Dressing for a Job Interview

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The surprising request from an employer regarding interview clothing made me realise how much the world of work has changed over the last couple of decades. A client showed me an email he received from Apple Canada in reply to his application for an in-store sales position, which inviting him to an interview; the email specifically recommended that he dress casually, in a pair of “neat jeans” and a “collared shirt”. This is a sharp contrast to interview dress recommendations I have heard from other, even similar, employers over the years, who often expected a suit and tie, even from the applicants for the most basic entry positions.

While this simply reflects on an increasingly casual culture in many large companies, it also reveals how interviewing is changing. In an attempt to sort through a growing number of applicants for each advertised job, employers are trying a range of creative techniques to get to know their candidates better, including a more chatty, relaxed approach, which encourages candidates to be more honest. But, don’t be fooled, employers still expect a certain standard of dress and behaviour, and may judge candidates harshly if they do not conform.

So, what are the principles of dressing for an interview?

The basic principle for choosing clothes for an interview is that candidates should dress slightly better than the general dress code of the company. They can figure out the dress code in the company by either visiting the location, or speaking to employees in the company (or in similar companies). The bottom line is that job seekers need to know their target sector, and aim to look like insiders.

If candidates are unsure, rather dress too formally than too casually. If candidates realise that they are overdressed in the interview, it’s always possible to disarm the issue by pointing it out in a confident, yet self-effacing way (“I realise now that I’m dressed too formally — I’m quite glad to see that the dress code is more relaxed than I expected!“). Candidates who are too casual risk being regarded as not taking the interview seriously enough.

Different fields have different dress codes: banks and law firms tend to be more conservative and so a suit may be necessary, whereas the more creative fields and non profits may be more casual. But, this isn’t always the case — a fundraising foundation in a hospital setting, for example, can be quite corporate in its appearance.

If the sector is casual, unless indicated by the employers, it may still be better to avoid jeans and sneakers. Also, avoid too much jewellery and don’t use perfume/cologne (some companies have a scent free policy). For more detail, read How to dress for a job interview, in Canadian Living magazine, which offers some good basic recommendations regarding the standard expectations of employers for women. Some good tips for men can be found on Monster.com: Dress Appropriately for Interviews.

Ask the Employment Specialist: Body Language in the Job Interview

Dear Joanna,

In my efforts to prepare for an upcoming interview as a Marketing Specialist at a Fortune 500 advertising firm, I met with an Employment Counsellor at JVS Toronto. She gave me feedback that was painful to hear, saying that my body language gave the impression that I was not interested in the position. She said I slouched in my chair, kept fidgeting with my pen and did not smile. I was shocked to hear this feedback.

I thought my countless strengths, in-depth experience and expertise would qualify me for the interview, especially if I was able to answer the questions in a professional and clear manner. Please let me know what you think about body language in an interview.

Signed, Bad Body Language (BBL)
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Dear BBL

Did you know that 87% of messages pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in the words that are spoken,  38% of messages pertaining to feelings and attitudes is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said), and 55% of messages pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in facial expression. Did you know that communication is 7% verbal and 93% non-verbal?

According to Amy Levin-Epstein, in her CBS MoneyWatch article, Job interview posture: Body language power tips, how you present yourself in an interview (how you sit, stand, walk, dress) is as important as what you say, if not more. She quotes Amanda Haddaway, Director of HR for Folcomer Equipment Corporation: “There’s an old adage that communication is 7% verbal and 93% non-verbal. If you’re not projecting confidence and competence through your body language, the interviewer may not feel that you’re the right fit for the position”.

Creating a positive impression on an interview goes beyond what you say: it’s how you say it. Based on research, Dr. Albert Mehrabian’s Communications Model offers tips as to how to create a positive impression, including:

• always smiling when greeting the other person
• using the interviewer’s name
• shaking each person’s hand
• speaking with confidence and enthusiasm in your voice

Your gestures and how you sit at the table can demonstrate confidence; the hiring person will mostly evaluate your performance on this critical non-verbal communication, rather than only on your qualifications. In the end, it’s about building relationships. The interviewer will ask himself/herself – do I want to work with this person or do I want this person on my team?

