Tackling those Second and Third Interviews to Land that Job

Tackling those Second and Third Interviews to Land that Job

If you make it to a second or third interview, you are a serious candidate for the job. The key now is to narrow down the candidates. This moment is when you will determine if you get called with a job offer or receive a notice of rejection in the mail. Arm yourself with the proper tools and make an even bigger splash on the second and third interviews than you did at the first one.

The first thing to remember when you are going into a second or third interview is what you said in the first interview. The interviewer will have notes from the first interview so you need to be ready to follow up on things you said initially. This is why it is important to be honest and realistic in the first interview. If you work hard to impress the interviewer and end up lying, you may not be able to recall they lies you told in the first interview. Eliminate this from being the case by telling the truth the first time around.

Be armed with questions about the position and the company in generally. Search through information online about the company and get a feel for day-to-day operations. Type in the name of the company in Wikipedia and see what comes up. Many corporations are listed in this massive Internet encyclopedia and information about the company can be found there. Find out as much as you can about the company you are interviewing with.

If you are interviewing with the same person the second or third time around, ask about their experience with the company. Questions like, What is a typical day for you on the job? or How long have you been employed with the company? can help to build a relationship with the interviewer. It also signals that you are comfortable with the interviewer. Not to mention, who does not like to talk about themselves? This is a great way to keep the interview moving on a positive note.

Have plenty of questions about the position. Show that you have researched the job and are very confident that you are going to get it. The more inquiries you have about the position the more serious and interested you will seem.

By the second or third interview, you will probably meet a number of different people. Shake hands firmly and look them in the eye when talking to them. If you are given a tour of the facilities, ask questions. Do not just let your tour guide point out areas without you taking an interest in them.

Although it may seem like second and third interviews should be easier, do not let your guard down. Stay on your toes and be even more prepared than you were for the first interview. As the interview process moves on you will probably be meeting with the person that will be your direct boss or the director. Interviews with these figures may be much more difficult than the first interview which was probably with a human resource person. Be aware of this fact and have answers for those tough questions like, What makes you the right candidate for this job? Also be prepared for hypothetic situations that may take some spur of the moment problem solving.

No matter what number interview you are on, there are some standard rules to follow. Take copies of your resume to your second and third interviews. Even though the interviewer may have a copy of your resume, you want to be armed with extras just in case there are other people in the department that would like copies. If you meet with different managers they may all ask for copies of your resume. Yes, they have copies, but they want to see if you are prepared.

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Using Employment Websites

Using Employment Websites

Employment websites are becoming increasingly popular. Websites such as monster.com and hotjobs.yahoo.com bring employers and job seekers together. Monster and HotJobs are just two examples of the many job search engines available to online job seekers. By using these websites, job seekers can put themselves in connection with virtually thousands of potential employers. However, just because these websites supply the user with access to potential employers there is no guarantee the job seeker will find a job through one of these websites. There are some tips that can give the job seeker a better chance at being selected for interview and even getting hired for a job. This article will provide some of these tips to help the reader stand out from the crowd of other prospective employees who are using the same website.

Employment websites put job seekers in connection with thousands of potential employers. However, they also put potential employers in connection with thousands of job seekers so those who are really serious about wanting to find a job have to know how to stand out from the crowd before they even meet the potential employer. The best way to do this is with a resume that is really polished. Job seekers should invest as much time as necessary to really fine tune their resume to not only showcase their previous work experience but also define their qualifications and skills. The resume should also be crafted to define the type of job the user is seeking. This is important because job seekers who do not do this will not stand out from the other qualified applicants.

It is also important to create a unique cover letter for each job application. Doing this makes it obvious that the job seeker is really interested in the position and not just sending a cookie cutter cover letter to every potential employer listed on the website. In the cover letter the user should clearly state why he is the right candidate for that particular job. This can be accomplished by carefully reviewing the required skills listed in the job advertisement and highlighting how the applicant has demonstrated these skills in past work experiences. The user should also mention the exact position the applicant is applying for and the name of the company to make the letter more personal and specific.

