"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."
What is enthusiasm? Enthusiasm is contagious. Getting excited. Being passionate. It’s one of those things that you know when you see it and other people know when you have it.
During an interview enthusiasm comes through in the way that you talk, your facial expressions, the way that you dress and your posture. Would you feel confident in the interviewer if they talked quietly, didn’t look you in the eye, had a weak handshake, didn't smile, slouched, and dressed like a slob?
Take a look at the following 5 techniques that will keep you focused to ensure that you come across oozing with the enthusiasm of a strong candidate whether you are looking to move internally with your existing employer or external with a new company:
1. Enthusiasm when you speak By increasing the volume, the pitch, and the speed when you talk it will also improve your enthusiasm on the inside. Before an interview think of something you are enthusiastic about and keep this thought in your mind whenever you feel your enthusiasm is lacking.
2. Enthusiasm can become a habit Ensure that you practice good interview habits to covey your enthusiasm to the interviewer by standing up straight, smiling, giving a firm handshake, and eye contact
REMEMBER you have to believe in what you want to be enthusiastic about. If you don't believe in something, and you try to be enthused, you will come across to others as being phony. If you believe, your enthusiasm will be genuine.
3. Enthusiasm in your job search The longer you spend looking for work, the harder it can become to retain your enthusiasm for your job search. Whilst you can´t help feeling defeated at times after submitting dozens of applications and attending numerous interviews you need to find ways to motivate yourself, you have to find your inner passion again and again.
If you’ve been looking for work for a while then find an interest that you are passionate about. Even if your interest is not relevant to the job you are looking for then by spending time in the interests that you love will help give you the energy you need for your interviews
4. Enthusiasm during the interview If you no longer feel enthused with your answers or questions then the interviewer will also become bored senseless too! In each interview you need to find something to be enthusiastic about. It could be changing your answer or asking a different question. You need to show the interviewer how you will solve their problem by hiring you and above all you have to be enthusiastic about it!
5. Maintaining your enthusiasm Before attending an interview read something that inspires you or watch a movie that gets your enthusiasm going.
Write out your goals and dreams. I have created a `Dream Chart´ with my 6 year old daughter, we’ve created a chart with pictures of things we want now and in the future. By visualising our goals and dreams each day we have enthusiasm to take the appropriate actions.
There are plenty of ways you can motivate your enthusiasm and they don’t always have to be difficult they can be simple too!
“Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary."
Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/
advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally with your existing employer or externally
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Monday 9 August 2010
P is for...Preparation
“By failing to prepare you prepare to fail”
Why is it that we can sometimes take months to prepare for a wedding, move house, go on holiday or to take an exam or a driving test and yet for some reason job seekers take hardly anytime at all to prepare for an interview?
Too often I hear from people that they didn’t have the time to prepare for the all important job interview that will enable them to work in a better role that will lead to a higher income and therefore a life with more choices and job satisfaction.
Unless a serial job hopper then you can assume that most people haven’t interviewed for a while, sometimes 2 or 3 years or even more than 10 Years. Think back to when you were at school or university how much time did you take to prepare for your exams? Did you receive the results you had hoped for or can you now own up after all these years and acknowledge that perhaps you didn’t prepare enough?
Preparation is essential for all job seekers and below I have listed 5 points to consider when you secure that all important interview:
1) Research the Company – If possible obtain an information pack form the human resources department. Look up the company’s website and research the products and services they provide. What is their ‘Mission Statement’, who is their competition? The internet is a great source of information and you can set up a FREE Google Alerts http://www.google.com/alerts so that when an announcement has been made about the company you are interviewing, you will receive an email informing you. Imagine you found yourself stuck in the lift for five minutes with the MD – what would you say?
TOP TIP
In order to build a good rapport with the interviewer why not look them up on LinkedIn to find out if you have anything in common with them.
2) Read the Job Description – If you haven’t already received a copy then it’s important that you ask for one. How will you know if you’re right for the role if you don’t know what the company requires? Become familiar with both the job title and description, what skills and abilities are required for the role. Compare your experience and knowledge to the job description
TOP TIP
There have been times when an individual has been given the wrong job description or the requirements have changed. Take a copy with you to the interview in case you’re not familiar with the role that the interviewer is describing.
3) Know Yourself – What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your qualities and skills? What are your career aspirations? What do you expect from an employer? How much commitment are you willing to give?
