Writing The Perfect Thank You Letter

Posted on September 19, 2011 by J. L. Eisenberg

thank you card When exiting an office post-interview, it’s normal to feel a little stressed out. After spending so much time writing the perfect cover letter, editing your resume to a tee, and practicing explaining why you want the job over and over in your mirror, the interview is suddenly over and whether or not you get the job is out of your hands.

Well, not quite out of your hands. Sending a thank you note to your interviewer will not only remind him or her of who you are, but reinforce your interest in the position and showcase your good manners.

Writing a good thank you note is not difficult, but it does take some practice. The goal of your note should be to reiterate your interest in the position and tell the interviewer how much you enjoyed talking to them. Anything beyond this runs the risk of becoming too verbose while anything less can seem rather perfunctory.

Although it’s tempting, you should not rehash any of the details of your interview in your thank you note. Attempting to explain away your errors via thank you note will remind your interviewer of those errors and end up hurting your chances more than helping them.

If the waiting period is particularly long, you may want to send a second note. Instead of parroting your first, say what you’ve been doing during the waiting period that relates to your interest in the company – taking a night class on business management, for example.

While a good thank you note won’t make or break you, it can give you a nudge in the right direction. And sometimes, a little nudge is all you need to get the job of your dreams.

Photo © Mykola Velychko – Fotolia.com

Nailing the Interview

Posted on August 24, 2011 by G. Campagnano

Businesspeople, or business person and client handshaking The job interview can be one of the most pivotal moments in ensuring you get the position that you really want. There is prep work to be done before the big day, and although you want to sound natural and unrehearsed, a little practice never hurts. Here are some ways to guarantee that you have a knock-out interview:

Prepare, prepare, prepare! Make sure that you’ve done extensive research on the workplace you’re applying for. Know their mission, their place in the business world, and what their company values are. It doesn’t hurt to do a little digging on your potential bosses, either. That way, you’ll know exactly how to handle them when you do meet face-to-face.

Dress appropriately. While an interview is not an excuse for a fashion show by any means, it is important to plan what you’ll be wearing. Choose something that is professional but still provides insight on your personality and style preference.

Memorize your resume. Or, at least, get really friendly with it. Having a good sense of how you’re representing yourself on paper will help you better answer questions about previous work experience and capabilities.

Take notes. While you want to be alert and in the moment, it’s also helpful to bring a small notepad to the interview room and jot down some key points.

Be concise. Practice talking about yourself briefly in front of a mirror every night for a week before the interview. Know what points you want to make clear, and what you want your interviewer to walk away thinking. You have the power to control the interaction. Take advantage!

Photo © vgstudio – Fotolia.com

Dressing For A Job Interview

Posted on August 11, 2011 by J. Widget

Businesspeople, or business person and client handshaking If you have a crucial job interview coming up, your first assignment with the prospective new employer is to ensure that you hit the right note with your appearance.

Of course what you wear depends on the industry you hope to work in, and the type of employer interviewing you. If you’re unsure, call the company and ask the receptionist about dress code. But, for a corporate environment, of course you can’t go wrong with a business suit. And, in any interview setting, you’d do well to err on the side of conservatism.

For women, if you happen to know the organization takes a less formal approach, a pantsuit with a blouse or sweater could be ideal. Avoid short hemlines, low necklines and anything too tight.

Strappy sandals are also a no-no. Choose from pumps, loafers and closed-toe shoes. Don’t risk bare legs – if you’re wearing a skirt, wear nylons, and carry a spare pair in case they get snagged or laddered.

Perfume, hairspray, cosmetics and jewelry all need to be used in moderation. And, in terms of body piercing, a single earring in each ear is probably all you can get away with.

Keep accessories professional. A silk scarf can add the perfect finishing touch, as can a smart briefcase or portfolio. That oversized, disorganized handbag should be left at home.

For the guys, a basic black, dark navy or gray suit, a matching tie and black leather lace-up shoes fit the bill. If you know the company doesn’t expect suits, go for pressed khakis or slacks, a clean, ironed button-down shirt, a belt and leather loafers.

Match your belt to your shoe color. Choose black if your outfit consists of dark grays, navys, browns or black or dark brown if you’re sporting tans, muted pastels or medium toned colors

Whatever your gender, check your outfit very carefully for marks, holes and the like very carefully. Be fussy about hems, nails, hair and the cleanliness of your shoes.

Looking the part at an interview can boost your confidence and chances of success no end. So get it right – and knock ‘em dead!

Photo © vgstudio – Fotolia.com

Dealing With Off-Limits Interview Questions

Posted on August 3, 2011 by W. Plummer

Two businesspeople, or businessman and client Generally, interviews are incredibly stressful; they seem to be the make or break moment in determining whether or not you will get the job. Despite all of the stress, it is important to ensure that you always watch out for your rights. There are certain questions that federal and state laws prohibit employers from asking at interviews to prevent discriminatory hiring practices. If an employer asks you about your race, your sex, your religion, your national origin, your birthplace, your age, your disability, or your marital/family status, you have a few options:

You Can Answer The Question – This option might not be the most appealing, but if you are comfortable answering the question, do so. If you don’t get the job, and you feel that your response to the “illegal question” influenced the employer’s decision, you have legal options. If you think that the question is being asked with a reasonable aim, you can always just respond to the underlying question. For example, if your employer asks if you are a United States citizen, you can respond that you are legally cleared to work. Your work status is an appropriate thing for your employer to ask you.

Get More Information – If you are uncomfortable with a question, be direct and ask your potential employer why they need that information. You might say, “Well, it’s not that I won’t say the answer, but I was wondering if you could tell me how it pertains to the job?” You might discover that they really want to know if you speak a 2^nd language and just didn’t ask properly, or whether you would be able to work overtime. (This is usually the reason for questions about your family status.) This way, you can give them the information that they actually need to make a decision.

You Can Refuse to Answer The Question – This is risky, and it might cost you the job, but you always have the option to simply refuse to answer a question that you feel is off-limits. If you do this, be incredibly polite, and inform your interviewer that you think that the question is sensitive. If you don’t get the job as a result of refusing to answer, remind yourself that you probably wouldn’t feel safe in a work environment where people ask these questions.

Making A Great First Impression

Posted on July 27, 2011 by J. Widget

business people meeting each other You’ll always have to meet people at work you need to impress – whether that’s potential employers at interview stage, an important client or colleagues on the first day in a job. Sometimes it can be very hard to know how you are coming across to the other person during those crucial first moments of a relationship, so how can you improve your communication skills so that you don’t appear bored, passive – or even hostile? We offer a few pointers:

Perhaps the most important thing is to have a plan. Know what you want from the conversation, and alter your attitude accordingly.

If you’re at a reception or networking event, go to the center of the room rather than hanging around the edges. If you approach someone, speak within a few seconds – the more you dither, the more apparent your hesitation becomes.

And, obvious though it sounds, don’t just yammer on about yourself – draw out other person. Making them feel interesting in turn makes them think that you are interesting. And don’t forget to ask open-ended questions – those which cannot be answered simply by saying yes or no.

Finally, of course, you need to give your body language some attention. There are regularly quoted studies stating that body language accounts for more than half of someone’s likability. Some even argue that it comprises as much as 90% of human communication.

When you meet someone for the first time, think about where you are standing in relation to them, maintaining good but not overly intense eye contact and a friendly smile without smiling too much. Good posture will also convey confidence.

It may be a cliché, but first impressions really are important – and you don’t get a second chance to make one! Psychologists are fond of reporting how you only have seconds before another person forms an opinion of you, so make your first impressions count.