Appearance and Non-Verbal Communication Send A Message

People make judgments within six seconds about everything from your economic level and self-confidence to your trustworthiness and honesty. Make sure you are sending the appropriate signals!

Dress for Success - Appearance/Attire

The general rule is all articles of clothing must be neat, clean, pressed, suitably matched and of a fabric and color appropriate for a professional office. Socks or hosiery should be worn at all times. Extreme styles of makeup or dress should be avoided.

Today’s variety of fashions, together with the rate in which they change, make it impractical to list all attire that is appropriate, however, listed below are guidelines to keep in mind with regard to your attire:

• Do not wear excessively tight, sheer, short or revealing clothes
• Avoid clothes that are soiled or wrinkled
• Tennis shoes or sandals are inappropriate
• Nails should be short, neat and clean
• Keep perfume or cologne use to a minimum
• Avoid too much jewelry. Piercings, tattoos or other artistic impressions should be kept unexposed while in a professional business environment
• Hairstyle, hair length, facial hair, make-up, hair color and body hygiene should be neat, clean and well groomed, not eccentric.

Non-Verbal Communication

Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewer during your interview. Shifting eyes and avoidance all together can send a message of distrust.

Be cognizant of your hands and other body language that may send an inaccurate message (e.g., putting your hands behind your head, putting your fingers under your chin, folding your arms, fiddling with something, and swinging or tapping your feet).

A handshake says a lot. A firm grip is important (although avoid squeezing too aggressively) while a weak handshake can convey a lack of confidence. Avoid using a two hand grip which culturally is too personal for the business environment.

9 Steps to Making a Good Decision for a New Job

When searching for a new job, everyone will offer their opinion on what you should do. The only opinion that matters is yours.

1. Pinpoint the decision that needs to be made. Make a list of what your ideal situation would be.

2. Try to get as much information as possible and be sure it is reliable.


3. Ask for suggestions and advice. You don’t have to follow it, but you may discover some valuable tips along the way.

4. Make a list of the pros and cons of the job – see which one tips the scale.

5. Ask yourself what would be the best and worst – case scenario of this decision.

6. Determine the value of each of the previous six steps and their consequences. List the pros and cons of each one; then compare them all to find the best solution in its proper perspective. If you make this decision, where will you be six months from now? In a year? In five years?

7. Trust your intuition. Learn to trust your deeper instincts instead of following your immediate impulse.

8. Recognize and honor mistakes throughout the process and use them to improve your decision-making skills the next time.

Eight Keys to Getting a "Yes" and Get Hired

1. Be prepared.

2. Be ready to turn negatives into positives.

3. Ask questions to keep control.

4. Listen actively to content and intent of questions you are asked.

5. Do not answer questions you do not fully understand.

6. Ask for the job.

7. Follow up.

8. Practice so much that you will be relaxed and comfortable enough to let your best shine through.

Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Remember, just because a firm likes you, doesn’t mean you are required to accept the job. You, too, are there to learn about the opportunity and determine a level of interest. You need to be comfortable with your decision and the only way to get information is to ask questions.

1. What do you feel is the ideal candidate for this position?
2. What are the key responsibilities of this job?
3. What changes or improvements would you like to see in these responsibilities?
4. What is a typical day on the job like?
5. What do you foresee as possible obstacles or problems I might have?
6. Why is the position open?
7. What would you like most for new employees to bring to this job?
8. Who would I be working for?
9. What are they like?
10. How long have they been with the firm?
11. How many people have had this job in the last 5 years?
12. Of the people who have had this job before, what were the characteristics of those who performed well? Of those who didn’t?
13. How long have the other people been in the department?
14. Tell me about the best employee in the department.
15. What do you like about this industry?
16. What don’t you like?
17. What do people look for when hiring in this field?
18. What qualifications are essential to success in the industry?
19. How did you get into this industry?
20. Is there a “normal” career path for people in this industry?
21. How is job performance evaluated here? How is it rewarded?
22. How many women and minorities are in middle to upper management?
23. If you hire me, what will your specific expectations be?
24. Can I provide you with any additional information to help evaluate me for this position?
25. May I ask when I can expect a decision regarding this position?

