Trying to creatively and intelligently answer job questions for interviews is tough enough as it is.  If you add into the mix that some of the people or job questions being used in the interview process may be out to purposely sabotage you, interviewing can be a really frightening process.

Of course, job questions for interviews and the interview process itself isn’t out to kill you or destroy your confidence and self esteem, but sometimes employers will use tactics or job questions that are meant to keep you on your toes and even conspire to make you screw up.  This isn’t because they’re soulless lunatics, but rather because they want to know that you have what it takes to stand up against any odds and work your ass off.

So don’t let the following 5 job questions conspiracy theories prevent you from seeing through the bullshit and showing off what an awesome fit you are for the job.

1. Watch out for those job questions for interviews that start off with “Tell me About Yourself…”

It’s funny that so many of us still find ourselves baffled by this question.

Usually when job questions like these are thrown at you are all of those sordid secrets and details of your life that you’d rather they didn’t    find out about come to mind.  You know, like your huge porn collection or the fact that you have a thing for guys with tattoos or girls in S&M  gear.

This is one of the most popular job questions asked by potential employers so don’t go in blindly.  Practice what you’ll say, and leave those   personal details out of it and just sell yourself and your amazing personality and job related skills.

2. Be prepared for the “weakness” job questions! It’s pretty much a given that you’re going to be asked the most popular job question in history at some point in your interview.  Don’t let the “tell me what your greatest weakness is” job questions throw you for a loop.

You’re not an idiot (or are you?- if you don’t prepare for this question then you might as well be!) so you should figure out what you’re going to say before you’re even asked these job questions.  And make sure you answer wisely.  If you talk about how your weakness is staying organized, but then don’t mention that you have significantly improved upon that, you’re just telling the interviewer why not to hire you.

3. Look out for the job questions that have no right answers! We’ve all been there.  You’re asked those job questions in an interview that make you say “huh?” that seem to have absolutely nothing to do with the job.  A lot of these job questions are designed to figure out how quickly you think on your feet and some are even designed to test your character and values.

Don’t get daunted, that’s what they’re trying to do!  Just answer the question the best you can….  And be as honest as possible without saying anything bad about yourself.

If the interviewer throws you off by asking what your favorite position is, don’t tell them it’s reverse cowgirl.  That’s not what they’re talking about.  It’s related to the job, silly!

4. Beware of the salary job questions… You think we’d all know by now that this question, while useful and necessary is just a tactic to eliminate anyone that is asking for too much.  And if you ask for too little, you’re at risk of looking kind of lame too.

Make sure you’re prepared for these interview questions well in advance.  You should research how much someone in a similar position with similar background and experience makes, and ask for something in that range.  It’s actually best to aim a little higher than you expect.  For example, if you’ve done your research and know you’re worth $35k with your background and experience, ask for $36-37k but make sure you mention that you’re willing to be flexible so you don’t let the salary job questions make or break your entire interview.

5. Above all, remember that the person interviewing you may not have the last word. You’re so focused on job questions, sometimes you don’t really pay attention to who the heck the person asking them is.  Maybe they’re supposed to be your new boss if you get the job, maybe they’re a Human Resources or hiring manager or even just a recruiter.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell because I’m sure you’ve been on several interviews where the job questions are unorganized, unstructured and the interviewer doesn’t really seem to have a whole lot of experience interviewing people.  This could mean that they’re inexperienced, unorganized… or just that they’re not very friendly or don’t really care.  You do have to impress anyone that’s interviewing you with your answers to job questions, of course, but make sure that no matter what kind of vibe or impression you’re getting from your interviewer (whether they’re a cocky asshole or a clueless idiot or not!) you need to stand out enough in their minds for them to tell whoever is in charge that you’re worth another look… and another interview!

With all of these things working against you, it’s hard to believe that you can ever get through sticky job questions at all.

But it’s not impossible as long as you watch out for these common job questions and sabotages.

Are there any conspiracy theories employed by interviewers that I forgot to mention here?  Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think or share your job questions conspiracy theories!

Tags: job questions

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So you made it to the second interview- but don’t stop holding your breath just yet.  You can still screw it up.  You’re probably not the only lucky candidate who gets to go on a second interview, so you have to make sure you don’t blow it.

You’ve probably studied up on all of that second interview advice for what to do, but what about what not to do?

