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Tips to Land Your Dream Job

Your alarm went off on time, you ate a great breakfast, and all the lights were green on the way to your interview location. This is it! The moment you’ve been waiting for with the company of your dreams. Follow these tips from Monster.com to ensure that you not only land the job, but leave a lasting positive impression.

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication

Demonstrate confidence by standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a firm handshake. This impression can be a great beginning to your interview.

Dress for the Job or Company

It is important to know what to wear to an interview and to be well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking.  

Listen
Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

Don't Talk Too Much
Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

Don't Be Too Familiar
Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

Use Appropriate Language
It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation etc.

Don't Be Cocky
Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.
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Take Care to Answer the Questions
Behavioral interview questions are designed to elicit a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

Ask Questions
Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

Don't Appear Desperate
When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach; you appear desperate and less confident. Reflect the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm and confidence.

You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can too by putting these tips into practice. 

Follow this link to read the article in full detail:

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-preparation/boost-your-interview-iq/article.aspx

Have some tips of your own? Feel free to email me at Kimberlee.wright@mfrm.com

Don't Burn a Bridge, Build it!

You’ve been in the job search for a while now. All of a sudden, you are landing interviews back to back. Then one day, you are surrounded with offers. Oh my! You need to make a decision, but you know that a few companies will be on the losing end of the stick. After careful deliberation, you have made your decision. But should you let the “losing” employers know? Wouldn’t it be easier to just not sign the offer or not pick up the phone when they call?

Your story may not play out this exact way, but you may have been in a situation where you had to make a decision between employers. What is the best way to handle that? The idea is that you want to build bridges and not burn them. You never know, you may find that the job that you accepted wasn’t actually a fit. You may want to later apply for another position with the company that you originally turned down. You may cross paths with the “losing” recruiter…it is a small world after all.

So how can you politely decline an employer and build that bridge? All it takes is a simple call. 

1. Call the employer personally.  Let them know that you are turning down the offer and why.
2. Let the employer know in a timely fashion. That way, the employer can explore a different candidate.
3. Be polite and professional.  Recruiter’s document each encounter with candidates. If you ever apply again, they will be able to reference the past conversations.
4. Offer assistance. If you know someone that is in the career search and would meet the employer’s requirements, refer them to the employer. This could help the employer fill the position since you are now pursuing something different, and you are paying it forward. 

 I know it’s easier said than done, but I promise that you will feel better letting the employer know the direction that you are taking.  Who knows what paths you may take in the future, as you may need to travel on the bridge that you once thought of burning.

If you are looking to build a bridge with Mattress Firm, Inc., please email me at daja.pope@mfrm.com.