The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 25, 2007 at 3:25 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

If they are convinced that you will do at least one of those, then they will want to hire you. Employers are not in the business of hiring people or giving good people jobs, regardless of how much those people want the work or want to work for that company. Rather, employers are in the business of making money or, in the case of non-profits, delivering services. Convince them that you will make their business more successful, and they’ll try their hardest to give you the work that you want.

Following Up

When you follow up with a letter or note card, ask a third time. Reiterate what you learned, and stress some of your greatest selling points.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:27 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The first level is pretty down to earth. It addresses typical job-related skills, such as learning certain software programs, or even achieving a certain level of professional accreditation. If you have an area on which you know you need work and have plans to improve on it, open up your response with that.



However, as pleased as an employer will be to hear about your ambitions to grow your practical skills, there is also the second level of improvement that runs much deeper. It addresses your capacity to plan, to think, to communicate and work well with other people. Early in a previous job, my boss, while being overall very complimentary, indicated two areas (or levels) of needed improvement. The first was learning to be a snappier dresser; the other was listening. The first problem was solved rather easily—but the second took a while longer.



Remember, the interpersonal skills are the ones that most employers value highly. If you have strong traits in this area and recognize that you must always grow, then any weakness you may possess in job skills will be of much less concern.

Closing Out the Interview

Believe it or not, you are also allowed to ask questions. If you are not invited to do so, politely ask. Indeed, your research may have revealed several questions that remain unanswered—questions that may or may not deal with the position for which you are applying.



In your questions, indicate your current understanding, which may be derived from previous research or your present conversation. Show ownership (it’s OUR problem, not YOUR problem) without coming off as being too presumptuous about being hired.



Most importantly, do not leave that interview until you have conveyed to the other person that you do indeed understand what their needs, challenges and objectives are. Reflect your understanding back to him, following up with “Is there anything I seem to be missing, from your point of view?” Give him the opportunity to help you learn more.



Further, if you really want the position and believe in your heart that it would be beneficial to all, ask for the job, point-blank range. This also will make you stand out, because far too many people do NOT ask for the jobs for which they are applying. You do different. Ask first, and ask again.



And remember, it is your job in the interview to convince the employer that you can and will at least one of two things for them:


1. increase their revenues or


2. reduce their expenses

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:25 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

“Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?” typically means “Do you know what you want?”



I used to view this question as a trap. My fear was that if my answer of where I saw myself didn’t match their answer of where they saw me, I would automatically be disqualified



I often hear college students scoffing at this question, which they sometimes interpret similarly to the idea of having a career objective on their resume. “Dah!” they’ll snap as they roll their eyes. “Like, my goal is to get a job! How hard is that to figure out?”



In most cases, employers want to hire people who have goals—even if those goals don’t equate to climbing the ladder of success at Ivory Towers Office Furniture (whether or not you see ivory towers in your future is a completely different matter).



This is important: you would be amazed at how many people out there no do not have goals for themselves



Now, if you view this job opportunity as a mere stepping stone to somewhere else, that doesn’t mean you should just come out and say that. But if your track record is one of setting goals and achieving them, illustrate that. Further, emphasize professional and personal growth over achievement of a certain salary or position title. Stress your commitment to a personal mission—a mission that preferably be aligned with the mission of the organization that is interviewing you.



“What would you say is your greatest weakness?” typically equates to “What are you doing to better yourself?”



This question is often the most feared question of all. People see it as a no win scenario—if I am too honest, I give them a reason not to hire me. If I am too soft or indirect, they think I am dodging the question.



Hey, we all have imperfections. You know that, and employers know that. They are human too. But what they want to know is what you are doing to correct those imperfections. They want to know what you are doing to improve yourself.



Now, that’s not to say that you should answer the question with something like trying to quit smoking or drinking. But there are two levels on which this issue (the one of self-improvement) may be addressed.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:24 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

A Few Don’ts

First, let’s discuss a few things that you should never do, especially in a job interview situation.

- Do not bad-mouth ANYONE, even if the interviewer begins doing it. If a subject comes up, be it with a previous employer or even someone you don’t know, and it gets into the issue of being critical, do so as though the person about whom you were speaking was present. If the conversation becomes fixated on negatives, you turn the tide and start focusing on something positive.