Of course you want to try to stand out from the rest of the crowd vying for the job you want, but you can easily blow the second interview by being too weird or trying to be too different in your answers.  Yes, employers are looking for someone uniquely creative and different, but they don’t want to employ a weirdo or a psychopath.

Here is some helpful second interview advice to avoid making yourself look like an idiot or crazy person so that you hopefully don’t frighten your interviewer too much.

1. Don’t lie! I know you want to sound intriguing and different, but seriously, when you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s not acceptable to say that you can’t answer the question because the information is “classified” because you worked for the CIA and you’re not allowed to talk about it.  If you try any far fetched or even little white lies during a second interview, they’re sure to come back and bite you in the ass at a later date.
2. Don’t primp in public! Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who do stupid things when they think no one is looking.  Picking teeth (and noses!), brushing hair, and smelling armpits are skills that you do not need to show off during a second interview.  Do this stuff before you get there or excuse yourself to go to the restroom to make sure you look and smell your best.
3. Don’t get too personal! Whether it’s a first, second, or even a third interview, its never appropriate to reveal information about yourself that an employer does not need to know.  It’s ok to mention your husband, wife or kids in passing, but there’s no need to talk about how your daughter is a lesbian or your son is a recovering drug addict.  They don’t care about your personal life, in fact, they’d rather you kept it just that- personal.
4. Don’t badmouth a former employer! You may very well have quit your last job because your boss was a heartless wench, but you do not need to share this information on a second interview.  People often get to a more comfortable level with an interviewer at a second interview, so they might feel that they’re “cool” enough with their interviewer to admit that they hated where they used to work but an employer is just going to look at you as negative and wonder if someday you’ll say the same thing about working for them.
5. Don’t relax too much! Of course you want to make sure you’re not nervous on a second interview because we all know how nerves can wreck a first (or second, in this case) impression, but you don’t want to act like you own the place.  It’s not cool to ask your interviewer “what’s up with them” or to ask if you can take your shoes off because your feet are killing you from all that bar hopping the night before.  You still need to maintain a professional demeanor.
6. Don’t be too honest! Of course the point of a second interview is usually to further explore what qualities you bring to the table and how you can benefit a company and it’s important that you’re honest and professional in your answers to their questions.  You don’t want to be too honest though.  You really are not a morning person and you can’t stand being told what to do?  Please don’t tell them about it during your second interview.  Or you can kiss that job opportunity bye-bye right then and there.

Yes, most of this second interview advice is common sense.  But does everyone follow it?  Hell no!  Otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this article warning you not to do it.

You need to tread carefully on a second interview because usually the way you look, act and respond during a second interview is going to be what determines whether or not you get a job.

You need to make sure you avoid these more-common-than-you-think second interview no-no’s if you want to convince an employer that you belong in their company and not in a looney bin or behind bars.

Just because you’ve passed the first interview doesn’t mean you should neglect preparing yourself thoroughly for the second interview.

And if you learn more about gaining an unfair advantage over your competitors, watch my free “Resume Rebel” video series here: Professional Resume

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When you’re looking for helpful job interview tips to help you land the job you desire, you’re probably not thinking about exercising.  What the heck does exercise have to do with job interview tips?

Believe it or not, getting exercise before an important interview is actually one of the best job interview tips you’ll ever receive.

Not only does exercise help relieve tension, nervousness and help reduce stress but it also has scientifically proven benefits that can help you do well on any interview.

Don’t go too far and show up to an interview dripping sweat and reeking of B.O., of course, but exercise is a great way to get rid of those pre-interview jitters.  In fact, many experts swear by exercise before an interview as one of the most fool proof interview tips of all time.

Why should you consider using exercise as one of your secret interview tips?

A Princeton (yes, those smarty pants intellectuals are always onto new and innovative methods of getting things done!) University study used rats to study the link between exercise and responses to stress.  Since most men are a lot like rats in so many respects, it’s pretty clear that their findings can apply to humans as well.

What the study revealed is that the rats that exercised showed decreased stressors in their brain activity over those that did not.  No wonder people that are in shape are so much happier than those that aren’t!  And not only are they happier, but they’ll also probably master these sneaky interview tips to exercise before an important interview and score better jobs.  Don’t let those skinny bitches steal the job you want.  You, too, can use these exercise interview tips to be just as happy and worry free on the day of an important interview.