Amy Levin-Epstein, in her article Job interview posture: Body language power tips, interviews Lisa Panarello, founder of Careers Advance and a finalist in the Toastmasters 2010 World Championship of Public Speaking, and provides these fantastic tips to make sure your body language is at its best on the interview day and that you make a great impression:

1.     Sit and stand up straight and avoid fidgeting. Slumping and fidgeting tells the interviewer that you don’t care about the interview and the  job. To demonstrate professional behaviour, keep your back straight and lean in slightly when spoken to, to demonstrate interest in the speaker.

2.     Practice and prepare. I am impressed that you are practising with your employment counsellor. Take the feedback seriously; your counsellor is correct to tell you the truth, because there is a big difference between how we feel we’re presenting ourselves and reality. Remember that JVS also offers Mock Interviews, where we use a camera to film your performance, so you can judge it for yourself.

3.     Dress appropriately. Make sure you look neat and professional, including making sure you have proper footwear and fitting outfits so it’s easy for you to walk with the interviewer. Stay away from too much jewellery and don’t wear any perfume or aftershave lotion. Many offices have scent-free policies, which you don’t want to contravene.

4.     Show some emotion. Try to remember to smile throughout your conversation; stress can cause you to frown, so be aware of your facial expression. Also, try to maintain eye contact (without staring) with the interviewer. If you are in front of a panel, try to have eye contact with each individual as best as possible. Tell stories as if you are reliving them –that will help the interviewer relive it with you.

5.     Walk with the interviewer. Follow the interviewer to or from the room, and make sure to keep their pace. Don’t fall back behind them or go ahead — but always make sure you leave enough room when walking (you don’t want to be stepping on their heels or tripping them up).

6.     Stand strong. If you find yourself standing for long periods of time, whether it’s presenting during a group interview or introducing yourself to potential co-workers at their desks, keep your footing stable. The best strategy is to be sure to stand on two flat feet. “Do not lean on one hip (too casual) or rock back and forth (this shows nervousness and will be distracting). Also, keep your legs and feet in line with your waist — too close together and you will teeter, too far apart and you will naturally want to cross your arms for balance, and you’ll look overconfident or closed off.”, suggests Panerello.

I would recommend practising again with the counsellor, friends and family to get their feedback. If you follow these tips, I have full confidence that you will do well in the interview and hopefully be closer to the job offer.

Joanna

To submit your questions for this column IN CONFIDENCE, please email dearjoanna@jvstoronto.org.

Ask the Employment Specialist: Dealing with the Receptionist

Dear Joanna,

I went on a job interview yesterday, and as I was instructed at a JVS Job Interview Workshop, I showed up 15 minutes earlier, to stake out the business first. I was greeted by the Receptionist who, quite frankly, was annoying. She kept asking me questions. Who am I here to meet? What was the job I was applying for? She was so nosy. It was none of her business as to my reasons for being at this company yesterday. What business did she have prying into my business?

I was wondering how to handle this situation with the Receptionist should I find myself in another interview with another busy-body Receptionist?

Annoyed Interviewee (AI)

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Dear AI,

That is great that you arrived early to become familiar with the company who was going to interview you. But you made a huge mistake by underestimating the power of the Receptionist in organizations. Receptionists’ opinions are highly valued at companies; often, they act as gatekeeper, and they deliberately assesses the candidate from the beginning. A company’s Receptionist can make or break the hiring decision, based on their experience with the candidate.

Kwoh and Weber (2012) from the Wall Street Journal write a fantastic piece (The Receptionist is Watching You) on this issue. Be nice to the Receptionist, they warn, because the interview begins the moment you walk through the doors of the company. So make sure your best behaviour should start immediately – don’t save it for the interviewers or managers! Do not assume that the receptionist or administrative assistants don’t matter. It’s just the opposite, add Kwoh and Weber; these frontline workers are “sharp observers who can instantly sense whether someone will fit in with the company culture.” Fitting into the company culture is often considered more important than technical skills.

