Conducting a successful job interview

One of the most scary tasks every new writer will eventually face is conducting that first interview. However, an interview need not be a frightening event. The following 10 tips will help to ensure that your first interview --and successive ones--will be remembered as an enjoyable experience.

KNOW YOUR SUBJECT: Find out everything you can about the person you are interviewing before making the initial contact. Show the person that you care enough to have done some research beforehand. For example, if you are interviewing an author about his/her latest book, at least read the book, or enough of it to be able to ask intelligent questions or make references to a certain character or scene.

KEEP THE INITIAL CONTACT SHORT AND TO THE POINT: Identify yourself immediately and explain why you want the interview. If the interview is for a certain publication say so. Once the person has agreed to be interviewed, arrange a specific time and place convenient for you and your subject. Clearly state how long you expect the interview to last. Remember to say "Thank you," and let the person know you appreciate the opportunity to interview him/her.

BE PUNCTIAL AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY: Never make a bad impression by being late for an interview. If you know you are going to be delayed, call the person with an explanation and an apology. Dress appropriately. Don't show up wearing blue jeans, wrinkled tee shirts, and scuffed running shoes.

MAKE YOUR SUBJECT FEEL RELAXED AND COMFORTABLE: Try to create a friendly relaxed atmosphere during the interview. Showing that you find the interview topic intriguing will make the person more inclined to open up.

DECIDE IF YOU WILL USE A TAPE RECORDER, TAKE NOTES, OR BOTH: If you plan to use a tape recorder, make sure you ask permission beforehand. Some people will clam up in front of a tape recorder, but may be less intimidated by a note pad and pen. However, if your subject has no objections to a taped interview, make sure the recorder is in perfect working order "before" you start taping. It's a good idea to take notes during the interview even if you use a tape recorder. Notes can be numbered for easy organization, whereas transcribing from tapes can be time consuming.

PREPARE QUESTIONS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW: Have approximately ten well-constructed questions written out in advance and arranged in the same order in which you plan to write the article. This will give shape to the story and save time, as well as keeping you focused. Leaving several blank spaces between numbered questions gives you plenty of room to write answers to specific questions in the proper place.

ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS: Instead of asking questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no," such as "Would you advise young people to take up acting as a career?" phrase you question as "What advice would you give young people about to start an acting career?"

DON'T BE TOO STRUCTURED; LET YOUR SUBJECT "CHAT": Sometimes a person will go "off topic" and chat. This is fine to a point, and can oftentimes reward you with extra tidbits of information that you otherwise would have missed. However, if you find your subject wandering too far away from the topic, tactfully bring the conversation back to the specific nature of the discussion.

BE EXACT WHEN USING QUOTES: Let your subject know you will be using quotes when you write the article. If you are taking notes, be sure to quote the exact words your subject has said. Break up long quotes by paraphrasing. Never misquote or misrepresent anyone!

END THE INTERVIEW IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER: Conclude the interview as close to the specified time as possible. Ask permission for a follow-up call to verify proper spellings, dates, or other facts that may not be clear from your notes. Assure the person that, if at all possible, you will notify him/her as to when the article will be published. Remember to thank your subject graciously, and assure him/her that you have enjoyed the interview.

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How Office Gossip Can Be Good for Your Career

by Susan Johnston, PayScale.com


We grew up learning that gossip was something to be avoided (and definitely "not nice"). But it turns out that office gossip can help us get ahead at work--if used carefully. "It's not realistic to say, 'Don't participate in [workplace] gossip,' because if you don't participate, people tend not to include you in the conversation," says Nicole Williams, the author of "Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success."

Plus, knowing who's leaving the company or who's about to be promoted can help you align yourself for your next promotion. Here's how to effectively handle office gossip--without being labeled a blabbermouth.

1. Remember, not all gossip is bad. But some is.
Mean-spirited, irrelevant gossip, like who's having an affair or who's had a nose job, is best ignored. But when water-cooler chatter turns to the boss's pet peeves or unusual preferences, that's when your ears should perk up. Frances Cole Jones, president of Cole Media Management and the author of "The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today's Business World," suggests paying attention to management's likes and dislikes, such as sports they're playing, volunteer activities they're involved in, or how old their kids are. You can also find out what habits they appreciate or what quirks drive them crazy and adjust your behavior accordingly.