The research conducted isn’t just limited to this Princeton study.  There are countless other studies that have shown that exercise increases mood, stamina, lowers stress levels and leads to overall well-being, including mental well-being.  Some studies have shown that exercise increases serotonin, while others have shown that exercise positively affects the dopamine in the brain.  Both of these are like “happy drugs” that occur naturally in our brains and who knew that by exercising to increase these chemicals you’ll be armed with one of the most effective interview tips ever.  Who needs drugs when you can pump your brain full of buzz- inducing chemicals while you work on making your body look better at the same time?

Keep in mind that exercise interview tips like running, aerobic exercise, boxing, swimming, or any other form of activity that gets your heart racing aren’t one hit wonders.  You can’t just work out on those days that you have interviews and expect a miracle to happen.  You need to do regular workouts in general so you don’t shock your system and show up to an interview looking like you just got run over by a bus, but make sure you follow these interview tips and work out the same day of an interview as well.

So pick your poison- whether dancing, blading, boarding or even just walking is your thing, make sure you start doing it regularly and then put these exercise interview tips into action.  I bet you’ll notice a difference the very first time you go on an interview after a workout.

And hey, if busting your ass in the gym or on the track isn’t really your thing, you could also just take up some really wild, crazy sex routine that lets you work that body.  Who wouldn’t love to go crazy right before an interview?  Your interviewer will wonder where your infectious smile is coming from, but it’ll be your little secret!

Exercising before an interview is one of the handiest proven interview tips you’ll ever receive, so put it in to action!

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Psychology actually reveals some really helpful job interview tips.

Did you know that a potential employer forms an opinion about you within the first 15 seconds of meeting you?  You’re so nervous as you prepare for interviews- worrying about what to wear, what to say when asked this or that and making sure that you’re able to  prove what a catch you are that you often neglect the most IMPORTANT part of the interview process and fail to brush up on helpful job interview tips that matter.

In order to get an interview, you have to show them a good resume.  Resume wizards are helpful tools to get you started, but they’re so blah and boring and they’re not going to make someone say “WOW, I need to hire this person NOW!”

If you don’t make the right first impression with your resume, you’re not even going to be asked to come in for an interview so you need to make sure that you know what you’re saying with your resume as well as brushing up on job interview tips that are psychologically based.

Ultimately, your resume needs to say what you can’t since you’re not sitting on the employer’s desk singing your own praises.  At least I hope not… ha ha!

More importantly, you have to know what job interview tips work when trying to impress potential employers.

When it comes to finding the best job interview tips, first impressions are everything.  A 2009 Oregon University study delved into the topic of first impressions and proved that they really do mean everything when it comes to landing a job- and your resume may be the most important first impression you will ever make.  It doesn’t matter if you follow all of the best job interview tips in the book because if you’re resume sucks, you’re not going to get an interview anyways.

The study showed that after only a few seconds, we all take what the professor who oversaw the study, Professor  Bernieri, calls a “thin slice” impression of everyone we meet.  In an intial interview, you want to makes you’re sending the right signals and have honed in on the best job interview tips so you give a great first, “think slice” impression.  This also applies to resumes because after skimming through one, an employer gets a “thin slice” of who you are as a potential job candidate.

You know those times when you just get a gut feeling about someone?  You shouldn’t be surprised when you later find out that your first impression is right- you were just using the “thin slice” impression that Bernieri is talking about.  You take in everything that you notice in the first few seconds and come to a quick conclusion based on what you see.  I think we can all relate to that.

Most of the time you already know if you’re going to like someone or not before they even open their mouth to speak.  That’s why one of the best job interview tips is to keeps that thin slice perception in mind right from the get-go.

Sometimes you even let your initial assumptions about someone make you more apt to notice things about them that support your theories.  For example, if you sense before your friend’s new girlfriend even opens her mouth to speak that she’s kind of a ditz, you’re going to be on the lookout for signs of her acting like an airhead.  So when she asks you for the time, you’re going to think she doesn’t even know how to tell time rather than noticing the fact that she doesn’t wear a watch.  We look for things to support our initial impressions, even if they aren’t always right.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your resume is going to give potential employers the right first impression about you and that you’re following smart job interview tips during the interview.

