I conduct a lot of interviews, and I know I went to more than 50 while I was unemployed. My best advice for interviewees, be bold. Do your research. Know something about the company. Be prepared for the standard questions. I can tell you from experience that most interviewers make up their mind in the first 2 minutes, when they are asking the boring old questions (why do you want to work here, what do you know about our company, tell me about yourself). Those are the screening questions that can make or break the interview. Also, prepare yourself with some examples and stories in this format:
Situation - here is what I was facing or this was the problem or this was what was happening
What did you do - this is how I tackled that problem or situation ACTION WORDS - I developed, I wrote, I directed, I built, etc.
What were the results - I increased profitability by X%, or whatever
And keep these to 1 to 2 minutes max. Make it concise and fit the question.
I always ended interviews I went to with the following questions:
"Is there anything we discussed today, or anything about my background, that would keep you from recommending me for this job?"
"If so, would you share that with me?"
Then you fill in the blanks. If they say "yeah you just don't have the experience we are looking for", for example, it gives you a chance to sell yourself on another point to minimize that, and you know you got to their issue without having to guess.
"You just don't have enough experience in field sales."
"Let me tell you about a time that I had to develop my own sales plan, that involved working just like a field sales agent."
You get a chance to address their specific concern and leave them feeling like they don't have anything bad to say about you anymore. Doesn't get the response 100% of the time, but always worth throwing out there.
Then I end with:
"Now that I have answered your concerns, will you be recommending me for the job?"
This has gotten me to many second and third rounders and finally to an offer.
It's tough. Stick it out. Good luck.
I conduct a lot of interviews, and I know I went to more than 50 while I was unemployed. My best advice for interviewees, be bold. Do your research. Know something about the company. Be prepared for the standard questions. I can tell you from experience that most interviewers make up their mind in the first 2 minutes, when they are asking the boring old questions (why do you want to work here, what do you know about our company, tell me about yourself). Those are the screening questions that can make or break the interview. Also, prepare yourself with some examples and stories in this format:
Situation - here is what I was facing or this was the problem or this was what was happening
What did you do - this is how I tackled that problem or situation ACTION WORDS - I developed, I wrote, I directed, I built, etc.
What were the results - I increased profitability by X%, or whatever
And keep these to 1 to 2 minutes max. Make it concise and fit the question.
I always ended interviews I went to with the following questions:
"Is there anything we discussed today, or anything about my background, that would keep you from recommending me for this job?"
"If so, would you share that with me?"
Then you fill in the blanks. If they say "yeah you just don't have the experience we are looking for", for example, it gives you a chance to sell yourself on another point to minimize that, and you know you got to their issue without having to guess.
"You just don't have enough experience in field sales."
"Let me tell you about a time that I had to develop my own sales plan, that involved working just like a field sales agent."
You get a chance to address their specific concern and leave them feeling like they don't have anything bad to say about you anymore. Doesn't get the response 100% of the time, but always worth throwing out there.
Then I end with:
"Now that I have answered your concerns, will you be recommending me for the job?"
This has gotten me to many second and third rounders and finally to an offer.
It's tough. Stick it out. Good luck.
Archie, I can get you a job. It's for Xango. I'll sign you up and then when you sign some one else up, you'll get money and then when that person signs some one else up, you get even more money and so on. Plus, it cures cancer ya know.
I hate Utah. The sad thing is, my initials are MLM. Go figure.
Good luck on finding what you are having today btw. I'm excited for another Archie Jr. to bless us with it's presence in this world with heeheepeepeecaca. Keep your fingers crossed for a boy. ; )