2. Listen more than you talk.
It's always better to be the person receiving gossip rather than the one spreading it. "You do not want to be branded as someone who initiates or spreads gossip about the company or people within it, as this will hurt the company and your reputation and personal brand," says Chris Perry, founder of Career Rocketeer, a career-search and personal-branding network. You can also watch for subtle clues like who's taking extra long lunches or cleaning out their workspace, as these can be signs that someone is about to give notice.

3. Verify before you act.
Just because you hear rumors or spot signs that someone is leaving the company, don't stake your claim on their corner office. If you're friendly with the person, you might casually chat them up and see if they volunteer the news themselves. Or you might initiate a conversation with human resources. "You don't have to mention that you heard that so-and-so was leaving," says Perry. "You can just mention that you are interested in an opportunity in a specific area--conveniently, in the area in which that person just happened to be--so that you are in the consideration set when the next moves are announced."

4. Be careful about what you share.
"Sometimes, in order to initiate the good gossip, you have to be willing to ante up with something," says Williams. She says to make sure that you're giving information that multiple sources have so it can't be tracked back to only you. Gossip is risky business, so don't share anything that violates confidentiality clauses or someone's trust. And avoid spreading rumors about people's personal lives.

5. Lastly, never put gossip in writing.
As Williams points out, gossip spread via email can "come back to bite you, and you can't spin interpretation or deny it." Plus, you never know who might be reading or forwarding emails.

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How to open a successful restaurant

Whether it is a full-size buffet restaurant in the busiest section of town or an intimate bistro by the lake, new restauranteurs hope that their establishment will attract and hold a solid base of repeat customers. Many restaurants do in fact thrive, while others find themselves struggling to keep their doors open a year after their debut.

What qualities do all successful restaurants have in common that keep them thriving while others close up around them? Here are five considerations when opening a new restaurant in your area.

1. Location, location, location. Not just limited to real estate, this maxim applies to restaurants as well. You may have the best food, the best staff and the best prices, but if you are not located in a convenient area for potential customers, you will be out of business in a year. A new restauranteur's first instinct may be to lease the abandoned property of a former restaurant. This may work, if the traffic is heavy and the location is acceptable, but will work against you if the former restaurant went out of business for lack of customers. Research the history of any property you are considering for your new restaurant. You are not necessarily limited to buildings designed specifically for restaurant use. If the building codes allow it, consider putting in a restaurant near the court system or other high-traffic areas. You may have to do some heavy renovations at first, but the client base should make up for the initial investment. New restaurants stand a better chance of survival if you go to where the people are, instead of waiting for the people to come to you.

2. Advertise like you have never advertised before. A new restaurant is usually a highly-anticipated event in many smaller cities. Heighten this anticipation by promoting the restaurant even while you're still working on construction. Make sure you hang a banner announcing the arrival of a new and exciting restaurant. Generate positive word of mouth advertising through radio spots and print media. By the time you are ready to open the doors, you should have a crowd of hungry customers waiting. Restaurants typically enjoy a 'honeymoon' period where business is booming and new customers are pouring in. What you want to do is keep enough of those customers coming back for more. Within reason, promote your best dishes with 'two for one' deals or other heavy discounts. You want this first wave of customers to recommend your food to others who take a more conservative approach to choosing a restaurant. They will be your customer base once the honeymoon is over.

3. Never price yourself out of existence. Pricing your food can be a challenging process from start to finish. You must take into account any number of fixed or variable costs, including actual cost of the food, salaries, and advertising. You'll want to adjust for a healthy but reasonable profit on each dish, while keeping the prices low enough for the customer. This is a delicate balancing act to pull off, but you must remain proactive during the first few months after opening. If the customers seem to be avoiding your higher-ticket items altogether, you may have to lower prices in response. If your customers seem to be ordering one or two items in mass quantities, you may have priced them too low.

Get a feel for the going rate on certain standard items and charge accordingly. You'll still be closing your doors in a year if you continue to sell food at a loss, despite the number of customers who are taking advantage of your generosity.

4. Seek out and keep quality employees. From kitchen managers to dishwashers, maintain the best staff you can afford. Customers react much more positively if the staff is friendly and professional. In fact, customers can often sense tension among the staff even before management does, so it pays to keep interdepartmental relations cordial and professional. Any restaurant that runs continuous classified ads for new employees becomes suspect in a potential customer's mind. Whatever the current wage for restaurant employees happens to be, be willing to pay it. If customers seem to prefer a certain cook or an especially good hostess, do everything you can to keep them happy and satisfied with their jobs. Disgruntled employees will lead the way when it comes to negative word of mouth, so make every effort to retain key employees early.