- Don’t let good rapport get the best of you. If you appear to hit it off with the interviewer, just remember—he or she is not your friend. They may personally like you, but their primary interest is in finding the best person for the job

- Don’t be so eager to impress that you jump into answering questions too quickly or even interrupting the other person while they are speaking.

The Language of the Interview

As you may already know, job interviews are typically made up of some common questions. A mistake many people make in considering their answers is failing to understand the interviewer’s true purpose of the question.

In many ways, the interview has a language all its own. Every question asked is on the surface a mask of the real question lurking beneath. Here are a few common examples, which when taking the real question into account, you might have an easier time addressing, and more tailored to what the interviewer really wants to know.

“So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” typically means “Why are you qualified for this position?”

This is a common, blanketed overall question to get the conversation going. Here is where some nervous people, in the interest of speeding through and getting this whole interview thing over with, may launch into their life story. Biographical facts are okay, such as birthplace, familial status, and work history, but nothing much more than that

Sharing experiences of your life may be okay, but only if they are to the point and are relevant to how you can benefit the company.

One thing to remember: it can help greatly if any statement made about your skills and accomplishments are backed up by real-life examples.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:23 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Part III: The Interview

Remember, the interview began when you got the call. It continues even as you walk through the main entrance, and identify yourself to the receptionist. Be courteous and polite to EVERYONE, at all times. Do this not just because it’s prudent for your situation, but because it is the right thing to do.

You have heard about first impressions, and perhaps no where else is it more true than in the job interview. Regardless of the “official” length of the interview, the essence of the first interview itself only lasts a few minutes—or less. It all depends on how long it takes for the hiring manager to inwardly decide whether or not he or she likes you. This decision, drawn from the gut, is typically made within just a few crucial moments. Your appearance, your eye contact, your outgoing personality, even your handshake, will make all the difference in the world.

In other words, if you blow it in the first couple moments, there is little hope for recovery. It may not seem fair, but that is the realit

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:22 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

By taking care of your appearance and maintaining your health and vitality, you enable others to benefit more from what you offer. More so, you show a genuine respect for yourself, and reflect an air of self-confidence that doesn’t happen on its own. You will notice it, others will notice it, and most importantly, it can have a tremendous impact on your meetings and job interviews.



If the prospect of rehearsing your answers to typical interview questions seems rather silly, bear in mind there are many ways, as you go about your day, to rehearse. These are tactics that are often used by public speakers. The point is not that you are preparing to give a speech, but that you have refined your presentation skills, and further, have a solid “self-understanding” that can only be attained by talking about yourself.



When I refer to talking about yourself, I do not mean telling someone your life story. Trust me, no one wants to hear it. Rather, what an interviewer (or a casual acquaintance) may want to hear are about your professional achievements, your goals, your values, and perhaps anecdotes that may have taught you a lesson or had some impact on your personal growth.



For instance, if your resume reflects some kind of volunteer activity, an interviewer or new acquaintance may take notice and ask, “So, what compelled you to volunteer at the YMCA?”



This is your opportunity to answer the question, while also sharing several insights to your values, your character, not to mention your accomplishments!



At this point, whether you are preparing for a single upcoming appointment or simply practicing your interviewing skills in general, don’t concern yourself too much with how to answer specific questions. First, you must become comfortable with articulating just a few key points that illustrate your character, values, and qualifications.

Practice an “Elevator Drill”

The “elevator drill” is an exercise you practice which allows you to explain what you do in the length of time it takes for an elevator door to close. It means condensing your most valuable qualities and services into twenty-five to forty words.



Then, if someone asks, “What do you do?” or “What are you studying?” you have a quick answer ready.



Of course, you may be undecided about your career. But this is not a problem. If you are following the advice in this book, you should still have something to talk about. Place what you do in the context of what you’re doing today, as opposed to what you think you might do in the future.



Explaining yourself in this way might not always be easy; and keeping it short can also be a challenge. There may be much more you want to say. The good part is that if your listener is genuinely interested and has a few moments, he will ask for more information.



So talk about what you are doing now, be it volunteer work, Service Learning, or a summer job. Relate it, if you can, to what you are studying. Get excited. Show enthusiasm!



