standard and the unusual questions your interviewer may throw at you. I will discuss some ways to plan for your interview, and I will share with you four typical interview questions and the best ways to answer them.

How To Answer Human Resource (HR) Interview Questions

Elizabeth69 — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:07:00 -0500

Searching for a job can be a full time job in itself. Networking, scouring the help wanted ads and filling out applications can sometimes seem like more effort than it's worth. But don't give up -- you never know when you'll get a call from the human resources department of a wonderful company asking to schedule a face-to-face interview.

When that call does come, you can delight in the idea that you are only one step away from your dream job. So shine your shoes and start giving some thought to the best way to answer the interviewer's questions! Here are a few tips:

Be honest. You are giving the interviewer his/her very first impression of you; be sure that you present yourself as trustworthy.
Display a positive attitude. Everyone prefers to work with upbeat people; no matter what questions you are asked, remain optimistic and enthusiastic.

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How To Conduct an Interview

Elizabeth69 — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 07:21:00 -0500

Your company is growing and you have the need for additional employees. The ads have been run and a number of applicants are, at least on paper, qualified for the positions. It is time to meet with the finalists for face-to-face meetings so that you can decide which candidates will be the ones to help in your company's continued growth.

Conducting interviews is an important part of running a successful business; since your employees are one of your most valuable assets, you must choose wisely. Here are a few tips for conducting interviews:

Do your homework. Familiarize yourself with the applicant's resume before the interview.
Make a quick list of questions that you want to ask and information about your company that you want to offer the candidate.

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How To Answer Tough Interview Questions

Elizabeth69 — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 07:17:00 -0500

A job interview can be a stressful event, even when you feel fully prepared and the interviewer seems to genuinely like you. There are times, however, when "stressful" only begins to describe the experience. Once in a while you will be in the unfortunate position of sitting across the desk from an interviewer who asks difficult questions and seems to be trying to get you to fail. Not to worry; if you ready yourself for this possibly ahead of time, you'll handle yourself just fine.

Keep a positive attitude. Even if you are feeling anxious, take a deep breath and smile. Maintain a pleasant appearance. The interviewer will never know that your knees are knocking and you have sweaty palms!
Always be honest. Most interviewers are experienced at deciphering the truth from exaggeration, so be sure to present yourself as trustworthy right from the start.

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How To Improve Your Interviewing Skills

Donald128 — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 12:50:00 -0500

Interviewing is one of the most daunting and stress-inducing experiences many job seekers will encounter. There is no way to anticipate every possible question or every possible situation you may be put into, but there are some steps you can take to improve your interviewing skills and develop a solid presentation. Remember that you are there to sell yourself and therefore need to prepare a quality "sales presentation".

Start by making a written list of your skills. All good sales pitches begin with product knowledge. Since you are the product, you need to take stock of what you have to offer. Making a written list solidifies this information in your head and prepares you to speak intelligently about what you have to offer.

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How To Answer Situational Interview Questions

Donald128 — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 19:24:00 -0500

Interviewing for a new position can be an intimidating process. You try to prepare as best you can by reviewing your resume, thinking about what questions might be asked and how you'll answer them, and practicing your responses. You analyze your strengths and weaknesses. You warm up like a ball player getting ready for the big game. Then you find out this is a behavioral interview, and you'll be asked situational interview questions. And you ask yourself, "What's a situational interview question? And how do I prepare for this type of question?"

How To Ask an Interviewer Questions

Danielle16 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:19:00 -0500

During an interview, you should want to get to know as much about the company/team/environment you could potentially be working for as much as the interviewers want to get to know you. And because it works both ways, it's good for you to ask the right questions to find out what you need to know. This way the interview doesn't become an interrogative setting to your disadvantage. Instead it will just be a conversation where two parties chat.

Of course you have to bear in mind what kind of interviewers you get. Inexperienced interviewers will throw questions at you without expecting any in return. Regardless, it's good to narrow down your list of questions and ask these interviewers what you truly want to know towards the end of your interview. The more experienced interviewers will expect you to ask questions because it shows that you are proactive, interested, and keen (all positive traits for a job).

How To Write an Interview Thank You Letter

Liz71 — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 12:32:00 -0600

So, you submitted the well-polished cover letter and resume, breezed through the phone interview, and nailed the in-person chat with your potential boss. Now you get to sit by the phone like it's two days before the big dance and you're waiting for that dreamy football player to call and ask you out: "Will he call? I'm sure he'll call! He's got to call!! What if he doesn't call?" The one thing that may help you land the hunky footballer, I mean, the dream job, is sending a brief, professional post-interview thank-you letter. Think of it as that one last impression that might help you stand out and be remembered amongst all those other bright individuals.

How To Dress for an Interview

Danielle16 — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:55:00 -0600

Attire: For men, a well pressed shirt and tie under a suit should suffice. Women however, have a choice between skirts or pants when it comes to suits. Although it is often assumed that skirts work better, I scored my first interview wearing pin-striped pants with a matching suit jacket. This shows that ultimately it is what you feel most confident in that truly works. A dress with a matching suit jacket is another option for women. If the field that you are interviewing for is not too formal, a cardigan over a one-color sheath dress 2" or more below the knees would be appropriate. Note that for some professions, dark colors are a must (e.g. Finance). If you prefer colors other than the classic black, choose grey, navy or the pin-striped variety. Attempt to dress as comfortably as you possibly can because this will make you feel more relaxed during the interview.

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