8 Telephone Interview Preparation Tips

by Nathan Newberger

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUND

Telephone interviews are quite common in today’s job market. They are offered for a variety of reasons including cost savings, screening of candidates and out-of-town applicants. To successfully navigate the phone interview, it is important to have a solid game plan in place for preparation.

The following 8 quick telephone interview tips will help prepare yourself for a successful call.

1. DO SOME RESEARCH
Try to find out who will be interviewing you. Will there be multiple people on the call? If possible get their names and titles. Become familiar with these before the call and you will have one less thing to worry about during the call. Try and get some background on the interviewer. Any insight you can gain about him/her will allow you to better tailor your responses to make the best possible impression.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS
Make a list of your accomplishments, goals and strengths. On another list write out your weaknesses and what you are doing to overcome them. On a third sheet write down why you are interested in the company. Think carefully about all of these items as they often come up in interviews.

3. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Never forget that a telephone interview is still an interview. Take time to practice interview questions with friends or family. Ask them to provide honest feedback so you can improve your responses. Mock interview questions can easily be found on the internet or the bookstore. If you get stuck on a question, sample answers to these questions are often provided as well.

4. DO A SOUND CHECK
During the mock interview, have your friend ask you questions both over the phone and in person. Make sure that he/she listens not only for content, but also tone, rate and clarity of your speech. If possible, record yourself speaking. Are you speaking slowly and clearly? Can you easily be heard? Is your voice portraying you as a confident and enthusiastic candidate? If not continue to practice until you are comfortable.

5. FIND YOUR LOCATION
Stake out a quiet space to occupy during your interview. Ideally, there should be a comfortable place to sit as well as a table to lay out your papers. Try and find a low-traffic spot where members of the household are un-likely to disturb you.

6. ORGANIZE YOUR PAPERS
Have a copy of your resume and cover letter close at hand. Take out those lists you made while organizing your thoughts. In addition keep any notes related to the company that you feel may be helpful during the call. Spread these items out across your table so they are easy to access. Only keep what is truly necessary. Too much paper can be a distraction.

7. GATHER YOUR WRITING TOOLS
Place a notepad and several pens or pencils on the table. These will be helpful in writing down notes, questions and most importantly, your interviewer's names.

8. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
As the appointed hour draws near, make sure that the television and the radio are turned off. Exit your email and turn off your computer screen. If possible, disable your call-waiting. Let your family or roommates know about the timing of the interview so they do not accidentally disturb you. Place a do not disturb sign on your door as a gentle reminder.

CONCLUSION
By following these 8 basic tips, you are making a great impression and on your way to the onsite interview. Remember, the phone interview is very important and you should plan and prepare for it carefully.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Avoid Potential Interview Disasters

by Nathan Newberger

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid minor mishaps which could ultimately blow an interview. Become familiar with these 7 potential interview disasters so you can prevent them from obstructing your path to that ideal job.

1. DON'T ARRIVE LATE
Showing up late is both rude and inconsiderate. Is this the first impression that you want to leave with a potential employer? Map out your route and try it out before the interview. Plan on being at least half an hour early to your appointment. This will provide a buffer to protect against wrong turns, traffic jams and all the other mishaps that may befall you. If you arrive early, you can use the time to calm your nerves.

2. DON'T SAY THE WRONG NAME
Many a nervous candidate has been known to accidentally call the interviewer the wrong name. In order to avoid this disconcerting faux pau, find out who you will be speaking to before the interview. Memorize the name(s). If this information is not available prior to the meeting, then write the person’s name on your notepad as soon as you sit down for the interview. If you do slip-up, do not make a huge fuss. Apologize quickly (and sincerely) and move on.

3. DON'T SAY THE WRONG THING
Choose your words carefully. Avoid impulsive answers; the first thing that pops into your head may not be the best response. Remember, it’s ok to pause if you need some time to think. Feel free to say "that’s a good question; let me take a moment to think about it." This demonstrates that you think before you speak. Is your everyday speech peppered with expletives or other potentially offensive phrases? If so, take care to avoid these during your meeting.

4. DON'T BECOME SPEECHLESS
Interviews are stressful situations for even the most qualified candidates. This tension can lead to candidates "freezing up" during the meeting. Alleviate some of the expected stress by practicing mock interview questions. Have a friend conduct simulated interviews. If possible, have him/her conduct the interview in a variety of manners including reserved, rushed, and disinterested. This way you will be better prepared for whatever the interview may bring.

