How to Interview??? Help???

There is a great book called Sweaty Palms - The neglected Art of Being Interviewed - by H. Anthony Medley. I feel it helped me get my job.

I'm sorry you got laid off. I would do research on the places you are interviewing for. When you applied did they have a description, look at that closely and see how your skills fit that position you applied for. The question I always hate, but learned how to make it a positive for me, is "what are your weaknesses"; make it a positive...
On the question you wrote about where do you see yourself in 5-10 years... I would say something to the affect that you first are a loyal employee giving your previous job 9 years and if it wasn't for being laid off you'd still be there... maybe put something about always wanting to improve your skills as well... it depends on what job you are applying for.
Also, be very positive... My baby sister, taught me something when she interviewed for her current job, first time I was around her when she applied for a job... She said she never goes into an interview wondering if she'll get the job or if they will like her, she wants to interview them, is this a place she wants to work for... have the upper hand, be confident in yourself...
God bless and I know you'll find a job soon!

I don't have any specific advice because I've not been in that situation in years.

My only advice would be to just be yourself.

Other than that, I just wanted to say Good Luck on your search.

Here lyou go K., check this out. Hope it helps and good luck! http://www.womenco.com/benefits/articles/3388-15-toughest...

I was in a similar situation years ago. Left a job of 11 years and moved to Texas with my husband. The biggest thing I recall was that I should have practiced. I think the best way to practice is to set up interviews with companies or for positions that you DON'T want. Then you're getting the real thing, without the stress added of really wanting the job. You can kind of watch yourself and think afterwards about a better way to answer certain questions in the future.

Given the fact that your interviews are next week, that may not work. Ask a few friends if they wouldn't mind interviewing you. Remind them that their criticism will actually help you in the long run, so they should tell you EVERYTHING that they think you might do differently (could be something totally unrelated to the questions... playing with your hands, not making eye contact, looking too serious, etc.) Test everything, from them greeting you in the reception area and shaking your hand with a friendly greeting, to your goodbye and follow-up. Also ask your friends if ANYONE they know is actually in a position that they interview people. A stranger with experience would be great... and may help with another connection.

Finally, think of things that make you unique, or WOW factor things you might have done at your last job, and try to figure a way to bring that into your answers.

Good luck!

I would be prepared to answer questions like: What do you have to offer our company (office), Why should we hire you, I have been asked scenario type questions and with those you have to answer honestly how you would respond and what you would do in that situation. Good luck! I would say that while you are interviewing have good eye contact and try and look relaxed. Don't fidget, have slumped shoulders, wring your hands. I am sure that you all ready know these things.
C.

I am a recruiter and the best advise I can give you is to CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE. I can not even tell you how many people I interview that have NO idea about our company! You don't have to know everything but at least know how long the company has been around and what the core focus of the company is. ALSO, when they ask you about questions, always ask at least one...

As a speech-language pathologist, I have recently found myself working with adults whom have either suddenly found themselves looking for a new job, or have decided to work on improving their communication skills to hang on to their current positions (typically accent reduction therapy -- very important in this global market).

From working with those clients, it seems that companies want employees whom are willing to go the extra mile to get what they want. By that I mean - researching their company of interest. Companies seem to want to see that you have made an investment in learning about them -- then they are more interested in reciprocating, and learning about you.

If you do your homework -- it would be very easy to anser the typical, "Why do you want to work here?" question. Perhaps they have been rated one of the top 100 companies to work for, or they have a new product which is of great interest to you, or you have read about their growth - and are very interested in being part of a growing firm because XYZ.

As someone previously mentioned, it has also been brought to my attention that there are a lot of behavioral questions, and a strong interest in your ability in the area of social interaction. I had one client, interviewing for a top management position, who was taken to a bowling alley to play, and get to know the other team members. Not only did she know the company and its competitors inside and out -- but she also spoke to anyone she knew who bowled, so she would be up on bowling etiquette - and not speak at times when it would be inappropriate!

Good luck -- this is a tight market, so do whatever you can to stand out, and find someone to practice interviewing you. It is much different when you actually say the things you intend to say, rather than simply reveiwing your notes in your head.

S.

One of the big trends in interviewing these days is called "behavioral interviewing". Basically, they will ask you a question to gauge how you might react in a particular situation. A sample question might be, "tell me about a time when you were asked to do something that you didn't know how to do" or "tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irrate customer; how did you handle the situation?". The concept of behavioral interviewing is to find a candidate that not only has the skill sets needed for the job, but also has the behavioral skills to fit in with the organization and your potential coworkers & customers. As always, it's best to answer these questions as honestly as possible. If they ask you about a situation that you've never encountered, don't lie. Just say that you have never been in a situation like that before, but if you ever were, you would most like handle it this way.

Also, if they ask you a question about where would you like to see yourself in 5-10 years, be honest, but also try not to say something that makes it sound like you want to be somewhere that isn't at that job. For example, don't say you want to be a teacher if the company isn't an educational institution. Otherwise, they'll know that you just want this job until something better comes along. And don't say, "I want to be married and a stay at home mom" because obviously, they know you'll only be there until you get married/pregnant.

Good luck on your interviews!!

go to the library! there are lots of books about the process of job searching!