As far as answering traditional job interview questions, we will get into that shortly.

Repeat

Quite simply, these are all steps you must repeat again and again. make them a habit. Be consistent. Get used to talking to others about what you do, and what you want to do. Get used to inquiring others about their lives, their goals, their work. Do these things more and more and on a daily basis, and you will find that the awkwardness of the job interview becomes of much less concern.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:21 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Rehearse: It’s Not as Much about Performance as it is about Presentation

Most of us think of rehearsing in terms of sitting down in a mocked situation and “pretending” to be interviewed, or to give a speech. Some of us have done it, many of us have not (or at least we have not done it in front of a live audience, but rather at home in the mirror or while driving alone in our car).

Set aside for a moment what I said in the introduction, about giving a performance. Indeed, the means with which you present yourself make all the difference in the world

First, before we talk about speaking, let’s consider dress. There are countless books and resources on how to “dress for success.” I’m not going to go into any great detail, but most career counselors will recommend that you dress conservatively, professionally and well groomed (which generally means no beard for men). Men and women both should wear a suit—men should avoid any “cute” ties, and women should wear makeup and jewelry with restraint. Ladies, remember: makeup is NOT intended to be noticed. Rather, it is intended to help other people notice you. Likewise, you may have jewelry that is a popular conversation piece, but you are not there to talk about jewelry! Keep it at home.

Keep your interview wardrobe separate and always ready for action. Make sure it fits, and wears well.

What Presentation is Really All About

I used to think that an overemphasis on appearances was a shallow concern—but it really isn’t. True, what is more important than appearance is, in the words of Martin Luther King, “the content of a man’s character.” But how can people appreciate and benefit from who you really are if they cannot help but be distracted by a negative outward appearance?

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:20 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

out The Last Guide to Networking You’ll Ever Need at
http://www.collegerecruiter.com/lastnetworkingguide.php).



Seems like a lot, doesn’t it? It really isn’t. It is time well invested, especially since you will then go into the meeting armed with one of the best assets at your disposal: information. This genuine understanding will take much of the “mystery” out of the first visit, make you more relaxed, confident, and assured that you are going in there to share the BEST of what you have to offer.

Down to the Nitty Gritty: The Job

Okay, we have looked at the forest, examined the tree, and now it is time to see what this process is all about. Where do you fit in?



Perhaps it is a bit presumptuous of me to assume that you have already obtained a copy of the detailed job description. Indeed, when you first considered the position, you should have contacted the company to obtain a job description before you even submitted your credentials for consideration (if such detailed information was not already made public).



Not only will a thorough review of the job description give you a better idea of what your responsibilities may be, it also gives you a clearer insight to your own qualifications, both from a skills-standpoint, and goals as well. In other words, you might have the skills to do the job (or at least the groundwork to grow into it), but is it a good fit for your longer term objectives? This will require some advance thought, because ultimately one question may arise during the interview: “Why did you apply for this job?”



What will be your answer?



Also, while the detailed job descriptions are important for you to consider, bear in mind that they may not always be that accurate. For instance, the description may have been written to the specific, dictated notes of the executive in charge, reviewed by other team members, and finalized with their input. In this case, the description will most likely match the reality of the employer’s expectations.



On the other hand, the job description may have simply been drafted by a mid-level team member at the last-minute request of his supervisor. He spends 45 minutes working on it, submits it to the supervisor, who then glances over it between meetings, shrugs and says, “looks good to me,” and moves on to the next demand of the moment



and moves on to the next demand of the moment.
In cases like this, the description was written for one purpose: to have a job description on file—not to give candidates a better idea of the job itself.
In reality, you may not have any real way of knowing the circumstances under which it was crafted, but odds are if the document is less detailed, then there was much less thought and planning put into it.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:19 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Most importantly, don’t try to appear more knowledgeable than you are. But being aware of subtle facts, details, or recent and relevant developments can place you way ahead of the other guy who comes into the interviewer’s office and asks, “So, what does your company do?” or worse, “So, when do I get to see the ivory towers?”