5. MONITOR YOUR INTERNAL SYSTEM
Nature has a funny way of acting up at the wrong moments. Fortunately, you can help prevent these unwanted incidents. Avoid the awkwardness of a growling stomach by eating a few hours before the interview. Be careful in what you eat and drink in the 24 hours prior to the interview. Do not overindulge; an upset stomach or hangover is formidable distraction.

6. DON'T BE TOO MODEST
The interview is no place for humbleness. Too much modesty can make you appear introverted or lacking confidence. Don’t be afraid to be your own cheerleader. Prior to the interview, make a list of your accomplishments both personally and professionally; practice talking about them. Have a friend listen to your answers as you practice. This will help prevent you from crossing the line between justifiable pride and boasting.

7. DON'T LACK ENTHUSIASM
No one wants to work with a stick in the mud. With this in mind, how can you prevent from appearing lukewarm? Smile and maintain eye contact. Sit forward in your chair. Avoid speaking in a monotone. Be positive in your responses.

CONCLUSION
By preparing yourself against these potential interview disasters you are one step closer to getting the job of your dreams. Remember sometimes it really is the little things that make the difference.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

5 Skills You MUST Convey During The Interview

by Nathan Newberger

No, it's not time to throw your resume in the trash and start a "new age job search". But one thing that any job seeker must understand is that the showcase of talents does not begin and end with the resume. There are many "secret" abstract, often called "soft", skills that employers keep an eye out for.

This article discusses the five key "secret skills" that interviewers examine and how to demonstrate them in an interview situation.

These five skills are:

1. Organizational
2. Critical Thinking
3. Communication
4. Interpersonal
5. Multi-Tasking
1. ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Unless you are applying for a job as a mad scientist, organization is an essential skill for any job. Employers can get sense of how an individual will handle large workloads by how organized that person is during the interview. Moreover, a person that makes a sincere effort to stay organized is an employee that will take a job seriously and make a sincere effort to get things done.

The best way to display these skills:


• Dress professionally and neatly for an interview.

• Keep supplies or materials on hand if you think they might be pertinent to the interview.
This can go beyond pen, paper, resumes, and business cards depending on
the position you apply for.

• Organize your thoughts before the interview. Preparation for typical interview questions
will reflect a sense of general readiness.

2. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Nobody wants a mindless drone for an employee. If they did, they would buy a robot. Employers want people that can think on their feet and respond. They are looking for people that won't come crying with every little setback. They are looking for problem solvers. Having critical thinking skills means that you can come through in the clutch.

The best way to display these skills:


• Prior to the interview, prepare of a list of anecdotes or previous jobs that required critical
thinking to solve a problem. When applicable, bring these examples up in the interview.

• Talk your way through the answers. Let the interviewer understand your train of thought
when responding to questions. This can also buy you a little extra time if you are
unsure of how to answer.

3. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is the number one fear in America, but making an impact requires these skills. Unless you can communicate ideas to others effectively, you may not come across as very confident. This is precisely why so many employers ask for individuals with good communication skills, often including public speaking.

The best way to display these skills:


• Practice speaking, or answering interview questions in a mirror. This will get you used
to speaking aloud and let you see the things you may be doing wrong.

• Practice interviews with another person, so you can learn to keep cool when reacting to
another person's comments.

• Stay calm and ALWAYS MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. It's hard to disagree with a confident
person. Once you SEEM confident, you hold all the cards.

4. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Along with being able to communicate your own ideas well, you have to be receptive to other ideas and work constructively with them. Companies need versatile team players: people that will work hard on their own and increase the depth and effectiveness of a group effort.

The best way to display these skills:


• As in the case of critical thinking, it is a good idea to prepare a list of examples in which
you were part of a successful team effort. These items may not be on your resume, but
could come up in an interview.

• When possible, reflect back on cases where you coordinated a team effort. It is one
thing to work well in a group, but it is even better when you show that you can
also lead and take charge of a group.

• Don't be afraid to mention troubles within a team that you had to overcome. A group of
people will not agree on everything 100% of the time. Being able to work
through problems and succeed is paramount.

5. MULTI-TASKING SKILLS
Businesses are always happy to drive down costs, and the best way to do this is by hiring fewer individuals who can multi-task. It is often the case that one efficient employee can do the work of two typical employees. Employees are paid for the hours they work, and employers want to get the most out of what they pay. An employee that can complete multiple tasks at once is the solution.

The best way to display these skills:


• When discussing previous positions held, include situations where you worked on
multiple tasks at the same time.

• Prepare a list of projects that required you to separate tasks into clusters that could be
addressed simultaneously. Be ready to explain the thinking behind your separation
system.