Many bloggers write on this topic. Kwoh and Weber quote one Executive Assistant who explained how a bad first impression can ruin one’s chance of getting past even the front desk. When Hiring Managers are unsure about a candidate, they will ask the Receptionist who often can have the final say in the hiring. In another case, the Receptionist didn’t even pass on the resume to the appropriate managers because she was offended by the candidate who gave her the envelope with an attitude, treating her as if she was his slave. So, beware of your behaviour. Everyone you meet in your efforts to look for work or even after you have a job, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. It could be the security guard, the office clearer and, in your case, the Receptionist.

Cathy Vandewater, a former Administrative Assistant, responded to Kwoh and Weber’s article in her post Impress the Receptionist: 5 Tips for Your Next Interview, with some useful guidelines for dealing with the receptionist at your next interview:

1. Don’t just be ”kind”; be professional and respectful.  It’s great to be friendly, but remember that the front desk person isn’t just a “hi and bye” character in your prospective working world. Very likely, you’ll need to interact with them every day, and you may need to rely on their support to get your work done. Be collegial and showcase your professionalism too.

2. Remember that the Receptionist is not on your side. Vandewater recalls the many times an interviewee politely greeted her, then, moments later, leaned in and whispered a question about what the boss is really like to work for. This was tactless. Treat the Receptionist just like you would your interviewer.

3. Keep in mind that the Receptionist is watching you. Make sure you dress and act professionally at all times in the office where you are having an interview or even if you are simply dropping off a resume. Pretending office staff is invisible to the point where you’re behaving inappropriately is insulting and damaging to your reputation as a professional.

4. Don’t flirt; it isn’t cute. Sure, you’ll very likely make a fun, light-hearted impression in the moment by complimenting the Receptionist. They might give you their number, but they won’t refer you for the job. While flirting might be fun, sexual harassment or tension in the workplace is not. Don’t cutesy your way out of a job opportunity by forgetting where you are.

5. Don’t let the Receptionist do more work than necessary. If you need help with directions, or dialing in to a conference call, consult with the administrative staff in a patient and respectful manner. Don’t assume they are there to serve you. Be thankful when you get help, and linger to have some light conversation, to show some genuine gratitude.

Remember that the Receptionist is in a powerful position, which — if you are respectful – can serve you well.

All the best with your job search,

Joanna

To submit your questions for this column IN CONFIDENCE, please email dearjoanna@jvstoronto.org.

Stand Out in the Group Job Interview

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It may surprise many job seekers to hear that, in this competitive economy, employers continue to struggle to find the best candidates who can meet their specific job requirements. The reasons for this are varied, though probably best summed up by an employer who complained to me recently that finding the most suitable employee these days “is like trying to find a needle in a haystack”.  In their struggle to sort through the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applicants for advertised jobs, employers try a range of different methods to help them to identify the precious few affordable candidates who can actually do the job reliably and competently, while getting along with their colleagues, managers and customers. One of these methods — probably one of the most challenging for job seekers — is the group interview.

WHAT is a group interview?

Group interviews consist of sessions in which job applicants are invited to participate in small group or individual activities. The activities may include tasks such as preparing presentations, work samples, completing computerised tests or participating in group discussions. They often last 2-3 hours.

WHEN do group interviews happen?

Group interviews are often the first step in a process. Often, group interviews are used to reduce the number of candidates to a smaller group, who will then be interviewed individually.

WHY a group interview?

Employers interview in groups to begin sorting through the many resumes that were received, as well as evaluate the skills which resumes and one-on-one interviews cannot.

Employers may be looking for skills such as:

• communication
• interpersonal abilities
• team work
• leadership
• initiative
• creativity
• problem solving

Employers use the opportunity to assess the candidates in terms of how they perform the tasks, as well as how well and what they produce during the interview.

HOW to prepare for a group interview?

Most importantly, prepare as you would for any interview (we offer tips for preparing for an interview in this post), though be prepared for the possibility that you will not get to talk as much as you would like.

Focus on:

1. Gathering detailed information about company, because group activities may require you to use examples from present or past company products or programs. Information can be gathered from LinkedIn, Google, and the company website for information.
2. Preparing intelligent questions about the company.
3. Preparing a brief 1-2 minute “tell me about yourself” introduction of yourself — practice saying it out loud, to make sure you can project your voice loudly and clearly.