If you say even one wrong thing, it could form the basis of the employer’s opinion about you, so you want to make sure you say everything right.

There was another study that took place at Tufts University in Massachusetts where the Professor, Nalini Ambady, asked her students to fill out an evaluation form of their first lecturer.  They had to tell her if they liked him, thought he was open and what their initial impressions were.

Two years later, after being tutored by the lecturer the entire time, Professor Ambady surveyed her students again.  It was no surprise to her that those initial impressions from two years earlier hadn’t changed at all.  They’d already pre-judged and had their minds made up before the tutoring even began, all based on the first time they met.  One of the most neglected job interview tips is to remember that the first time the employer lays eyes on you, they’re sizing you up and you need to be on top of your game.

These are non-conscious decisions that we all make- employers obviously do too.  It’s the human reaction.  If you start to think about it when you’re making these snap judgments, you’re less likely to make them, however an employer isn’t going to be thinking about that when they’re perusing your resume.  You’ve got one piece of paper to convince them of what type of worker you’re going to be, so you better make it good.  And you’ve got one opportunity to put these job interview tips into action, so you better make the most of it.

There is another study that demonstrates how sometimes our initial impressions can be wrong, but it’s much less likely that they will be.  Participants in this tried and true study are shown a short movie of a woman returning from work.  In one version of the movie she was labeled as a waitress, while in another she was labeled a librarian- even though she looked the same in each presentation.  People recalled things about her associated with the job title she was given even if it wasn’t true.  For example, those that saw the librarian video said that she was wearing glasses, even though she wasn’t.  It’s not that they were hallucinating, this just demonstrates how the thin slice first impression theory works.

You want to make sure that you’re not giving off the wrong impression with your resume and choosing job interview tips to follow along these same lines.  For example, don’t be remembered for the wrong reasons on your resume.  If it stands out because you spilled coffee on it, the initial impression the employer is going to get is that you’re messy.

So even if you do still have a decent resume and get called in for an interview, they may think your appearance is sloppy, even if it’s not.  Every shirt wrinkle could be shouting at them and you wouldn’t even see it coming.  It’s one of the best psychological job interview tips you could ever follow to make sure that you’re neat and tidy in appearance.

Believe it or not, you can control the way people perceive you.  If you come across as bubbly, energetic and friendly, they’re most likely going to like you.  This is why people who smile a lot, talk with their hands, and always seem upbeat are so well liked, while people who speak more mellow and don’t make a lot of facial expressions are usually not.  It’s common sense that following job interview tips that tell you to be friendly, open and happy are going to have a positive psychological impact on employers.

If you do fail to make a good impression on someone by choosing the right resume and job interview tips, it’s not necessarily too late.  We all know someone who we used to despise who we later find out is all right, but think about how long it probably took them to convince you of that.

So think about your job searching experience.  Have you sent out dozens of resumes and not received a single call back?  Your resume is most likely not giving out the right first impression about you.  Make the RIGHT statement with your resume- your livelihood depends on it.

Think of it as an introduction to a story.

The story is the interview and you have to preface your audience, or employer, so that they know what to expect when they meet you.  Don’t steer them wrong and you’ll guarantee yourself the job you want- it’s a scientific fact as proven in some of the studies mentioned above that the first impression you give is going to act as a guide to who you are on the job.  So make it a good one and put these job interview tips into motion.

Tags: job interview tips

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Interview questions aren’t always so simple because employers are some tricky bastards.  They say things for all sorts of reasons and sometimes its hard to know exactly what they’re trying to get at.  Relax. Just don’t be a smart-ass and try not to create any negative connotations when answering interview questions and you’ll be good.

But just because we know you’re going to go in there and have a panic attack, we’ve collected some of the common interview questions for you to think about ahead of time.

1.  So, Tell Me About Yourself.

“Well, I burn weed, get wasted 7 nights a week, and sleep with someone new every Friday night.”  Yeah, it seems like asking this and expecting the truth is about as brilliant as asking a hooker if she has STD’s before purchasing.  The thing is, in their interview questions they aren’t just testing your confidence and communications skills, they are evaluating you as an investment, because that is what you are.  Tell them why you’re a worthy investment of their time and energy, mean it, and deliver.  If you can’t answer interview questions, how are you going to get the job done?

