Job interview cut.

DO
1. Plan to arrive early to interview (at least 15 minutes). This shows reliability and interest.
2. At interview dress neatly and conservatively.
3. Remember and use the interviewer’s name and degree.
4. Be outwardly oriented. If you can find out what the interviewer is interested in and talk about it, he or she is more likely to become interested in you.
5. On interview ask about the company, the department, and the jobs itself. Show your interest and knowledge.

Form of your resume’s introduction
The worthy candidate sends the resume by e-mail with a short covering letter and an attachment of a RTF-file or DOC-file called by his/her last name.
The thing is that after reading the document managers usually save resumes in their computers by the last name of the candidate. That’s why one should not send file named resume.rft or resume.doc – because such files will surely have to be renamed.
It is only for you that the file might be the only resume, but for the manager it is one of the dozens or even hundreds. Only few candidates are smart enough to name the file with their last name, that shows their concern of the human factor and gaining the manager’s respect.
One should not send the resume in Microsoft Excel format as it is not used by everybody. And also, as it has been mentioned before, a table is not the best resume’s form.
And besides lack of every formatting may make the text perception extremely difficult, that’s why Microsoft Word format is much more preferable than, for example, txt or plain text, which a rare candidate can type so that it looked good. Word Processor makes it easier!

That’s why don’t make the file with the resume in it bigger than 200-250 Kbite.
Do not make your employer wait or put extra effort! Besides, the manager might not unzip your file at all if he/she uses some other type of archiver than you.

Type with Arial 10, which is easy for eye perception and is usually installed on every computer. Don’t use the fonts which are too small, because managers are often people with not perfect eyesight. Don’t use other rare fonts because they might not be installed in the manager’s computer at all.

Anyway, grammar and spelling mistakes never contribute to the good perception of the text and never make the resume’s quality better. Question your friends who are philologists if your resume grammar good.

It is because managers are extremely busy people and usually read resumes diagonally, so to say, catching key words that they are interested in. That’s why your resume should be structured – for the easy perception.

After your resume was studied by your potential future employer, in case he or she liked it, you get an invitation to come to an interview. You are pleased, but most of people get nervous at such moments, which can become a reason for failure, so it’s crucial to settle down and feel confidence in success.

Arrive precisely on time, being late is absolutely unacceptable. If you are late due to some valid reasons, call the manager you have an appointment with and try to change the time of the interview. If the circumstances are such that you are can arrive in advance, also make a call to be sure that your interviewer is able to meet you.

, but don’t exaggerate, too wordy explanations may do wrong for you as well.

Don’t yield to temptation to embellish your accomplishments or your professional experience, give only the true information, or you can do more harm than good for you. Firstly, are you telling the truth or not is Secondly, in case you provide any recommendations your interviewer to check whether you really performed all the duties you have mentioned in your resume and cover letter. And finally you can be simply asked to demonstrate your skills (for example, if one declares he or she types 250 letters a minute, it can be easily checked by asking to type anything).


By recognizing and analyzing your mistakes, you show that you are open to critics and have an ability to see that you are wrong, remember that only that one never makes mistakes who never does anything.

Any employer is interested top know why you left your previous job, here you are also advised to tell the truth. Resist to temptation to criticize your former boss, all managers have their solidarity. If you cannot say anything good about your job, than you’d better opt for constructive critics, in such case you will at least give an impression of a man who pays attention to what is happening around.

8. During the period while you are awaiting for an answer, make your own choice, whether you still want to get this job or not. Besides, you should clarify for yourself what this position means to you, is it a temporary one or you hope to stay there for long and to climb up the career ladder, the way you should cooperate with your future colleagues depends on it.

Such avoiding of an answer seems rather suspect, keep in mind that human psychology acts in such way that when there’s a lack of information it is always interpreted as something bad is hidden here. So you’re advised to prepare a precise answer for such a question.

The impression is that such person is absolutely incapable of managing his/her own life and just drifts with the current.

The applicant criticizes severely and abuses his/her former employer. Even in case the latter deserves it, it won’t play into your hands, because it’s interpreted as lack of loyalty in respect of your superiors.

it may make an interviewer think that the candidate thinks but about money.

