Online Career Tips

By Matt Miller
Special to Online Career Tips

Before any soon-to-be-college grads out there head straight for their parents basement, please know that despite what you hear about the job market and the unemployment rate and whatever else is abysmal right now, it’s actually possible to get a job — even a good one.

I didn’t go to an Ivy League school, graduate top of my class, or really have the best grades, but I was able to land my dream job before graduating college.

What it takes being able to harness the technology-based job seeking tools of 2012, along with understanding the traditional, time-tested skills of working hard and meeting professionals in your field.

Nowhere does Murphy’s Law ring more true than in an interview. It’s a gauntlet. Something through which job seekers are forced to pass, hoping to make it out the other end intact; a series of carefully devised challenges, tailored to incite confusion, anxiety, and, sometimes, (mild) panic. For many job seekers, living through an interview might appear like surviving the garbage compactor—a room of sodden of trash and debris, its walls closing in without any evident means of escape—into which Luke Skywalker and his motley gang tumble in “A New Hope.” While some job seekers may face this daunting challenge with greater air of confidence and courage than others, the experience strikes every job seeker with the same, inextricable fear. And some job seekers, unsure of how to handle the situation or pressure, box themselves in, committing some of the most egregious interviewing sins. Continue Reading

By: J. Mason
Online Career Tips Staff

This morning, while drinking my coffee, I came across this great post on the “10 Secrets of a Hiring Manager” from U.S. News via Yahoo! Finance. The writer, Alison Green, makes some great points about what you don’t hear and see behind the scenes of an interview. One that caught my eye was the first point about the “interviewer not being very good at interviewing.” This used to be a secret to me, until I got a taste for it firsthand.

At a recent position I got the opportunity to sit in on an interview with my manager, and a couple other folks. I had been out of college for a couple years, so my experience with interviewing was limited to post-college interviews as well as my internship. Before it started I got no coaching, all I knew was the position we would be hiring for and the skills we needed. I was nervous, perhaps more nervous than the nice lady I had to interview. Throughout the process I didn’t speak up until the end, and that’s when I peppered her with a bunch of questions. At the time I didn’t know that it was inappropriate, but it worked out since she was able to think quick on her feet and was later hired.

The point here is you’re more than likely more prepared than those sitting across the table from you. Since my first experience I’ve been thrown last minute into a couple more interviews with potential candidates. They know you’re there for a reason, even if you’re unsure of what it is at that time. So the key to this type of situation is to act confident, and be prepared for curveballs.

‘Know Thyself’

You know yourself better than anyone. A stranger in a job interview only knows what’s on the paper and what they see in front of them. You could take the time to watch for visible ticks or tell’s on the person sitting across from you, or could throw that aside and focus on the task at hand. One of the best pieces of advice I got was to interview your potential boss. Yes, they’re hiring you, but it’s your choice to accept the position so make sure to ask questions yourself.

Share What You Know

One small thing to keep in mind if they’re lacking, don’t expose their flaws. This could be very embarrasing if you know more about a certain part of the company, a new campaign, or part of their website. It’s very good to have this information on hand, but if the inexperienced is giving you hard questions answer as best you can and divert the topic to something relative in your portfolio.

[related: Let Your Value Shine]

What’s Best for the Company?

My final takeaway here is if you’re concerned that they’re not relaying your best assets back to the top, then ask them up front what they’re looking for in the position. While they may not know everything, they know what they were sent for. Be polite and respectful, and touch on the points they share with you. Also be patient, and listen clearly to the questions you’re asked…this may be the only opportunity you have to shine. If they don’t want to be there, they may start tuning you out if you derail their thought train. After the interview is done, shake hands, and follow-up with a thank you card addressed to each person who interviewed you. Even if the position didn’t work out, you may have made some new connections for your professional network.

[related: Make a To Do List for Your Interview]

By: J. Mason
Online Career Tips Staff

Do you have a set style for the interview? Perhaps you’re overly enthusiastic, timid, or hold up a stone cold front, instead of focusing on your routine get tuned in to the person interviewing you.

So, what does this mean exactly? You may not be trained in psychology, or be able to read people particularly well, but you don’t need to be for this exercise. Just be observant from when you shake hands, and throughout the interview process. If they’re very outgoing and friendly, mirror that. Do they seem more reserved? This could be your clue to stick to the facts and “wow” them with your smarts; this could help them loosen up a bit as well.

For a little homework before your next interview make sure you read “The Six Species of Interviewers,” by Doug Hardy of Monster.com. He breaks down the different types of people you may meet in the interview, and how to approach them and make the best impression.