2.  What Were Your Duties in Your Last Job?

They don’t care that it was your obligation to clean the toilets on Fridays.  Pick the three most important, hopefully relevant, tasks you performed regularly.  Word it like a mission statement and make it relevant to the job at hand.  “I was responsible for creating and nurturing customer relationships,” is a playful spin on answers to these types of interview questions.  You might maen the same thing,  but at least you dressed it up to sound pretty.

The way you describe your responsibilities paints a subconscious picture of your worth—do you really want that picture to include you scrubbing the inside of a toilet?  List your most valuable contributions when answering interview questions and let them fill in the gaps.

3.  What is Your Ideal Work Environment?

If you’re applying for a job pouring cocktails in a back alley of downtown New Jersey, you’d better mention your fondness for slobbering barflies and mopping up vomit.  The trick is to make your “dream job” a symbolic representation of the job in question.

Don’t kiss too much ass, but put it in their mind that you’re a perfect fit.  If you do choose to say that all of the negative aspects of the job appeal to you when answering interview questions, it’s not going to be very believable so don’t overdo it.

Also, your reasons should be more idealistic and impressive than creature comforts and fringe benefits.  You don’t want to give the idea you are selfish.

4.  What Was the Biggest Project in Your Career For Which You Were the Catalyst?

Don’t start talking about your group effort to isolate and terrorize Jenny from Sales until she had a nervous breakdown and checked into a mental hospital.  They want you to answer interview questions like these with work-related projects here that were in the company’s best interest.  Answering interview questions such as this is your chance to demonstrate motivation and drive.

5.  What Would Your Ideal Employer Be Like?

“One that never comes to work.”  Just kidding.  The fantasy of an undisciplined workplace might be a nice thought, but you wouldn’t have a job long with that kind of chaos. And since they will be there to direct and guide you, they want to know what to expect of you.  Are you going to be a headache?  Is it all about you?  Rather than describe a boss, describe the kind of healthy working relationship that bosses dream about.  You don’t have to lie with these kinds of interview questions, because who wouldn’t want a perfect working relationship with their boss?

6.  What Do You Know About This position?

This is the time to show you know what you’re getting yourself into as well as illustrate your research abilities.  Talk about the duties involved and what they mean for the company as a whole.  It’s always good to relate your role in the company as part of a bigger picture because that is their perspective when you’re asked these types of interview questions.  Getting on their wavelength builds rapport.

7.  Do You Know Anything About What We Do?

Wow—they’re really giving you the chance to show-off how well you prepared when they throw these interview questions at you.  I hope you have.  It’s time to talk about the company and where they fit in the industry.  Also, touch on the relationship they strive to create with the greater public.  It’s important to convey a respect for their role and a desire to be a part of that when answering tricky interview questions.  Don’t dog on their environmental track record and all the baby pandas they kill—not if you want the job anyways.

8.  Why Did You Leave or Are You Leaving Your Other Job?

Not the time to say you’re boss was an arrogant asshole.  Everything should be framed positive.  You want to open up new career opportunities.  You’re intrigued by the future of the envelope industry.  Your want to ride your bike to work.  Don’t lie, but be tactful.

No matter how reasonable you reason for a less than positive exit, if you bash your incompetent boss, the mental seed will still be planted that it was your fault.  Employers identify with employers, not employees.  It’s human nature, so handle these interview questions with care.

9.  When Are You Available to Start?

“I don’t know.  I’ve got a lot going on this week, and next week my brother’s coming to town.  After that is St. Patrick’s Day and there’s a big party at my boyfriend’s place.  Can I call you next week and let you know?”  Even with a crumbling economy and lack of jobs, you’d be surprised at how many grads pull this shit.  Set yourself apart.

The best thing to do is ask them when they need you.  Even better, look them straight in their eye and say, “Right now.”  You’ll be surprised how often that gets you a job on the spot, so be ready to back it up.  Never answer interview questions with anything but the truth because it could bite you in the ass if they expect you to follow through right away.

10.  What are Your Biggest Strengths?

Develop a personal statement that outlines three of your biggest strengths, and use it when these types of interview questions are asked.  It will ALWAYS be asked in one form or another.  Just make sure it matches the needs of the company, and remember that it isn’t just about your strengths—it’s about your strengths matching their needs.