Remember, that when answering you should choose the words that would show your loyalty in respect of the employer, interest in efficient work, skills of handling your life, for example:


Keep in mind that ability to leave without scandal is very important nowadays, so it’s now a usual practice to get information about a candidate from his previous employers.

Sometimes it can be recommended to reject a position with higher salary in unstable firm in favor of more reliable employer who proposes smaller payments.

But the situation has its darker side, if you are a career-oriented person, you’d better not to stay too long at the same position, especially if you are young. But if you feel you can obtain necessary knowledge and expertise you can surely stay for long.

And certainly the higher expertise you have the more desirable employee you become, use every opportunity to study no matter where you work.

Thus you can show that you are really interested in the position you applied to and that you have not only arrived to see what you’ll be proposed but have also thought how you can be useful for the company.


* Is the industry the company is active in developing and prospective?
* Is it active only on domestic market or also abroad?
* Is it a part of a bigger alliance?
* How did the goals of the company change during its existence?
* Were there any redundancies during last years? Why?
* What is the attitude of the company towards its employees?
* Is the public opinion of the company (examine media coverage)media coverage positive or negative? Why?

If you want to get a job with some conservative company like a bank or an insurance firm, the optimum dress for such situation is a business suit. In case you are looking for the position of a creative worker (designer, artist, decorator) you’d better listen to your good sense and choose something that will emphasize your taste. Your hair should be done in accurate neat hair-do, make-up should be of natural colors, Perfume should rather be delicate, rich evening ones are not appropriate.
Go to bed early so to avoid looking like a night-clubs addicted visitor, for whom life starts when the working day is over.


Keep in mind that chewing a gum gives rather bad impression.

When you are proposed to take a seat, sit down comfortably, don’t stay at the edge of a chair as if you are ready to run away, but don’t sprawl about on the seat like a gangster from soap-opera. Avoid slang, use good grammar, it shows that you are well-educated and well-brought-up person.


* How long the probation period lasts;

Remember that calling twice a day to find out the decision is not your best recommendation.

If you were refused, you can ask to take you into account in the future if any suitable vacancies appear.

Analyze why you were not chosen and try to find out what was to be done to be successful. This is going to help you when attending other interviews.

First of all, let’s determine what types of psychology exist and what their main characteristics are. In respect of relations to external factors psychologists count 2 main types of personality – extraverts and introverts.
Some people are easy-going, open-minded and emotional, they always try to change the world around. These are extraverts. Their main characteristics are:
* Openness for external world and events,
* Activity, inclination to risk and initiative,
* Ability to understand other’s behavior,
* Presence of personal independent opinion,
* Ability to establish contacts easily as well as to break them,
* Good team player.
Others are rather restricted, they hate sudden changes, fuss. Their mind is engaged in self-analysis and inner emotional experience. These are introverts. Their main characteristics are:
* Orientation on the inner world and emotions,
* Inclination to quietness,
* Calm, reserved character, dreaminess,
* Dislikes sudden incidents,
* Unable to react spontaneously,
* Individualist, not a team player.
Though these characteristics are rather steady, behavior of a person in each particular situation questionable and depends on many factors. Besides, even if a person is generally an extravert in some matters he/she may behave as an introvert and v.v., so one should always count circumstances.
Extraverts and introverts behave differently during job interviews, while introvert may seem too reserved and even rude when answer a questions, uninterested in the position and interlocutor, extravert faces a risk to seem insolent and superficial. So it’s very important to be aware of your personal characteristics and to correct way of behaving in accordance with the circumstances.
When having a job interview with an applicant, HR manager expects to see some average type of behavior and in case you manage to follow it your chances to succeed rise significantly. Here are some advices for both psychological types.
One may think that extraverts are better employees than introverts, because they are always smiling and joyful, this is a wrong opinion. While extraverts are good as sales managers, PR-managers and receptionists, such duties as accounting, engineering and analysis are performed better by introverts, because they are assiduous and accurate. The matter is that each person should find a job which will suit his/her particular type of mind and then reveal those qualities to the potential employer that are essential for the position one is applying to.

