While possibilities may open up for you, you may not only want to brush up your resume to land that interview, you may also want to be aware of the signs to look for to aid you in knowing, well, you did not have the stuff to land the job.

Here are the key signs that you need to keep pounding the pavement:

• If the interviewer extends you a hug, and typically, this will come via a female, just know that you screwed up the interview, like, really bad. Not only that, but know that she pities you and think you are pretty much going to screw up on your next interview because you were just that horrible. It really is up to you as to how you receive this nontraditional conclusion of an interview. If you are desperate, you may think she really liked you and the job is yours. Though, believe me, your feelings of desperation will wear off after about three days when that much expected call never rings your phone. Let me be the first to encourage you to keep your head up. At least you got a hug and you probably needed that more than the B.S. you may have had to put up with at that job.
• Should the question, “Have you applied anywhere else?” comes up somewhere in the interview, be assured that you will not be the candidate to fill the position for which you are interviewing. Not only is this an insensitive question, somebody’s mother did a poor job of raising that person who interviewed you and worse, this is the person who pretty much makes decisions within the company. How much etiquette can you envision within the company if someone is as tasteless as to ask a person who desperately needs an income whether they are still looking for employment? Do you not think that is a ridiculous question given the state of the economy? Is the interviewer some kind of narcissist to think they are so great that you would not have the intelligence to apply for positions at other companies? Should this be a question you are presented with, immediately question the professional etiquette of the company. Hold your head up high when you walk away. Someone who insults you is not worth holding your head down for.
• Do not be led into thinking you are such a strong candidate when the interviewer informs you the company will continue to interview. In some cases, it is all a numbers game. Companies are required to select so many prospective job hunters to give the perception of equal opportunity. In some instances, the company may already have a candidate in mind, perhaps a neighbor or somebody’s cousin named Bob Smith, from around the corner. Be suspicious of this kind of language and again, keep your head up. Chalk it up as experience you have gained in interviewing. The job will come that is right for the particular skills you have.

I do hope this has been an eye-opener for you. If in any way, you picked up on negative connotations, this is not to discourage you. In the meantime, write out a list of what your special skills are and match them with what your passion is. Either this should direct you on a different path for your job search or bring out the entrepreneurial spirit in you. Trust me, there is something you can do to bring in a source of income with what the universe has provided you.

Signed,

Somebody Who’s Looking Out

www.totsymae.com

It’s not impossible that the interviewers that you will be meeting are the ones that interviewed you previously. Maybe they want to know more about you, maybe they are just sitting in etc. Thus, always try to remember what you said during the first interview and you can also refresh their memory of you when they are present.

Never let your guard down!

You are at your second(or subsequent) interview means that you stand a higher chance of being selected but it doesn’t mean that you are selected. If you haven’t met the hiring manager of the position in the first round of interview, then most likely, you will be meeting them and/or the head of the department. This round of interview, what you need to impress them is how you can communicate with them as you will have to communicate with them during working times. Make the conversation flows smoothly but you shouldn’t be treating the interviewer as your friend because that is probably not what they want. 

Getting the job?

The 2nd interview is to sign your contract for the job? Congrats.  

Look into the contract carefully before you sign.

What should you look out for:

Basic details would be your job title, pay, working hours and days, benefits such as annual leave, medical leave and hospitalization leave and what are the notice period/penalty if you have to leave the job.

Addition details that you should look out for are

i) any over time claims such as over time allowance, transport claim, meal allowance

ii) any additional clause that will bind you to the contract even after employment that forbids you to be employed by any company of same nature?

iii) bonus such as completion bonus, performance bonus

picture source

They researched the company.

They did their homework and have a basic knowledge of the job they are applying for. For example if one was to apply at General Electric Company, it would be wise to research first. Typing GE Company into the search engine will provide a variety of sites. By selecting a few of the offered sites a background of said company can be obtained. If the applicant was then asked what they thought the company’s mission was they would be able to answer and not feel ill at ease. They would also know that GE is dedicated to technology, services and finances; operates in more than 100 companies and employs 300,000 people worldwide. Knowing this not only makes the applicant more confident but allows them to feel a desire to become part of the team which they will portray during their communications with the interviewer. The pride will be evident. Also, now the idea of becoming a part of a company where one could work anywhere almost in the world is planted in the back of the applicant’s mind making the position more desirable. So if this is something that sounds appealing read on.

The successful applicant listens intently.

It is important to listen and not just let the mind review what they are planning to say. A quote made by Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States states “You can overhear but you can’t over listen.” . Focusing on the interviewer is imperative.

Packaging is important!

The applicant or employee is the package and dressing right is important, so is cleanliness and fragrance. An overwhelming perfume, cologne or aftershave may not be inviting to the interviewer.

