Job Interview Tips To Excel
Copyright 2006 Prepaid Solutions
So you've managed to secure a job interview for a position that fits you PERFECTLY. Now comes the moment of truth: Are you REALLY ready for the interview? If you've rehearsed what you're going to say and know the perfect answer to every potential question, you're half way there. There's just one important thing you've forgotten:
Yourself.
How do you sell yourself and show your potential employer how valuable you can be to their company? You want to make them hire you TODAY and not even THINK about other applicants. You know you're the right person for the job, so how do you make THEM see that? Here are seven easy steps you can take to really make yourself shine during the interview process.
1. First, find out everything you can about the company you'd be working for. Who are its customers? What is its mission statement? How does the job you'd be performing relate to the company's goals? Finding out this type of information gives you great insights on what kinds of questions to ask your interviewer and shows them that you've done your research and already have some background in the company's business and objectives.
2. Read over the job description carefully. Analyze your own strengths and see how you can tie the two together. If you have previous experience, make note of those times where you helped achieve a specific result. Employers give more serious consideration to applicants who have a background and a track record in their industry than those who do not.
3. First impressions count. It should go without saying that you should arrive 15 minutesprior to the interview, dress appropriately (if not above) the position you're applying for, greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact throughout the discussion process. Be enthusiastic, personable and outgoing. Show a sincere interest in the people you meet and the work you'd be doing. Interviewers can tell if you're desperate!
4. Show that you can solve problems and work well under pressure, since nearly every job will require both skills. If you can identify a particular problem in your industry or that you may face when doing this job, give the interviewer some ideas of how you would solve it.
Be calm, relaxed and confident. Some nervousness is expected, but your overall mannerisms (such as fidgeting, nail-biting, slumping in your chair) will be an instant giveaway on how well you REALLY work under stress. Likewise, if you project confidence and security in how you carry yourself, the interviewer will definitely notice.
5. If your mind goes blank when asked if you have any questions (and you should ALWAYS have a couple of questions ready), consider asking why this position is open. What's the company's track record and turnover rate? Are they performing well and keeping employees on board? Remember, you're not just selling yourself on how you'd be a great fit for this company, but finding out how this company could also be a great fit for you.
6. If an interviewer asks a question that makes you feel uncomfortable, smile politely and ask, "Why would you like to know?" Remember, your employer is prohibited from asking you personal questions, including references to your race, gender, sexual preference, marital status and child care situations. Your interview should be focused on how well you can perform the job, not your home and family life.
7. After the interview, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note. Recount your strengths in the letter and highlight your qualifications. Touch on specific discussions or conversations you had with the interviewer to help them remember that polished, professional, enthusiastic candidate (you). Close the note by letting the interviewer know of your sincere interest in the position and your confidence in doing it well.
Recapping some of the interview tips:
• Before going to an interview, it is best to do some research about the company one is applying to.
• It is also best to practice with a friend or family member mock up questions that the employer will likely ask so you do not choke during the real interview.
• When you go for an interview, it is best to always arrive 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time. This shows employers that the person is punctual and serves as a good attribute in a potential employee.
• When meeting an employer, you should bring an extra copy of the resume and other documents that are needed if asked certain questions. A good example is architects and photographers who are professionals in the respective fields who have a portfolio of the works done which may impress the interviewer.
• It is always best to dress appropriately. This shows the employer sincerity on the part of the applicant applying for the job. One must have finger-nails and hair well groomed for the interview. The outfit worn should be professional. This would mean that shoes must be used to match the outfit. If you typically wear a lot of jewelry, it is advisable to remove and tone it down for the interview.
• When you are in front of the employer, smile and greet the interviewer with a firm (but not bone crushing) handshake which is always a good start to get the interview moving.
• During the course of the interview, listen very well to the questions asked. Each must be answered truthfully and confidently to be able to sell yourself to the potential employer.
• Afterwards, the applicant should thank the recruiter for the time that was given to meet for the interview.
If you keep all of these suggestions in mind, you'll not only have seriously impressed your potential employer, but you'll come away from it feeling like a winner too! Good luck!