How should you look like during job interview?
As human resources managers say many people don’t get the position they apply to because they make the same mistake of attending a job interview being dressed inappropriately. A good thing to be done is to walk near the firm you are applying to and take a look on what its employees wear. But anyway if you have any doubts, the best choice will be to come dressed in business style, even if jeans are welcome in the company, you will be able to wear them after you have been hired. And here are some guidelines on what you should wear if you want to impress your possible employer.

Dress
When choosing what to put on for the interview, you should question yourself: what is the place and the position you’re looking for, once again, the closer your profession is to creative job, the less strict the rules are. If you want to get a job with some conservative company like a bank or an insurance firm, the optimum dress for such situation is so called “fashionable classic”, when you follow the general fashion trends, but don’t look defiant. In case you are looking for the position of a creative worker (designer, artist, decorator) you’d better listen to your good sense and choose something that will emphasize your taste.
The length of skirt is determined by your taste and figure, but classical knee-length is still preferable when attending an interview in a serious organization. The pants should rather be wide. Currently fashion allows you to dress in 1980-ies style – high heels and “bananas” pants. Even if it’s hot, it is questionable for woman to have décolleté and naked shoulders, especially considering the fact that all worthy offices are equipped with condition systems.
When talking about colors of your dress, you should keep in mind that some of them are not suitable for job interview, for example, red may make your interviewer aggressive, while brown may be interpreted as lack of self-assurance. Besides, you should depend on what season it is, in summer light tones are preferable like blue, beige, cream, light green, while in winter more dark colors are appropriate. And keep in mind that classical combination of black and white is never out of fashion.

Hair-do
Considering hair-do, it’s your decision which length to wear but in all cases remember, that your hair should always be carefully arranged. If you prefer short hair-cut, visit hairdresser regularly so to avoid untidy appearance, long hair should be done in accurate neat hair-do. Presently it’s popular to dye hair using several different colors at the moment, if so, choose non-contrasting hair-dyes, blending into each-other, so to make an impression of one and the same but full color.

Make-up, perfume and decorations
Make-up should be of natural colors, a well-known principle that color of your nail polish should correspond with your lipstick is appropriate in the situation of job interview. In any case use general guide-lines of make-up - if you use rich lipstick, don’t apply bright eye-shadows and v.v. Perfume should rather be delicate, rich evening ones are under a big question.
Moderate decorations are welcome whether it’s jewelry or bijouterie, so you can put on your favorite ring, bracelet or earrings to feel more confident, but don’t exaggerate, your appearance should comply to the position and salary you’re applying to.

Some remarks for men
Wear classical suit of brighter colors in summer and darker ones in winter. Your tie shouldn’t be defiant, it should correspond with color of your shoes and socks. Keep in mind that it’s not good to wear black shoes with light-colored pants and v.v. Many men wrongly neglect manicure, for example, if you are proposed to smoke a cigarette during your interview, your interviewer will certainly notice what your hands look like and it can influence his general impression about you.

But your confidence is still the main thing
Though the way you look is very important for being a successful candidate, don’t forget that the main thing is to be confident and competent. Even the best possible business suit wil not help to answer interview questions right.



