查看完整版本: Employment Interviewing

百宝箱 2006-6-12 11:09 AM

Employment Interviewing

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                   Seizing the Opportunity and the Job
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Interviewing  is the most stressful part of the job search for many
}q+N,m:A people. But it doesn't have to be. Interviews are an opportunity to showc8Z&P5y ~
you are an enthusiastic worker who would do a job well.
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{V'Y6Q@4~ You can make the most of that opportunity by being prepared, presenting
4l `)G _5E7u-n a professional demeanor, and describing your qualifications well."aO@/Q3m%Arji||

6x fF WcKD+\ There are many types of interviews: screening interviews, designed to6Ny*J3P$^'_
whittle the applicant pool; longer second and third interviews, intended
Lx&Z[%IDxS~ to help employers make final selections; and telephone and video
5oo%A7s%W8g conferencing interviews, arranged to capitalize on available technology.
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B%P&lq{6i v Although these interviews often have different purposes, they all
+D4B-]%re xKm require basic interviewing skills. Read on for advice about what to do
"]#Pl$i:b5F(~ before, during, and after a job interview. The sidebar on page 17p ^0f%k(R{4y4s
discusses ways to enlist good references, and the special feature on
3jV2r{`nA page 19 offers tips about job fairs.4PurN?8J? q ] ~f

+V/`R$?P'N Preparation
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Career counselors say a good job interview starts well before theb-}-B:U3X0gHaJ#x
jobseeker and interviewer meet. Preparation can be as important as the
0r B[:WD J interview itself. Researching, practicing, and dressing appropriately5A:g?)F Be$q2Y^
are the first steps to making the most of a job interview.
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:Z3@%Zj-L }@1Ff5f Research. One of the best, but most fre-quently overlooked, ways to
v ct!MZV'X6U Q demonstrate enthusiasm for a job is to research both the company and the(vF(rd?AS
position for which you are being interviewed. Employers say they are:k/NP x1hr%e6x1s6s
impressed by well-informed jobseekers.
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*~ h(r_P6f C Q'[ Before arriving for an interview, you should know what the company does, q9a1Qrf4o
how large it is, any recent changes it has undergone, and what role you:[ Wn&b-W$K/g[
could play in its organization. Try to learn about the company's goals
4L]%U@*fH and values. With these facts, you can show how your qualifica-tions
1d#nT;QP|O _ O T match the company's needs.
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4N5JY:_Sf The company itself is often the easiest place to start your search. Many
K*r)s&U1yf businesses fill their websites with information tailored to jobseekers.`r,U1B? E
These sites often include a history of the company and a description of
~([.t%GC#i-~$}&a:o its products and customers. And many companies' human resources
.T2T3K2IWbEY departments will send recruiting information if you request it.F }+s(o7z O%B'@ ~yGQ
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Public libraries and career centers also have valuable information about|N:^c?$N5r
employers, including companies' annual reports to shareholders, reports
QO2r!Z7W4Z5Ps kept by local chambers of commerce, trade journals, and business;bNjk ?1|._D
indexes, such as Hoover's Business Index and Dun and Bradstreet.
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Practice describing yourself. Another important step in preparing for a'Dr.s$`-u(DJ
job interview is to practice describing your professional
&S&mD5Pnc4XK0k characteristics. Think of examples from past jobs, schoolwork, andf/wy$\B l-`/l`0Fm
activities to illustrate important skills. Recalling accomplishments
1S/HZaM'S!g;X\:L beforehand, when you don't have to respond under interview pressure,7YB$e1Y~J/T['{
will strengthen your answers during the actual event.UpzYmN@2M3Y
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Every interview will be different, and there may always be surprising
p(w!cu6D7|TV'qJ questions. Nevertheless, interviewers suggest rehearsing with a career q/l I3L Y jBT LR
counselor or friend to gain confidence and poise. As a starting point,
cjs:rZ try to respond aloud to the following:P _){`4f

