Health Career Agents Job Board » interviewing tips

Questions you should never ask on a first interview.

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:06:10 +0000

Questions you should never ask an employer in the first interview…

1.   What’s the vacation time like?
2.   What kind of coffee do you serve?
3.   What would my salary be to start?
4.   When will I get my first raise?
5.   What kind of medical benefits do you provide?
6.   What kind of work does your company do?
7.   Am I a shoe in to get hired here?
8.   How strict is your 8 am start time?
9.   How many smoke breaks can I take?
10.   Do you ever buy lunch for the coworkers?
11.   If I get the job, will I have my own office?
12.   How strict is your dress code?
13.   Is chewing gum allowed?
14.   When is nap time?
15.   Is there a dress code?
16.   How many hours can I spend on Facebook or surfing the internet?

Do you have any of your own too add to the list?

4 Sure Fire ways to Not get the Job based on your Appearance

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:16:33 +0000

With all of the reality shows you can find on television, you’d think more people would take notes on what’s happening. A lot of reality shows revolve around clothing and how to dress for success. Well here are 4 sure fire ways to not get the job simply based on your appearance.

Wear a mini skirt. A mini skirt is never appropriate for a job interview. Interviews are not like the ones we see in the movies or on television. Dressing on the more conservative side is always the best rule of thumb to follow. If you’re unsure of what to wear, you can always call the place you are interviewing at and ask the secretary what the dress code is. Make sure to have all the wrinkles ironed out and look your best.
Wear really baggie clothes. No on wants to hire someone that looks frumpy in their interview. Make sure you clothing fit’s your body. It doesn’t need to be skin tight, but looking like you’re wearing a parachute gives the visual perception of sloppiness.
Smell like the perfume counter at Macy’s. People always make fun of the man or woman that reeks of perfume or cologne. You want people to pay attention to you and not what you smell like. Be sure to shower, apply deodorant and leave the perfume/cologne at home.
Look like a clown. Overdoing the make-up can give the appearance of trying to hard. Make sure to keep it simple. If you’re unsure, ask a friend over the night before and do a trial run of your outfit and possible make-up selections. Being prepared is always the best way to go.

9 times out of ten, interviewers are looking for someone who is well put together and not over the top with their fashion or their make-up. Keep it conservative and make sure to check out your appearance before you leave your home. Dressing for success can sometimes be the key to helping you land that perfect job.

What to say so you don’t get hired!

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:48:14 +0000

When going into a job interview being prepared is key. Here are some phrases and questions that will insure you a one way ticket to staying unemployed.

Ugh, this seems like a dead end job.
You sound like you would be a terrible boss.
This sounds like too much work, do you have anything easier?
Man, this job sounds super easy.
Um, you’re boring me. Is there someone else I can talk to about this position?
Sounds like too many hours for me. Do you have anything on the lighter side of 40 hours?
Are you sure that’s all that this position pays?
How many vacation days do I get? Can I take those right away?
What does this company do again?
Where am I? Who are you?
That is not a good color on you. You need to stay away from plaids.

Now you’d think no one would ever say any of the above items in their interview, but in talking with my friend who does interviews on a daily basis you’d be surprised. She recommends offering compliments, doing your research on the job and company, and being sure of yourself and your abilities. See the job interview as a chance to sell yourself and let them know what value you can bring to the job position.

5 Fantastic Tips for a Stellar First Interview

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:10:29 +0000

Have another copy or two of the resume you sent to them. On the off chance they have misplaced it you’ll be able to supply it to them another on the spot. Doing this gives the appearance you’re prepared for the situation at hand and are serious about this job prospect.
Do your homework on the company. With the boom of the internet it’s quite easy to find out information about the company you want to work for. Check out the company’s website, there Twitter account (if they have one) and even look them up on LinkedIn to see who works for them. Arming yourself with some basic and advanced knowledge of the company can give you the edge on other candidates they are considering.
Make a list of quality interview questions to ask them. Ask why the position has become available. If it’s a supervising position, inquire who you will be supervising and the general list of responsibilities. Be sure to include questions regarding the position itself, getting any clarification from the job description that was given to you. Thinking through this list of questions and having them prepared will be a huge selling point for you, making it appear you plan things out and plan accordingly.
Take a deep breath. A lot of times we go into interviews stressed out and feeling tense. Be sure to hydrate, give yourself plenty of time to get there on time, and dress to impress. Most of all…be sure to breathe. Take your time in answering questions, be clear and concise.
Have a friend interview you. The old adage of “practice makes perfect” applies here. Going through a few trial run interviews can help you be calm, cool and collected for the real thing. So, invite a friend or family member over and have a list of questions for them to ask you. Have a mock session where you dress up and go through the interview process. Role playing like this can help with your nerves as well as give you a bit of experience in interacting with others.