11.  Describe a Challenge You’ve Faced with a Colleague.

Don’t mention the fistfight you had with the baker when you used to bag groceries.  Tell a story that puts you and the other worker in a positive light.  Talk about a misunderstanding, but focus on how you overcame it with good communication.

It’s important to note that they know you have flaws you’re not revealing even if you frame everything positive, but constructing those mental associations will leave good thoughts that far outweigh their curiosity about the truth.  After you leave, it won’t be your answers to your interview questions that linger, it will be the emotions you crafted by placing images in their heads.  Negative connotations are not a good idea.

12.  Are You Okay With the Salary for this Position?

If you want the job and the salary is fair for the market, you should probably say yes.  This is a point where you better have done some research because you’re answer may decide your quality of life for quite some time.  If you want to be able to ask for raises later, mention that you are happy as long as the job fits your expectations.  Since they’ll probably dump enough extra work in your lap for another you, this gives you room to bitch later on.  Save that stuff for outside of interview questions, after you’ve scored the job.

13.  Tell Me About Your Biggest Weakness.

“I can be a bit of a perfectionist.”  “I can’t stand it when other people don’t work as hard as I do.”  Yeah, sure, Brown-noser.  Applicants have sat in that same chair feeding them that bullshit for weeks.  Try something different when asked these age-old interview questions.

Talk about how your strengths can work against you and how you deal with that.  Being original in your responses to interview questions will make you stand out in their mind more than anything else, and you don’t want to ever use a cookie cutter answer—it creates the impression that you are lazy and like to cut corners.

You can’t predict every interview questions that will be thrown your direction, but that’s okay because being able to think on your feet is a great demonstration of value as well.

But by preparing for these common interview questions you’ll walk into an interview feeling more confident and collected. Not only does your interviewer unconsciously read that in your body language and speech patterns but these kinds of feelings will keep you in a positive state of mind as well.

Learn to cultivate this state on demand, and even if these interview questions never come you will walk out a winner.

Tags: answering interview questions

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Whether you’re talking about interview job tips or just generalizing about life, the eyes are the windows to the soul. 

Oh great.  So you’re relying on by those blood-shot peepers you’re struggling to keep open to convey your star personality…You already made it this far, so you might as well make the most out of it.  By following these helpful interview job tips you can do just that.

A couple of hotshot psychologists named Richard Bandler and John Grinder invented a psychological field called neuron-linguistic programming that you need to know about, and one subject they often discussed often was what eye movements tell us about other people’s thoughts. 

 Here are some common signs which will allow you to mind read, and they’re just great interview job tips to follow.

What: Up and To the Right

Why: This eye movement happens when people are accessing the creative area of their brain and could very well mean they are lying.  This could be more of a concern for the employer than you, but if the interviewer starts studying the ceiling tiles and chewing on her lip around the same time she says they like your resume, you might not want to count on the job. 

       You should also keep these type of interview job tips in mind for yourself.  Don’t do it, or they might know you’re lying when you tell them that you’ve always wanted to get people coffee in the morning.

What: Sideways Glance

Why: Sideways glances are usually reserved for when their office enemy comes barreling out of nowhere plunging a letter opener towards their ear.  But other times it can be a sign of irritation.  Might be a good time to start back-pedaling from that off-color joke about rumors that they use sweat shops in China.

        If you’re the one giving the sideways glances you’re probably looking like a smart ass or a weirdo.  Definitely not things you want to convey to your interviewer, so again, make sure you’re using these interview job tips mind reading skills in mind- the interviewer might know these tricks too.

What: Looking directly Into Your Eyes

Why: A good sign of rapport.  Eye contact often means they are at least making the effort to connect and soak in every word.  A little head nodding says they are following along and approve of what you are saying.  This is a good sign, and is a step toward building rapport.  For the Charles Manson stare, see below.

       I know you want to show what a great interview job tips expert you are, but don’t stare too long and hard or you’ll end up making them think….

What: Long, intense Eye Contact

Why: Uh…awkward.  This is often an even better sign they’re lying—they are just trying hard to cover it up (either that or their invisible friend just told them to kill you).  This one can be tricky in an interview though because people in a formal situation who just met tend to put a lot of energy into the attention thing.  They could just be putting extra attention into paying very close attention.  In most cases, however, if true rapport has been built, paying attention will not seem like such a strain.

