NYC Jobs

The 'Cat's Out of the Bag'... Top Three Interview Secrets

Written By Jimmy Sweeney, President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, Job Interview "Secret".

Be prepared.
Be yourself.
Be attentive.

What's so 'secret' about these precepts that surely everyone knows? The secret is that few people live by them when it comes to landing a job interview. Many job hunters follow these instead:

Protect your emotions.
Protect your privacy.
Protect your rights.

In other words, their focus is all about them, rather than on what could occur if they were warm, friendly, and honest about who they are and what they can bring to the job.

Follow the first three and look forward to something great.

Secret #1: Be Prepared

Take time before the interview to put yourself and your resume in order. Plan to dress professionally. Have copies of your resume available in case you meet more than one interviewer. Jot down a few notes regarding your successes, your solutions to problems, even your failures—as well as what you learned from them and how you applied that knowledge to other challenges.

Secret #2: Be Yourself

As long as you tell the truth in words and behavior you'll never have to cover your backside. People will know who you are and what they can expect from you. This tactic will also inspire others to be themselves with you. Authentic people working with authentic people can accomplish amazing things in a short amount of time. So express yourself rather than trying to impress others with words and actions that don't fit your personality. Hiring managers are on the lookout for open-faced, friendly individuals who are quick to shake hands, ask pertinent work-related questions, and show enthusiasm for the tasks associated with the job. They'll also want to know what new and worthwhile abilities you can bring to the company, so think about that too.

Secret #3: Be Attentive

It's easy to be distracted when you're nervous or anxious about what's coming at you. The best antidote is attentive listening. Look the interviewer in the eye. Take in what he or she is saying and how it relates to you. When it's time to respond, sit forward and speak up. Keep your hands in your lap so you won't be tempted to fiddle with your tie or scarf or the buttons on your jacket. The best gift anyone can give another person is time and attention.

As you prepare for your next job interview, keep these secrets in mind. Then put them into practice and see where they lead—straight to the job you most desire.

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career Document" job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."

Visit our friends at Job Interview "Secret" and discover Jimmy Sweeney's breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair... DURING your next job interview.

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