Moving on to the Company…

Okay, you have gotten a grasp of the industry of Ivory Towers Office Furniture. You have looked at the forest, and now it is time to check out the tree. My guess is by now you have read through the most relevant material on the company’s website. But there is much more to learning about an organization than simply reading their brochure, or even their annual report (which still should not be overlooked)!



Some of the Gale databases will have lots more information about the company, especially if it is publicly owned. Other resources, including Hoovers Online (Hoovers.com—it’s subscription based as well, but they do sell individual subscriptions as well as organizational), can provide a wealth of additional data, which include new product developments, financials, officers (many with biographical profiles), as well as objective information about the company itself (how it was started, the culture, etc.). While you may not want to shell out money for a subscription, it would be worth your while to access Hoovers Online if it is available through your local library.



Here’s an easy method: Google search. When performing any kind of Internet search, be sure that you include specific names and expressions in quotation marks—that tells the search engine to seek out the specific words in the specific order, leaving out stuff that isn’t relevant. News feed databases will also tip you to what others are saying about the company, its officers, and its products. For a great news feed, check out Moreover.com.



Here again, you are NOT attempting to become an expert. But you don’t want to go in there and expect the interviewer to spend the whole first half of the discussion telling you about what they do (and very many will do this anyway, either out of habit or to break the ice—and be impressed by what you already know).



It is easy to get caught up in all the electronic means of gathering information, to the point that we forget one of your most valuable resources: the people you know. Who do you know in your network of contacts who might be able to provide some additional “inside information” on the goings-on at the company? Talk to others you know and start asking questions and networking (for more information on this topic, check

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:18 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Start with the Industry.

The industry. The forest. The big picture. Perhaps you have an interview with a company in an industry in which you have experience. Obviously, that gives you an edge (and perhaps a tremendous edge, because if you are familiar with an industry, you are also most likely somewhat familiar with the company). But for our lesson here, you are a novice.

There are many resources available to learn about different industries, but at the risk of jumping ahead of myself, the first one to turn to is the company which is interviewing you. Visit the company web site, and see what they have to say about their industry in general. Find out about the niches (in office furniture, there may be several, such as industrial, executive, assemble-your-own, art deco, etc.). Where does this tree see itself in the forest? Sure, they’ll say that they are a leader, setting new standards, focused on service when everyone else is focused on products, yadaa, yadaa, yadaa.

But beneath the propaganda, you may find some helpful information, and likely, links to other related resources, including professional, trade, and/or industry association web sites.

Be careful. At this stage, keep focused. Don’t get hooked on reading up on the company until you have familiarized yourself to some extent of the industry.

Beyond the industry resources referred by the company, the next place to look is your local library. The Gale Group (www.Gale.com) manages a wide range of electronic databases, including Associations Unlimited and Infotrac (a huge database on industries, companies, and organizations, as well as thousands of periodicals). You will be able to access these and countless other tremendous databases at your local library, or better yet, from the library’s website. Most of these databases cost thousands of dollars per year, and are thus created for public access through the libraries that subscribe.

Get a basic grasp of the industry’s focus, and then research the news for recent developments. These include mergers, acquisitions, how the industry is affected by recent economic and world events, and where experts see it headed in the future (don’t forget to look up references to the company and some of its own leaders and executives!). Learn some of the terminology. Become acquainted with other, related industries. Also, find out who are the major players (i.e., the company’s competitors!).

Feeling overwhelmed? Too much homework? Feeling like you have to cram for a test? Relax. You don’t need to become an expert. All you want to do is to be able to carry on a half-way intelligent conversation with another person involved in that industry.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:17 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Those same companies will also typically post this information on their websites.



Another alternative are the many other Internet resources such as Mapquest.com. I hear this resource getting a lot of flack, but every time I have used it, it has done a wonderful job.



Decide realistically how much travel time you will need—then factor in an additional 50 percent. Better to be 30 minutes early than 30 seconds late.



Flying to an interview is obviously a bit different. Often, you will get a ride from the destination airport via cab or other means. But if you are renting a car and driving there yourself, take measures to be safe. Time your arrival so that you will have plenty of time to get to your appointment. Because so many flights are delayed or even cancelled, try to fly out the previous evening and booking a hotel room as close as possible to the site at which you’ll be interviewed.