During the group interview…

• As for any interview, arrive early, dressed the part and be as well prepared as possible.
• Make sure to be well rested; sleep deprivation can be bad for your memory as well as your ability to handle stress and focus.
• Remember that you are being observed closely from the moment you arrive, so be aware of your nonverbals — smile, face people squarely, make eye contact, shake hands and focus on the speakers (even if they are the other candidates).
• Greet the interviewers and office staff warmly and introduce yourself to them; don’t forget to greet the other candidates!
• Expect the unexpected; try to respond to surprising exercises or questions in an enthusiastic and open manner.
• Listen carefully; if you don’t understand instructions, ask questions or request examples.
• During the activities, find the balance between taking initiative, but not being too bossy; remember that employers want leaders, but they also want team players. When appropriate, let others take initiative and support their leadership.
• Do your best to demonstrate the skills that you know employers are seeking — do your best to come across as someone likeable, competent, calm, focused and open.

Most, importantly, once you have done all the preparing you can, relax and try to enjoy the process. Your ability to be as authentic and relaxed as possible is key to your success, as you face the interview.

After the interview,

Write a thank you letter. Show appreciation for the opportunity and share what you learned or enjoyed from the experience. Express a continued interest in the position.

Ask the Employment Specialist: Negotiating Religious Accommodations in an Interview

Dear Joanna

I am an observant Jew who keeps the Sabbath and all the Jewish holy days. I am looking for work as a marketing manager. I will be required to leave early on Fridays during certain months of the year, and take the days off for the holy days, as well as leave early on the eve of the holiday.

I am confused as to whether or not to disclose this in the job interview, or should I wait till I secure the job offer? At which point of the job search process do you recommend that I discuss my religious accommodations? I’ve heard many different responses from the community.

Signed: Shomeret Shabbat Job Seeker (SSJK)

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Dear SSJK,

Religious accommodations in the workplace is a hot topic on the Internet. According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in the hiring process, a job applicant’s religion cannot be considered as a selection criterion for employment. Consequently, invitations to apply for employment and job application forms cannot contain questions designed to reveal that religious requirements may conflict with the prospective employer’s work schedules or workplace routines, including inquiries as to religious affiliation, places of worship that are attended, or customs observed, to name a few. Further, the best time to request accommodations from an employer is when a person has been offered employment; at this point, they can notify the employer of any religious requirements that are relevant to the performance of his or her duties.

The OHRC also discusses flexible scheduling. The purpose of this measure is to allow a flexible work schedule for employees, or to allow for substitution or rescheduling of days when an employee’s religious beliefs do not permit him or her to work certain hours. For example, Seventh Day Adventists and members of the Jewish faith observe a Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Observant members of these religions cannot work at these times. Flexible scheduling may include alternative arrival and departure times on the days when the person cannot work for the entire period, or use of lunch times in exchange for early departure or staggered work hours. Where the person has already used up paid holy days to which he or she is entitled, the employer should also consider permitting the employee to make up time lost or use floating days off.

What happens in the real world and with your search for employment is very interesting. Carrie Klians, Emet Employment’s Job Developer, encourages job seekers NOT to disclose on the interview, unless they are specifically asked by the interviewer if they have any problems with the time schedule and hours of the position. Then, Klians suggests that the candidate present the schedule accommodations of early Fridays and religious holy days, and propose that “I would be happy to make up the time as required, and am flexible to work evenings and Sundays”.

Dan Woog wrote an excellent article on Monster.ca on religious accommodations in the workplace. Reassure the employer that you will get your work done, proposes Woog, and “offer to do something for your workgroup beyond what’s required is one way to demonstrate you have the company’s best interests at heart. For example, if you are Jewish and need time off for the Jewish holy days and early Fridays, you could offer to work later or on Christian holidays. It’s less effective to simply ask for days off”. Woog also encourages employees to be flexible about accommodation in the workplace by showing employers that they have taken a thoughtful approach to their situation.