5. Find the right theme and stick with it. You certainly don't want to open the fifth Mexican restaurant on the block or the twelth Italian bistro. You'll want to find a theme for your restaurant that is exciting and innovating, or at least different than the competition. Basically, a good restaurant environment seduces the customer into ordering higher-ticket specialty foods and also encourages return visits. But you must keep 'gimmicks' to a minimum if you want long-term success. Decorate the walls with theme-related items, such as antiques or movie posters. Select uniforms that match the theme and decor of the restaurant. Background music is essential, and offers you a chance to emphasize the theme even more. Find your strongest connection to the overall theme and exploit it in advertising. Are you more authentic than other ethnic restaurants? Are you more child-friendly than the other family restaurants? Do you have more entertainment than the other 'fun food' establishments? Instead of trying to promote your new restaurant as all things to everyone, concentrate on what makes you special- work on building a niche market of customers who prefer your style of food consistently.

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Excellent public speaking tips

Public speaking is the number one fear ranking above death in many psychology polls. People are gripped by fear and phobic when it comes to public speaking. Even trained public speakers still feel butterflies in their stomach when getting ready to present a public speech. The famous Greek orator Demosthenes actually put pebbles in his mouth to help him with his speeches to alter the sound quality. Whether public speaking presentations inspire a crowd or instill fear in an audience, many of the key techniques for convincing an audience remain the same. While there may be some argument in the field, and there may be variations on the theme, this article will focus on two key areas, and throw in some of the more classic thoughts. The two key areas deal with audience. Is your audience friendly to your ideas or hostile or of an opposite point of view. This is of vast importance for a speaker. Exploring these factors as well as others is a good starting point for a new public speaker, as well as an excellent refresher course for even veteran public speakers.

First and foremost one must consider whether your audience favors the topic you may be presenting. Do they agree with your point of view? In a debate will they support your points or would they oppose them. While we will look at ideas like credibility of a speaker, and the demographics of the age range, gender, and other aspects of population, we will focus here on the first basic. If your audience agrees with your point of view then it alright to focus or concentrate on the topic to the exclusion of opposing points of view. If your contention is the legalization of marijuana and you think that it is a good thing, because it could be taxed, has great possibilities for medical assistance, and does not have enough of a detrimental effect on motivation to merit being illegal, then that would probably be all you would have to say. If you are addressing Pot Farmers of America, then you obviously are addressing a hypothetical audience that is in your camp, on your side. Studies in social psychology have found that if you present your supporting points for your argument ot a group that is in favor of your main point then they will quickly support or buy into the other apects of your speech. They will listen with some detail and probably even be able to remember the supporting points. Why you may ask? Because it agrees with their preconceived notions, it agrees with the opinion they already have and therefore is appealing to them at the outset.

This is also a good reason to craft your speeches towards a specific audience and even IF it seems your topic does not tie into Protect the Rare Soon to Be Extinct Cockroach, then you had better tie your speech into that belief system somehow IF you can. This of course can go towards credibility, so on should not stretch your powers of persuasion too much. What is key here is, does your audience agree with your presentation, and if not you might be able to craft it to fit. In the final analysis though, you might have to approach it from another angle altogether, and that is the second major section of this article, convincing those who oppose your point of view.

