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May 27, 2012
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Guide to Job Interviews :: Part 2/2

Journal Entry: Sun May 27, 2012, 7:21 AM
This Article results from a gathering of information I've done along the years while I was looking for a job, as well as some experience  being on the other side ( employer side ) and what the company/ institution is looking for in this process. I hope you find this useful, and please feel free to add anything you find important, to make it as complete as possible for those who need it.

:note: Click here for Part 1


DURING THE INTERVIEW
1. Non Verbal Communication
1.1Why it matters

Knowing that recent studies show that around 93% of our communication is non verbal, really gives us a completely  different perspective of some situations, particularly when we are being evaluated such as in a job interview.
It is important that you are as natural and comnfortable as possible, but there are things that you should avoid doing as they might give a negative/ less positive impression of you. And if you have a basic knowledge you can actually take it to your advantage and have a better idea of how the interview is going.

2. Greeting
The social protocol is a nice, firm, confident handshake. Keep your hand vertically and hold on to the person's hand with the same strength as you would a phone or slightly harder to emphasize your enthusiasm. Don't let your palm face upwards, because that immediately puts you in a vulnerable and submissive position ( and not in a good way ).
Smile and saying something like "Nice to meet you" or "Thank you for this opportunity" will score you extra points for friendliness and openness.

3. What to do with your hands
Your hands should be able to be seen at all times, or as much as possible. This shows that you have nothing to hide, that you are being completely open and honest with your probable future boss, which he appreciates. Some hand positions will help you show confidence and credibility:
The hand steeple is very famous among lawyers and politians. It's where you make a "roof top" with your fingers. When used for extended amounts of time it might come across as arrogant, but it does show strength when negotiating.
The inverted hand steeple, is more used while listening. And since women are considered to be better listeners, it's more often used by them.
The "safest" hand position to have, in my opinion, is to have your arms ( not elbows ) laying on the table in front of your chest, and your fingers entertwined.

4. Eye Contact
If the interview is being conducted by more than one person, you can use this to your advantage instead of being a reason for you to be nervous:

- Choose the person you find the friendliest and come back to him/ her with your eyes, make sure that when you talk to distribute the attention you are giving to everyone focusing on each for a few seconds. This will help you shine and connect with each one of them and none will feel ignored.
- When asked a hard question, keep your eye contact as natural as possible. The most natural reaction is to look away, usually down, so you might need to practise this in front of a mirror.
-If you don't feel comfortable at all looking in someone's eyes, try choosing a different spot to look at. Eyebrows or cheeks are a little away from the eyes but in this context, it's not going to make a big difference.
- Don't forget to blink!
- Avoid looking outside the window or down, this will immediately show you as insecure.

5. Credibility in Voice Tone
Studies show that the higher and pitchy a voice is, the less credibility it has. So in this particular situation and in any other where you need to speak publicly you want to keep your voice as smooth and low as possible. If you have a naturally high pitched voice, keep it lower.
Articulating the words carefully can also help you in several ways: you won't be tripping over your own words, you will have more time to think about what you are saying and develop your ideas better.
Make sure you are breathing from the diaphram, many people are shallow breathers, which causes their voice to sound strident and consequently less credible.


6. Being confident and positive
This is actually the topic that glues everything else together, and without it, be sure that all your other efforts WILL fall apart. Imagine you are the employer entity for a moment, and that you have before you a person who has a pretty nice portfolio, but who is constantly bringing himself down, insecure, negative, .. you start doubting this person yourself. I mean, if he is insecure, it must be because he has a reason for it, right?
Wrong.

Most people can't value their own work. You don't need to be conceited and arrogant, only realistic. Remember that the company found your work interesting enough to give you a job interview, they want to know more about you, and that should already say something very positive.

It is indeed necessary that you have a good solid and realistic idea of the quality of your work. To do that I often look at my own work as my worst enemy would. I criticize it, and make it grow. The same goes for comparing it to other people's works. Use whatever criticism and insecurity you have about it to make it better, instead of whinning and complaining, use that energy to do something about it.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW
1. A "Thank you" note

It's something that most people don't even consider, and therefore something you should keep in mind to make a difference. It's important to differ yourself from others, and make yourself remembered by the best reasons.
Send the company a "Thank you" note, and make it special and heartfelt by handwriting it. Say how much you appreciate the opportunity that was given, congratulate them on the quality of their work and hope that you will work with them soon. Whatever feels right to you in that moment.

2. Learn from possible mistakes
Don't lie to yourself and consider the possibility that something did not go right its best in that interview. And if you feel that is the case, and you actually know what it was, keep it mind so that you don't let it happen again.
However...

3. Don't beat yourself up!
Keep in mind the company interviewed a lot more people, and of those people, many were more experient in interviews than you, or had a particular set of skills you don't. Whatever the case is, it's not the end of the world.
Job- hunt is incredibly frustrating, time and energy consuming. Don't give up! Reward yourself for all the effort and things you achieved and keep your mind focused  on the next opportunity.
It might take years to finally get a job, and it might not even have to do with how you perform in an interview. Your time will come, keep believing and keep trying. Opportunities and jobs don't fall on your lap.

:note: Click here for Part 1

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:iconnordiclynx:
*NordicLynx Oct 25, 2012  Student Traditional Artist
This is very helpful and I like that you point out how others percieve you psychologically :)
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:iconsakonma:
Thank you so much for this! :heart:
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:icongarapan:
!Garapan May 27, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
This is magnificent. Can you post on this also a link to part one for easy reference? I'm sharing this out for people here-

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:iconprincess-of-shadows:
`Princess-of-Shadows May 27, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
Of course, that was my bad. Thank you so much for the support btw :heart:
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:icongarapan:
!Garapan May 27, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
Gladly.
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