Interviews - Body Language

What is your Body language saying during an Interview?

Here's a good clip from "The Early Show" that gives some information on body language during an interview. It's only a couple minutes in length but contains some useful information.

The body language expert Joe Navarro offers tips to Harry Smith on how people perceive job seekers in an interview. They watch real people in job interviews and talk about what they are doing that is right or wrong with their body language.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4894241n

Knowledge is Power - Preparing for an interview

Knowledge is Power

One of the best ways to come out ahead of the competition in an interview is to make sure you have done your homework on the potential employer. This makes a great impression, shows that you take initiative, and will also make the employer feel you value what they have to offer. If it comes down to you and another candidate with a similar background this could be the element that tips the scale in your favour.

Here are some sources for company information:

Corporate website - Always make this your first stop. Check out the about us, our history, or about our product tabs usually located at the top of the homepage.

Company Directories - these can be found in the reference area at the library or online. These will normally give you information on number of employees, product, locations and annual sales numbers.

Company News - Look to the news media for information that is additional and separate from corporately released information. Just do a google search putting in the company name AND news AND the current year and the search should give you some results about what is new. If the company and employees are involved in supporting charity events you would find out about it here. If there are negative news stories you'll find them this way as well. If it is a smaller private company searching the local newspaper would yield information that might not be available any where else.

Industry Journals - If you are focusing on a particular industry it would be good to have an idea of who the competition is and where they are located. You'll find information about the industry as a whole in an industry journal. News and trends within the industry will be helpful knowledge during an interview.

Preparing for an Interview

Preparing for an Interview

If you haven't interviewed in a while you will want to spend a little extra time preparing. Here are some good guidelines to follow if you are feeling a little rusty at the interview game:

• Ensure that you have one drycleaned suit ready to be worn at all times
• Check shoes and other accessories to make sure they are clean and polished
• Try on your clothes if you haven't worn them in a while to make sure they are in good repair
• Make sure you nails, hair and makeup look professional.
• Research the company. Have a look at their website and google them to see what's new at the company. Familiarize yourself with the product that they manufacture or sell.
• Look up possible interview questions, and find out if there are any tests that you will be taking and practice. Have a friend ask you potential questions and give some thought to behavioural questions that could come up.
• Prepare appropriate questions to ask at the end of the interview.
• Do a mapquest a few days in advance to ensure you know how to get to the interview and and how long it will take. Leave enough time so that unexpected traffic will not cause you to be late or stressed at the interview.