The Do’s & Don’ts of Interviewing. Professional Tips on Success.
Be Prepared
We’re eager to assist you through the interviewing process, which can seem at times overwhelming and downright frustrating. Here we provide you with the tactics and strategies that will lead you in the right direction. After all, the interview is about you - the person that you know best - all you need to know is how to position and sell yourself. For years now, Rice Professional Search has engaged in developing strong relationships with people just like you. Here we share with you this knowledge and experience so you will feel more at ease when your future, assets and skills are the main topic of conversation.
Professional Experience with Job Candidates
We are in business to help you accelerate your career. That’s what we do best. Professionals across the country choose to work with our consultants because of our ability to coach them through the process.
- First and Foremost, we will provide you with:
- A thorough overview of the interviewing company, including corporate chemistry, culture and environment.
- A detailed description of the position, the expectations and requirements.
- An explanation of how the position aligns with your skills.
- Assistance in preparing a professional presentation that focuses on you and your background.
Sell Yourself
No one knows you better than you. But rarely do you take the time to assess your strengths.
When you are searching for a new job, it’s the ideal time to focus on what makes you the most qualified choice. An objective self-evaluation will enable us together to prepare a distinctive presentation that will highlight your greatest assets.
Because every employer is different and every candidate is unique, we work diligently to align the right personality with the right business chemistry.
- Start by Asking Yourself:
- Am I a self-starter?
- Am I a team player?
- Am I assertive?
- Am I ambitious?
- Do I take directions well, listen and communicate well?
- Do I prefer others to take the lead?
- Where do I fit in the scheme of things?
- Next, make a list of:
- Your strengths and skills.
- Strongest area of knowledge.
- Personality attributes.
- Your success stories.
Study this list carefully. When you meet with the hiring official, you want to be able to effectively communicate these assets. It also will help you feel more at ease when describing the experience you bring and the contribution you can make to the organization. This attribute list is the foundation that will help you build a powerful resume.
Your Story in One or Two Pages
Your resume should provide a brief employment history that outlines your responsibilities and achievements at each position. You also should include your education, any notable honors and professional interests. Make your résumé a thumbnail profile, not an epic. It’s your secret weapon to spark interest and secure an interview.
Keep Your Resume Brief
Your resume should be no longer than two pages, preferably one. Include just enough information to create the interview opportunity.
Decide on your Resume's Style
The type of job and industry you’re interested in determines your resume’s appearance. You should employ a conservative presentation on plain white, good-quality paper, using a simple typeface . Make sure your resume copies are quality printed. If you are sending your résumé via e-mail, MS Word or Adobe Acrobat are the most commonly readable programs.
Resume Details and format are critical.
Neatness counts, and typographical errors, poor spelling and faulty grammar are unacceptable. Leave wide margins so the interviewer can make notes before, during and following your meeting. If your résumé impresses the hiring official, it will make a difference in whether or not you get the interview.
Accentuate your positives.
Your resume should present your professional background in the most positive manner. Use strong, confident language to describe your achievements. For example, “As the chief manufacturing engineer, I redesigned our assembly line process, cutting production time by 20 percent and this increased profits by project sector by 15 percent.” Or, “As senior account supervisor, I brought in seven new clients and increased existing client business by 25 percent. These efforts boosted the agency’s profitability by more than 15 percent over the previous year.”
Use action-oriented language.
Words such as directed, established, created, designed, produced and developed are effective when trying to promote yourself. Think of your résumé as a sales piece for your most important product - you!
Less is more.
Never include age, height, weight, marital status and other extraneous details that will distract from the critical content. Salary requirements aren’t appropriate, either. This is usually discussed at the interview stage.
Perfection Counts.
It may take several drafts to turn your resume into your ideal sales tool. Examine your first draft carefully, then refine it. Proofread it carefully. Have someone else proofread it, too. Get another opinion on its content and presentation. Now make sure it answers “yes” to the following important questions:
- Does it effectively describe your background?
- Does it highlight your strong points and accomplishments?
- Is it honest and accurate?
- Is it complete, yet concise?
- Is the format clean and attractive?
- Is it a successful sales piece?
- Does it focus on your value to your other employers?
- Does it make you stand out from the crowd?
Preparing for your Interview
Once your Rice Professional Search representative schedules an interview for you with a prospective employer, it is important that you be well prepared.
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