June 21, 2006.
An interview is really something you are either good at or you are not. As being the one conducting the interview, this also holds true. I feel it takes quite a lot of practice and homework, which is much easier these days with the advent of company websites, blogs, google, and yahoo..........come on people!
When I started interviewing for jobs after college, back in 1993, I can remember going to the library to research articles about companies I was interviewing with. My degree was in computer animation, and I would read about the game companies, and their competitors before an interview, and then I would practice interviewing.
Now I must say, I had a bit of an edge - I was (oh gosh, this may come as a shock to some people) in a sorority. And I was Rush Chair - this is the person in charge of recruiting new pledges if you will. I was all about the first with a capital F impression you made on someone that came to the house for Rush. The way you looked, what you said, your eye contact, the way the house looked, your hair, what you were doing with your hands, your breath - I could have gone into HR of PR. I loved it, I loved being in the house, and I loved the whole 'rush' thing.
Which brings me back to interviewing, even if you are not good at it, you should be prepared. This is a no-brainer and EASY for anyone trying to enter the work force. Whether you interview well or not, you should do some research before you interview.
As stated in an earlier post, I am looking for some contract positions at JPD; Photoshop Artist/Expert, eventually two Sales People and possibly an Office Person. I have posted on Craig's List and started phone interviews this week. My first question, "What does my business do? Did you get a chance to look at the website?'
Ya, I don't think I need to go into detail, but in the future it is SOOOOO important you know about the company you are trying to interview with - THAT IS WHY I POSTED MY WEBSITE ON THE JOB POSTING! There is no excuse, and there is no second chance to make a first impression (I know, deodorant commercial, but SO true....).
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