How to Discuss a Past Downsizing During an Interview (Part 1)

The key to successful interviewing is being prepared. Certain questions are considered "standard", yet few people think about their responses ahead of time. When candidates are unprepared, their answers may showcase emotions that are valid, but could be damaging to reveal during an interview. One of the most common interview questions is "Why are you currently in a job search?" When you have been downsized and you need to communicate your situation to a hiring manager, your response should combine a positive reflection regarding your previous employer with a brief discussion of the business reasons why you are no longer employed by them. Below are five strategies for crafting an effective statement.

Examine your emotions

Was your position off-shored to a country where labor costs are one-third of what they are at home? Did management reduce their front line staff while increasing executive bonuses? Did your position become redundant after a company merger? When jobs are lost because of these types of situations, people can become angry and feel betrayed by their former employer. If this anger comes across in the interview, you will not be seen as the top candidate, even if you are the most qualified. Nobody wants to hire someone who's carrying around excess baggage or has a chip on their shoulder.

Prior to your interview, you need to separate your emotions from the business reasons for a job loss. Acknowledge your emotions to yourself and those close to you, but prepare a statement that conveys the business reasons for why you are currently in a job search.

Say something positive

Before you discuss the situation that led to your job loss, say something positive about your experience with that employer.

Example I was fortunate enough to work with company X for seven years. I had the opportunity to work with some exceptional programmers and hone my technical skills. I was proud to provide quality customer service to clients at XYZ company. They stood by their products and rewarded employees that made a favorable impression on their customers.

Discuss the business reason for the job loss

Discuss your job loss in the general context of the company. Rather than personalizing the situation by saying things like "I was let go", "My job was eliminated" or "My position was outsourced", discuss how a department, business group or particular type of professional responsibility was eliminated. This shows the hiring manager that others lost their jobs as well and that the loss was not due to your individual performance.

Example Unfortunately my entire department of 20 was eliminated. As a result of a global company restructuring, the company had to reduce their NY workforce by 25%. The accounting function was outsourced and all ten accounting professionals were let go.

Prepare multiple level responses

If you were let go, but your co-worker who performs the same job function was not, it is wise to create two responses. Part one is a general response and part two is used if the interviewer probes further about your situation.

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By Barbara Safani
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

How to Discuss a Past Downsizing During an Interview (Part 2)

Level One A business decision was made to reduce the help desk staff by 50%.

Level Two

For some interviewers the previous answer satisfies their curiosity. Others may probe and ask: How many were in your department and how many were let go? Why were you let go rather than your co-worker?

Assure the interviewer that the job loss was not performance based. Don't discuss any speculations you may have about the company or your manager's motives.

Example: The company suffered low 4th quarter earnings which translated into a 50% reduction of staff in four departments. In my group the 50% reduction represented the elimination of one position. The specific reasons for the decision were not communicated to me; however I can assure you that the decision was not performance related. My manager was extremely satisfied with my performance and has offered to serve as a reference on my behalf.

Keep in mind that if your company's workforce reduction was significant, the situation may have received widespread media attention. If this is the case, the interviewer may comment on what they've read in the papers or say something like "I recently read that company X laid off 3,000 employees in the 4th quarter...that must have been an extremely difficult time." Stick to your original story, be sure to say something positive about the company, and don't turn it into an emotional exchange.

Practice

Write out what you plan to say and make revisions. Practice your response with someone close to your situation such as a family member, friend or colleague. Record your response on your telephone answering machine, play it back and critique it. Have you personalized your situation or discussed it in a business context? Do your words flow and do you sound sincere?

Preparing an effective statement to explain the reason you are in a job search is critical to the overall success of your search campaign. Reflect on the positive aspects of your work experience and take the time to create a statement that explains your reasons for being in a job search. You will enhance your confidence during the interview and improve your credibility with the hiring manager.

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By Barbara Safani
Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/

The 10 Worst Answers to Job Interview Questions

Let me start by saying that these might not be the ten worst answers to job interview questions of all time. They are, however, among the ten worst responses that I have ever heard. That’s right -- these are all true.

Some of these responses I heard from students in career development classes and others actually came from people who were interviewing with me for real jobs. Hopefully you won’t recognize yourself in any of these examples.

1. What interests you in this job?
Answer: I don’t know. I couldn’t possibly afford to work here for the amount of money you are paying.