A survey of over 100 top executives in America revealed these statistics:

·         84% turned down applicants who were not dressed properly at their interview.

·         72% said they would hesitate to promote those who did not dress properly.

·         96% agreed that employees who were well dressed were more apt to be promoted.

The successful applicant knows what is on their resume.

If their work history is extensive they have wisely  reviewed the resume before beginning the interview as it is desirable to match the information provided there. For more on preparing a power resume read: How to Prepare for the Job Market or Career Change. Some of the same power packed words used in their resume should also pepper the interview.

An interview is a sale’s pitch to end all sales’ pitches and the product is an invaluable employee; one that is productive, dedicated, resourceful, diligent, and innovative.

They answered the questions in the best light.

Now that the mood is set and confidence is high here are some sample questions an interviewer might ask and some suggestions for answers. Answers should be honest but prefaced in the best light to portray the applicant’s best side.

1. How would you handle knowing that a coworker (who is also a friend) is looking for another job if you were being promoted to their manager?

The applicant advised this actually did happen to them. Their dear friend was tired of the continual late nights putting a damper on their social life. But she was up for promotion and her friend/coworker confided to her that she was looking elsewhere as she wanted “her life back”.  The applicant, when being interviewed for the promotion could say she had crossed that bridge. If, and she was, promoted she discussed this with her friend and advised her she would allow her to get out of work no later than 6 pm three days out of the week. She gained the respect of upper management and a loyal subordinate.

2. What is one of your weaknesses?

Used this to point out how an obstacle was overcome with tenacity and resourcefulness.

An interviewer wants answers indicating that the applicant can:

·         Be resourceful and can solve problems, uses good logic

·         Can build good working relationships with the other employees and with clients. Is flexible enough to have a give and take at work.

·         The applicant is one that can be entrusted with responsibility and the ability to get things done.

·         Be original and can think outside the box.

After the interview is over offered a firm hand shake and sent out a thank you card to follow up.  

It is thoughtful to thank the employer for the time they took out of their busy day to interview. They will be appreciative of your thank you and this will remind them of your qualifications. Some suggestions for things to include in the body of the card are:

·         Thanks to the interviewer.

·         A recap of one of the highlights of the interview.

·         A reminder of what was advised regarding a follow up.

·         A follow up email address.

·         A closing including “cordially”, “sincerely”, “best regards” or “best” and then the signature.

Each year more than 20,000 dolphins are slaughtered off the coast of Taiji, Japan in a little cove that seems so purely breath-taking until the beginning of September, and the end of March when the fishermen try to hide their dirty secret.

         When the dolphins begin their migration, the Japanese fishermen go out in boats and bang on metals poles that are in the water, these sounds confuse and scare the dolphins into the cove. Once there, the dolphins are harpooned to death.

And why does this slaughter occur? Purely for money. The dolphins who aren’t slaughtered are sent to aquariums across the world (worth up to $200,000) and stuck in captivity until the day they die. There they’re fed dead fish only if we tell them what to do, and they listen. We learn nothing from dolphins in captivity.

I interviewed a cove guardian named Elora West, she was only 16 at the time of her experience, when I asked her if she thinks we learn anything from dolphins in captivity, she wrote:

“In captivity their behavior completely changes, they practically go insane. We are only learning what effects captivity have on them.”

“If someone locked you in your room for ten years and you had no one to communicate with, you’d probably go insane. If someone were to come and study you, it’d be a faulty study, because it’s not who you are, it’s what captivity has made you.”

And the rest of the dolphins who aren’t so “lucky?” They’re slaughtered. Sold to the town as whale meat. Dolphin meat is highly toxic and the levels of mercury can be up to 16 times the amount of approved safety level.

Mercury poisoning causes memory loss, hair loss, and fatigue, amongst other issues.

         Sadly, half of the Japanese people are naïve that this is occurring, and hardly any even eat dolphin meat.

How many of you had any idea this was even occurring?

It’s hard being an activist and living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and so I try and do what I can here.

SaveJapanDolphins.org has several options for you to help, no matter where you live.

Just click on Take Action.

And please, if you are against this, the more people who actually take the time to help, the bigger a difference we can make across the world.

Creativity in performance is not a job requirement by the traditional means. Interviewers do not identify this facet, nor do they find any need for it to be present in a prospective candidate. But studies have shown that Creativity is something that allows the person to be more proficient.  A BusinessWeek article pens down, “According to a new survey of 1,500 chief executives conducted by IBM’s Institute for Business Value, CEOs identify ‘creativity’ as the most important leadership competency for the successful enterprise of the future.”