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Dan Farrell is the owner of "The Job Hunters Handbook" a complete guide with tips, to landing that 'dream' job. How to find the job, how to prepare for it, job interview secrets and writing winning resumes and cover letters are included.
http://www.bestjob-hunting.com


Earning Your Degree Online
It is not at all surprising that numerous business schools and universities have established online degree programs. Acquiring your first degree or advancing your education has become very popular for a diverse group of people.
Studying for your degree online has numerous advantages. Some of these advantages are:
1. The classes can be scheduled as you like. Studying can be scheduled at a convenient time for you. If you are a daytime worker, you can take classes at night or on the weekend .
If you have a family in addition to a hectic work schedule, it is tough to combine a working life with a learning life-especially if you have to commute to campus for scheduled classes and meetings.
Online degree programs let you study on your own terms, develop your presentations, or take exams when you have the time and energy to do so.
2. Over enrollment of students in classes is a common problem encountered at universities and colleges. Over enrollment in classes is usually not a problem when you pursue an online degree.
3. Students enrolled in an online degree program do not worry about being bumped out of classes.
4. Since you can take all your classes at home, there is no need for a costly commute to campus. The student never has to sit in traffic, wait at a bus stop, or contend with foul weather.
5. An online degree program is adjusted to your needs, as opposed to campus-based programs, in which classes are organized around the schedules of staff and faculty.
One of the best ways to enhance your career opportunities is to enroll in an online degree program. Online degree programs offer great flexibility; they combine online lectures from qualified business leaders with routine class meetings.
More than ever, companies are paying part or all of tuitions for employees who pursue graduate degrees in their field. From a cost-benefit perspective, online learning looks like a wise choice.

For more information about an online degree, visit Online Degree and Online Degree Program
About The Author:
David Chandler
For your FREE Stock Market Trading Mini Course:
"What The Wall Street Hot Shots Won't Tell You!" go to: The Stock Market Genie


Resume: Your First Step to Success
It usually takes 2 minutes for the employer to skip over your resume. After that you will either be invited for an interview or your resume will join a heap of fellow-sufferers in waste paper basket. Surely you are to spend much more time than your employer on the resume to win a chance to be asked for the interview. Unfortunately, competently written resume is a rare case. Some people just overlook the significant detail that make all the difference and that is why they are in constant search of the job. Such strategy won't do.
Your resume should be effective and show you to the most advantage. If at college you never ordered custom term papers managing with the writing tasks yourself, then making a first rate resume will be of no difficulty for you. Otherwise you have to take pains to compose it or turn to professional resume writing service. With the unlimited access to" how to impress your employer" information, most people go to extremes and produce resumes that really impress the employer, but still they are left outside. With their superficial creativity and pretension to be the best of the best they achieve quite the opposite result. Human resource experts distinguish 6 basic approaches to creating a flop resume. See if you have written something of the kind and immediately correct it. Cri de Coeur or "An Appeal from the Shipwrecked" .The style of the resume and explanation of reasons for job hunting are very similar to beggar's lamentation. After reading a few lines of such a resume the employer has the only desire to put it aside and switch over to something not so depressing. Absolute Chaos. "Is it another expository essay or an attempt to write a resume?" - the employee will think seeing such a masterpiece. Such resumes are distinguished by extreme inconsistency and incoherence of presented information. The writer jumps from one incomplete idea to another. He groups the information irrationally and arranges it with no logic at all. Because of the incorrect graphic presentation of the data it is impossible to sort out the essential information. Sometimes the objective position has nothing to do with the previous experience of the person. It is absurd to apply for a position of a Top Manager with a working experience as a Sales Representative. What is it all about? The information you provide your employer with must be as specific as possible. No generalities and avoid the usage of inadequate vocabulary. So why are you here? Resume comprises only achievements and rewards. That is great, I have nothing against it. But why is such a treasure still looking for a job? He might have been a dream of every employer. So, be fair to yourself. Mister X. It may be rather a good resume, but making haste or being careless, the writer forgot to include some important information like contact data or has misspelled it. The person describes his skills and knowledge, but does not reflect concrete work experience – recent positions and responsibilities at each of them.
The employer may have liked your resume, but it is hard to find MR. X. "Museum». This resume types stands quite apart. It is difficult to define it. They may seem quite standard to the inexperienced reader, but the professional instantly notices the hidden contradictions and pitfalls buried behind evasive formulations. Such resumes will describe 10 years' experience of 22 year old president of some corporation. This classification shows that it is very easy to make a mistake composing your resume or overlook it even after revising without knowing the basic principles of presenting the information in this type of document. Resume is too important for you to ignore it. There are only two options for you: write a good resume yourself or entrust this task to the reputable resume writing services.
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