• Show a willingness to take on many responsibilities. Any worker can pick up one or two,
but if you can pick up more without getting spread to thin, you become a valuable asset.

CONCLUSION
The resume will always be around and serve as your primary means of communicating skills with a prospective employer. But remember that you are more than just a list of skills on a piece of paper. The interview lets the employer see whats not easily determined from a resume and also your chance to shine. Mastering the art of showcasing your "secret skills" will let an interviewer know you are person they need to hire.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Mastering The Meal Interview

by Nathan Newberger

nterviews can be nerve-racking, brain-draining, headache-inducing experiences. These days, recruiters have found a way to make the interview even more difficult by combining the experience with a meal. This means that in addition to listening to the interviewer, formulating intelligent responses, and trying your hardest to be confident, you now have pay attention to how you look while eating.

1. MIND YOUR MANNERS
It may seem unnecessary to mention, but those basic table manners you were taught as a child still matter. In casual settings, poor manners are not always corrected. Therefore, you could have picked up some habits that your mother would be ashamed of and more likely than not, your interviewer probably will not be too be impressed by them either.

Here are just a few of the habits you should be mindful of during a meal interview:


• BE POLITE. In addition to evaluating your answers to questions, an interviewer is also
assessing your personality. Be courteous and respectful to everyone,
especially the wait staff. Words such as "please" and "thank you" speak worlds about
your character.

• BE AWARE. Keeping you elbows on the table, chewing with your mouth open, talking
with your mouth full all convey a negative impression. Pay attention to even
your smallest actions.

• BE PREPARED. If you feel uncertain about your table manners, consult the experts.
Emily Post's books on etiquette are considered to be among the
definitive works on etiquette. There is no shame in doing research; after all, this is an
interview.

2. THE DISH DILEMMA
Even though you are being treated to a nice meal, you are not free to order any dish you like. You are in an interview, and therefore, you have the duty of maintaining a certain level of professionalism and formality throughout the meal.

There are no definitive rules of food selection, and you may have to make a game-time decision. However, following these rules will help you steer clear of trouble:


• AVOID MESSES. Steer clear of foods that have to be eaten with your hands or have a
tendency to splatter. It is hard to recover from the embarrassment of
splashing your interviewer with spaghetti sauce, nor do you want to inadvertently adorn
yourself with gravy or cream sauce. So stick to foods that can be cut into small pieces
with a knife and fork.

• NO STENCHES. Avoid foods that have a strong or unpleasant order. You are better off
having an interviewer not remember you at all rather than as the
candidate with bad breath. So no matter how much you love onions and garlic, lay off
the stinkers for one meal.

• KEEP IT QUIET. You need to be able to conduct a civil conversation. Avoid foods that are
crunchy and noisy to eat. In a public setting there is a lot of noise that
could drown out the voice of a person sitting across from you so try not to order food that
would add to the problem.

• FOLLOW THE LEADER. You may be wondering if a menu item is priced too high or if to
order an appetizer first, etc. The answer is to follow your interviewer's lead.
Try to order food in the same price range as the interviewer and order the same number
of courses. You do not want to be sitting idle while the recruiter is still eating.

3. CONSUME AND CONVERSE
You are at an interview and also dining out. This means you need to not only be talking, but also eating. It can sometimes be difficult to do both.

Try and keep these issues in mind when posed with the challenge of eating and talking at the same time:


• YOU ARE IN CONTROL. Don't feel so pressured to talk that you don't eat at all. This can
be interpreted as nervousness.

• ASK QUESTIONS. When going to an interview, it is always a good idea to have
questions. This will allow you get more information on the company and
show that you have done your homework. During the meal interview, it
will also give you the opportunity to actually eat as your interviewer responds to your
questions.

4. FINISHING WITH A BANG
Unlike that of a standard interview, the end of a meal interview does not just end with a handshake and a "Thank You". There are other things to keep in mind including:


• DON'T OFFER TO PAY. It's never expected of a job candidate, and you don't need to do
it.

• NEVER ASK FOR A DOGGY BAG. No matter how delicious the meal was, requesting to
take a portion of it home is not appropriate for the setting.

• REAFFIRM YOUR INTEREST. Let the interviewer know how much you would like to work
for his/her company.

• A "Thank You" AND HANDSHAKE CAN'T HURT. As in any interview, don't forget to thank
the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. In addition, be sure to
be gracious and say that you enjoyed the meal and end the interview with a firm
handshake. Make sure to follow up with a thank you letter in the morning.

