Tag: Interviewing

Preparing For The Big Day

Posted on by Melissa Silver

If you’ve been job hunting, you know the excitement you feel when you are finally scheduling that interview you’ve been waiting for! Getting an interview is half the battle, acing the interview is the other half! Here are some tips that will help you feel like your best self on that big day.

  1. Plan your outfit the night before

It is important to choose the perfect interview outfit. Make sure it is clean, fresh and pressed. Make sure all parts of the outfit and accessories are laid out before you head to bed. In the morning, you will be confident putting on that amazing fit. If you need a more in-depth guide to creating your outfit, check out our guide!

  1. Get a fresh start

If your interview is in the morning, go to bed early and wake up early too! You want to be well rested and you do not want to feel rushed. You need enough time to get yourself looking great and eat a nice breakfast or snack. Taking your time in the morning will make you feel calm, organized and grounded. Feeling in control breeds confidence!

  1. Know the ropes

On the day of the interview, you want to have all the important information you need and we aren’t just referring to the talking points you’ve practiced. You need to know the interview time, place, directions to the site and how much time it would take for you to get there a little early. Estimate the amount of traffic to expect and fill up your gas tank if needed. Think of all the things that could set you back and prepare for them beforehand. You want to prep for a stress-free day!

  1. Give yourself pep talks

Fill your mind with positive affirmations. Sometimes, what makes you shine most in an interview is how you feel about yourself and your skills. You got this! For additional tips on managing pre-interview stress, click here.

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Virtual Reality In The Interviewing Process

Posted on by Melissa Silver

In an economy where there are far more jobs than job-seekers, hiring managers will agree that it’s incredibly important to ensure they’re making the best choice. The “best” way of doing that is highly subjective in nature, but one approach that some companies are beginning to take is bolstering their interview process with… virtual reality!
 
According to 52% of respondents to LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends, these innovations to the interview process are very important and, according to CloserIQ’s article, utilizing video or VR have been are “gaining ground.” 
 
A further quote from them reveals that, “Companies that incorporated either video or VR platforms into their interviewing process found they were able to better assess skills, engage candidates more, increase efficiency and improve talent pool diversity, and encountered less unconscious bias.” 
 
For example, it may be easier for someone to showcase their hand-eye coordination or ability to extract and process numerous points of information at once through such an unorthodox method. In any case, it seems as though this way of thinking has gained traction for a reason.
 
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Managing Pre-Interview Stress: Grounding Techniques

Posted on by Melissa Silver

It is perfectly normal to feel stressed before an interview. You may really want the job or you might just be naturally shy. You know that your interviewer will be in control of the conversation and you don’t know what questions they will ask. This stress can lead to anxiety and may make you feel nervous. Here are some grounding techniques to help you reduce and manage your stress and anxiety:

  1. Senses

Sit comfortably, close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. In through your nose on a three count, out through your mouth on a three count.

Now open your eyes. Take your time and say out loud:

  • 5 things you can see
  • 4 things you can feel (Examples: the fabric of the chair, the hair on your forearms, the smoothness of your teeth)
  • 3 things you can hear (Examples: the ticking of a clock, the birds outside, the hum of the air conditioning).
  • 2 things you can smell 
  • 1 thing you can taste (It might be a good idea to have a piece of candy or a mint handy before you start this process. Otherwise, can you still taste the peanut butter and jelly sandwich you had for lunch).

Take a deep breath to end.

  1. Visualize

Imagine the interview going well. Imagine, shaking your interviewers hand and saying you’ll see them on Monday. Imagine coming to work, sitting at your desk and enjoying your new start. Take a look at your negative thoughts and see if they are realistic. Being aware of your unrealistic, negative thoughts can often make them disappear.

  1. Release Your Energy

Sometimes if you are stressed, you are not able to concentrate enough to do some of the grounding exercises listed above. Releasing this pent-up stress and energy can help you relax.

  • Go for a run outside or on a treadmill
  • Clean up the kitchen or vacuum
  • Turn up the music and dance, dance, dance

Once you’ve exerted some energy, sit down and try some of the exercises one more time.

  1. Feel

Hold an object (preferably an object with texture) and close your eyes. Focus on its characteristics.

  • Is it rough or smooth?
  • How heavy is it?
  • Can you close your fist around it or is it much larger?
  • What is the shape of the object?

Now open your eyes and examine that same object.

  • How many colors can you see?
  • How long or short?
  • Are there patterns or pictures of any kind?

Congratulations! You’re now mentally and emotionally prepared for your interview. Just remember, you’ve got this!

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Interviewing For Your Dream Job

Posted on by Melissa Silver

Interviews – the place where your palms are sweaty, your heart races and at some point, you leave with a thought about how you will spend the money you will earn when you get the job.  Being nervous during an interview is common for the interviewee and usually, for the interviewer too.  Smiling, confidence and a good presentation of your competencies are key.

Here are 5 tips to make sure you have a good shot (no promises):

  1. Be on time.  On time = 15 minutes early and not a minute more.  It is polite to be early, but not so early that your interviewer has to adjust their schedule to accommodate your presence.  If you arrive more than 15 minutes early, sit in the foyer or in your car.
  2. Dress appropriately.  Appropriate for a business meeting because that is what an interview is.  Sportswear and attire that you would wear to a party should be left in your closet.
  3. Know your resume.  Good practice – to hand your interviewer a copy of your résumé.  Poor practice – to refer to your résumé when asked questions about your work history because you cannot remember.
  4. Do your research.  Before attending an interview with a company, make sure you have researched them and understand their mission statement, at the very least.  It is very disappointing to an interviewer if they find out you don’t know who they are and a sure way to lose the opportunity.
  5. Thank your interviewer.  Once your interview is complete, be sure to thank the person that interviewed you for considering your application AND send a brief thank you email to this effect.

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Video Recruitment And The Interview Process

Posted on by Melissa Silver

Tired of the same old thing when it comes to discussing roles with candidates? Do you feel as though there’s a component of the process that you’re missing that would really help you connect with the people you speak to every day? Good news– video recruiting and interviewing might just be the cure for what ails you!
 
According to Monster.com, recruiting agencies worldwide are beginning to adopt the use of videos (livestream a la FaceTime or Skype, or premade) as a way to further stretch their brand and become more interactive with potential customers and candidates. To that end, some companies are even pushing boundaries and utilizing facial recognition systems to help vet their candidates!

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