There can be a statement as to a creative idea being very different from the skills that are needed for a creative approach to performing tasks. There still remains a question as to how to look for and find a creative person during a job recruitment. The characteristics listed below are crucially specific to help identify the person capable of executing a an idea. 

Communication Skills –  As a leader the ability to put forward the idea clearly and concisely is a very important skill. there needs to be  the simplicity of thought that allows one to put forward his views in the most simplest manner.

Problem Solving Skills –  A successful creative will not see a problem as a means of disturbance but as an opportunity to grow further. This state of mind makes the person think outside the box and not within the problem itself, as in a traditional approach. Solutions are sought more easily and the results have been more simple and convenient.

Curiosity –  The willingness to question and probe more into a subject creates a better leader who is more  inventive fearless and resourceful. Voltaire, a French philosopher has quoted “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”  Staking to ask a question is sure to go a long way in finding the answer.

Pro activeness – As the meaning would suggest it is the ability to act in advance to deal with a forecasted difficulty.  The more the pro activeness of a  leader, the better his team is lead.

Risk Taking –  We can only truly learn and develop when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zones.  One should be open to failures and not fear from them. This mental attitude is crucial in leadership, it shows that you have been open to take a risk and have learned from it.

1) What grades are required for entry to Oxbridge?

At the time of writing (March 2011) Cambridge are asking for, on average, A*AA, although individual offers can vary if the admissions tutors want to make allowances for certain circumstances. Oxford have recently adopted the A* grade and are asking for A*AA for the majority of science courses (A*A*A for Maths and Statistics). AAA at the moment for arts courses.

2) Do I need all A* GCSEs/a huge amount of GCSEs?

This question usually comes in the form ‘My life is ruined, I’ve just got my GCSE results and only got As and Bs, now I can never go to Oxbridge’. For one, Oxbridge isn’t guaranteed even for those with millions of A* results and there are plenty of well respected universities in the UK that will be suitable for you! Some people with lower results get in while those with higher don’t-it’s all down to individuals and an application is more than just exam results. I myself got in with only 3 GCSEs! So do your best but GCSEs by no means guarantees an acceptance or rejection.

3) I’m an international student-what grades do I need?

I am not an expert here so you are probably better off contacting the individual colleges as offers do vary and there are so many different qualifications and situations to be taken into account.

4) What kinds of questions will I be asked in interviews?

The media always seem to publish ‘out there’ questions such as ‘tell me about a banana’ or ‘if you could invent one word what would it be’, while these kind of questions might come up (and let’s face it they’re fun to research and answer…unless it’s just me…that’s a story for another day though) they would only make up a small proportion of any interview. Interviewers are much more likely to ask you about a passage or work they’ve given you beforehand or to ask you how you would approach a problem to see how you think and process information than ask you to describe a banana or any other type of fruit or vegetable.

5) Is it worth joining an applications service to help me with my application?

Cambridge and Oxford both say no, I say no and most people I’ve spoken to say no. These services only provide what can be found free elsewhere-there are many free guides and forums on the internet providing information and help plus you can get any statistics/interview information/practice tests from the admissions offices. There are even free personal statement checking services (I’d recommend trying out thestudentroom forum where it can be posted in private and good advice can be given). Ask a teacher or parent to do sample interviews with you where you get used to talking about your chosen subject.

6) What should I include in my personal statement?

It should be made up of predominantly academic interests-your achievements and qualifications will be listed elsewhere on the UCAS form so there is no need to include those or many extra curricular activities (see next question). The most important thing to demonstrate is that you have read around your subject outside of school and the curriculum and you have thought about what you have read. It shouldn’t be a list of extra reading but you can maybe mention 3/4 books or journals you have read and explain briefly your ideas about them to show your thought process and understanding.

7) Do I need a lot of extra curricular activities?

These are not very important, while they can help to show your character and that you are a person outside of your studies, no amount of being a head boy/girl, singing in the choir (unless you’re applying for music!) or work experience will cover up your academic achievements and interview. Try and put only the most relevant activities (linked to your subject if possible) on your personal statement and if you do write about other interests limit it to a short paragraph.

Feel free to comment with any specific questions or article requests on this topic and I’ll try my best to help.

-         Being on any committee looks good on your CV

If you are attending your prom, then this means that you are leaving school and are about to go on to further education or start applying for jobs.  The grades that you achieve in your examinations are extremely important and will be the first thing that colleges, universities and prospective employers will take into account when considering whether to offer you a place of study or a position of employment.  However, many other people will have achieved exactly the same grades as you and colleges or employers will then start to consider other factors that make a candidate stand out.  They will look at what other skills and attributes a candidate has to offer, other than their academic achievements.  Being on the prom committee will provide you with the opportunity to show colleges or employers that you have taken an active interest in many aspects of school life.  It will also give you the ideal opportunity to talk about skills which are proven through your involvement with the prom committee in important areas such as teamwork, communication and organisation.  If you have a creative streak, being on the committee may give you the opportunity to use these skills and to include these on any future applications that you make or as a discussion point in interviews. 

