What impression are you making in the interview? Are you projecting an image of someone who can do the job, or of someone who sure hopes it works out?

The video below shows how weak wording in the interview reflects poor communication skills and lack of ability, which will kill your chances to get the offer. Most of it is so common, you probably don't even know you're doing it!
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Dear Career Coach,

I’ve been reading your advice on the job search and it’s been very helpful to me.  I’m on LinkedIn, I’ve had some luck contacting hiring managers, and I’ve even gotten several interviews.  But here's the problem:  I’m not getting called in for a second interview and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.

Signed,

Puzzled in Peoria

Dear Puzzled,

That’s tough….it’s discouraging to feel so close to success and fall short.  You’re doing a lot of things right, since you’re able to secure interviews.  That’s a huge hurdle.  It sounds like you only need some improvement on your interview style, and I have some great job interview tips you can try:
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You’ve got the education, the experience, and the skills.  How are you going to give yourself a boost over all the other candidates with the education, the experience, and the skills?

When I coach job seekers, I send every one of them into interviews with a 30-60-90-day plan because it’s the best tool available for helping those candidates stand out from the competition.  It’s exponentially more important that management-level candidates come to the interview with a high-level plan for how they’re going to attack the job and the problems that need to be solved.
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You know I’ve preached loud and long about how amazing 30-60-90-day plans are for job interviews, and they seem like a natural for folks in sales, marketing, or similar jobs.  But there’s a real hesitation from candidates in technical fields, who don’t think this kind of plan applies to their jobs.  But it absolutely does.  In fact, a candidate for a technical job can make an even bigger positive impact with a 30-60-90-day plan because it’s so unexpected that it really spotlights what an outstanding candidate you are.

Here’s how it works: 

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In your job interview, the details matter.  The big picture is often the same, in terms of the process, but how you handle each individual step tells the interviewer a tremendous amount about you and how you’ll approach the job.  Here are 3 opportunities for you to stand out from your competition:
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What you say about your references in your job interview can kill your chances to get the job--not to mention what they say about you when they're called!  Your references are a huge factor in your success--they can make you or break you (see How Bad References Can Kill Your Job Search).  But I just talked to a candidate who, even though her references aren't negative, is making a fatal but common mistake when asked about them.

Listen to this audio to find out what her mistake is and how you can avoid it:

Get more valuable tips like these when you sign up for the FREE webinar "How to Get a Better Job - Faster!". Webinar Signup Here

Many candidates don't realize that they should even be asking questions in the interview, and if they do, they limit their questions to information-gathering about the job.  Don't get me wrong, information-gathering is a very important goal for your interview questions to ask -- as long as you don't ask about salary!  BUT, there is a question that you absolutely must ask that can seal the deal in your interview, or even rescue it if it's not going well.  Watch the video to find out what it is:

If you'd like more information on how to land the job you want, check out our FREE, one-hour webinar:

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If you've been in the job market very long, you know how competitive it is out there.  But all that means is that since employers aren't chasing you, you've got to bring your "A game" to the interview.

Your mission in the interview is to prove to the hiring manager that

(a) you understand the job;

(b) you will be successful in the job; and

(c) you not only won't be a risk to his own employment, you'll make him look good.

But how do you prove that?  He's got more than a few candidates telling him that they have such-and-such experience, and that they're driven, hard-working, enthusiastic, energetic, etc.  How do you stand out?

You stand out from the rest of the candidates through your extensive research and preparation.

You've got to be able to address, with as much knowledge as you can, what the company's issues are and how you're the best person to  them.  That means doing your homework.  You've got to know what the company's mission, goals, and biggest problems are.  Do you see the shift here?  It's a little less "this is what I can do" and a little more "this is how I can help you get where you want to go."

And, the best way to showcase your job interview preparation is through a 30/60/90-day plan.

A 30/60/90-day plan is a written outline of your tasks and goals for your first 3 months on the job.  (Many people think about it in relation to sales jobs, but it's completely adaptable to just about every job).  You're spelling out for your potential employer that you know what you need to do to be successful.  The more company-specific it is, the better--and that's where your research comes in.  Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect.  It's a tool that will facilitate your interview conversation, and you can revise it later.  The important thing is that it shows the hiring manager you've thought about how you'll accomplish important goals.  It demonstrates your communication skills, strategic thinking, dedication, and commitment.

Putting this kind of plan together takes a significant amount of work--a lot more than most candidates will do.  But that's exactly why it makes you stand out as a candidate who can prove why you are the best person for the job.

Want to learn more about how to bring your A game to the interview?

Sign up for this FREE webinar:  How to Get a Better Job - FASTER

Webinar Signup Here

If you’ve had your interview and you’ve sent your thank you note, what do you do now?  Should you call?  Is sending an email better?  How long should you wait?

Watch the video to find out:

• How and when to contact the hiring manager
• What your goal should be for the post-interview follow up
• What the hiring manager is looking for in your follow up response
• The best way to get to the result you want

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Lots of companies administer personality assessments such as DISC, Caliper, or Gallup as part of their hiring process.  It helps hiring managers to see if a candidate really is a good fit for the job.

But what happens if they tell you that, based on your test results, you're not a good fit?  Are you out of luck?

Not necessarily.  Watch this video to see a couple of things you can do to get back in the game and try to save your job offer.  These are some slightly unconventional but very effective job interview tips you won't want to miss!

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