2. How would you respond if a student asked you XYZ?
Answer: You’ve got to be kidding. No one would ever ask me anything that stupid.

3. Why are you interested in working in sales? (Note: It was a sales job.)
Answer: Oh, I’m not. I hate sales. I would never work in sales.

4. Are the hours of this job convenient for you?
Answer: Oh yes. I’ll just get my boyfriend to drop the kids off here when he picks them up after school.

5. Why did you leave your last job?
Answer: Everybody there hated me. They accused me of stealing and I got sick of it so I walked out and never went back.

6. How would your last boss describe you?
Answer: Lazy

7. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Answer: I don’t understand the question.

8. What did you like best about your last job?
Answer: It sure wasn’t my boss. I hated her. I don’t know who she thought she was, firing me.

9. How would you handle an irate customer?
Answer: Come get you to deal with it. Stuff like that isn’t my job.

10. What’s the most important thing to you in a job:
Answer: Plenty of sick time. I’ve got three kids who are always sick and nobody to help me.

While this list may make you chuckle, the point here is that people actually chose to answer job interview questions in this manner. It really isn’t funny when people don’t know better than to talk themselves out of even being considered for jobs they might otherwise be qualified for.

The people who were my students just kept answering the same questions over again until they came up with acceptable responses. The other ones? I hope that at some point they figured out better ways to respond in job interview situations.

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By Mary G. White
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com/

How to Prepare For an Interview

Once you get the call for the interview, the next thing that you have to do is prepare for it. You can never over prepare for an interview. The more prepared you are, the harder it will be to make mistakes. It is best to prepare yourself emotionally as well as intellectually for an interview. Giving a great interview is not as hard as some may think, but not as easy as others do either. Here are a few things that must be done in order to prepare for your next interview.

Remember, during an interview, you are a salesman. You are there to sell yourself to your prospective employer. You want to market yourself in the most interesting way possible. Great preparation for the interview is your best bet. A salesman that is knowledgeable, friendly and positive always gets the close.

Do Your Research

It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or experience you have about the position that you are trying to get in a company if you don’t have a clue who the company is or what they do. It is disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to tell your interviewer what their company is about. How else are you going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good addition to their company?

A good and less time consuming way to get to know about a company is to look up their website. You can get all of the general knowledge about them that way, including the names of key people and their job titles. You should sift through most of their pages, including the pages that show samples of their work and/or products. You can also look them up in the media files if there are any. Read the articles about them and soak in as much information as possible.

Another thing that would be nice to do is to check out the surrounding area around the company. It makes for a nice breaker during the interview. You can make a comment about a particular monument or resting place nearby.

A trickier way to get a little extra information about the company is to call them on the phone and ask general questions, without referring to yourself as a potential employee. It’s a nice way to get the goods on upcoming promotions etc.

Know Your Contact

When called for an interview, ask to whom you will be talking to. It is nice to be able to greet your interviewer by name at the beginning of the interview without first being told who they are. It shows that you are on top of things, and have prepared before hand.

You will also want to do some research on the person that will be conducting your interview. Learn what they do for the company and try to get some samples of their work or achievements in the company.

If you know what department that you are going to work in you may want to get the names of your potential colleagues and superiors prior to the interview as well. This way you can get some information about their roles in the company and the types of work that they have done.

Mention some of the things that you learn about your potential colleagues in the interview and about how much you look forward to working with them in the future. If you can, give an example of their work so that you will appear more sincere.

Practice Your Responses

It is best, if you are prone to nervousness, to practice giving your responses to the questions that may be asked of you. You should practice your wording and the tone of voice that you plan to use; Try keeping your responses as brief as possible, but with as much detail as you can.

When you are trying to work out the proper responses to the interviewer’s questions, you will also want to practice the art of getting your nerves under control as well as ridding yourself of any other odd habits while talking; like expressing yourself with your hands.

Practice answering your interview questions with a friend. Get his or her opinion about your delivery and gestures. Perhaps your friend will have some nice insights for you to use during the real interview.

Dress the Part

Pre-select your attire the day before your interview. You want to make sure that your clothes do not have any wrinkles or stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the type of job that you are applying for. If you are going to work in an office setting, you should dress conservatively. Soft earth tones are best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show too much skin. A nice dark suit is good for a male.

Of course if you are planning to work outdoors or in an artistic environment, you can dress a little more casually. Just be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over sized clothing, and under sized clothing. Women should try and avoid wearing too much make-up as well. It gives the wrong impression.

