Lin Grensing-Pophal SPHR - The Everything Job Interview Book: All You Need to Stand Out in Todays Competitive Job Market

THE

JOB INTERVIEW
BOOK

3RD EDITION

Dear Reader,

Looking for a new job can be both exciting and frustrating. Theres the thrill of seeking new opportunities, and the stress of knowing youre competing with others for every position you apply for. Theres the worry about whether youll make a great impression from the time you submit your application through the interview process.

Having been on both sides of interviewing throughout my career, Ive been fortunate to participate in literally hundreds of interviews (thankfully, most as the interviewer and not the interviewee!). Ive observed candidates who were exceptional throughout the job interview process as well as those who were woefully ill-prepared.

The job interview process can be more exciting than frustrating. The tips and information youll find in this book will help. Youll learn about the steps to take and the many resources available to help you find opportunities, including new opportunities through social media. Youll learn how to format and submit your resume or application. Youll learn how to respond to even the toughest interview questions with confidence.

Id like to wish you the best of luck in your job search. I just know there is an exciting new opportunity ahead of you!

Welcome to theSeries!

These handy, accessible books give you all you need to tackle a difficult project, gain a new hobby, comprehend a fascinating topic, prepare for an exam, or even brush up on something you learned back in school but have since forgotten.

You can choose to read an Everything book from cover to cover or just pick out the information you want from our three useful boxes: e-facts, e-alerts, and e-ssentials. We give you everything you need to know on the subject, but throw in a lot of fun stuff along the way, too.

We now have more than 400 Everything books in print, spanning such wide-ranging categories as weddings, pregnancy, cooking, music instruction, foreign language, crafts, pets, New Age, and so much more. When youre done reading them all, you can finally say you know Everything!

PUBLISHER Karen Cooper

DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITIONS AND INNOVATION Paula Munier

MANAGING EDITOR, EVERYTHING SERIES Lisa Laing

COPY CHIEF Casey Ebert

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION EDITOR Melanie Cordova

ACQUISITIONS EDITOR Kate Powers

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEVELOPMENT EDITOR Brett Palana-Shanahan

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ross Weisman

EVERYTHING SERIES COVER DESIGNER Erin Alexander

LAYOUT DESIGNERS Erin Dawson, Michelle Roy Kelly, Elisabeth Lariviere, Denise Wallace

Visit the entire Everything series at www.everything.com

All you need to stand out in todays
competitive job market

Lin Grensing-Pophal, SPHR

Id like to dedicate this book to my son, Justin Grensing, who
is just now embarking on his first professional job hunt after
graduating with a JD/MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Heres hoping that first job will launch a very successful career!

Id like to thank Kate Powers, my project manager, for keeping me on track. Id also like to thank Bob Diforio, my agent, for recommending me for this project. And my son, for his help with background research, which aided immensely in helping me meet my deadlines!

Grab attention with a winning cover letter that will land you an interview.

Be prepared with your script and a resume by the phone for what may be the first round of your screening process.

Never go into an interview without researching the company, its competitors, and, if you can, the person who will be interviewing you.

Schedule your interview in the morning when your interviewer will be at his freshest (and you will, too!).

Present your most conservative, well-groomed, and attractive self to your interviewer and prospective employer.

Separate yourself from the job-seeking crowd with your knowledge of the company, its competitors, and your smile.

Do your homework and be prepared for the tough questions and any traps or pitfalls the interviewer may spring on you.

Know the tough questions to ask to get the answers you need to see whether this job is the right one for you.

Let the interviewernot youbring up the question of salary. Save the discussion of benefits for after an offer has been extended.

Even if you feel youre not right for this particular job, be gracious. You will make a positive impression on your interviewer, and you never knowit might lead to a more promising job.

ITS SAFE TO SAY that just about everybody, at some point in their lives, will have the opportunity to participate in a job interview. Whether youre just embarking on a new career after graduation, searching for new opportunities, or going back to work after some time out of the work force, you will be involved in an interview. In fact, the job interview is the most important step in winning a job. A great resume may get you noticed, but how you actually come across to a future employer during a job interview is what will help you land a job.

You can never be too prepared for a job interview. From researching the company to rehearsing your answers, the job interview is one case where practice definitely makes perfect. Whether youre out there looking for your very first job or are a seasoned professional, job interviews can be a nerve-racking experienceand for good reason. It is during the interview that many otherwise qualified people lose their chance at employment.

It is important to know the rules of the job interview: what to wear, what to say, and what to do when its over. The goal of this book is to answer each and every question you may have when it comes to interviewing for a new job. By absorbing the important lessons in this book, youll acquire the confidence you need to sail through the interview.

The book is divided into three basic parts. will guide you through job interview strategies. It will help you define your goals and explain the importance of career tests and the differences between corporate recruiters, search consultants, and career counselors. It will guide you through the intricacies of cover letters, interview research, and even grooming. The strategies you learn here will cover everything you need to know. Before you step out the door on your way to the interview, youll feel confident and well prepared.