An interview should be a conversation, a two-way discussion, bouncing back and forth, with questions asked and interest shown on both sides. As an interview coach I would say that interviews are not always balanced. Sometimes the interviewer/recruiter is not skilled and hides that lack behind a formidable or authoritative demeanour. Sometimes the interviewee is so desperate for the job offer that he or she quakes in fear of taking a wrong step and thus interviews without presence, passion or good impression. An interview doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be productive. Keep in mind that most employers are looking for three things: that you can do the job, that you fit the team dynamics and corporate culture, and that you will take the money offerred. Doing the job involves more than existing skills... ... Read more

Job seekers who are scheduled for interviews often assume they’ll be dealing with interviewers who know what they’re doing. Not necessarily. What’s more, those interviewers might have hidden agendas that you as a job seeker have no clue about. That being said, you increase your chances of making it through the first interview and into the second round if you keep some interview preparation do’s and don’ts in mind. (Note: Any direct quotes below are from an article called “What’s Wrong with Interviews? The Top 50 Most Common Interview Problems,” by Dr. John Sullivan.)

Interview Do’s: Things you should always do

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No one ever said finding a job is easy. It can be a lengthy process and include several rounds of interviews before you land an offer that is right for you. The good thing is that if you are receiving positive responses and getting interview opportunities, your resume is doing its job – reeling in opportunities for you to further make the case that you are the most qualified candidate for the job. There’s no guarantee that all interviews will go smoothly. It would be fair to say that from time to time there will be an occasion or two where you do not perform your best. It may because of one or several factors, such as an unexpected late arrival to the interview, your inability to communicate with focus because questions were not clear, you stumbled on responses because you did not have enough information or did not come prepared enough, your nerves got to you, or there was a lack of rapport with the interviewer. Even if there are times when you do not perform your best in an interview, it is important to not give up. Continue with a professional follow-up and stay motivated. You should:         ... Read more

Over the last couple of years, some executives may have experienced a longer gap between jobs than ever before in their careers. As someone who wants to move to the next step in the interviewing process, you are anxious to hear back from the hiring manager after an interview. What can you or should you do? Following up after an interview is crucial. CareerBuilder conducted a survey in 2011 and found that 22% of hiring managers dismiss candidates who don’t send a thank you note after the interview. Wow! What that says to them is that the candidate has poor follow-through and perhaps even lack of interest in the position. Not a good image for the hiring manager to have if you expect to get called back.       ... Read more

The world can be a weird and wonderful place, but when most people picture the interview process they envisage a nerve jangling and serious experience. This is however, not always the case. More and more employers are increasingly inspired to see how candidates think and cope with strange situations and oddball questions. It’s not always about getting the right answers; instead it’s about seeing how candidates tackle a challenging problem and how fast they think on their feet. So, thanks to our friends at Glassdoor, we thought we’d list some of our favourite zany and wacky interview questions of all time. 1. “What do you think of garden gnomes?” – view answers Asked at Trader Joe’s. ... Read more

Recently I corresponded with a “mature worker” who has been out of work for six months. He had landed an interview, but was dismayed when he realized that his interviewer was still “wet behind the ears.” Yes, that’s a quote. Ouch. By the time one reaches a certain age (I myself am turning 57 soon), most interviewers will seem ultra-young! It is critical, at all times, to see oneself as an equal partner at the table, whether one is quite young and the interviewer much older, or vice versa. ... Read more

If you’re at all like me, you probably enjoyed the “Winnie the Pooh” stories as a child (and maybe still have a soft spot for them as an adult). So I was immediately intrigued when I saw an article by Jeff Davis titled “The Eeyore Candidate.” However, the title was the only whimsical aspect of the article, which dealt with a BIG problem that job seekers can have–possibly without even being aware of it. What is that problem? ... Read more

Edited article originally written by Laura Raines http://www.ajc.com/business/12-job-search-tips-1291030.html As we ring in the new year, executive job seekers will find new opportunities in the 2012′s job market as well. According to the December Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, employers anticipate a 9% increase in hiring during the first quarter of the new year, the most promising hiring Outlook survey since 2008. Here are a few networking tips from career coaches, recruiters and other experts to help you make the most of your job search in 2012. ... Read more

Have you ever hired someone? Sometimes the fictional stories don’t even come close to what happens in the “real world” of hiring. In 20+ years as a career adviser many stories stand out. In an effort to capture some of those ideas we recently filmed Rick, our fictional and very troublesome candidate. Stay tuned for the humorous analogy in this video.  You won’t want to miss Rick’s interview mistakes. ... Read more