Job Interview Questions Commonly Asked

1. Tell me about yourself. Know your resume details and state them concisely.

2. Why do you want to work for us? Do any research possible ahead of time to be ready for this question. Explain that you were impressed by the company’s policies, reputation, working conditions, etc.

3. Why should I hire you? What are your strengths? Take a personal inventory; take time to think about events in your life. Think about ways in which you’ve saved your company money, how you’ve reorganized and raised productivity, how you get along with your boss and co-workers, how you developed new systems or improved old ones.

Put together a list of your strengths: leadership, work ethic, ambition, loyalty, determination, dependability, efficiency, ability to work under pressure, to cope, to get along with people, steady work history, extraordinary abilities. Use qualities that would be beneficial to the employer for this job.

If you have limited work experience, think about how you’ve organized your life: how you’ve managed on a limited budget and how you made decisions for major purchases or important life choices. Perhaps you’re a mother who organized a playgroup for the preschoolers in your neighborhood, or maybe you volunteer for Big Brothers.

4. What are your weaknesses? Proceed cautiously with this question. Either turn a weakness into a positive or talk about a personal weakness rather than business or work-related.

5. What did you like most/least about your last job? What you like most should fit the job for which you are applying – if you are applying with a conservative company, don’t answer, “a casual environment.” Be careful that negative feedback about your manager, your boss, or your co-workers may send a message about your interpersonal skills so be prepared to explain further..

6. Why did you leave your prior job? Be honest, be brief, but be diplomatic. Keep it simple; don’t get overly detailed or ramble. Don’t make excuses for yourself. If you were fired say so – they will find out eventually. Try to keep things positive. Don’t talk negatively about your past employer.

7. Where do you see yourself five years from now? This can be translated as “are you going to be around for the long haul?” A company is looking for stability. Keep it realistic and tie it into their company.

8. Where do you see yourself 10 to 20 years from now? Companies like to see people with a plan of action. Again, keep it simple and realistic. It is safe to say that you expect promotions and salary increases in line with productivity.

9. What are your salary requirements? Always give a range – go low and go high. “I’m interviewing in the range between ___ and ___.” Don’t negotiate until they are going to make you the offer. Wait until you have put some substance behind your background and the company is actively interested. That might mean waiting until the second or third interview. Remember - stablish value and then talk price.

10. When are you available to start? If you’re not working, immediately. If you are working, it is important you give two weeks notice – more if you are in a management or supervisory position.

Resume Sample Cover Letter

Introduce your resume with a cover letter explaining why you are submitting your resume, and if necessary, to discuss any salary requirements.

Sample below:

Suzy Que
123 Forth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213-123-4567

August 4, 2007

Mr. George Howe
Howe Realtors
20 Prospect Street
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Dear Mr. Howe:

I am interested in applying for the Administrative Assistant to the CEO position at your company.

As my resume indicates, I have nine years of experience. I have strong technical skills including typing of 75 WPM, extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel as well as an exposure to presentation packages and Access databases. My real strengths, however, are in organization, client relations, and supporting top-level executives.

I look forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the position. I will call you next week to determine when we can get together briefly.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Suzy Que

A Sample Thank You Letter

Suzy Que
123 Fourth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213-123-4567

August 4, 1998

Mr. George Howe
Howe Realtors
20 Prospect Street
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Dear Mr. Howe:

I want to express my thanks to you for the time and courtesy extended to me today. After learning about the exciting career opportunities in your firm, I am even more enthusiastic about working for Howe Realtors.

I believe my interests and capabilities would permit me to make a valuable contribution to your team.

I will follow-up with you shortly on your decision. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Suzy Que