Even in the hotter seasons, you should not wear sandals or gym shoes to an interview. It sends an unprofessional message. The same goes for hats and other accessories.

Get Organized

Make sure that all of the things that you will need for the interview are prepared the day before. Make a checklist of the things that you will need if you have to. You should always have an extra resume handy during the interview. You should also bring with you a note pad to take notes during the interview if needed. (Only write down the important things that you think you will need to remember)If you have a business card, have one handy, it makes for easy contact later, and it also shows that you are professional and may help the employer to remember your name.

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By Calvin Golden

Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/author/965

How To Ace An Interview: Planner And Check List

The interview is a very important part of the job search process. It is, however, only part of the process. The first step of the interview is to prepare for the interview. The key to a successful interview is advance preparation. Solidifying yourself as the best candidate comes after the interview. This interview planner covers the three stages of a successful interview –before, during and after.

Before the Interview

You should not go into an interview without preparing for it. It is important to anticipate what the interviewer will ask and expect. The more prepared, poised and confident you are the smoother the interview will go.

Create a job “shopping list.”

Determine what would be the ideal job. This should be your wish list of your expectations. Don't sell yourself short or reduce your expectations to fit a particular job.

Prepare your interview portfolio - include current company literature, current job description (if similar), personal compensation history, extra resumes, references (peers, employers, subordinates, clients, vendors, etc), actual letters of reference, performance appraisals, memos/letters confirming achievements, college or continuing education transcripts, articles written by or about you, text of speeches you have given, non-proprietary designs, drawings and reports you have developed, press releases detailing awards you have won, testimonials about you.

Set up a separate file for each company with whom you interview. Then you can customize accordingly the materials to be presented accordingly.

Prepare and study an interview cheat sheet. List the key elements you wish to discuss. Note key points and questions about the company.

Research the company, industry and the product or service they offer. Keep key facts or points fresh in your mind to utilize in the interview. Know the company philosophy.

Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Study these carefully and prepare your answers accordingly. They interviewer WILL ask if you have any questions. Make them good ones. Allow your questions to give them more insight into your fit for the job.

Prepare a list of questions you expect the interviewer to ask you.

Have a friend do a dry run interview. Test your answers. Sit still and think give answers that present you best. If there are any questionable areas in your background, you need to be well prepared to answer these confidently and with conviction. Do not be defensive.

Purchase correspondence stationery and thank you notes. Have these ready to go for the post interview stage.

Identify your basic interview wardrobe and select an outfit (and back up) that is considered fairly conservative for your field. Consider your accessories carefully, no flashy jewelry or outlandish ties. It’s always better to err on the conservative side.

Polish your shoes. Get the heels replaced if necessary. Make sure to wear appropriate business shoes. If expected to visit the plant or manufacturing facilities, check on the shoe regulations and bring and extra pair. This also helps you to look well prepared and efficient.

Get a manicure and haircut.

Call the assistant or secretary to confirm your appointment.

Confirm the address and directions. Know where you are going in advance. If you are unfamiliar with the location, consider a dry run (especially if its during peak traffic times.)

Get a good night’s sleep.

Day of the Interview

What to take:

Take your portfolio and extra resumes.

Take the name(s) of the person(s) with whom you are meeting with as well as the assistant you spoke with previously.

Take a comb, tissues, emery board and breath mints. If necessary take an extra pair of reading glasses.

Take a few pens, a tablet and business cards.

Take an appointment book to record follow up interviews and prevent over-booking.

TIP: Don't schedule one interview after another. Interviewing is an exhaustive process you will want time to rejuvenate in between appointments.

What to Do:

Be calm. Don’t stress or panic. Be confident and remember your preparation. Get organized.

Call the assistant or secretary to confirm your appointment with X.

Confirm the address and directions.

Check your materials.

Put everything in one small briefcase or professional folder.

Leave yourself plenty of time to get there. Plan to arrive early.

Before you check in visit the washroom.

Let the receptionist know you are there and take a seat.

Mentally review your assets.

Smile. Shake hands firmly.

Go get ‘em!

After the Interview

Send a thank you note immediately. Reinforce your attributes. Make sure you sell yourself again.

Keep track of all career related written and verbal correspondence. Set each up contact in a separate file.