When an audience is in opposition to your point of view, studies in social psychology have proven that it is of primary importance to address the oppositions arguments. If you just present your arguments or supporting points in favor of your topic, then you will lose your audience. They will shut down, turn off, tune out and others feel you are not a credible speaker. Primarily because they do not feel you are being intellectually honest. You are not addressing the real issues, the real arguments you are not basically addressing them. Therefore you must present your argument, then your main points, and then state the oppositions primary argument, then rip it to pieces. Discredit it. By doing this you address the opposition and give them something new to think about. They look at the weak spot in their position as well as the supportive information you have give them. You have planted the seed of doubt. You may have swayed them to your way of thinking. You might be a fine public speaker with excellent credibility, vocal tone, good body language, hand gestures, excellent research and material in the body of your speech, a powerful beginning, a rousing ending, good humor and a key joke. But if you fail to address the opposing point it will all have been for naught. If the argument is that the United States is a parallel model to the Roman Empire, with similar economic, social and political structures and you present that, but the audience doesn't agree, you have a problem. Some of the audience members may feel the United States has pulled out of an economic slump similar to that of the Roman Empire, where the middle class was being unduly taxed and it destroyed the finances of the Empire. The opposing point is that the United States will not repeat history, will not decline and fall. The speaker will have to address that issue even if it is not voiced, IF that is one of the strongest arguments against his or her thesis. It might be addressed by stating that economics are cyclical and fluid and that the United States might be experiencing unprecedented economic boom right now, but that eventually unless are changed in a more permanent mode, depression will follow, or at least the continued erosion of the middle class. If you as a speaker feel the opposition might have several strong points address several of them being sure to be balanced but to plant the seed of doubt at the very least, and try to undermine the foundation of the opposing viewpoint. This allows you the balanced view of being fair and educated in the eyes of your audience.

While there is a vast amount of material on public speaking studies do not lie. Credibility of the speaker is important. Knowing the age of the group, their political affiliation, their religion, their gender and more are all important. Having a commanding presence, charisma, a strong voice, excellent posture and so many other tricks of the trade are polish upon a gem in the rough. However the two key secrets of public speaking success are found in the field of social psychology and are reflected above. Know thy audience. Are they most likely to be in favor of what your present or oppose it. Is it a mixed audience? If so be prepared to address the opposition. With these two keys you map out victory in your presentations. All the rest is really just window dressing.

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5 trade show tips

Going to a trade show of fellow industry professionals can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your career. These five tips can help you get the most from your experience, no matter what your industry.

1) Seeing half of two seminars beats one full session.

Many trade shows offer excellent seminars where you can add expertise and knowledge. Indeed, it’s difficult for a trade show to excel without great sessions. If the show you are going to has these, bring a notebook and take quality notes.

However, many attendees lock into a seminar, jot down everything, and realize later that much of the session was of limited utility. Leaving a session early might not be good manners, but it’s better to be rude than miss an opportunity to learn. Besides, most speakers prepare for busy professionals with comprehensive summaries and overviews. (Another tip is to, whenever possible, grab the printed materials. Many speakers will go off a slide show without adding much to what’s on screen.)

2) Make a networking plan.

Looking at the seminar sessions before the show is critical. Your goal is not just to make an efficient plan on learning, but also in networking. If there is a seminar led by someone that could really do your company or career some good, play the star pupil role: arrive early, ask good questions, and stay late. Since this is somewhat contrary to the first tip, make sure you limit your networking choices to only the best-fitting candidates.

3) Tour the dealers’ room daily and thoroughly.

Trade shows offer a perfect “silver bullet” opportunity for merchandisers and service providers that sell to your industry. While everyone in the room is hoping to separate you from your money, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a ton here...especially if your company’s competitors are displaying.

Depending on the quality of the dealers and representatives, you can learn more from dealers than seminars. You do this by giving the sales reps on the floor the courtesy of listening to their pitch, than ask questions about what’s really of interest to you. The goal here isn’t to spend a ton of money, or to sidetrack sales reps from selling. The goal is to find out what’s out there, and to widen your networking reach. You do this by being you in front of fellow professionals, and determining who the real players are in your industry.

4) Don’t be stingy with your business cards.

Even if you are already drowning in junk mail, don’t limit your distribution of business cards on the show floor. Most trade shows will rent your name and address to exhibiting companies. Since you are already going to get mail, not passing a card won’t help you much.

Hording your cards also sends a clear message that you are (a) not important enough to have a card, or (b) not interested in what your new contacts have to say. Since business cards are cheap and first impressions are important, neither approach is a good idea.

5) Lighten up, but with an agenda, and make sure to follow up.

It’s easy to fall into a “prude or hedonist” mindset at a trade show, and neither approach is professionally defensible. The temptations of expense account living and a new social situation lead many people to forget work and take a de facto vacation. Others operate with an ultra-conservative mindset, depriving them of a chance to be successful in their networking.

Aim for a happy medium. Entertain attendees, but don’t lose all inhibitions. Socialize, but not to the point that you won’t be reasonably sharp on the next day of your assignment – and make no mistake, a trade show is an assignment. If you’re worried that your dinner bill will cause trouble with accounting, skip a meal to make your total more palatable. And most of all, keep your schedule reasonably flexible. If your most important contact at the show wants to talk longer, you don’t want to play clock-watcher.