Our Employment Counsellor and Social Media Specialist, Karin Lewis, advises job seekers to focus on making a particularly strong impression during the job interview, so that when you disclose your need for religious accommodations at the end of the interview, employers will be reluctant to risk losing you as a future employee. Needless to say, adds Lewis, you will not be able to work at this company if you cannot get this time off, so it’s critical to come clean in the job interview. Mention to the employer that you need certain accommodations with the work schedule and negotiate alternative ways to make up the time. For example, working from home, starting at an earlier time, working in the evenings and/or on Sundays. Lewis stresses that you should be crystal clear about the accommodations you require, as well as what you are willing to offer in place of this lost time. She concurs with Woog that you should make sure to reiterate to the employer that you are willing to do whatever it takes to do a great job!

Thanks very much for the great question.

Joanna

To submit your questions for this column IN CONFIDENCE, please email dearjoanna@jvstoronto.org.

 

 

Preparing for Salary Negotiation: Researching Salary Rates

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In last week’s Ask an Employment Specialist column, about salary negotiation, our always-resourceful expert, Joanna Samuels, suggested to a concerned job searcher to first ”Make sure you know the market rate“.  After reading this post, another job searcher approached me to ask for tips on figuring out that “market rate”. After some research and consultation with colleagues, I have gathered the following suggestions:

Gather salary information:

There are many, varied sources for salary information:

1. One of the more up-to-date sources is salaries advertised on online job postings. You can find a list of online job boards here, on our blog. Some offer salary calculators, based on the data in the jobs posted on their site, such as Wowjobs Salaries or Monster Canada Salary Wizard.
2. Probably the most useful information can be found by speaking to people in your network — ask for salary ranges from people in the field (don’t ask “What’s your salary”, rather “what is the salary range for ..”). Pose a question in a suitable group in LinkedIn.
3. Online salary calculators, such as PayScale.com and PaycheckCity are popular, though sometimes too general sources of salary information.
4. A colleague at Northern Lights Canada, David McIntyre, recommends using Glassdoor.com, as well as Working in Canada as useful sites.
5. Recruitment agencies sometimes report salary scales. For example, Robert Half International releases an annual report on salary trends. ZSA, a legal recruiting firm, publishes a salary report for Lawyers. 
   
6. Some professional associations/sector specific sites do surveys of their users/members; for example, the Toronto Police and IT World, a job and resource board for IT professionals posts a salary calculator.
7. Google is your friend! Try searching for your  job title, location and the word “salary” — e.g. “accountant salary Toronto”.

Take care when planning your negotiation:

A colleague at JVS Toronto, Bojana Balteva, shared that she cautions her clients that the problem with many of these scales is that they are general and often out of date. Salaries for similar positions may vary according to:

• the company — depends on their pay scale, size, other benefits 
• the candidate — are their skills up to date? have they used them recently? how much relevant experience do they have?
• job specifics– the job might have unique requirements that other similar ones do not, such as a specific language, software or product knowledge
• location — Wages for the same job in Toronto are different, for example, than in Calgary, due to different market demands, as well as variations in cost of living

Also, it is worth keeping in mind that salaries are only one part of an employment package which might include benefits (extended health, health and life insurance, vacation, staff pricing, professional development/training) and conditions of work (such as parking,  flexibility, hours), which job searchers should consider when evaluating a salary. Don’t try to negotiate all of these; this will annoy the employer. Pick a couple of key items, and focus on them.

Don’t forget the intangibles that might come with the job — the aspects of the work that might not be worth money, but may affect how much you enjoy your job, including the simple advantage of being employed in this economy and not having a growing gap in your resume. Also, benefits such as likeable people, a convenient/accessible location, flexible hours or an enjoyable environment might make a big difference and be worth including in your decision.

When pushed to answer the salary question in an interview, remember to be tentative: “My research has shown that salaries for this job range between (…) and (…). Based on my skills and experience, I believe that for this position, a suitable salary for me would be at the (higher/lower) end of the range. I am, however, open to negotiating this.“

Overall, as David McIntyre suggests, “Prepare well, ask, then move forward“. Make sure to prepare a well thought through offer, which isn’t too rigid, overly detailed or aggressive. Know your minimum and be prepared to compromise and accept a reasonable offer. Remember that having accepting an offer is better than not — you can always move on to better things.

Ask the Employment Specialist: Negotiating a Salary

Dear Joanna,

I am so excited to report that I received a job offer for a Project Manager position with a large IT consulting firm.