CONCLUSION
The meal interview is tricky, but not impossible. With a little guidance and a lot of confidence, you can sail through them with flying colors. Just try to keep these helpful hints in mind. Good luck and bon appetit!

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Keep Relationships with Your Clients and Business Partners (Part I)

Maintaining good relationships with clients and business partners is crucial to maintain the continuity of cooperation. In addition to maintain product quality and level of service, another way that can be done is by entertainment them, their attachment to outside of the formal atmosphere of the office and business. Entertain clients and business partners is a common thing done by the businesses. If this business is impressive in the eyes of them, the possibility to work together again in the future will be more wide open and take longer. It is not impossible they repeat the order and remember you as partners or suppliers who serve them better than your competitors. One trick to "client entertainment" is to deliver what is preferred by clients. Surely you do not want to give tickets to a concert while the client you prefer to attend a high tea in a hotel for example.

Some of the innovative ways you can do to 'entertain' clients and business partners are as follows :

1. Tickets or sports facilities.
Take or give a ticket to watch sports games like football, golf, basketball. You can also give them vouchers to use the sports facilities like tennis courts, futsal or even a gym. Of course, after ensuring that the client or partner is a sports freak. You can accompany the game with the hope to get to know the client / partner further, or give tickets and vouchers so that they could use to fit their needs.

2. Spa packages.
If you are a female client, provides spa packages that can be sold many impressive options. Spa is synonymous with the calm and relaxation, two things that are often difficult to obtain business. One thing to note, make sure you already know the true quality of the spa services. You can try it out first or get recommendations from various sources. Provide treats at the spa which turned out bad service will make you lose credibility in their eyes.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Working With a Worshipping, Why Not? (part II)

Dhikr remembered God anytime. When driving to work, was in the elevator, waiting for the photocopier, when a friend walked into the cubicle, anytime and anywhere. Basmallah say when starting a job and say thanks when the finish line is a simple example that can be socialized. While there is opportunity, take advantage of the good and remember to mention his name as much as possible.

Maintain hearts by reading / hearing the Qur’an. Perhaps reading the Quran in the office could not be done with a solemn and freely because of limited time and place after the prayer time, however can be used to read the scriptures and deepen meaning of Qur’an. Do not forget to put always the Qur’an and the translation on your desk. However, slightly better than nothing at all, only 1-2 pieces of it is still possible. If you narrow or break time can not leave the table altogether, just open enough digital Quran at the computer and read a few letters. Did not have time to read? Listen in MP3 format can also be the choice.

Keep the oral, avoid gossip. Sometimes without realizing it while chatting with co-workers called the ends to be gossiping about others. During fasting (and better if transmitted after the fast ends), avoid gossiping here and there. Besides damaging your worship, it is also a waste of time. If you really want to talk, stay away from topics that lead to gossip and rumors in italics. Better to talk about fasting and other worships.

Make co-workers as your charity fields. Worship is not only done but also vertically, horizontally. Co-workers to do good on even small levels will double in value. Especially if it can hold back and patience from those who are sensitive to emotions, certainly bigger reward. Therefore maximize inter worship this man purse to add weight to your fast served as an exercise of endurance and patience in the fight against the passions so that you live worship Ramadhan feels more meaningful.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Working With a Worshipping, Why Not? (part I)Working With a Worshipping, Why Not? (part I)

In the month of Ramadan, for Muslims who fortunately is still have a chance to run a series of obligatory or sunna prayer for one month duration. Worship is not limited to space and time. As long as there is intention to run it, it can be done anywhere and anytime, including when she was working in the office.

Unfortunately if this blessed month be missed simply because of lack of time capability to balance between worship and work, though many of worships that can be done while you do other activities and no need disturb the work productivity.

Here are some simple tips so your Ramadhan worship getting optimal even if done while working at the office:

Really and truly intend to be iklas. Work and worship has a different orientation, one to meet the needs of others for worldly and the spiritual and the afterlife. But that does not make both of them are optional because the laws are equally mandatory. Busyness or weight of the work is often used as an excuse to be lax in worship such as fasting or praying. Conversely fasting be an opportunity for lazing in the works. To be able to live it together, strengthen your faith and surrender to the Almighty, surely you can do it.

Keep your stamina in order to worship and work goes smoothly. In order for work activity is not disrupted because of fasting, take advantage of your meal the best. Sahur also starting to miss the same worship that by refusing to reward. By consuming foods that are healthy and rich in energy, doing your daily work in a state of fasting should not be a problem. In addition to maximizing the meal, do not forget about adequate water intake, multivitamin intake, rest and exercises are ways to maintain your stamina.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment