Tag Archive for: job interview

Your Job Interview Checklist for St. Paul Job Seekers

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After you apply for a new job and you are invited in for an interview, proper planning is the key to your success. But figuring out how you should prepare isn’t always easy, especially going beyond merely practicing your answer to traditional interview questions.

Being a great interviewee takes time and practice, but it doesn’t have to be challenging. If you are looking to impress a hiring manager during your next interview, here are ten tips that will help you.

1. Research your Interviewer-

You should take time to discover and learn the names of those who will be interviewing you. See if they have a profile on the company website or their LinkedIn page to find out what sorts of answers or questions will grab their attention.

2. Learn About the Company-

It is critical to have a solid understanding of what the business has to offer you as a possible employee will play to your advantage. You can add relevant pieces of information based on the company’s priorities and goals. This ensures that your responses speak to their needs while making you stand out.

3. Learn How They Interview-

There is a wide variety of interview types, and many St Paul companies use various approaches depending on their goals. Take time in advance to find out if you will be participating in a traditional, technical or behavioral interview. This gives you an opportunity to prepare your responses based on that information.

4. Be Conscious of Your Movements-

When in an interview it isn’t just your responses that matter your mannerisms also tell a story, so make sure your body language is appropriate and inviting to the interviewer.

Helpful Hint: Practice your answers in front of a mirror so you can witness your own actions – allowing you to make proper adjustments to ensure you present yourself accurately.

5. Put Numbers to Your Answers-

If you are practicing your interview responses, it is always a wise idea to put data on the information you are sharing about yourself. Numbers and hard metrics are a powerful tool to help you get a new job, make sure to use them whenever you can.

6. Choose Your Clothes Wisely-

On the morning of your interview, the last thing you want to do is scramble to pick your outfit. Try not to leave this to the last minute, plan your attire out in advance by laying out your clothes, shoes, and accessories the evening before. This ensures that you are fully prepared, giving you peace of mind, focusing solely on the interview.

7. Assembler Your Interviewing Materials-

It is always a good idea to bring copies of your resume and references with you for an interview. Like step six, planning your outfit, doing this the evening before your interview ensures everything is ready and nothing is forgotten.

8. Prepare Questions-

Almost every interview ends with an opportunity for you to ask questions, and it is wise to have a few ready. You can most likely adjust your questions to what you have learned during the interview, but questions like, “Is there anything that would keep me from being hired for this job?” can be used in nearly any interview.

9. Reflect on Your Past Experiences-

While preparing for your interview, it is a good idea to reflect on your past job experiences. Take some time to consider how you’ve grown in each job that you have held in your career. This helps you visualize your career path, making it easier to keep things straight during your interview.

10. Get a Good Night’s Sleep-

Make sure go to bed early, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep so you can arrive at your interview refreshed and alert – increasing your odds of being at your best.

By following the tips above, you put yourself in position to stand out. If you are interested in finding a new job opportunity, the hiring team at Award Staffing can help. Contact our team today to see how our services can help you find a new job.

5 Interview Mistakes That We See All The Time

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So, you have a job interview – congratulations! Hopefully, you’re prepared and have your resume ready to go. But, what are some interview mistakes that could end up costing you the job? Here are five common errors.

You Were Late to Your Interview-

First impressions matter and one of the biggest impressions you can give someone is whether or not you can be punctual. It’s important to account for any factors that could make you late (traffic, construction, phone dying). Your interviewer doesn’t want to hear excuses; your interviewer wants to meet you!

You Brought a Friend-

Bringing a friend to your interview makes you look unprofessional and immature. If the friend needs to be with you for some reason, ask him or her to wait in the car or outside. It’s essential that your interviewer’s first impression of you is of you alone.

You Were Underdressed-

Don’t show up to your interview in jeans. Even if the job you’re interviewing for is casual, showing up in nice clothes symbolizes respect and a commitment to the job. If you don’t have nice clothes, see if you can borrow some from a friend for the interview.

You Got a Phone Call During the Interview-

If you must bring your cell phone into the interview, don’t forget to turn it on silent. Even vibrate isn’t good enough because that can still be heard. If your phone starts ringing or loudly vibrating while you’re talking, it’s likely that your interviewer will lose his or her train of thought and not be able to focus on what you’re saying.

You Didn’t Shake Hands-

Always shake hands with your interviewer when you first meet them, and when you’re about to walk out the door. This shows your interviewer that you respect them. It also shows that you’re mature and aren’t afraid of eye contact. If you’re aware of these common interview pitfalls, hopefully, you can avoid them so you can increase your chances of being hired.

Need some help?  Contact Award Staffing. We will be able to match you up with interviews in your area so you can get the job opportunity you want. We have offices located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota to help you with your job search today! Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.

The 5 Hardest Interview Questions that You’ll Ever Answer

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Many interviews have similarities in that the hiring manager or boss fundamentally wants to know the answer to some of the same questions. Therefore, regardless of where you’re interviewing, prepare answers to the following questions.

What’s Your Greatest Weakness?

This is a common question for a reason: employers genuinely want to know what your biggest weakness is, especially when it comes to you working for them. Prepare a genuine answer that isn’t a cop-out, but also show the steps you are taking overcome and turn it into a strength.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Bosses are always curious why you left your last job. Obviously, leaving a job that you were at for five years with glowing recommendations is a very different situation than leaving a job you were at for less than six months with not-so-great recommendations. The key, especially in the negative case, is to take responsibility and never bad mouth the previous employer or business.

What Do You Need from a Boss?

If your future boss or hiring manager asks you this question, it’s a good sign. The reason being is that they likely are concerned with you as a person and not just as a potential employee. Make sure to be honest here, because this may determine whether or not you are a good fit for the company.

Are You a People Person?

It’s okay if you aren’t a people person, but you do need to be honest in answering this question. The reason being is that your hiring manager may or may not recommend you for a different position depending on how you answer this question.

Why Do You Want to Work for This Company?

This is your chance to stand out from the other candidates. Too many job-seekers float through the process without really considering what company would be the best fit for them, which is a mistake. If you can give a good reason why you would be a good fit for that specific company, you will impress your hiring manager and give yourself a decent chance of getting the job.

If you’re looking for a new job, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to match you up with interviews in your area so you can get the job opportunity you want. We have offices located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota to help you with your job search today! Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.

5 Items that You Need to Bring to Any Job Interview

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When you’re going on job interviews, there are several things you need to bring with you to help ensure a successful interviewing experience.

Resume-

Your interviewer will often ask you for a copy of your resume (even if you sent one earlier) Bring several copies with you in case there is more than one person sitting in the room with your interviewer. Make sure to print out your resume on quality neutral-toned paper so it can stand out from the crowd. 

References-

Have copies of your references on hand, so you can easily hand it over to your interviewer. The less work, your interviewer, has to do on your behalf, the better chances you have of getting the job.

Notepad and Pen-

You may not need it, but it’s important to be prepared. Appearing over prepared as opposed to being underprepared is always a plus

Folder-

Don’t have your papers and pen floating around loose in your hands, bag, or pocket. Make sure you bring a nicely-organized folder and keep your belongings inside of it. Your interviewer will likely take note of your organization and will be impressed. 

Water-

You never know when you’re going to need to cough, clear your throat, or sneeze. It’s important to bring water so you can remain hydrated and have a solution in case any of these uncomfortable situations arise during your interview.

If you need help finding jobs, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to help you line up interviews for job opportunities that are a good fit for your personality, work experience, and future career goals. Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.

5 Easiest Job Interview Tips + Tricks

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A great job interview is just like any other accomplishment; it won’t happen without some real planning and hard work. At Award Staffing we have highlighted 5 of the easiest job interview prep skills that can make the next interview the best.

1. Review the Job Posting:

This cannot be overstated: the company knows exactly what they are looking for, and they state it clearly on the job posting. Review the job post. List point-by-point every experience and skill they are seeking. Go over your own experiences and how they make you a great fit, so all of this is fresh in your mind when you walk in the door.

As Dana Leavey puts it, “Try to remember what’s most relevant regarding specific clients you’ve worked with, types of projects you’ve worked on, similar companies you’ve worked for, and anything else that’s pertinent to the role.”

2. Research the Company:

Google is your friend, and so are social media sites like LinkedIn. Do your research before your interview. See what this company has done to get in the news. Find out what you can about the people who work there, what kind of background and skills they bring to the table and what they care about. Look for points of similarity and points of difference and be ready to discuss them in the interview.

3. Take The Next Step Beyond Your Resume:

When they ask about information on your resume the last thing you want to do is just quote the resume. Share specific examples that illustrate the information on your resume. Be prepared to talk and give the interviewer the extra layer of knowledge they are seeking.

4. Listen to The Interviewer:

Don’t be so focused on what you have to say that you don’t hear what you’re asked. A job interview is like a first date. You need to pay attention, listen closely and ask follow up questions. This makes the interviewer see you as someone who is interested and gives you a chance to find out more about the position.

5. Don’t Ask for A Job – Offer to Help:

The company didn’t put up a job post because they were hoping to give someone a salary or a cool place to hang out from 9 to 5. They put up a job post because they need to hire the right person for the job opening. Find out what they need and discuss the ways you can produce the work they require. This attitude can get you out of the interview on just the right note. As Lam Nguyen says, “It’s then up to you to make your final selling pitch by summarizing what the position is and what you bring to the table. Don’t forget to find out the next steps for the interviewing process. The follow-up item you want to leave in your interviewer’s mind is, “This is the right candidate. I’m ready to make an offer.”

If you’re looking to make your next job interview your best one ever, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to help you find a new position that lets you take advantage of your abilities and prepare you to turn the job interview into your dream job offer.