Being Prepared for job interviews
 

How should i be prepared for my job interview? i dont even know what to wear. its Telemarketing but my last telemarketing job everyone was very casual. this one is at a bigger company, what should i wear? and any1 know testing procedures?

I read in the computers thread about you looking for an IT job and I assume that this is something temporary that you will do until you get what you are looking for. This is the "actor" who is working at Starbucks I would think.

I would say that it is pretty easy to direct a conversation to where you want it to go- especially if you have a better plan than they do. As such, take out a piece of paper right now. Right down the three things that you would suspect that a company who is hiring a telemarketer would find most important in their new employees.

Now come up with three SHORT examples taken from your own life that display the said traits. They don't have to be too overt, but still easy for someone listening at 40-50% to get the point of. Nobody listens these days - even when they are interviewing you they are not REALLY listening. Instead they are looking for things that they either want to hear or want to make sure they DON'T hear (like that you are a mass murderer or you come to work without showering for weeks at a time).

Since the examples you give are stories that you took from your own life, you should not have to practive telling them since they happened to you. Just make sure you don't ramble.

As far as the IT question from the other thread, it really depends on what you want. Some more specifics about what you are looking for now, what your experience is and what your ultimate goals for employment 5-10 years from now are will guide any answers. There are many opportunities and realisticly, your work ethic, critical thinking skills and general ability to get along with folks will come in far more handy than your experience or degree. I always preach "hire talent, not experience" but most people don't follow that and hire badly. Getting a potential employer to see that will set you apart.

A question you may hear is tell me something about yourself. This is a great question as it is so open ended and depending on how you answer could be a huge factor in hiring. I'd say just let them know your goals and you have good work ethic, but also don't ramble and don't lie.

Depending on the time of the interview obviously give yourself time to shower, groom, and eat and be there early. Obviously, dress nice but don't think you need to show up in suit and tie...and from the sounds of it a casual but nice look would be suggestible ala Khaki's, Button down shirt, belt...etc.

If you show up ahead of time, well dressed, well groomed and look the interviewer in the eye while greeting him/her by name you will be 95% of the way there.

Firm handshake!

you dress like you are showing up for an interview, it doesn't matter if your last job everyone wore flip flops and shorts, this is a new company, you have one chance to make a first impression, dress the part.

Learn the interviewers name, and research the company a little bit, at least know what they do.

Ask questions - and not salary, benefits and holidays. It shows you are interested, especially if you can apply something you've learned about the company in your question.

Show up on time, in fact be early, you will probably be asked to fil out a job application, leave time for that.

Send a thank you note when you are done.

[b]ALWAYS[]/b] dress well. A suit and a tie show you are serious about the job and give a good impression.

Wear clean shoes. This should not be overlooked.

Be prepared for questions like "Name one weakness" and/or "Name something you could do better".

Know as much as you can about the company, but don't get bogged down in spouting off details. Just try not to be ignorant.

Bring along a couple of copies of your CV.

As maleficent says, ask questions. Show you're interested.

Don't boast about yourself, but be honest.


Mr Mephisto

Obviously you are in good hands here with the advice you are getting. If I may - especially because it is a sales job - ask for the job at the end of the interview! It doesn't have to be as blunt as "do I get the job?", but show that you want it.

"I feel like I have a firm understanding of what it is your looking for, and I feel good about the opportunity. Do you see any reason why we can't move forward?"

As Mondak mentioned, they want to hire your professionalism and enthusiasm. You would be suprised at every level in a corporation how it seems to come down to that. Good Luck!:thumbsup:

Oh, and Mephisto... most of us yanks use the term resume - unfortunately I fear not even many HR folks in USA would understand!

The single most important thing you can do... is wear a good pair of shoes. I wore some nice shiny leather shoes to my last job interview.. now I work with naked women all day.

There's a joke in there somewhere about "Shoes... and only shoes??" It is too late for me to figure it out though.

takes notes

Anything else you would recommend towards getting a job like yours? ;)

Find out what restaraunts the interviewer frequents. One week in advance, go to the bank, get $30 in pennies, stick them up your ass and then spend them at that restaraunt. By the time the day of the interview comes you will know that he has handled your ass pennies and you will have the advantage over him because you never touched anything that was in his ass.

/sorry, but I had to say it. The thread was perfect for the skit.

These types of things are what I hate about interviews. They are so superficial. It's such bullshit that things like the clothes you wear can have such an impact on your life. I wish people would grow up and move past such superficial ways of judging people. Anyone can clean up for a day.