Don’t take this lightly. Any career expert will tell you that, especially among the less experienced job hunters, this is a very common oversight, with dire consequences.

The Purpose of Research

Okay, let’s say you have a job interview scheduled for a sales representative position with the Ivory Towers Office Furniture Company. You know nothing about office furniture (at least from an industry perspective), and you certainly don’t know anything about Ivory Towers. You know some about sales, but because you are either a career changer or fresh out of college, your direct experience is somewhat limited. Thus, this is either a mid- or entry-level position.



This leaves you with three question marks, and subsequent areas of research:


a. Industry (the forest)


b. Company (the tree)


c. Position (the branch – or twig, or leaf?)



I divide these topics up because if we don’t, we run the risk of getting lost. In other words, have you ever found yourself digging through raw information (be it hard copy or electronic) and then asked yourself, “What exactly is it that am I looking for?”



This is because you were doing research for the mere sake of doing research. To research a useful answer, you first must know the question.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:16 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Part II:The Three R's of Interview Preparation—Research, Rehearse, Repeat

More than Just a Visit to the Company Web Site

Sure, the Internet has done wonders in giving us access to information that can help us achieve our goals. To be sure, I’ll even list some of the very best Internet resources that you will find invaluable not just in gaining more information about specific companies, but entire industries. But, before we go any further, you must first realize that the most crucial step in researching a prospective employer is taken not in front of your computer, but behind the wheel of your car.

How many of us have been in a situation where we were expected to be at a certain place at a certain time, and have found ourselves completely lost, or at least delayed because of a lack of a familiarity with where we were going?

Friend, if you are scheduled to interview at place with which you are unfamiliar, then your first step is to get in your car and get over there! Take a nice evening drive, or any time of day, and have a solid bearing on where you need to be, and how to get there—exactly. If it is in a downtown area with limited parking, decide on at least two or three options for where you will park.

If your interview is far away, there are still ways to avoid being delayed (and possibly screwing yourself out of the opportunity of a lifetime) simply because you missed a sign. If it is still a road trip for you, contact the company receptionist and simply explain to her that you will be visiting their offices in the near future and you would like to have as specific directions as possible. Many companies even have this information prepared in advance, which they can fax or email to you in PDF format.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:15 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Part I: Be Prepared for a Call

Let’s face it. Life is full of countless variables all interacting with one another, day in and day out. Many of these variables we cannot control, such as the weather, and the actions of other people. However, we can still navigate ourselves through the storm of life by keeping a handle on the variables we can control, which include our actions, our appearance, and thus the messages we send out to others.

Let’s say you have learned of a job opportunity and responded to it. You did some basic homework on the position, wrote a decent cover letter and submitted your qualifications for consideration. The materials you sent in achieved their purpose, which is (and only…!) to get the employer to pick up the phone and call you for an interview. (This is a common mistake—many people write their cover letters and resumes with the unconscious intent of getting a job. The real purpose is simply to advance you to the next step—getting an interview.)

If they want to contact you for an interview, most often it will be by phone. Sometimes an administrative assistant will make the call, but often the person who will do the interview will make the call.

This is often the very first part of the interview process! So if you are sending out applications, be wary anytime the phone rings. You could be just jumping out of the shower totally naked to answer it and suddenly find yourself at the very beginning of your job interview!

Be Accessible

You may already know the importance of being accessible. If you were your own business, you do yourself no favors by being hard to reach for your customers. The job hunt is no different. Have at least one phone number that if you don’t answer has a reliable messaging system. While others may differ, my strongest recommendation is to NEVER rely on other people—most notably siblings, children, or roommates (spouses may be an exception) to take business messages.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:12 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Again, it is the employer’s opportunity to meet you, and discern your suitability to meeting their needs. Further, how they do that is entirely up to them.



Before we talk about dress, demeanor and other topics tied to “performance,” I recall a comment I once heard from a health-care executive which I think addresses the real essence of service and work for us all:



“With all economics of healthcare, the real issue for hospitals still boils down to the quality of service itself. If we lose focus on caring for the needs of patients, if we lose focus on making a contribution to the quality of life for the people in our community, then it won’t matter how strong we are financially, or how good we look, because eventually we will lose all that too.”



