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National Interview Day is Next Week: Prepare with Our Top Tips

Are your interview skills up to the task?

National Interview Day is coming up next week on Aug. 9!

To prepare for the big day, we’ve compiled a list of our top interview tips.

Introduce Yourself with an Elevator Pitch

In the world of interviewing, your “elevator pitch” is a quick way to describe who you are and why you’re right for the job. Think of it as a more concise version of your cover letter.

You should have one of these speeches handy for networking events and interviews. Or even when you run into someone who is in a position to hire you in a bid to leave them knowing more about you. An elevator pitch isn’t just for business professionals—it can also be helpful for any person as a quick and concise summary of who they are.

Prepare to Speak on Your Skills and Experience

Practice makes perfect, right? This mantra doesn’t just apply to sports’ it applies to interview, too! If you’ve never had an interview before, your first one probably isn’t going to go very well if you don’t prepare in advance. To avoid that, practice interviewing with professional groups, friends, and family members.

Also do all of your research on the company ahead of time. Have some idea of not only the position itself, but also the company’s culture and mission statement. Be sure to brush up on projects the company has done recently to sprinkle into the conversation.

Ask Relevant Questions After the Interview

After an interview ends, you’re almost always asked if you have any questions. And your answer should always be yes. Asking questions shows you’re interested in the company. You can ask for more information about the job, something specific about the company culture, a question aimed at your interviewer, or something about the recent history of the company. Remember to always ask about next steps! That way you won’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll email you back.

Come to Express for National Interview Day!

Apply now to join your local Express Employment Professionals office for National Interview Day on Aug. 9, 2018. Applying online will expedite your interview process and allow us to schedule a time for you to interview. Applicants are contacted for interviews based on the time of your application and the type of work you are seeking.

Express can help you find the type of job that fits for your needs and abilities, and you’ll never pay a fee for our services and support. Express matches job applicants with the needs of our client companies.

Contact a local Express office or register online today!

Click here for more information regarding National Interview Day at Express.

Do you have any questions about National Interview Day? Let us know in the comments section below.

Poll Results: Ace Your Next Interview With These Top Tips

 

Last month we drilled down on what readers want to see on Movin’ On Up. We asked one simple question: “What part of the job interview process do you need help with?”

Your answers were as follows:

 

What’s next?

The results were almost evenly split among the top four, so we’ll be sure to cover all those topics in upcoming blogs. But before that, here’s a bit of information about the top four.

Asking Relevant Questions

Questions you ask after an interview should be uniquely tailored to yourself or your interviewer. The key is to ask insightful, culture-based questions that won’t typically pop up during the interview. A few examples:

  • What is a typical day like at [company name]?
  • How is this company different from other companies you’ve worked at?
    • What makes it unique?
  • Tell me about a project or incident you experienced that truly embodied the spirit of [company name].

How to Create an “Elevator Pitch”

First things first—what is an elevator pitch? As defined by Investopedia, an elevator pitch is a “…term used to describe a brief speech that outlines an idea for a product, service, or project.” In the world of interviewing, your “elevator pitch” is a short way of describing who you are and why you’re right for the job. Think of it as a super quick version of your cover letter.

The easiest way to craft an “elevator pitch” is to look at your cover letter. You’ve already done the work! Just condense it into a few bullet points, and mix those with details specific to the job you’re interviewing for.

Despite the name, an “elevator pitch” doesn’t have to take place in an elevator. It works perfectly as an answer to an introductory question like “tell me about yourself.” When an interviewer asks that, they don’t want to hear you list your resume. They want to know about you as a person and how your experiences make you qualified for this position.

Discussing Skills/Past Experience

Listing past jobs in an interview is easy. Really getting into those experiences and the skills they represent is harder.

First, remember that you’re focusing on accomplishments, not job descriptions. Speak on how you increased ROI by a certain amount, typed a certain WPM (words per minute), or completed however many projects in a certain amount of time.

How Much to Share About a Previous Job

It can be difficult to answer questions about your previous job experiences when some of those experiences weren’t exactly positive. If you had a boss that was a tyrant, should you mention it? What about a company culture you didn’t fit in with?

Always keep in mind that your personality is being interviewed just as much as your job experience. You don’t want to appear rude or unprofessional. So, when an interviewer asks you about your previous manager, keep it to the basics. Feel free to mention why you didn’t fit in with a particular management style or company culture, but stay away from personal judgements.

Anything else you want to know about the interview process? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

Resume Tips to Impress Your Interviewer

As the weather gets colder, heat up your resume

Interviewers and HR professionals go through hundreds of resumes a day. And that’s after computers have already gone through thousands more. If you really want to stand out, you need to add something extra to your resume. After all, you can’t make an impression without an interview.

We’ve previously provided you with the best words to use in your resume, and we’ve helped out with ways to maintain your resume over time. In this blog, we’ll focus on the little things you can do with your resume to truly stand out.

Get Past the Filter

In order for your resume to even be seen by a human being, you first have to get past the robots. No, this isn’t a science fiction story—we’re talking about the programs companies use to filter resumes.

