Currently, the U.S. unemployment rate is at 9.5% and thousands of job seekers are in search for jobs.  Even if you currently have a job, you may be thinking that now might be the time to start looking again.  I have been interviewing candidates for the past two years for my company and have seen job applicants do the right things and the wrong things.  Here is my best advice on how to ace your next interview:

1. Prepare: Be early, know exactly how to get to the interview and make sure you allow enough time for traffic.  Arrive calm, relaxed and don’t forget to eat beforehand!  My first interview lasted 4 hours because I had to interview with 5 different groups of people.  I had no idea it would take that long and I was famished at the end!
2. Be Confident: Walk into the interview like you will get the job.  Imagine a scale of a 1-10 and walk in feeling like an 8-10. Show enthusiasm and interest about the job and let them know that you want it.  It is a red flag to the interviewer if you don’t seem interested.
   Read more »

Telephone interviews are becoming more prominent as companies receive a sea of applications for their job openings. A phone interview can come at any time so you should be prepared. Before you can even meet with an interviewer, your time on the phone is the first chance to leave an impression, so you need to make it count.

Prepare yourself ahead of time

First, show your interest in the opportunity by researching the company. Gather these important documents and keep them nearby: a copy of your resume, requirements and duties of the position, some key words for answering possible questions, background research on the company and a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Having these during your interview will help immensely. Since the interviewer cannot see and your documents, go ahead and highlight sections as well as write side notes on specific key items you want to focus. If you receive a call from an interview but are not in an area where answering the phone is possible, ask if you can call them back and set a time within the next hour.

Keep track of your words

Speaking slowly and clearly is vital to your interview. Give yourself time to think before you answer questions. Keep a level of enthusiasm in your voice by smiling.

Take notes during the interview

Keep a pen and paper with you so you can take notes during the interview. Make notes on any relevant information you have at hand. These notes will help later when you need to ask questions.

Follow-up

Thank the interviewer for their time and verify their contact information. Ask when to expect a follow-up or when you should follow up.

Following these simple steps will help ease your next phone interview and give your interviewer the best impression possible. Do you have any other helpful phone interview tips? Comment back on this post and let us know!

Some of our most recent blog posts have given you tips for your next interview. But what happens after you leave the interview? Should you follow up? And if so, what’s the best way to do it? The answer to the first question is yes, always follow up. You may have finished the interview already, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t still selling yourself. The best way to follow up would be sending a thank you letter to your interviewer. If you’re not sure what to write in the letter, here are some tips to help:

- Plan to send out your thank you letters as soon as possible (preferably within twenty-four hours) after your interview.  Keep the tone courteous and thankful.

- The letter can be typed up into an e-mail or handwritten, as long as you send one!

- Use your letter as a way to stand out from the crowd and make a good impression. Ask yourself – did anything stand out? What would the interviewer remember about me?

- If there is something you didn’t get a chance to mention during the interview, say it by including it in your thank you letter.

- Keep your thank you letters short and simple. Edit the letter so it reflects your personality and your interest in the new job. Remember to show your enthusiasm for the company and to sell yourself as the ideal candidate.

- Finally, spell check and proof your thank you letter. Then ask someone else to proof it for you.

If you are interested in learning more about the job seeking process, sign up to order a free StormStaff Job Seeker’s Guide. The kit includes all of the information you need from building your resume to scoring the perfect interview! Sign up by clicking here.

A recent article featured on Yahoo!hotjobs titled   “10 Ways to Be Liked in Your Job Interview” lists 10 ways to increase success for your next job interview. The list goes over various interviewing don’ts: from avoiding excessive smiling and off-target questions to keeping small-talk and jokes to a minimum. While the list can be comical, the advice is beneficial to all job seekers.

10 mistakes to avoid for interview success:

1. Don’t be a “smiley face” - excessive smiling can also be seen as nervousness
2. Don’t be a small-talker – be knowledgeable about the company you’re interviewing with and avoid random facts
3. Don’t sweat – it can be seen as a sign of weakness and nervousness and will not impress
4. Don’t be a road block – interviewers are seeking eager candidates
5. Don’t be petty - avoid asking questions about routine elements of a company
6. Don’t be a liar - even a slight exaggeration is lying
7. Don’t be a bad comedian – humor tends to be subjective, so be careful
8. Don’t be high-maintenance - interviewers will not be interested in someone who’s finicky about their workspace
9. Don’t be a time-waster – make questions intelligent and to the point, otherwise you’re wasting time
10. Don’t be a switchblade – avoid bashing former employers

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

So, you’ve got an interview coming up. You’re strapped for cash, and you’ve searched through every hanger and drawer in your closet but don’t know what to wear. Not to worry! You can still build an ideal interview outfit right from your very own wardrobe. Here are a few tips for picking the perfect interview attire on a budget.

The bare necessities checklist – no job seeker should be without these!

Suit: One of the pricier pieces of your interview wardrobe can be a well-fitted suit.

Affordable Women's Suit from JCPenney

Designer suits can be pretty expensive, but I found a versatile, four-piece women’s set at JCPenney which comes out to less than $100 and several men’s seperates at JCPenney as well.

If a suit still isn’t in your budget, consider a classic white button down shirt with dark slacks. A white top or dress shirt with long sleeves can be a conservative and fail-proof approach at a professional look. Fitted white shirts can be modestly-priced at most stores, like this Merona men’s fitted shirt or women’s button down top from Target. Some department stores even offer shirt-and-tie sets at a cheaper price than separates.

Accessories: Accessories can put a final touch on any outfit but they don’t have to be expensive! You can save money on some of the expendable accessories in your wardrobe, such as pantyhose and dress socks, which can be purchased at wholesale prices.

Hair and hygiene: Sleek and sophisticated looks always make a statement for both men and women. Gentlemen, remember to shave! It is also recommended to skip on the perfumes and colognes altogether to avoid stirring up any allergies.

Dry cleaning: If you have some extra cash to play around with, you’ll definitely want to consider dry cleaning your outfit a few days before your interview. While this is an extra cost, it will create a crisp, clean finish to your look.

Integrating these tips into your wardrobe selection will save you time and money when deciding what to wear for that next big interview. While interviewing for a job can be nerve-racking, choosing an outfit doesn’t have to be!

Do you have any tips for interview attire? What has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t?