-         You will have fun making arrangements

Getting together with people, planning and thinking of ideas can be great fun.  You will make new groups of friends and cement the bonds and friendships that you already have.  Despite the possibility that being on the committee will be time-consuming, you will be spending this time with people that are as interested as you in making the party go off with a swing.  On the night of the event, you will also feel a great sense of achievement that you have been a major part of planning such a wonderful event.  In addition to this, it is a great way to end your school career, knowing that you have made a real difference to yourself and your fellow students.

-         Your opinion will be heard and make a difference

You don’t want to be one of those people who goes to the event saying that it was really good but would have been better with a different theme, or with a different band or with a different location.  If you have such strong opinions about the night and the way it should be, then make your voice heard and make a significant difference to the proceedings of the night.  Being on the committee is the only way that you can have any influence on how the event actually runs. 

Very difficult to “withdraw” the ideal of male beauty, as one of the ladies like “piling muscle macho, others are more impressed by the imposing and refined throughout the metrosexuals. And still others – crazy …

However, research centers across the globe do not seek easy targets in their studies, and certainly if someone wants to know what nationality of men is the most beautiful women, then this poll they approach seriously.

Male Beauty Company commissioned an extensive global study on the subject of one of the world-famous research company Synovate, and has received satisfactory answers about male attractiveness and beauty.

The survey was conducted among males and females between the ages of fifteen and sixty-five years. For interviews was chosen ten thousand participants from twelve countries located on all continents. Here are the names of participating countries: Britain, France, Spain, Russia, Greece, South Africa, China, Malaysia, Australia, Brazil, USA and Canada.

According to the survey revealed the following: Italian men took first place on the appeal. Followed with some delay, are Americans. Third, the very pride of place occupied by the Russians, while the fourth proved to be Brazilians.

Surprisingly, most interviewees were convinced that the appeal has nothing to do with athletic or correct “ideal” features. Hygiene and its mandatory compliance – that is, is what is valued much more!

Among the other advantages of 20 percent of respondents indicated a sufficient self-confidence and ability to behave with dignity in society. Well as the weaker sex (especially the French and the English) are impressed by the beautiful open smile of a man.

Age was not a hindrance to win women’s hearts. Over 60 percent of respondents give said that over the years, men have become even more compelling than in his youth.

Should also adopt another important fact revealed to the research: women actually give a much more significant things that seem uncritical men, and vice versa. For example, a thick head of hair or its absence is almost no effect on male sexuality (only 1 percent said hair an integral part of beauty), but the men’s fragrance is a very necessary attribute of the conquest of the weaker sex.

Women, it turns out, love not only with their ears, and nose!

I wanted to debate on many different subtopics, so my first goal was to find out what the students thought were most debated and why. After that I asked did they have an example, whether being a receiver of the way or being a witness to it. Really just to organize the debate, I put the subtopics in order of how popular they were as answers from the students. The order is as follows:

1. Clothing

2. At parties

3. In front of the family

4. Severity

5. Using implements other than the hand

These are the main things you will see opinions on and examples given. Some students were very open about the subject, which I appreciate and they are the ones whose stories will mainly be used. I thank all the students who participated in this and all interviews I held. No personal information will ever be used in examples nor opinions. Some of them said they wouldn’t care, but I just don’t feel like it would be safe due to the fact that apparently this is also a subject pervs like to read about and I can’t control who looks at the debates.

If someone wants you to work for them or they want you to study in your university it means that they have an interest in you. Imagine that this is just some old friend you met and you are telling him what have you achieved during the time you haven’t seen him.

Try to show your interviewer that you are not shy, try commenting on lets say weather, the tea you are having or something like that and you will the get a respond from your interviewer. You will then be able to see what kind of person you will be speaking with for a while. This way you will become friends with the interviewer which will make you more confident in what you say.

When you start speaking, and when you get asked some questions, answer from your heart and say what you truly think is right, that way you will be expressing your personalized which is one of the best ways to have a confident dialog, because human nature tells you to express and to defend your believes. 

If you are feeling nervous, mention it to your interviewer! Say that you are an emotional person or if it is your first interview, say that! It will help you, thats how human psychology works. When both sides know whats wrong they will work together to overcome the problem and you will feel more relaxed, because the person you are speaking to knows how you feel and you don’t have to hide it anymore, this way it will naturally go away.