Further, I recall an example a career counselor shared with me about a “test” one hiring manager always gave to prospective employees when they visited his office for the first time. Before they came in, his secretary would always place one or two crumpled up pieces of paper on the floor so that as the prospect approached it could not be missed.



The test was to see if the person would pick the garbage up. In the manager’s mind, this very subtle indicator was a substantial clue into that person’s character, and willingness to accept responsibility. This gets back to the “quality” underneath that is referred to in the executive’s statement above.



In an article in Journal of Career Planning and Employment1 titled “What Small Firms Look for in New-Graduate Candidates,” authors Constance Pritchard and Paul Fidler make some very clear distinctions as to what most employers examine:



1. Basic skills and personal characteristics


2. Energy, initiative, motivation and self-direction


3. A team player with strong interpersonal and oral communication skills



Of much less concern were GPA and other academic credentials. The most important fact you must remember is, no matter how great your performance, how good you look, if there is no substance underneath, it’s meaningless. More importantly, the lack of substance will show.



So, even as you read on about demeanor, communication skills and other aspects of interviewing, keep this in mind. Always strive to be the best person you can be, and you will find that interview “performance” will come much more naturally.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:11 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Introduction: The Awful Truth about Interviewing

The interview. The dreaded interview. The pivotal moment when every subtle action, word and gesture will have a profound impact on your future. It’s the time when you must strive to be your absolute best…the most challenging 30 to 60 minutes of your career…and when it’s over you will be able to take a deep sigh of relief. Right?



Wrong! While the interview may appear to be a highly formalized process, consider for a moment the point of the process in the first place:



For the employer: it is their opportunity to become acquainted with you and to discern for themselves if you possess the capacity to meet their organization’s needs.



For you: it is an opportunity for you to share with another the best of who you are,and what you offer



The fact is that in the business world, this process is going on perpetually. What often makes people so nervous about the “job interview” setting (when I refer to people, I mean both the interviewer as well as the interviewee) is that this dynamic is brought to the surface and intensified



So what does this mean for you? If the prospect of being highly scrutinized for a period of 30 to 60 minutes makes you uncomfortable, realize first that in the world of work, you are always being scrutinized.



In other words, get used to it! In fact, anticipate it! You will find yourself making many more positive impressions than you ever expected.



Before we embark on this “last guide” to interviewing you will ever need, there is one point that I feel must be made above all else. There are two sides to approaching this, and the one that is most often touted in books and articles is the “performance” side. We are always hearing the importance about how one “performs” in a job interview.



While there is validity in this perspective, we must remember that even though your performance in an interview is very important, it is NOT an “act.” You are not going up on stage to pretend to be someone or something that you are not.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 3:10 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

up nearly 40 percent since the early 1990s. The greatest demand for internships appears to be in many of the emerging fields: the environment, health care, communications and international business. More companies are offering internship programs, partly to make up for reduced labor but also because they find these programs help in identifying potential employees who are compatible to the people, culture and goals of their organizations. It is often less costly, more efficient and more insightful to “test” the abilities and attitudes of a temporary intern, rather than to interview a person two or three times and then hire that person on full time and hope for the best.

Another reason why internships are growing is that more people are taking them—and not just college students. As I previously mentioned, career changers and displaced professionals are a growing segment of those seeking experiences in different fields, in making new contacts, in gaining new skills and in being able to better evaluate their interests before—and not after—making a commitment.

The Real Question: How to Get an Internship

With the number of internships increasing all the time, there are more opportunities out there now than there ever were. Getting into one of these structured internship programs is not a whole lot different from applying for a job. For different programs at different companies, institutions and organizations, exact application procedures and requirements can vary. However, you can almost bet on needing the routine stuff: a resume and a cover letter.

Here are some steps you can take before applying:

1) Decide what kind of skills or experience you need the most.

The answer to this question either screams out at you or is quite fuzzy. If you are unsure of what field you should pursue, ask a teacher, counselor, mentor or even a friend who shares a common frame of reference. You can even do a survey of your skills. Determine how you would rank yourself in the following areas:

• Technical—be it general computer skills or those specific to your career

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Finding a Great Internship You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 1:59 AM | Leave a Comment (0)