These programs look for certain keywords and phrases that show how you match the job qualifications. A lot of that is industry jargon—words and phrases only those “in the know” would use. And guess where a lot of those words show up! Right in the job description. Find anything usable in the job description and pop it right back into your resume. Google is an invaluable resource for finding out more industry-specific words to use.

However, be careful of using too many keywords. If your keywords aren’t organically placed into the resume, they will look out of place once the resume makes it into human hands.  Instead of trying to pack your resume with as many keywords as possible, just make sure to choose the right keywords in the right places.

Cater Your Resume to the Job Description

Don’t stop at just customizing your resume for the industry. Make sure it answers each and every concern brought up by the job description. Make sure each bullet shows exactly how your individual work advanced the company as a whole.

You can accomplish this even if your prior work has not been in the same industry. Just re-frame your experiences with industry specific terms, and show how that experience would really help in this new job.

The only difficult part of all of this is answering requirements with bullet points. You obviously can’t just write out your answers like in grade school. You have to adapt them to the resume format. Look at a few different resume formats online, and choose the one that best matches your current needs.

Your Accomplishments

Companies want to know more than what you did. They want to know how what you did benefited the company as a whole. In other words, they want to know your accomplishments.

Quantify each accomplishment, noting how it led to an X% increase in efficiency or saved X amount of time on project. Use action verbs like oversaw, managed, led, etc.

Looking for more resume help? Let us know your questions in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

5 Tips to Avoid Freezing Up In a Winter Interview

it's_cold_outside_webNothing is more chilling to a job hunter than suddenly freezing up during an interview.

One minute, you’re answering all the hiring manager’s questions with ease and the next, you’re sliding away on thin ice as your brain shuts off. How you react to a sudden brain freeze can play a big part in how well you complete the interview and whether or not you land the position.

So how do you avoid freezing up in a winter interview? We have five tips to help avoid the dreaded interview brain freeze.

Prepare Ahead of Time
Just as you would prepare your home or vehicle for nasty winter weather, prepare your brain for an upcoming interview. Practice answering interview questions in a warm, confident manner. Research the company and have a list of hot topics to discuss, ranging from company culture to challenges the company hopes you can resolve.

If you know the weather will be bad the day of the interview, be prepared to give yourself extra travel time. Dress professionally, but warmly, so you don’t shiver and rattle your teeth throughout the whole process.

Recognize the Signs of Brain Freeze
Anyone who has ever had the unfortunate experience of freezing up in a situation knows what the sensation feels like. Unfortunately, sometimes you can’t tell you’re in a brain freeze situation until you’ve slipped on the ice a few times during the interview.

First, tell yourself that it is okay to not have all the answers to every question. When in doubt, you could say, “I do not know, but could find out and get back with you ASAP.” Also, observe how quickly or nervously you are speaking. Take a nice deep, warming breath and slow down.

Some experts say it is fine to admit to an interviewer that you are nervous, but beware of using this tactic too freely. While honesty is top priority, confidence is a highly sought after trait in an employee.

Have a Snow Route in Your Brain
Have you ever been asked a question in an interview, and suddenly your mind goes blank? Luckily, you know you’re in brain freeze, so you can break yourself out of it if you already have a backup route in place.

Ask the interviewer to repeat the question. This tactic gives you time to calm down, hear the question again, and answer intelligently. If you are still stuck on thin ice, paraphrase the question back to the interviewer. Again, this buys a little time to dig yourself out of the snow drift.

However, if none of these tactics work, ask the interviewer for a moment to really consider the answer.

Limit Nervous Behavior
Even if you are scared to death and nervous as a winter hare, limit the giveaway signs of nervousness. Don’t fidget. Don’t speak too quickly or ramble on.

You know what nervous habits you possess, so practice controlling those ahead of time. Try speaking to a friend with your hands folded in your lap and your tapping leg still.

Holding a pen or a copy of your resume during the interview may help chill out the nervous behaviors as well.

Remain Positive
When it comes to not freezing up during a winter interview, the best advice is to remain positive, confident, and polite. Everyone has brain freezes on occasion, and interviewers know you are nervous. Cool your nerves by telling yourself that you deserve to be in the interview—you wouldn’t have been invited if you weren’t.

Have you ever had brain freeze during a job interview? How did you break out of the situation? Share your best tips with us in the comments below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

4 Tips for a Stress-Free Interview

stress_free_interview_webNo matter how experienced or confident you are in your professional life, when you’re approaching a job interview, you feel the pressure. It’s stressful knowing that you have just a short while to impress an employer and convince them that you’re the best fit for the position. There are ways, though, to alleviate your stress. In fact, these four tips can put you on the path to a stress-free interview.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
You may have heard it a million times, but preparation is absolutely key for a successful interview. And, if you know you’ve done everything you can possibly do to set yourself up for a positive interview experience, then you’ll feel less pressure. So make sure you check-off each item on your interview to-do list and take time to think through some of the interview questions you expect to be asked. It’s also good to review what not to do during an interview so you can avoid the top three interview sins.