Users who rely on employment websites to find potential employers should also realize the competition, especially in this economy, is going to be stiff for every available job. For this reason it is critical to pay close attention to the details of the job advertisement. Care should be taken to note the qualifications and applicants should only apply if they are a suitable match for the employer. This will save the employer and the job seeker a great deal of time because the employer will not have to wade through resumes from under qualified candidates and the job seeker will not waste time crafting a cover letter for a job he is not qualified to perform. Perhaps in a stronger economy employers may be willing to take a chance on an under qualified candidate but this is not likely with the current unemployment rate.

Finally, when using unemployment websites to find potential employers, the job seeker should be thoroughly familiar with how the website works before they begin applying for positions. This is important because potential employers can make a number of mistakes which negatively impact their chances of getting the job if they do not follow instructions carefully. For example a company may list their name, website and contact information but may prefer applicants to apply through the employment website. Applicants who bypass the application link on the employment website and send their resume directly to the potential employer are likely to have their application discarded before it even reaches the hiring manager. Likewise some employees may ask candidates to include specific information with the application and those who do not include this information may be immediately disqualified from consideration. For these reasons job seekers should understand how the employment websites work and should follow all instructions included in the job advertisement.

How to Prepare for a Layoff

How to Prepare for a Layoff

Right away, you may be thinking why on earth am I reading an article on how to prepare for a layoff? Yes, this is a good question. We are all encouraged to think positive about the job market, our careers, and the economy. That much easier said than done. Rarely does a day go by without the evening news mentioning a company closing down, laying off workers, or imposing a freeze on hiring. Will you be next? Honestly, you might be. You know the economy and job market is bad when both schools and hospitals are laying off workers. Arent teachers and healthcare workers essential? Yes, they are. That is what makes this whole ordeal scary.

As previously stated, companies, businesses, and all industries are impacted by the poor economy. Workers once considered essential components of a company are now left standing in the unemployment line. When it comes to preparing for a layoff, it is important to start out small. There is no need to get worked up and panic for nothing. With that said, it is always good to be prepared. Whether you know your company is losing money or hear layoff rumors floating around, now is the time to act.

So, how can you prepare for a layoff that may or may not come?

Update your resume. If you have worked at the same factory for ten or more years, you likely havent touched your resume in that same amount of time. In fact, do you even have a resume? If you hear rumors of layoffs, it will not hurt to be prepared. Brush off your resume or create a new one. You can hire a professional resume writer or use the internet to find free resume templates. Use these templates as a guide.

Take a few college classes or career training classes. When possibly facing layoffs, look at the big picture. How much job experience and training do you have in your field and how many jobs are available in that field? Right now, factory jobs are in trouble. Americans working in manufacturing plants are more likely to experience layoffs and find it harder to land a new job. Increase your chances by taking a couple of college classes at night or online or career training classes. They can open up new doors and also give you an advantage over other job seekers.

Start saving money. The biggest concern of Americans laid off and those who anticipate a layoff is with finances. Unemployment benefits rarely come close to what a working American was brining home each week. Since you will have less income coming in, you must spend less. This is not an easy transition. Get started now. Look at your phone, internet, and television packages. Opt for cheaper ones. Eliminate unnecessary purchases, use coupons at the grocery store, and so forth. If you get laid off from your job, you are prepared. If you are lucky and continue working as normal, you have extra money in your pocket.

Work on supplementing your income. With this step, you need to proceed with caution. There are many ways to make money online, but there are also scams. Although the internet is a tricky way to make money, it is usually one of your best options. When making extra money from home, you are usually classified as a contract worker, not an employee. If you walk into your local pizza joint and get a part-time job as a delivery person, you are an employee. Should you get laid off from your full-time job, unemployment benefits may be denied, as you are still technically employed. In addition to supplementing your income, work on raising extra money. Look around your home. Gather unused or unwanted items and host a yard sale or sell them on eBay. Find spare coins to take to the bank.

Have a game plan in place. Although there are no guarantees you will be laid off from your job, it is still important to consider the risk. If you hear rumors or know your company is in financial trouble, it will not hurt to be prepared or have a plan. What do you want to do? Will it be cheaper to find a low paying job or collect unemployment and take your time looking? Do you want to stay in your current industry or go back to school and try a new path? Ask yourself these questions in advance to be prepared.