How to Describe Yourself in an Interview

There you are dressed your best and being interviewed for the job of your dreams and the dreaded question gets asked, ‘Describe yourself for me.’ This question is almost always asked by prospective employers and almost always answered with a resounding uuuuuh… Knowing how to describe yourself in an interview can mean the difference of landing your dream job or going back to the want ads.

It helps if you come to grips with the fact that this question will be asked and you prepare for it ahead of time, but be careful that you don’t some off sounding like you memorized a script the night before. When getting ready to describe yourself in an interview you should consider the following:


•Don’t tell them what they already know: Don’t start out with your name and age, they have that on the application and repeating it sort of makes you sound silly. Instead of saying where you went to school –also on the application- tell the interviewer what you got out of your schooling or who influenced you along the way. Get into any activities or hobbies you have that may not be listed on the application. This is your time to let the interviewer know everything about you that is not on the application already.

•Give your strengths AND your weaknesses: First off all when giving your strengths, never come off too cocky. Be proud, but be careful not to toot your own horn too loudly as this can be a major turn-off to the interviewer. Besides giving what your strengths are, also mention your weaknesses, but do it in a way that makes you look good. ‘I have no patience for those that do not want to go the extra mile to help a co-worker,’ or ‘A big fault of mine is that I tend to pay too much attention to detail when it may not be needed.’ Statements such as those show the interviewer that you don’t think you are perfect, but that your faults are good ones to have.

•Be honest: This is most important of all. If you are not being honest many prospective employers can see right through your bologna and besides, you are who you are. If the job isn’t meant to be, then that is life. Never pretend to be somebody you are not.

•Speak clearly and don’t stammer: This goes back to the whole practice thing. If you are constantly stammering or saying ‘uh’ then you give off the impression that you are searching for words to say. This gives a bad vibe off because if you don’t know who you are, then who really does?
While there are no magic words to speak that will guarantee you a job, you should be prepared to adequately describe yourself at an interview. Again, you know the question is coming, so you may as well prepare for it. A good trick is to stand in front of the mirror and interview yourself. Ask yourself the question and answer the question. Would you hire yourself? If the answer is no, then chances are neither will the prospective employer, so keep practicing until the answer is yes.

Learn more interview tips at JobGoRound, the career advice and resume service website.

- Jason Kay

From www.net-temps.com

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Hooray, an Interview! Oh No, an Interview!

After such a labor-intensive job search, you now have earned the ‘nerve-wracking’ interview. You have also begun to obsess about the plentiful competition. It seems as if everyone you know needs a job. So, how can you relax when you must master the interview? (Don’t worry. I’ll tell you how you can ‘untwist your knickers.’)
You must differentiate yourself by adopting an outwardly tracked mindset. Instead of obsessing about how well you will perform during the job interview, resolve to focus on servicing the interviewer! Ask yourself, “How can I service this person I am about to meet and the company they represent?” I know. I can hear you now, “it sounds simpler than it is”—and yet, it really is easy. If you are qualified, have researched the company, and if you know how to gather your thoughts and communicate them verbally—it’s in the bag!

The Best Interviewees

When I use to interview, the candidates that were most memorable (and also turned out to be the best employees) were neither the ones who had answers rolling off their tongues (I could see right through that) nor the ones that walked in on pins and needles. The qualified applicants who were curious, polite, professional, and who seemed to be reflecting on our discussion were the ones I hired. Why? Because in addition to being the best qualified, they cared enough to listen, evaluate, ask questions, and provide insightful and unscripted answers. The image these stellar candidates created during the interview was that of a professional who, yes, had prepared for the interview but used the information as a springboard to an engaging, spot-on conversation.

Calm Down and Redirect Your Focus onto the Interviewer

When you meet your interviewer, focus on them and on what they seek. Transform that entire interview into an order-taking session by making it about the person across from you. Assess your interviewer’s body language, listen attentively, and help them solve the problem of finding the ideal candidate. Be the solution to their problem.

Questions That Will Engage Your Interviewer

Another way to engage during an interview is by asking incisive questions. Convey your desire to connect, understand, and serve. Here are a few questions you can ask:

What is (name company) looking for in the ideal candidate?

How is it that (name company) is in need of hiring for this position?

How does (name company) see this position affecting the entire department?

What would employees say they most like about (name company)?

Notice the questions suggested above do not address the interviewer by using the pronoun, YOU. By avoiding the use of YOU, the interviewer will not feel interrogated.

Relax! You have worked diligently at attaining an interview. Besides, you wouldn’t apply for a job you are not qualified for anyway (right?). Have your piece of cake—you’ve earned it.

-Rosa Elizabeth Vargas
www.careerealism.com

How to Ace an Interview without Speaking

Giving a limp handshake, letting your eyes wander and fidgeting are just a few of the subtle blunders that can botch your success in a job interview. Although you may have been unaware you were doing these things, interviewers who pick up on negative nonverbal communication are likely to doubt your fit for the job.

Nonverbal communication can be judged just as much as, and sometimes even more harshly than, the responses you give to questions you're asked during interviews. It can even be the single factor that helps hiring managers decide between you and another candidate when you're both equally qualified for the job. That's why it's so important to be mindful about your posture, facial expression and other behaviors.

"The most important idea is to project confidence and professionalism," says Heather Krasna, author of "Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service."

"If you find yourself becoming very nervous about interviewing, realize that this is normal. Practice interviewing in front of a mirror, on video or with a friend or career coach until you feel a bit more comfortable," she suggests.
In her book, Krasna offers the following tips for ensuring positive, appropriate and polite nonverbal communication:

• Handshake: A firm handshake is considered a sign of confidence. Take the other person's hand in your right hand -- don't use both hands -- so that the space between your thumb and first finger touches theirs. Give a firm, but not crushing squeeze, and shake the person's hand up and down slightly, once. If you have sweaty hands, be sure to dry them before your interview.
• Posture and physical distance: When sitting in a chair, sit up straight or lean forward slightly; don't slouch. If you cross your legs, do it so that one knee is stacked on top of the other or cross your ankles. Do not cross your legs so that one foot is on top of your other knee. Alternatively, keep both feet on the floor. Do not stretch your legs out in front of you or sit with your legs spread far apart -- it looks too casual. When standing near someone, about 3 feet is standard in most parts of the United States. Standing closer than this can make others feel uncomfortable.
• Arms and hands: You can "talk with your hands" to some extent, but do not do so to the point of distracting your interviewer. Sitting with your arms crossed in front of you can look defensive. Instead, try to have a more open posture. Don't fidget, play with your hair or pen or bite your nails.
• Eye contact: Look in the eyes of the person interviewing you. Looking down or away frequently gives a message of not being confident or being confused. Rolling your eyes up is considered a sign of disrespect. Don't stare intensely at the interviewer; just look him or her in the eye as much as possible.
• Facial expression: Smiling is an important way of showing that you are friendly and enthusiastic about the position. Smile at the beginning and the end of the interview at a minimum. I can't emphasize this enough -- I know several people for whom lack of smiling was a major barrier to employment.
• Mirroring: You can also take note of the posture and expressions of your interviewer, and adopt some of his or her tone. Be careful, though -- even if an interviewer is friendly and casual, that does not mean you should be too casual. It is still a professional job interview.

-Selena Dehne

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Arriving at Job Interviews Cool, Calm, and Collected

We all get a little stressed before interviews, so the idea is to make sure a little bit of stress doesn't turn into a lot. Maybe you just started your search, you're tired of searching, or you just need a boost of confidence. No matter where you are in the process, you can always improve your interviewing skills. The good news is, it is possible to stay poised and confident, even at your toughest interview.

Show them you're a good fit

When you get to the interview your main area of focus should be on communicating to the interviewer that you are a good fit. Focus on why the position makes sense for both of you. You should see it as a "win-win" situation. In other words, a great job for you and a great employee for them. After you've done your research on the job requirements, you should be well prepared to present yourself as the best candidate for the job. Assess which skills are needed for the job, then illustrate how your personal skills match up with the skills needed for the job. Be creative and speak clearly, but more importantly, believe what you're saying. Confidence comes from the inside out, so just relax and be yourself. Here are a couple of tips to ensure a stress free interview:


•Make sure you have a good attitude, but don’t over do it by smiling too much. It will look fake and you might come across as flaky or unprofessional

•Look them in the eyes when they’re speaking, and listen carefully

•Adjust to the interviewer’s personality. If they seem talkative, answer their questions in the most efficient way possible. If they seem more reserved, be prepared to ask them questions that will showcase how informed you are. This is your chance to show that you’ve done your homework and you are a valuable professional. You should always leave an interview feeling as if you are just as valuable to them as they are to you.
Don't cause yourself unnecessary stress

Only you can cause yourself stress. It's all about how you see things and let life affect you. If you're worrying too much about the interview, you’re concentrating on the wrong thing. Instead of thinking about what you may do wrong, focus on what you know you'll do right. If you have taken steps to prepare yourself, then you're already half way there. Time wasted on worrying is just that- time wasted. Better to spend that time and energy on positive things so you'll arrive at the interview in a good mood. Your confidence may be the first thing people notice about you, so make sure it's written all over your face.

Relax!

If you tend to get nervous at interviews or don't consider yourself a "people person," there are ways to help you feel more comfortable. Here are a few ways to minimize your job search jitters:


•Be ready for tough questions. Plan how you’re going to answer possible questions so there won’t be any surprises. If you can, set up a mock interview with a friend or someone you trust

•“Rehearse” how you will answer tough questions. Whenever you are caught off guard, rephrase what they asked and then say something like "that's a good question, let me think about it for a moment." This will buy you time to come up with a thoughtful answer, without sounding like you were thrown off by it.

•Practice in the mirror. This may sound silly, but if you want to know how you look to other people, that’s the best way to find out
Take care of yourself

Last but not least, save yourself some you time. Don’t let things get so hectic that you forget about the most important thing. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to organize your thoughts and communicate effectively. Moreover, take care of yourself on the inside or it will show up worse on the outside. To stay calm, cool, and collected, take care of yourself the night before. Hit the gym, take a bath, or veg out on the couch. Do whatever it is you do to unwind. Set your mind at ease so the only thing you have to worry about is making a good impression. Plan ahead for the week of the interview so you will have all other tasks out of the way. Less stress means more confidence for you.

A lot of times when we’re stressed out, it's because we’re nervous and if we’re nervous, we can’t sleep. Here are some exercises you can do at night so you can be sure of having a good day:


•To ensure a good night’s sleep, try some breathing exercises before bed
o Take a breath and inhale with your abdominal muscles

o Exhale slowly (using the same muscles) and draw your belly button in at the same time.

These exercises reduce both tension and everyday stress. The purpose is to do these before bed, so you feel relaxed and serene in the evening and refreshed and revived in the morning.

- Scott Brown
From www.net-temps.com