But I am afraid to negotiate the salary, although I do think it is lower than the market rate by about 10 thousand dollars! I don’t want to jeopardize the success of my new position or the offer. I have spent countless months on this job search, and I just want a job. I don’t want to make my new employer angry and renege on the job offer.

I am even tempted to just accept the offer. However, I am concerned that I might be resentful after a while on the job given the salary is below my expectations. Please could you advise me on how to negotiate my salary in a professional and secure manner.

Thanks so much.

Signed: Happy to have a job offer (HHJO)

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Image courtesy of Nokhoog Buchachon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dear HHJO,

Congratulations on your new job. Indeed, this is exciting news.

There are many perspectives on negotiating the salary in the job offer.

Cynthia Shapiro, in What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here?: 44 Insider Secrets That Will Get You Hired (2008), cautions that failing to negotiate your salary could cost you more than just money. She describes it as one of the biggest and most common mistakes new hires make. This could shake confidence within the company about your abilities before you even start, she adds.

According to the author, the company wants you, needs you and has chosen you, and this is the one time you can ask for money and benefits that you desire and have the greatest chance of getting. Negotiating will show the company that you know that you are worth it and are not afraid to ask. This will help you enter your new position from a point of strength, solid ground, setting you up for success with key decision makers behind you.

Here are some of Shapiro’s tips to help you with your negotiation process to obtain your deserved salary.

1. Make sure you know the market rate for you in this position. Remember that the salary you can command varies, based on where you live and your skills, experience and education.
2. Express your appreciation to the hiring manager for supporting your higher compensation package offer, before asking to negotiate further; consider ending off the conversation with “I’m thrilled about the additional ten percent; but I was really hoping for $x; is there anything else we can do here?”
3. Prioritize. Determine the top one to three things you will be asking for and go back to the negotiating table no more than twice; negotiate each individual item before moving on to the next.
4. Don’t rush. Keep calm and in control. The hiring manager might try to pressure you to make a quick decision, but take time to consider your options and make a decision you can live with.
5. Be flexible. If you were not able to get the salary you were asking for, ask for extra vacation time or another priority on your list by saying something like “Would it be possible to make up the difference in the signing bonus?” You should also be aware when the negotiations are over, the hiring manager’s tone will change. At this point you must decide if you wish to accept the offer.

In Canada Living Magazine, career expert Alan Kearns concedes that while it is true that negotiating the salary package is difficult, the negotiation process could be a great opportunity for you to show that you can remain professional and clear-minded in a high stakes environment. Plus, your pre-negotiation preparation could be the best investment you will ever make. So use these negotiation techniques and get the salary you really deserve.

For a more in-depth exploration of negotiating tips and advice, there is an abundance of information on the Internet. Perhaps you can start the ball rolling by reading Cynthia Shapiro and visiting Alan Kearns’ article in Canadian Living.

I wish you lots of success with your salary negotiations.

Signed,

Joanna

To submit your questions for this column IN CONFIDENCE, please email dearjoanna@jvstoronto.org.

 

 

10 steps to Impress Interviewers on Webcam (or Skype)

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In recent years, employers have been turning to new technologies to try make the recruitment process easier and more efficient.

One increasingly popular tool is to use Skype to conduct the interview, or at least pre-screen candidates. For employers, this is a convenient and cheap way to interview a large number of candidates, regardless of their location. It also allows for employers to assess the technological skills of a candidate.

While convenient for employers, this approach can be a challenge for job seekers, who perhaps are not as comfortable with this technology. 

To help you impress an employer on a webcam interview, here are 10 simple tips:

1. Be prepared. Treat this the same way you would any interview. Check out our check list for preparing for a winning interview.

2. Dress appropriately: Dress as you would for an interview, but keep in mind that solid and simple colours may show better on video. Also avoid shiny distracting jewellery. 

3. Set up computer carefully. Position the computer and camera so you are facing it directly. Make sure the room is brightly lit, professional looking and quiet. Make sure that your face is properly lit, but not too brightly, and that the background is appropriate and not distracting. Don’t sit too closely to the camera.

