Survive the Interview Process

If you are currently seeking employment or are looking for a better job then you have probably been sending out resumes and waiting for call backs--now it's time to get ready for an interview.

When searching ads in the paper or online be sure to keep a copy of the ad. This way you can tailor your resume specifically for the skills they are searching for in an employee and you can discuss how your experience relates to the job duties that would be assigned during the interview.

Example Ad: Seeking admin assistant with experience in bill receiving and paying, organized and pays attention to detail, strong computer skills, team player to help with variety of projects, copy, fax, file, and email

Make a list of your strengths and experience in these areas plus how much and how long you have experience doing these types of activities.

For example:
Bill receiving and paying- Primary duty in past employment was billing clients. Inputting bill data, printing, and mailing. Received all bills, logged into computer, printed checks, made copies of check/invoice and filed, mailed check. Followed up to verify payment received.

Strong computer skills-9 years experience using computer in variety of settings. Fantastic typing skills (65 wpm) plus 10 key experience. Use microsoft office daily (word,excel,publisher, etc.)

Copy, Fax, File, and Email-Have 9 years experience and feel confident I can meet your expectations when it comes to these duties.

If you find that you do not have any experience for a certain type of skill find a way to ascertain that skill, search online or find someone who can help train you. If you have never used a fax machine, it is easy to learn how. Don't be afraid to learn new things. During the interview be sure to express your willingness to learn new skills.

Prepare yourself for questions that could catch you off guard.

"So why do you want to work here?" "What are your strengths?" "How do you handle out of control customers?" "Is there anything else you would like for us to know?" These are all questions that require a bit of thought, so it would be best to prepare as much as possible. Visit this website for advice on answering various types of questions that might trip you up during an interview

http://www.usatoday.com/careers/resources/interviewcommon.htm

Take several copies of your resume with you to the interview. Also have copies of any letters of recommendation, certificates, or awards that you may have collected over the years of your employment.

Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer. It is not best to ask about vacation time, holiday pay etc. on the first interview. Many companies list their employee benefits on their website and you can find these by visiting the human resource section of their website.

Choose the right attire, have your things ready the night before and get a good nights rest.

Be prepared for tests! Some employers like to administer typing tests for administrative type jobs. Ten key tests and grammar tests are normal. A few employers will even administer personality tests to see what type of person you are. Personally I disagree with this type of test because I think a person's experience is truly what is important, our personalities change with time, I don't think they are accurate enough to rule out someone if they are qualified for the position.

Choose the right attire, have your things ready the night before and get a good nights rest.

Good luck in your interview!