?*NH6l g&H * How would you describe yourself?
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* What did you like most about your last job?
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m)gCS8P b(mg * What types of courses do you enjoy most?
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`F8YF$D#M y * Why should I select you over other applicants?
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QP m/pZ * What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?B^(@ M!Ha!dq6v {
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* What are your hobbies?x%r;~6W+z

i]\9r`'O * Tell me more about the project you described on your resume.
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~g8F6m-z6Xm * Describe a work or school-related problem and how you solved it.(J!F ?4{*^M!^h

!n{p"t v@] * Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team.Xzl&o*xA1n ^\Ns

[~m.d _y r$nx * What are your short-term goals?YkB]$l5_

6]hCE1L+x * Why do you want to work in this occupation and for this company?
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Each question gives you an opportunity to illustrate your favorable
;nI1w QK&er characteristics. When responding, focus on subjects related to the job.k4j`c,MS7`a&K
For example, if asked to describe yourself, talk about your professional
?%T5t?8o:|Y characteristics and background, not your personal life. T&R8^d aTa6o_
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Some questions -- such as those about hobbies or interests -- may seem
i:]G3B)yu(b? z irrelevant. Interviewers ask these types of questions to learn about6KF!`T$x9cP(Puq
your personality and test your interpersonal skills. In addition,
&q1n}tmD;@(X answering questions about your hobbies or interests allows you to
2j L st'g G e:d~ i highlight some of your other strengths. Participating in a sport mightQ'{(\ `vy
demonstrate teamwork; ability in a craft, such as needlepoint, shows anOT0M5I$N9yZ
attention to detail.7f)s%J6RG*AV/@!N

p{ZrE Z Career centers and libraries have many books with additional questions.rv6Bf E`k3b
and possible answers. The goal is not to memorize responses to these
-@v,d3p'C*W r questions but to become comfortable speaking about yourself, your
5Zie6@&[8MWE!`1d training and experience, and your career goals. Responding to interview
-k ` P uQIsO&BL questions should not sound as if you are reciting a script.
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Whatever the question, be ready to accentuate the positive. The
6wu Hf8`._:? interviewer might ask for a weakness or failure; choose one that doessC:kv-@i
not affect your ability to do the job, or describe a shortcoming you are
/}O'p%Df-N working to overcome. For example, if interviewing for an entry-level
4t#[eVy@ h#A&m9M Q t job, cite your lack of paid experience. If there are weaknesses evidents)N&gm aaa-v'P
on your resume; or transcript, such as being fired from a job orJ+qis4M#HYb9LI
receiving poor grades, rehearse an explanation before the interview in
3P'Woq(R case you are asked about them. Focus on what you learned from theol MLzc
experience, being careful never to criticize a previous employer or`n`_A
coworker.!@4cH"B"q$Z1F
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Dress professionally. Securing a job is much easier if you look the
x6b-p9XT*I tF J~g part. A useful guideline is to dress as you would for an important day
/x6f-i'T7b+Cq on the job, like a meeting with a supervisor or a presentation to a~"} J3`"c/Q8N-o_#N
client.si'r0rw-N
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Clothes should be clean, well fitting, and wrinkle free. Most employers$~~h;ZG.A
expect jobseekers to wear a traditional two-piece suit, preferably in a;{.x'g x$M,I$b
conservative color such as navy blue, gray, or black. The object is to%P5u z G u(W7A
look reliable, not trendy. Many employers say that women's skins should
Hg5m`5dy be knee-length or below.  Polished, closed-toe shoes complete the N'VpP5WU3n
professional image.
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Avoid last-minute clothing disasters by trying on your suit a few days4`:m ^8Og7G
before the interview. And plan for the unexpected: if you will wear a1mv,c2l v L8Im
skirt, buy an extra pair of stockings; if you have shoes that tie, get
nilf\b|s more shoelaces. Bring such extras along with you the day of the$N!zC |Y3t
interview. L U%d0@|
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Keep hair neat by tying it back, putting it up, or cutting it short.SY-f$I pHbB^
Avoid cologne and perfume, large pieces of jewelry, and heavy or2g2orl0_cG8e(w7g
unnatural makeup. These distract the interviewer from your*[_-O;sim+fVpm
qualifications.R6oTM*Ds
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}\m.]U-Nu n to be continued………………………………………………
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查看完整版本: Employment Interviewing