TOP TIP
If unsure then speak to a colleague or friend who can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, qualities and skills
3) Prepare Questions – Asking good questions will leave a good impression and put you ahead of your competition even if your skills are not 100%. It’s always advisable to have 10 strong questions that you can ask either throughout the interview or towards the end. As you will generally find that a number of your questions will be answered by the interviewer before getting the opportunity to ask.
TOP TIP
If you have run out of questions to ask by the end of the interview then show the interviewer that you have listened with interest and ask for him / her to provide more information on a point that was mentioned during the interview.
4) Check Location – No feeling can be worse than realizing you’re at the wrong address just five minutes before the interview is scheduled to begin. Many companies in the City have more than one building so it’s always a good idea to check where you are going before heading off for an interview. Call up reception and make sure you’ve got the details absolutely clear.
TOP TIP
Have a trial run! Public transport can be unpredictable, check on-line for station closures or delays. If at any point there’s the slightest chance you might be running late then call and inform the person who will be interviewing you.
5) Take time off work – Rushing to an interview during your lunch period is not advisable. You need to be fresh and prepared, not stressed and hungry. Besides, how can you possibly conduct a good interview while watching the clock? The interview itself is nerve-racking enough without having to worry about being late back from lunch.
TOP TIP
If possible try and arrange and interview before or after work or even better take a half day so you have time to prepare.
Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/
advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally or externally.
Why is it that we can sometimes take months to prepare for a wedding, move house, go on holiday or to take an exam or a driving test and yet for some reason job seekers take hardly anytime at all to prepare for an interview?
Too often I hear from people that they didn’t have the time to prepare for the all important job interview that will enable them to work in a better role that will lead to a higher income and therefore a life with more choices and job satisfaction.
Unless a serial job hopper then you can assume that most people haven’t interviewed for a while, sometimes 2 or 3 years or even more than 10 Years. Think back to when you were at school or university how much time did you take to prepare for your exams? Did you receive the results you had hoped for or can you now own up after all these years and acknowledge that perhaps you didn’t prepare enough?
Preparation is essential for all job seekers and below I have listed 5 points to consider when you secure that all important interview:
1) Research the Company – If possible obtain an information pack form the human resources department. Look up the company’s website and research the products and services they provide. What is their ‘Mission Statement’, who is their competition? The internet is a great source of information and you can set up a FREE Google Alerts http://www.google.com/alerts so that when an announcement has been made about the company you are interviewing, you will receive an email informing you. Imagine you found yourself stuck in the lift for five minutes with the MD – what would you say?
TOP TIP
In order to build a good rapport with the interviewer why not look them up on LinkedIn to find out if you have anything in common with them.
2) Read the Job Description – If you haven’t already received a copy then it’s important that you ask for one. How will you know if you’re right for the role if you don’t know what the company requires? Become familiar with both the job title and description, what skills and abilities are required for the role. Compare your experience and knowledge to the job description
TOP TIP
There have been times when an individual has been given the wrong job description or the requirements have changed. Take a copy with you to the interview in case you’re not familiar with the role that the interviewer is describing.
3) Know Yourself – What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your qualities and skills? What are your career aspirations? What do you expect from an employer? How much commitment are you willing to give?
TOP TIP
If unsure then speak to a colleague or friend who can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, qualities and skills
3) Prepare Questions – Asking good questions will leave a good impression and put you ahead of your competition even if your skills are not 100%. It’s always advisable to have 10 strong questions that you can ask either throughout the interview or towards the end. As you will generally find that a number of your questions will be answered by the interviewer before getting the opportunity to ask.
TOP TIP
If you have run out of questions to ask by the end of the interview then show the interviewer that you have listened with interest and ask for him / her to provide more information on a point that was mentioned during the interview.
4) Check Location – No feeling can be worse than realizing you’re at the wrong address just five minutes before the interview is scheduled to begin. Many companies in the City have more than one building so it’s always a good idea to check where you are going before heading off for an interview. Call up reception and make sure you’ve got the details absolutely clear.
TOP TIP
Have a trial run! Public transport can be unpredictable, check on-line for station closures or delays. If at any point there’s the slightest chance you might be running late then call and inform the person who will be interviewing you.
5) Take time off work – Rushing to an interview during your lunch period is not advisable. You need to be fresh and prepared, not stressed and hungry. Besides, how can you possibly conduct a good interview while watching the clock? The interview itself is nerve-racking enough without having to worry about being late back from lunch.
TOP TIP
If possible try and arrange and interview before or after work or even better take a half day so you have time to prepare.
Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/
advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally or externally.
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