Burn Off the Jitters
Nothing blasts stress away like working up a sweat. The morning of your interview, schedule time to do at least 30 minutes of some form of exercise. Whether it’s taking a brisk walk, lifting weights, or doing yoga, this physical activity will burn off your jitters and help you relax. A recent article from Huffington Post revealed that exercise is not only good for your heart, but also boosts your mood, self-confidence, ability to cope with future stress, and brain function. If you don’t have time in the morning, then fit a workout in the evening before. This can also have the added benefit of helping you sleep better.

Ease Up On the Caffeine
While it may be tempting to down some caffeinated beverages before your interview, don’t do it! Ken Yeager, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at Ohio State University, told Huffington Post, “Caffeine is always going to make stress worse.” Plus, it will further compound your feelings of pressure and stress by impacting your sleep quality. So stay away from caffeinated coffee, tea, and soda, as well as chocolate, which is an often-overlooked caffeine source.

Get Some Shut-Eye
In case you haven’t caught on from the previous tips, sleep is important to the success of your interview! Nothing adds pressure to a situation like feeling tired, sleep-deprived, and out-of-sorts. And, as international neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart explained in a CNN report, “On top of the obvious health risks, when you have any sleep disturbance, your IQ drops by 5-8 points.” That means a good night’s rest can make the difference between impressing a future employer and bombing the interview.

Job interviews can be one of the most stressful situations you face in life. But, it is within your power to decrease your stress and alleviate the pressure so you’re able to walk into your interview ready to impress.

What has helped you cope with the stress of an upcoming interview? How do you ensure you’re at your best? Share your tips in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Three Tips for a Video Interview

3_Tips_Video_interview_webAs more and more companies become comfortable with technology, video interviewing is becoming more common in the recruiting process for many employers. Video interviews allow you to have an in-person connection without meeting face-to-face. Technology is making many aspects of our lives easier than ever before, even the job search and interview processes. So how do you ensure you’re ready for a video interview? Here are three tips to make a great first impression.


1.    Prepare Yourself

Preparation is key to success in any interview. Prepare yourself by researching the company you’re applying for. You need to gather as much information as you can about the job you are applying for and the company you’re interviewing with. Advance preparation will not only help you determine the right questions to ask, but it will also show you’re taking the interview seriously. The more you know, the more direct your answers will be. Remember to speak clearly and with confidence.

2.    Posture Matters
Your body language indicates how focused and interested you are in a conversation, so be aware of how you carry yourself at all times. Always face the interviewer and remember to keep body movement minimal. The more movement there is, the more distractions there may be.

3.    The Camera is Your Best Friend
Keeping eye contact with the camera is very important. Looking away from the camera may cause the people on the other end to wonder what you’re looking at and it will seem as if you’re not interested. Although looking around may help you gather your thoughts, do your best to look forward and remain engaged. Make sure your camera is placed at eye level and a couple feet away from your face. The objective is to present yourself from your shoulders up.

It seems obvious, but do everything in your power to make the video interview as professional as possible. Like any technology, video chatting can have some technical hiccups. Speak slowly and clearly, because sometimes there may be a delay in the audio transfer. Remember to smile, be confident, and prepare to ace your interview. Always follow up and let the interviewer know you are thankful for their time and consideration.

Do you have any additional tips on how to prepare for a video interview?  Share them in the comments section below.

4 Tips for a Successful Interview Follow-Up Call

FollowUpCall_July2013_webPhew!  You made it through the interview. But, if you thought the pressure would let up, think again. Now the waiting game begins, and you’re tasked with finding the perfect balance between disinterested, not following up at all, and pushy, calling twice a day to see if a decision has been made. Once the critical thank-you note is in the mail, the next big milestone is the follow-up call.

Because it’s sometimes difficult to gauge where a decision maker is in the interview process, you never know how much is riding on the short follow-up telephone conversation. Approach that important call with care by keeping these four tips in mind.

Ask the Right Questions
It’s critical that your last two questions during an interview are, “What are the next steps in the hiring process?” and “When can I expect to hear from you?” And, it is even more critical that you listen and take note of the answers. The interviewer’s response will provide the basis for crafting your follow-up call.

Do What They Said
While it might seem obvious, following the employer’s instructions is key at this stage of the game. If the interviewer tells you to call the HR manager in three days, then do it. This is another opportunity for you to prove that you are paying attention and can follow instructions.

Give It Time
Calling too soon can be just as bad as calling too late, so be strategic and purposeful about your timing. If you were told a decision would be made by a specific date, give it a few extra days before you make the call. Remember, the person who interviewed you probably has many other responsibilities, and filling the open position may not always take top priority.

Keep It Fresh
Before you make the phone call, consider a new nugget of information you can include in the conversation. Perhaps you can mention that you hope to see the interviewer at the next meeting for an association you both belong to. Or weave in an additional reason you think you’d be a good fit for the job. You want to continue to pique the employer’s curiosity so you remain top of mind.

Do you have additional tips on how to handle the follow-up call after an interview? Share them below in the comments section.