       This is like interview job tips 101 for you too- Don’t be creepy, just interested!

What: Tilting the head and Looking to the Side

Why: This is the body language of someone recalling something.  They might actually be listening to you for once…or maybe they forgot what you said and are trying to remember.  Either way, as far as inteview job tips go, don’t do this yourself because you shouldn’t be struggling to recall anything.  You know everything and that’s what makes you such an awesome fit for this job, remember?

What: Looking to the Right and Downwards.

Why: This is what people do when they are having mental dialogue.  Either they are trying to talk that invisible friend out of the killing you idea, or they are debating something.  This could mean they have mixed feelings about something you’ve said and are trying to decide how to accurately interpret it.

       And if you’re the one doing it, they’re going to be less worried about the fact that you’ve followed some other interview job tips and more concerned with whether or not you’re plotting your next killing spree.

What: Rapid Blinking Movements

Why: This is a sign of hard thinking.  Chances are they are not vibing well with you and their mind is straying or they are lying to you about something.  “We’ll call you next week.”  Sure you will.

        “I’ll be patiently waiting to hear from you,” BLINK BLINK BLINK.  (Although if you’re looking for actual helpful interview job tips, saying something like this isn’t good). 

What: Quick Glances

Why: A quick dart of the eyes is a sign that they desire something.  If the glance goes to nearest exit, they cannot wait for you to shut the hell up so they can leave and go back to their office friends with benefits down the hall.  If they keep glancing between your legs, well….you might have yourself a job!

       One of the best interview job tips for you- if you’re the one darting your eyes nervously around they will probably start to think you’re on drugs… and unless that’s what you’re going for, try not to do it!

What: Blinking in Sync With You

Why: When someone really feels rapport with you, their blinking may slow down and even begin to match yours.  This is a very good sign, and it usually comes across so natural you won’t even notice.

       Again, one of the most helpful interview job tips is not to do this too much yourself.  Creeper.

One thing to notice about looking at the above eye movements as far as interview job tips go is that it is never black and white, and there are several factors that could consider into a true interpretation.  After all, every situation is completely different than the next, with a host of never-before considered ideas to contend with.

But pay attention long enough and you might find, well, that you’ve been paying attention too much.  One important thing to remember about interview job tips is you were always using body movement to express yourself.  Sometimes the best way to read someone’s body language is to stop thinking about it and let your “gut feeling” tell you what you need to know.  Where rational minds sometimes overcomplicate, the body can save you. 

Yet, in this day and age, we have already trained ourselves to forget these things; thus learning about them becomes that much more important, which is the case with interview job tips as well.

Tags: interview job tips

Tags: interview job tips
Posted in Free Articles, Home Job Interview Tips, interview job tips | 1 Comment »

Not all interview skills are fair when you go on an interview.  We are such superficial little creatures. A business suit and tie doesn’t take the twisted, irrational human out of us, and many of the decisions we make in a corporate environment are ruled more by our animalistic side than we ever want to admit. There are some dirty little interview skills, that we’re betting you want to know…

Believe it or not, it’s not just your standard interview skills that leave an impression on your interviewer.

Far from it.

There are plenty of “under the radar” interview skills that are just waiting to be used on your next interview.

For example:

Letting your future employer undress you with their eyes is one of the greatest interview skills!

Okay, so we’re half-kidding here, in case you are already changing into something more encouraging of probing pupils. What we really mean is that the human tendency to check each other out is natural, even if we are more often than not under the social pressure to refrain from this normal behavior.  You might think your standard interview skills are what count when you walk into that office, but that’s not the only thing that employers are noticing.

And even if getting too liberal with your eyes in a job setting can get you into some trouble, or spark some backroom fun in some situations, completely trying to stop it can create an unnatural feel in any situation.

Common interview advice says maintaining consistent eye contact is one of the most important interview skills to remember when being interviewed, but think about the last time someone did this to you. We’ve all got a creepy friend who likes to make full eye contact throughout the whole conversations, and chances are we don’t like talking with this guy all that much.

In his mind, he’s just being “real”—you can see his eyes going dreamy when he says this even. This guy also usually did too much acid his freshman year. He thinks he’s got it all figured out but all his intense eye contact isn’t getting him anywhere but alone on Saturday nights. So, what makes you think this will get you any further in an interview?  Although eye contact is one of those crucial interview skills, you don’t want it to be creepy and overkill.