The situation changed a lot today. Every employer wants to get not just an employee but also a professional ready to move the company forward and gain an advantage over the competitors using his knowledge, skills and experience. This employee manager has to answer that question at the interview: if you are that person. First of all general advice for everybody: stand up from the right leg. Your mood should be working and business-like. No parties the night before, no hangover. No making excuses before manager. If you are sick call there, well in advance (not five minutes) before and ask to postpone the meeting.
Usually the interview time is known beforehand. It is inadmissible to be late there but in the same time, you should not come 20-30 minutes before. Perfect time is 5-7 minutes before the interview. Your appearance long before the time will make manager cut down the interview time with previous candidate or postpone some things he planned to do before you come. It might make him nervous and negative about you before even you talked. Moreover, as well known the first impression is the most important and hard to change.
While getting ready for the interview remember that at first you will be appreciated by the way you look. Try to create a good impression because a lot depends on the manager and his opinion (as a rule that is the first person from the firm you are interested in you will have to communicate with). Your look should fit the vacancy you pretend. Nobody appeals for you to come with working clothes on if you want to be a workman. The best would be the business style clothes. Remember that you might have not only one interview but several with different status managers.
You should be in a good mood. No pity look, do not act like a slave. Your entire look should say that you are an efficient, benevolent and ready for co-operation person. In the same time do not over try. Everything will clear up just you start talking about your work and progress you made so do not brag. Some competitor especially women try to gain managers favor ingratiating and flirting, that is inadmissible. Make-up and perfume are appropriate but should not be provocative.
Everything depends on your ability competently and laconically tells about your experience knowledge and skills. Remember that in the interview time the leading role belongs to manager. Do not try to take initiative in. Tell him only necessary things not the whole biography. Your interlocutor wants to find out if your experience fits the vacancy, you pretend. As a rule interviewers work on resume before meeting. Be able to find your feet in your new surroundings, do not withdraw into, do not be badgered or irritated but in the same time do not try to behave bookishly. There are many books now where you can read how to behave at the interview, how to gesticulate and what questions to ask. But you should remember that there is an experienced interviewer in before you and he can easily see if you are unnatural. You were invited to the interview so the employer is interested in your experience. For now your task is to increase that interest. Be ready that the conversation will not only be about your forthcoming job but also you might be asked about your family, friends, hobbies, your interests, why you choused this profession the reasons for your retirement. Answer not only yes or no, the interviewer not only seeks for your right answers on his questions but also wants to check your ability for expounding your thoughts. While saying about your last successes say only about things you really did, do not try to add somebody else’s achievements. Remember that most of things you say about at the interview you will have to do at your new work place. The main thing is to not disappoint your employer then or the result will be mournful for the company and for you yourself.

The test results are not the main thing and they are usually accepted by interviewer as one of stages for choosing candidates in the complex estimation of your knowledge and experience of the offered job. Testing is a voluntary event for you but it would not be good for you to refuse. The main thing for the interviewer is to not make it decisive and to not make hasty conclusions just because of the questions results. No test questions can replace a personal contact.
It is very important to be able to listen to your opponent. To bring yourself is only a half of the deal; second part is listen to the things he is saying and understand everything. Your success depends on not only your professional skills but also on how well you will cooperate with company of people you are going be around. There are accidents when people at the interview were asked where and how they relax, what they drink and who their friends are. At the interview that person could understand that he is going to be invited in a team. He was told about the company’s rules. That game cost’s some money therefore they should be commensurable with your feature salary. It is important to remember about that at the end of interview. Why? About that later. Now about the possible questions you might be asked.
First of all they will try to clear up what were your responsibilities at the last place, what authorities you had and what you achieved. Second, your interviewer will be interested why you quit from the last place, your relations with your ex bosses and the colleagues. Be ready for question why you choused this company, profession, specialty. The interviewer will also try to clear up your ambitions. Do not over try about that. Remember that you seek for this concrete position only this is needed for now. And for the company is important to fill this position. There are accidents when candidates while even not taken yet try to clear up their prospects in the company. It would be more appropriate to ask if they usually raise their employees or invite people from aside.
Possibly, after first interview with employee manager you will be offered to meet with one of top-managers (this depends of the position you pretend to). Even if your official level is higher than employee manager’s is you should not show that. At the end of interview, it would be appropriate to ask about forthcoming work. You have right to question all the information about the company, its mission, corporate structure and so on, but do not try to raise your salary. Analyze information you got at the interview before questioning it.
If at the interview, you understood that the proposed job is not what you want, do not interrupt your opponent but in the same time, do not lose your time. Use all your diplomacy and tact.
You might meet other officials after the interview with the employee manager, or at any other time, they set. If those meetings are needed the employee manager will decide on the grounds of your test and interview results. While meeting with top managers you will be asked about your professional skills.
The rights to decide if you fit for the position you pretend to belongs usually to the employee manager or to the top manager of the company. So while talking with one of those people behaves as you the best person for the position.
At the end thank the interviewer for time he spend and attention you were given and agree on further contacts. If you were not taken do not be upset. Take it as an exam you had to pass. Any interview is a priceless experience. Do not blame your opponent first look for mistakes you made but in the same time do not punish yourself. Your reaction should be reasonable and carefully thought out.