A Portfolio Of Your Past Work
It can also be beneficial to bring a portfolio with you if it showcases your skills and work experience. For instance, a graphic designer might bring a work portfolio to a job interview as evidence of their skills and expertise. Bringing your portfolio can also show your interviewer that you are motivated and excited to share your accomplishments with the company.
Keep Your Options Open
You also need to prepare yourself for negative news, says Lees. There are dozens of arbitrary reasons that the job will not be offered to you. The organization might change direction it might have a hiring freeze, or some senior manager could decide they dont want to fill the position. Thats why you need to continue to explore other opportunities. Anticipate the flattening effects of rejection, he says. If youve got other conversations going, the rejection will have less impact. If youve put your life on hold, though, its much more of an emptying experience.
Ways To Make A Good Impression
As you’re preparing for the interview, think about ways you can show yourself in a positive light:
Prospects · May 2021
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A Bag Briefcase Or Portfolio That Neatly Contains All Your Items
Once you have the things you need to bring to the interview, you should decide how youll organize and carry them. The goal is to look put together and unburdened. Choose a handbag, briefcase, messenger bag or portfolio that can hold everything and looks professional. Backpacks are appropriate for some settings but not for others. Use your best judgment based on the company research youve done and what you know about their culture.
‘in Five Years I Hope To Be In Your Position’
Don’t think that your potential boss will be flattered by this answer they’ll just find it lazy and thoughtless.
And even if they are at an impressive level in their career, they might assume that you envision being where they are just at a different company. This indicates a lack of commitment.
Instead, outline potential ways you see yourself growing at the organization. Start with the position you’re interviewing for and highlight some key skills required for the job, and how you can build upon those skills.
This shows that not only do you care about your career advancement, but that you’ll also be dedicated to helping the company grow in the long-term.
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Study The Candidates Resume Or Cv
Look over the candidates resume. Using a blind resume might offer an opportunity to limit the influence of unconscious bias. You can familiarize yourself with their work history and background. Reviewing the CV in depth ahead of time ensures that you maximize the time you have in the interview. Why?
Many general questions are often easily answered with just a quick scan of someones CV. When you start with this knowledge already in hand, you can take advantage of the interview to really dig deep into the candidates skills and abilities.
You can also take the time to highlight any areas in their resume that may seem vague or unclear, or perhaps that contains something that may be unknown to you, such as a unique hobby. Allow the interviewee the opportunity to expand on those areas as it may reveal possible behaviors or personality traits that will have an impact on effective job performance.
Interview Address Time And Hrs Contact Details + Your Id
The last thing youll want is to go into panic mode when you arrive on-site and realize you have no idea where to go or how to contact your interviewer. So be sure to:
- Pin the interview address in Google/Apple Maps
- Copy any additional instructions to a note app
- Save the HRs contact number to you Contacts list
- Grab an official ID
Most workplaces will require you to get a visitors badge from the building security. Imagine how awkward things can get if you forget a document, verifying your ID. Ouch, thats really the worst way to sabotage an interview.
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Be On Message From The Outset
Politicians coached in handling the media are always advised to have a maximum of three key messages to get across, which they should stick to and repeat throughout any interview.
Similarly, its a good idea to have two or three key points that you want to make about what you have to offer and what youre looking for for example, Im ready for the challenge of managing a team, I combine compliance experience with technical expertise, in my career, Ive developed an extensive digital transformation skillset.
These are the three key points that you want your interviewer to remember about you. So try and work them in naturally whenever you can, even in the first few minutes. Its also important to have a ready answer for some of the most common questions that come up early on such as Tell me why you want this job and Whats your understanding of what this job involves?
Contact Information And Directions
While there are many things you can control during the interview, getting there is not one of them and traffic or public transport can easily let you down. Plan ahead how you will get there and make sure you have the contact details of the person you are meeting in case you need to contact them for anything.
Have directions to where you are going before hand and if you can, find your way there before the interview, so you know exactly where you are going.
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Preparing For A Job Interview
To prepare for a job interview, you should do the following:
- Work Attire. Make sure your appearance is neat and clean. Dress appropriately for the interview by wearing professional work attire such as a skirt or pantsuit and close-toed shoes. Accessories such as handbags, ties, and belts should be conservative.
- Directions. If you’re not sure where you’re going, bring directions and any instructions the hiring manager may have given you. Also, if one was sent, bring an email confirmation of the appointment. Determine how long your commute will take either by viewing a map application such as Google maps, or a train or bus schedule. Allow 30 minutes extra travel time for any unforeseen delays, as you want to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Research the Company. Make sure you become acquainted with your prospective employer prior to the interview, as you may be asked questions about your familiarity with their business. Many company websites have an “About” section that provides information on a company’s history as well as its beliefs and goals.
- List of Questions. Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer if they invite questions at the end of the interview. You can also ask additional questions based on the conversation, which demonstrates good listening and comprehension skills.
Things You Should Never Bring To The Job Interview
Heres a quick tip explaining how to ace an interview never-ever attempt to bring the following items into the room:
Also, consider leaving any other bulky items like a tote with groceries, a suitcase, or another random item in your car or somewhere else.
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Provide A Copy Of Your Resume
It can always be beneficial to have a few extra copies of your resume in case other professionals at your interview would like to see it. It can also be appropriate to take short notes on which points you wish to highlight or discuss during your interview. Referring to your resume or CV during an interview can also help you stay focused on your relevant qualifications and experience and avoid detailing irrelevant information.