Make yourself available. Ensure you can be reached at the number(s), fax and email you listed.

Note: Make sure these numbers are not your current place of employment.

If you do not hear from the potential new employer within one week, follow up. Make a phone call to inquire about the position. Ask how far along they are in the decision making process and reiterate your interest.

If you do not get the position, send another letter of thanks and ask that they keep you in consideration for any other comparable openings.

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By JoAnn Hines
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Hines

Tips for a Great Job Interview

Submitting a great resume to a job posting is only the first step in landing your ideal position. The interview becomes the next high priority. On paper, many people appear qualified, but it is what you communicate during the interview that will make or break your chances of receiving an offer. The interview is the step that can set you apart from the other applicants - for better or for worse. Hiring personnel make their decisions based largely on how you answer their questions, how you look, and how you conduct yourself. This is where it pays to be well informed on what you should do and, just as importantly, what you should not do during the interview process.

You must make a great first impression. That means dressing appropriately in a suit and tie for men, or a pantsuit or skirt and blouse for a woman. Even if you are applying for an entry level position, you should dress in a business-like fashion that portrays confidence and business sense. You also want to walk in with confidence, and shake hands immediately with all present, using a firm grip. A first impression is something that your future employer will remember long after they have met with many candidates.

Next, "wow" them with your research of the company. Always come to the discussion knowing the basics of what the company does, how long they have been in business, their top executive, and what the job you are applying for entails. That prior knowledge will help you to articulate what you can do for the business in the role for which you have applied. It may also impress the person conducting the interview when you bring up a company related topic with which not many people are familiar. However do so subtlety and only when the opportunity is presented. Forcing such knowledge into the conversation comes across as phoney.

Another tip to have a great job interview is to be cautious about your body language. As with almost any relationship, it can be more important how you say something than what you actually say. If you are slumped down in your chair and not enthusiastically showing your interest, then no matter what you say could be perceived as disinterest in the job. That is why you need to sit up straight, keep good eye contact, smile routinely, and allow your body language to communicate your honesty, enthusiasm and openness.

Finally, portray your confidence level. Answer questions with a purpose and don't hem or haw during the interview. Even if you do not know the answer, just say so instead of making something up or elaborating on something that is not asked. Your answers should get to the point while simultaneously providing some level of detail. Confidence often reflects competence, and that is a trait all employers desire.

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By Mort Ferguson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mort_Ferguson

Common Answers To Job Interview Questions

Interviews can be the most daunting part of the job application process for most job seekers. For those job hunters that have encountered many arduous interviews, the best way to reduce stress is to be well prepared and confident of your skills and abilities.

How To Prepare For A Job Interview

A good way to prepare yourself for a job interview is to gain knowledge through research and to think of as many questions as possible that may be asked. It is advisable to go through the most commonly asked questions, as the chances of these questions springing up during the interview are strong. It is also wise for you to research and collect any information you can about the history of the company. In doing so, you are preparing yourself to come up with smart and intellectual answers for any question that might be asked.

Most Commonly Asked Questions In An Interview

To give you an idea of some of the most commonly asked questions, here are a few standard interview questions along with some of the most appropriate answers:

· The first standard question will always involve the interviewer asking you to give some information about yourself. This includes your name, your address, past experience, position title in previous companies and job description. You should always give the exact details about your previous company and position.

· Next, the interviewer will generally ask you about your job expectations and what you have to offer to the company. You should be prepared with an answer about your expectations for the job and what you plan on doing for the company if you are hired. Always be confident when answering and try not to sound like you have memorized the answer.

· You might be asked about salary and how much you expect to be offered. You should never be the first to discuss numbers. If they want a range, simply say that you are open to negotiate and wait for them to bring up a number first.

· You will be asked about your roles and responsibilities with your present or previous company. You should always be positive and precise when it comes to describing your former employer and work duties. You might also want to describe your previous work experience and explain how it relates to the position that you are applying for.

· Many companies are extremely particular when it comes to your abilities and how well you handle challenges and problems. You may be asked to answer certain situational problems just to test how you resolve issues and how effective you are at coming up with solutions to problems.

There are plenty of questions that you may be asked about yourself as well as your expectations. Always make sure that you are well prepared. More importantly, show the interviewers that you are confident and knowledgeable. Always make it a point to be positive during the interview. An optimistic attitude will ultimately help you land the job.

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By Tony Jacowski
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Jacowski