How about those conversations with a man and woman who are obviously attracted to each other and both know it but are trying to avoid it? He’s trying hard not to look down at her cleavage because he knows he’s not supposed to, but every once in a while his eyes flick down involuntarily. She’s trying really hard not to notice his effort because he’s supposed to be taking her serious and doesn’t seem to be. She might be too busy trying to get over the ugly hat he’s wearing to even notice.

How fricking awkward is this for everyone? Wouldn’t it be easier if they could just step back, take a good gander at each other, and get on with the conversation?  You didn’t brush up on those interview skills just to be oggled.

Well, our society probably isn’t going to take that kind of leap forward (or backward) anytime soon, but nonetheless, it is clear our natural hormonal curiosity plays a big role in the way we meet and greet members of the opposite sex. While we typically don’t start sniffing each other’s asses immediately unless we belong to one of those cool clubs from Eyes Wide Shut that we can’t tell our parents about, we still have our biologically-ingrained ways of checking each other out, regardless of how the sexual harassment disclaimer in the employee handbook reads.

Men, especially, will always take in a woman’s physical appearance rather than her interview skills.

He’ll soak it up if he can and possibly take another look later on to make sure he got it right. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything—it’s the nature of a man and something he’s just got to get out of the way before all the other important things he has to do, like chewing on tennis balls and howling at the moon.

If she locks that all-important eye contact with him the whole time and never gives his eyes the chance for an innocent wander, he will feel frustrated and not know why. He’ll try and squeeze quick sneak peeks in between questions and keep reminding himself not to be a perv. On some level, both know what is going on but neither really knows why, and the whole interview becomes a damned mess.  Who really cares about honing in on your interview skills when you don’t even know how to pry his attention away from the physical without going overboard with your tried and true interview skills?

Before women start screaming sexist pig and throwing out accusations, it just is not something that can be avoided, and this is a phenomenon that has been caught again and again on hidden camera. We all try to be civil, but in a lot of ways, we just are what we are.

And women are not saints either. They get away with their body checks more than men because they have better peripheral vision, but they are especially guilty of being judgmental about appearance when it comes to interviewing the opposite sex. With the invasion of the metrosexual male into modern society, more often a great sense of style is associated with a man who is able and competent.  Someone can have the best interview skills ever, but if they don’t dress the part, it means nada.

Yep, these office fashion judges are taking it all in to be sure a style-criminal doesn’t infiltrate their domain. When did he get his last haircut? My God—he shops at Ross—I just know it. That crease is crooked. That shirt could have used a little more ironing. And what in the Hades is up with the shine on those shoes? He completely missed the backs!  Who cares about his awesome interview skills when he’s such a hot mess?  Ew.

While to men this might all sound a little far-fetched, it is the truth about what you’re up against if a member of the opposite sex sits in that interview room, so pay attention to the details. Women will be sizing your appearance up from the moment you walk in until you turn around and leave, whereupon she will be judging your BACK!!! This has been caught on camera and documented in studies—psychologists are proving more and more often just how silly we creatures are—the backs of the shoes! Who would have known that in addition to brushing up on your interview skills you have to pay attention to your rear view?

So how can you hone these dirty little interview skills to your advantage—besides shining the backs of your shoes, of course?

Simple.

In addition to showing off the fabulousness of your standard interview skills, let them drink it up. They want a nice long look at you, and who can blame ‘em. After all, you’re hot stuff (keep telling yourself that), and they are only human. Distract yourself with something after your first handshake. Rummage through a briefcase, go through paperwork, or move your seat while looking away. This is a powerful gesture and it gets our biological impulses out of the way without having to throw open an over-sized trenchcoat with nothing underneath and screaming, “Happy Birthday!”

In fact, when this technique was tried out in a series of sales interviews for filming projects, it was proved that the salesperson felt better throughout the interview and their new interview skills ended up getting them better sales—all because they let nature run its course. Everybody loves a little eye-candy from time to time—who are we kidding?

But that doesn’t mean that you should rely on your appearance alone, no matter how good you look.  Brush up on those interview skills, but don’t forget to smile and look pretty!

Tags: job interview skills

Tags: job interview skills
Posted in Free Articles, Home Job Interview Tips, job interview skills | No Comments »