Practice Your Interviewing Skills
Many people practice for an interview by writing down answers to common interview questions.
While organizing your thoughts on paper is helpful, the best practice is done verbally, alone, with a friend, mentor, or career counselor.
You can schedule a practice interview with a career counselor to get feedback on your interview style, presentation, and body language. We also host a Practice Interview Program that allows you to practice and get feedback from a Columbia alum.
For independent practice in a virtual format, we recommend Big Interview, which you have access to for free through our office. You can practice answering interview questions by industry or job function, record yourself, and use their tool for self-assessment or share any video with a mentor for feedback.
Additional Resources for practicing interview questions
Make sure that you run through the following checklist a few days out from your interview:
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Men Between Age 18 And : Proof Of Selective Service Registration
Men applying for citizenship who are between 18 and 31 years old should bring their registration acknowledgement card from the Selective Service System, proving they registered for a military draft as required.
If you never registered and youre still under 26, you were supposed to register before sending your N-400 application for citizenship. If you didnt but sent your N-400 anyway, register before you go to your interview and get your acknowledgment card.
If you are between 26 and 31 and did not register, you were supposed to provide with your N-400 a statement explaining why you didnt register and a status information letter from the Selective Service. If you didnt send those with your N-400, bring them to the interview.
Be Ready For The Small Talk
Getting the small talk right can have big consequences. Its a way for people to build rapport and affinity, and start to generate that elusive, intangible quality of chemistry that characterises all effective business relationships.
So as part of your interview preparation, its a good idea to think ahead to some likely topics that might come up, so as to help keep the conversation flowing smoothly. The key is to come up with topics where you have a shared interest, so that youre able to both ask and answer credible questions.
For example, if you see a picture of your interviewers family, perhaps you could ask about them and be ready with a family anecdote of your own. Or if youre a sports fan and you spot signs that your interviewer is too, perhaps you could ask a suitable question that youve also got an interesting answer to .
Think, too, about topical themes. For example, has your potential employer been in the news recently? Or could you ask about the potential impact on the company of a recent development, such as Brexit or falling share prices or a serious malware attack? In each case, make sure you have an interesting thought of your own to contribute too.
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Bring Tax Returns And Evidence Of Payments
USCIS doesnt always ask to see tax returns during a naturalization interview, but you should be prepared with them, especially if you are taking advantage of the three-year rule for spouses of U.S. citizens or have traveled outside the United States for a period that lasted six months or more.
You can bring either a copy of your federal income tax returns or tax transcripts. Both are available to order from the Internal Revenue Service at a local office or from the IRS’s online “Get Transcript” page. Get your last five years’ worth, or last three years’ worth if youre applying early as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
If you have any federal, state, or local taxes that are overdue and youre on a repayment program, bring documentation from the IRS or your state or local tax office showing the current status of your repayment program. Also bring the signed agreement showing that you agreed to the repayment program.
Learn The Types Of Interview Questions
At this point, its time to start figuring out how to work in relevant details into interview answers. One of the best ways to start is to learn about the different kinds of interview questions.
If you need to say no, youll need a different approach. Pivot by discussing how you intend to acquire the skill or by focusing on your willingness to learn and excitement about professional development. Many hiring managers will consider a candidate who doesnt have every hard skill if they are enthusiastic and have potential, so this method can work.
For behavioral interview questions, youll need a robust strategy. Usually, combining the STAR Method and the Tailoring Method is the best approach. So, lets take a look at those.
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Dive Into The Tailoring Method
Alright, the STAR Method alone is a pretty strong approach. But, by also learning the Tailoring Method, you have a secret sauce for creating delicious answers to behavioral interview questions.
The Tailoring Method is all about customization. You dont want to give the hiring manager a basic answer to a question you want to make it relevant and enticing, building an exceptional value proposition by showcasing how you can help their company thrive. Thats what the Tailoring Method helps you do.
Its an approach that makes the hiring manager and company the priority, not you. Its about positioning yourself as a solution to the problem the hiring manager is trying to solve . That makes the Tailoring Method a competitive advantage, as not all job seekers are going to go that extra mile.
How To Present A Resume In An Interview
This article was co-authored by Colleen Campbell, PhD, PCC. Dr. Colleen Campbell is the Founder and CEO of The Ignite Your Potential Centers, Career and Life Coaching based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Colleen is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach . Colleen received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Sofia University and has been career coaching since 2008. This article has been viewed 51,486 times.
The interview is one of the most important parts of the process of finding a job. Notably, its also a great opportunity to present your resume in a way that will make you stand out as an applicant and will emphasize the strongest aspects of your career experience. By following simple formatting techniques and assembling your resume in a professional way, you can make sure your resume is presented in a way that makes you a strong contender for the job youre applying for.
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An Interview Portfolio Is What Exactly
An interview portfolio consists of six main parts: an introduction, a professional background summary, STAR behavioral examples, awards and recommendations, sample solution, and a closing page. While the content will be similar to whats on your resume, the portfolio takes it a step further to show and tell your skills with specific examples. Your goal is to get the hiring manager to visualize you solving problems for him.
Sell The Company And The Position
Take a few minutes to explain a bit about the company and its background. Inform them what you do, what your job entails, and the position that needs filling.
Try to deliver a good description of the business, company culture, and role. This will be your chance to draw in the candidate and develop their interest in the role even more.
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