Getting Your First Job Interview Call
Getting a call for job interview is one of the greatest desire of many job seek. Most will never be able to get it if they did not learn the new ways of getting a job interview call.
Practice
The importance of practice and preparation cannot be emphasized enough if you really want to be called for that job interview.
Generally, a job hunter is much more versed in the fine art of interviewing if they have been out looking for jobs and interviewing for a while; it is critical however for newcomers to the interviewing scene to know what to expect, how best to behave in an interview setting and how to answer the questions in a manner that reflects on them most positively.
Be updated on current literature.
Have the company, industry and product line well researched
You are much more likely to impress and convince the employer of your unique suitability for the job if you are intimately familiar with the company, its position in the industry, its product lines and what may be required for a candidate in your role.
Once you can see yourself as part of a “big picture” you can better formulate your answers, prepare your skills inventory and formulate your success stories as they directly relate to the company’s requirements.
Familiarity with the company puts you in a good light of been invited for an interview.
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Keep your cover letter brief and to the point
if questions are asked, answer them in a precise and succinct manner and make sure you do not ramble or get carried away on an irrelevant and inconsequential tangent.
The more you get carried away on a given question the more likely you are to slip up and communicate weaknesses.
Demonstrate clarity of mind and thought process by making your answers simple and to the point – this does not however involve killing the conversation flow with yes/no answers. Interviewers do not call mediocre for interview you may lose your chances.
Bring to bear facts and data from your past experiences to support your answers
Make sure to support all your answers with accurate facts and figures to gain credibility. Expound in detail on targets achieved or overachieved and talk about measurable milestones and contributions to the bottom line whether they be in terms of money made, money saved, losses averted or otherwise.
Be very specific about your skills and describe past success stories that support them in accurate, quantifiable detail.
Past excellence will give you a higher chance of been invited for job interviews
Know your strengths and make sure you communicate them at least once
The interviewer is looking to call a winner for the interview who has had a record of achieving success in a similar capacity in the past.
Be prepared to elaborate on past successes that bear in a direct manner on the present job and show how those experiences are directly relevant to the role, responsibilities and skill set required for the present job.
Keep in mind that the employer is looking to minimize his/her risk by hiring a candidate who has excelled in a similar or identical role in the past and can brings these skills to bear on the present job.
Even if your past job was very different than the present one, you will be able to come up with success stories that relate directly to the job requirements in that they highlight key skills or character traits whether they be creativity, initiative, problem-solving acumen, sales skills, negotiation skills, communication skills etc.
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Do not dwell on weaknesses or personal matters
Shows you know what key skill you need further work on and are willing to take action on it and the second approach reiterates a key point of strength.
You may also mention a weakness that is completely unrelated to the position at hand e.g. if you are applying for a creative role in and advertising agency you can mention that your accounting or investment management skills are not your strongest point and you are much more comfortable in a creative role your sincerity will make them consider giving you a call for the interview.
Talk like an insider
If you have researched the company, industry and product lines thoroughly you will be able to talk like an insider and impress with your insider’s insight on relevant issues.
Keep the conversation flow fluid and informative by bringing up facts you have learned about the company and its products and competitors and show how you, armed with your unique skill set and experiences, can positively impact them and you will be sure to get an interview call.
Do not over-promise
Don’t promise what you are not in a position to deliver. Your over confidence will eventually catch you out, with potentially serious consequences, should you actually get called for the interview. Promote your skills enthusiastically but stick to the facts.
If you really pay attention and implement all these facts, you will see yourself getting more interval call than you have ever imagined.
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