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Bullseye Interviewing
An interview is much like a blind date. You have sweaty palms, heart palpitations, shaky nerves and a preconceived notion of what could happen. The perfect scenario unfolds in your mind, where you are calm, cool and collected, dressed smartly, totally in control, enthusiastically meeting the other person's gaze and brimming with confidence. However, that idea has begun to unravel, because as of right now, you are LATE, because you got lost, forgot your resume, wore a shirt that is making you sweat and have pulled a muscle breaking in new shoes. As you are being led to the boardroom, you're informed that your possible Superiors will be sitting in. Panic sets in with the realization that this blind date is over before it even begun. What is needed therefore, is a realistic and proactive approach. If you're a mere mortal like the rest of us, then you do get nervous about a job interview. If we could accurately predict the outcome of this situation, life would definitely be easier to plan. While we can't accurately control the results, we can bank our odds if we keep the pointers below in mind. Basic Combat: Wardrobe: Do your homework. Find out what the corporate culture is. Check out the company's website on the net. Go to the media area and find out what type of functions they attend or sponsor. Is the work environment business casual or corporate? Wear what is considered acceptable attire and meet that standard. Make sure your wardrobe is clean, odor free and neatly pressed. Research: While this may not be the only job you've applied for, read information on the company involved. Understand what the position entails in detail. Keep a copy of the posting for yourself. Know your own resume inside out and be able to explain examples of your work and how it fits into their job description. Take down the name of the person you'll be seeing, how to spell and pronounce their name and note (or ask) if it's a Mr., Mrs. Ms. (Yes, this is important). Although you can't rehearse the exact answers when you don't know the questions you'll face, it's possible to find out what the latest interview trends are on Career sites or in your local bookstore. Body Language Greet your potential employers with a firm handshake and smile. Look the interviewer(s) in the eyes, but don't make them uncomfortable by staring. Try to relax by taking a deep breath. Tapping your foot and fingers or chewing gum is considered a faux pas. It's best to match the body language of the interviewer(s), but not in a mechanical fashion. The Actual Interview Think positively and keep it all in perspective. Based on your abilities, education and work history, THEY called you. This is your unique moment to market YOU. You need to believe that you are by far, the best candidate for them. Make sure you look neat and orderly and pop in a breath mint for good measure. Slang or acronyms are not appropriate in your speech. Remember not to confuse confidence with arrogance and don't interrupt or hijack the interview. When asked a question, pause and reflect on the answer and try to listen to be clear and concise. When they ask, "Do you have any questions?", ask the ones you have prepared mentally based on your research and relevance to this interview and position. If this job still interests you, let them know and thank them for their time. Remember, an interview is really just the beginning of the process, but first impressions not unlike a blind date can either make for a great story or fodder for the fire. Make this your opportunity to distinguish yourself from the pack and get that second "date". About The Author Tamara Jong is the Marketing Professional for www.canjobs.com, a leading Canadian owned and operated on-line recruitment site. tamara@canjobs.com
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Cold Calling for Introverts
In her book, The Introvert Advantage, Marty Olsen Laney talks about the defining moment when she embraced the fact that she was an introvert. It came in the form of a statement, "Oh, there's nothing wrong with me, I'm just an introvert!"According to her research only 25% of people are introverted which leaves us the daunting task of dealing with the 75% extroverts of the world.
Why Cold Calling Is Dead
Our world of selling is closed off from other areas of business that continue to
adopt and embrace new, efficient ideas. I was reminded of this recently while re-
reading Seth Godin's "Permission Marketing.
Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?
Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like "It'll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other.
Goal Setting and Interviewing
Before you go on an interview process or even start your own business, you must set goals! As a corporation owner for over twenty years, this is how I went about setting goals for myself. They are as follows:GOAL SETTING'S TOP TEN:If you want to be successful, it is important to set goals for yourself—daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals and yearly goals.
Cold Calling-Dead As A Doornail
Are you one of the tens of thousands of working folks out there who is trying to decide whether to go for the gold and work at home from your computer? Are you searching, or on the verge of searching, for that perfect home internet business? You?ve actually picked a great time for it.
Cold Calling: Just Swallow the Frog Already! Part 2
So you are holding that ugly green frog in your hand, the one we call Cold Calling, and your boss says to eat it? How can one eat a green frog and even pretend to like it? Here are some tips on how to not only be successful in cold calling, but to also enjoy the process.
Most Effective Cold Calling Tip
If you are looking for the one piece of advice that will help, you propel yourself into cold calling record books for success you should only look to your phone for help. After all, it is only you, the phone involved in the transaction, and all that stands between you and a sale is the phone. If you are looking to ultimately succeed at cold calling then you have to master keeping someone on the phone.
Cold Calling: Just Swallow the Frog Already! Part 1
Isn?t it amazing that in every job we do, there are always a few dreaded activities that we seem to want to avoid doing at all costs. And some of those very activities dictate whether we experience huge success or massive failure at our jobs. Never has this been truer or more applicable in sales and the world of cold calling?..
5 Interviewing Mistakes That Can Lead To Hiring The Wrong Person
Mistake #1: Going with the flowInexperienced interviewers sometimes fall into the trap of letting the interview become "free form", spending different amounts of time on different questions, basing follow-up questions on on how the candidates answer. This can result in a candidate taking control of the interview and leading you where he or she wants to go, rather than where you can get the information you need.
Selling - Could The World's Greatest Salesman Be A Waiter?
Years ago, My wife, in-laws, and I went into an expensive restaurant. The waiter asked us for our order. I don't remember what we ordered, but I do remember this: The waiter gave a funny look & said "The Cod isn't very fresh today, may I recommend the Scrod?" or words to that effect.
Simple Interviewing That Works
Powerful questions to get below the surface1. Ask for specific "stories" of complete situations"We all meet situations where people disagree on the correct way to proceed.
The Cold Calling Conspiracy
A consipiracy exists in the world of selling. A cold calling conspiracy.
Interviewing: How to Stay Out of legal Hot Water
Some interviewers ask great questions; others ask dumb questions; and, worst of all, some ask questions that can get them into legal hot water.Every recruiter, hiring manager, executive, and department manager must realize that asking the wrong questions or making improper inquiries can lead to discrimination or wrongful-discharge lawsuits.
Lifelong Salesman Takes His Business Online with Marine Accessories Plus
Robert Winsel was a professional salesman for many years, but the Internet has given him the opportunity to find a wider audience with his new store, www.MarineAccessoriesPlus.com.
Your Viral Salesman - Your Marketing E-book
Introduction Viral ebooks are an excellent way to drive traffic to your website and one method that I am very fond of. Viral ebooks require you to do work one time and you can benefit from them multiple times over. They are a great way to grow your online business. With viral eBooks, the traffic and profits keep rolling in around the clock regardless of what's happening. Attracting 1,000's of eager buyers to your website using VIRAL eBooks is so simple, it may surprise you.
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