Bonus tip: Make sure you follow up with your show contacts once you get back home. Failing to do this, to some extent, throws away the money you spent going to the trade show in the first place.

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Six Common Job-Interview Questions

Try These Sample Questions to Help Get Ready
by Tom Musbach


One of the easiest ways to build confidence before a job interview is to prepare answers to questions you might be asked. Whether you're applying for a position as a web programmer, accountant, or legal secretary, interviewers often use some general questions to assess candidates, so you'll increase your chances for success if you prepare for them in advance.

Six common questions are listed below, along with insights from several recruitment professionals about how to answer. As part of your interview preparation, take the time to formulate answers to each question, focusing on specific tasks and accomplishments.

"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

This is one of the most well-known interview questions, and interviewers often ask it indirectly, as in, "What did your most recent boss suggest as areas for improvement in your last performance review?"

Lindsay Olson, founder of Paradigm Staffing Solutions, a firm specializing in hiring public relations professionals, suggests tailoring your "strengths" answer to skills that will benefit the prospective employer. Though you may have a knack for building gingerbread houses, it might be of little value for the job at hand.

When it comes to weaknesses, or areas of growth, Olson recommends building on your answer to include "how you have improved, and specifics on what you have done to improve yourself in those areas."

"Why did you leave your last position?"

"Interviewers will always want to know your reasoning behind leaving a company ? particularly short stints," says Olson. "Be prepared to tell the truth, without speaking negatively about past employment."

"Can you describe a previous work situation in which you ... ?"

This question comes in many forms, but what the interviewer is looking for is your behavior on the job. Your answer could focus on resolving a crisis, overcoming a negotiation deadlock, handling a problem coworker, or juggling multiple tasks on a project.

The theory behind this type of question is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, according to Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster, a company that offers career and talent checkup tools. "The key to responding well is preparing real job examples, describing your behavior in specific situations that demonstrate important skills that the job requires."

"What is your ideal work environment?"

This question is not about whether you prefer a cubicle or an office, so think broadly to include ideas about supervision, management styles, and your workday routine.

Bob Hancock, senior recruiter for video game publisher Electronic Arts, says that he uses this question with candidates because it can give "a sense of their work habits, how flexible they are with their schedules, and how creative they are."

"How do you handle mistakes?"

The best strategy for this general question is to focus on one or two specific examples in the past and, if possible, highlight resolutions or actions that might have relevance to the job you're interviewing for.

"Employers want to know they're hiring someone with the maturity to accept responsibility and the wherewithal to remedy their own mistakes," says Debra Davenport, a master professional mentor and columnist for the Business Journal in Phoenix.

"What is your most notable accomplishment?"

Paradigm Staffing's Olson suggests that candidates think of three or four accomplishments and quantify what their actions meant in terms of increasing revenues, saving resources, or improving resources.
"Being able to quantify your achievements in your career will launch you ahead of the rest," she says, "and demonstrate your ability to do the same as a future employee."

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How to Write a Business Letter

1. 
   
   Step 1
   Begin in the upper left corner with the date you are writing the letter. The date can be used for a point of later reference.
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   State the name of the recipient, along with his or her job title, the name of the company and the address.
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   Include a salutation in the upper left corner. It is commonly "Dear," followed by the name of the recipient. It is a good idea to address the person formally as Mr. or Ms. If the name of the recipient is unknown, follow with Sir or Madam.
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   Continue with the body of the letter. Do not indent, but put a space between paragraphs. In a business letter, make sure the point is stated clearly. The purpose of the letter should be stated in the first sentence of the body.
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   Choose a proper closing. The most common one is "Sincerely" followed by a comma. Type your name below the body to the left. Below that, type your job title. Once the letter is printed, put the signature below the printed name.
   
6. 
   
   Step 6
   Edit the letter. Check for spelling and grammatical errors very carefully. Nothing makes a letter look less professional than misspellings. Have another party ready the letter before sending it. The most popular word processing programs can also help you check. They do not catch all errors, however, so read the letter thoroughly.
   
7. 
   
   Step 7
   Use company letterhead if possible. Make sure the letter is double spaced. Choose a block font that is easy to read, not a pretty or flowery font.
   

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