4. Eliminate all possible distractions. Switch off your cell phone, put off the ringer on your home phone, turn off email and chat on your computer, and put your pets/kids in another room.

5. Set up and test your equipment. Make sure you are registered with Skype, with an appropriately professional user name. Video yourself talking to the camera and play it back to hear and see how you come across. Test it with a friend. 

6. Keep eye contact with the webcam and NOT the screen, otherwise you will not be seen as looking directly at the interviewers. Try not to move too much or talk with your hands, which can be very distracting for the interviewers.

7. Speak loudly and clearly; remember to project your voice and make sure to enunciate your words. Don’t swallow your words at the end of the sentence.

8. Be organised so you can easily find your resume, as well as a paper and pen, and your day timer (to set up the next interview, hopefully!)

9. Smile! When people are anxious, they sometimes forget to smile. Remember that your face is all they can see, so your expressions are more important than ever

10. Relax. If you are well rested and relaxed, you will be able to present yourself in the best possible way. Expect that – no matter how prepared you are – there might be technical problems, and be prepared to take a big breath and solve any problems that come up in a relaxed and confident manner. This will go a long way to showing the employers what they can expect if they hire you.

Ask the Employment Specialist: Impressing Hiring Managers

Dear Joanna,

I just returned from a two-hour and very challenging interview for a position as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative with a huge local drug company. I was drilled by a panel of four interviewers. I was sweating from the stress. The questions were exactly the ones I had prepared for and I believe I responded accurately, professionally and demonstrated my skills and experience relevant for the position.

To be honest, I had a strange feeling from the get-go. It was non-verbal. The interviewers seemed to be distant when they asked the questions. I felt like they were doing me a favour. I felt that they lost interest in my answers. The atmosphere seemed tense to me. I think I am being paranoid and maybe this is because of the typical anxiety caused by interviews.

At the end of the interview, one of the hiring managers said to me that they will be interviewing other candidates and will get back to me after the interview.  My heart sunk. I realized that my intuition was correct. The panel seemed to make a decision quite quickly that I was not in the running.

Please could you give me some feedback about this interview so that I can have some closure and peace of mind. Thanks so much.

Signed: Peace of Mind

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Dear ‘Peace of Mind’,

You are definitely onto something. I feel for the difficulty of this interview and cannot imagine how stressful it must have been.

In the meantime, there is a lesson to be learned here. According to TheHeadhunters.ca blog, research has indicated that interviewers make decisions about candidates very quickly; in fact, they decide in the first 30 seconds to 2.5 minutes.

According to a recent survey conducted by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International, job seekers don’t have much time to spare when it comes to impressing a hiring manager. More than half (52 per cent) of HR managers surveyed said they form a positive or negative opinion of interviewees in 10 minutes or less.

This tendency to make initial judgements –  positive or negative — about a candidate in those first few moments is called ‘first impression error’, continues Headhunters, and after that first impression is made, most hiring managers will then spend the remainder of the interview searching for validation of that initial decision. Often hiring managers and decision makers make mistakes in hiring the wrong person because they have developed an inaccurate perception of the candidate and do not have sufficient information to make an informed decision! For what it’s worth, Headhunters adds that “the first impressions from the candidate’s physical appearance, dress, tone of voice and other non-verbal cues are not reliable indicators of job performance; most managers will think of it as ‘gut feeling’ but really it’s an error in their interview approach and one that can cost them great employees”.

But do not despair. There are some solid techniques that you can apply to make a good first impression, recommended by the JVS Employment Counsellors (check out our blog post on this topic), as well as Raffi Toughlouian, Division Director of Accountemps.

1. Be prepared. Take with you a professional looking binder containing:

• several copies of your resume
• a list of references (only present this when asked)
• the questions you want to ask the interviewer
• copies of credentials and licenses
• paper and pen

If you have a portfolio, don’t forget to bring that as well.

2. Be early: Arrive about ten minutes before the interview time.

3. Walk in with confidence and energy, but do not be overly confident. It’s a balance, Raffi adds: “It’s important to present your accomplishments in a positive light with a good amount of enthusiasm, but exhibiting arrogance can dissuade a hiring manager in selecting you from the other applicants.”

4. Greet the assistant or receptionist with a SMILE and speak respectfully and professionally. It’s not just the interviewer you need to impress! “Remember to be courteous with everyone you meet. Your politeness can help you not only impress the hiring manager,  but since many employers ask everyone – from administrative staff to members of their department – for feedback, this may be a key factor in setting yourself apart”, said Raffi.

5. Pay attention to details: extend a firm handshake, maintain eye contact and present a professional image. This includes ensuring you are properly groomed, as well as having shoes shined, clothing pressed and nails cleaned/trimmed. Do not wear perfume or lots of jewellery. Keep your physical presentation professional and neat.

6. Take note of your surroundings, perhaps reading some informative material about the company. Do not pace the floor. Be aware the receptionist may be watching you, and may describe your waiting room manner to the employer. If you need to present your portfolio, bring your laptop; but, please remember to turn off your cell phone!

7. Be ready to shake hands. Be alert and quick to respond to the interviewer both at the beginning and end of the interview. If the interviewer offered to shake hands at the beginning, then you should offer it at the end. Remember, if the interviewer offers to shake hands, part of the decision to hire or not hire may be based on your response and the warmth and assertiveness of your grasp.

This is an opportunity for you to self-reflect on the first impression that you made, see where the gaps are and how you might improve for the next interview you have. I suggest practising the interview (and handshake) by role-playing with your Employment Counsellor, a family member or friend to get some concrete feedback.

Good luck with your next interview.

Signed,

Joanna

To submit your questions for this column IN CONFIDENCE, please email dearjoanna@jvstoronto.org.

 

 

Checklist: prepare for a winning interview

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

— Benjamin Franklin

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After sending out more resumes than you ever expected, you finally receive that much-anticipated call to an interview. Though this an exciting moment, job searchers often tell me that they worry about being unprepared for this critical step in the job search process.

To help allay your anxiety, we have gathered some tips to help prepare for this important moment:

1. Location – figure out the exact address of the interview and make sure you know how to get there.  It would be best to try and visit the interview location in advance, so you know how to get there and locate the parking or the closest public transit stop.  Otherwise, call and ask the Receptionist for the exact address and directions.

2. Clothes – dress to impress.  Don’t assume the dress is the same across all industries. Your clothes should convey the message that you are a good match to the company. Ideally, visit the office before the interview to check out the dress code. You can also call and ask – explain that you are attending an interview and wanted to know the dress code at the company. Once you have figured out the dress code, take it up a notch and dress a bit better than everyone else, if you can. When staff members see you waiting at the Reception, they should be able to tell that you are there for the interview.

3. Answers – prepare your answers to the interviewer’s questions; be ready to talk about yourself, prepare examples about your work and skills, be ready to discuss difficulties in your work history (such as a bad ending to a job), as well as your weaknesses and strengths. Know how to deal with questions about your salary expectations. Practice answering questions with a friend or job search professional (such as those at our Employment Source Centres).

4. Questions – prepare questions that you will ask an interviewer. Choose questions that present you as someone who is genuinely interested in the job and the employer. For tips on asking questions, check out this article from Monster.ca’s Career Advice site.

5. Portfolio – have a professional binder that showcases your professional background, including examples and evidence of your work, skills, education and accomplishments. For good advice on preparing an effective portfolio, check out the post on Job Hunting Portfolios on our blog.

6. References – bring a list of three references which you can share with employers, if they request it. Also on our blog, you will find excellent tips for Collecting and Presenting References, presented by our Employment Specialist, Joanna.

7. Company research – prepare your research on the company, gathering information about its history, mission and work. You will find information on the Internet, including the company website and newspaper articles, as well as the company’s LinkedIn page (which is my favourite source of company information). Print out the “about us” section of the company website and bring it.

8. Find the original job posting, as well as the resume and cover letter you sent for this position. Read them through with care and make sure to bring them to the interview. I recommend bringing at least 3 copies of your cover letter and resume, to hand out to interviewer(s), if needed.

Organise all the papers neatly in a professional folder, together with a pen, pencil (in case the pen fails) and note paper (if necessary, you can take brief notes during the interview).

Remember to switch off your cell phone before the interview. Take a big breath, put on your best smile and be ready for success!