Volume 4, Issue 11 November, 2001 Job Link What Interviewers Look For
NRI is Your Interview Link
NRI Redesigns Website10 Crucial Interview Tips
Notable Quotable
Our Disciplines and Locations
What Interviewers Look For The following article is from ivillage.com
While different jobs require different talents and skills, there are some things all employers look for in prospective employees. Here are some examples:
Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director — Women Make Movies
The main things I look for in a candidate are:Liza Josephson, Executive Director — Children’s Hope Foundation
- A sense of humor
- Imagination
- Writing skills
- Knowledge of what a business letter should look like (which is different than “writing skills”)
- Eye contact
I ask candidates to send me a list of references with their resumes and call references before the interview. Previous employers have years of day-to-day experience with the candidates, and can tell me a lot more about their work experience and professionalism than I can learn in an interview. This process narrows the field a great deal. It also gives me an idea of areas to explore with candidates in whom I am interested.Ann Rhoades, Human Resources — Doubletree HotelsWhen I am interviewing, I really go back to the basics:
- Being on time is critical. If you can’t manage to be on time for an interview, you will be unable to be on time for work and meetings, and that will reflect badly on the organization. On those rare occasions when there is a real reason for being late, be appropriately apologetic, and call at the earliest possible moment to let me know you will be late.
Be prepared. You should have thoroughly read the job description and taken the initiative to know something about my organization.
Make sure to have several questions prepared for the interviewer. It is hard to appear interested if you can’t come up with a single question. Questions that refer to specific items in the company’s literature will be impressive and will demonstrate you have done the homework.
Be warm, friendly and direct, but maintain appropriate boundaries. Your interviewer doesn’t want to hear the sagas of your personal life. If you cross those boundaries, even the most laid-back of interviewers will be left with the impression that your personal life will interfere with your work.
Many employers are not good interviewers. We ask simple questions, such as, “Do you have experience in doing X, Y or Z?” Take the initiative to make it a good interview. Don’t just answer “yes.” Give examples of times you’ve had to perform that particular task and why you were successful or had an impact. If the answer is “no,” tell the interviewer about a transferable skill or experience, or how you will take the initiative and responsibility for gaining that experience or skill to prepare for the job because you want it so badly.
Bill Byham, Human Resources Consultant — Development Dimensions International
- I call at least two former colleagues not given as references for all executive candidates. You wouldn’t believe what they tell you.
- I look for a “whatever-it-takes” attitude. This emphasizes teamwork, personal flexibility and a lack of excess concern for how things have been done traditionally.
I like to ask questions that probe for specific behaviors and elicit experiences rather than hopes and dreams. Not what people say they would do in the future but what they have done in the past.John Seres, Psychologist and Principal — Sadler and AssociatesMy favorite question is “Tell me about your upbringing.” How people describe their parents and siblings indicates how they see themselves — as winners or losers, as empowered or oppressed.
“I learned that the only way you are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it. Whether you’re a musician, a writer, an athlete or a businessman, there is no getting around it. If you do, you’ll win—if you don’t, you won’t.” NOTABLE QUOTABLE
— Bruce Jenner
Olympic Gold Medalist, DecathlonNRI is Your Interview Link
No doubt, as we have said before, your resume is the first impression you will make on a potential employer. You have an excellent resume and the potential employer wants to meet with you in person — great! Or is it great; how are your interviewing skills?If you are the type of person who gets a lot of interviews, but does not get past the first or second level of the interview process most of the time, your interview skills may need some work.
That is what we are here for. Over the thirty-four years that we have been in the staffing business, we have literally helped thousands of people realize their career goals. Part of that process is helping our candidates and temporary employees with their interviewing skills. Who better to help you? After all, we do interview you first!
Our trained and experienced Recruiters and Account Managers are the perfect resource to help you buff-up your interviewing skills. Part of our placement process is the interview preparation where your Recruiter and/or Account Manager will sit down with you to give you an overview of the company you will be visiting and with whom you will be speaking. They will also give you some last-minute interview tips that may help you with that client in particular or interviewing in general.
Also, take a look at our pamphlet, “Interviewing Skills...The Bridge Between a New Job and You!” This terrific resource is born from our years of staffing experience.
NRI Redesigns Website
Over the past few months, NRI has been working hard to not only give our website a fresher look, but to redesign it in a way they makes it more user-friendly for our candidates, temporary employees and clients. We are very proud to announce that we have achieved that goal.The new site was up on Monday, October 22nd. If you have not had a chance to look at it yet, we invite you to do so now. Some added features include a Site Map page when you enter the website to help you navigate to the places you need to be more efficiently (back issues of Job Link can be found by clicking to the “For Job Seekers” page, by the way).
We have also added a “Helpful Links” page where you can get information from the weather to apartment hunting to sporting events. We have everything you need; why not make www.nri-staffing.com your default page?
10 Crucial Interview Tips
The following article is from ivillage.comIt is important to make a great impression during an interview. Here are ten basic tips to convince a prospective employer that you’re the one for the job.
- Talk specifics about the company.
Thoroughly research the job, the company and its products or services. The more specific you are when discussing the position, the better. Also, preparing will make you feel confident if you’re asked specific company-related questions.
- Bring an extra copy of your resume — just in case.
- Make eye contact.
It shows that you are focused and confident.
- Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm about the company.
- Dress professionally.
‘’Professional’’ can be interpreted in many ways these days. Basically, whether the company’s style requires a suit or is laid back, make an effort to look presentable. It matters.
- Try to respond to questions within 60 seconds.
You don’t want to be monosyllabic, but lengthy responses will make the employer lose interest and you might lose your own focus.
- Listen and respond to answers directly.
If you are unclear about a question, ask for clarification.
- Be prepared to discuss how what you’ve done in the past will affect how you’ll perform in your future position.
Give examples that show your value.
- Ask questions.
Sharp questions show that you are proactive and want to make sure that this company is the right place for you.
- Send a thank you note within two days of the interview.
Express your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for his or her time. Even if you’re not interested in the job, you never know who might be a good contact for you down the line.
OUR DISCIPLINES AND LOCATIONS
- NRI Accounting Resources®
Specializing in Accounting and Financial Positions- 11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 820, Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 230-0440, Fax: (301) 770-6125, email: nri-accounting-md@nri-staffing.com
734 15th Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 628-3060, Fax: (202) 628-2838, email: nri-accounting-dc@nri-staffing.com- NRI HealthCare®
Specializing in Clinical and Non-Clinical Professionals- 11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 820, Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 230-0444, Fax: (301) 230-0451, email: nri-healthcare-md@nri-staffing.com
1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263, email: nri-baltimore@nri-staffing.com
7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 603, Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: (703) 658-4033, Fax: (703) 658-1493, email: nri-healthcare-va@nri-staffing.com
- NRI Legal Resources®
Specializing in Legal Secretaries, Paralegals and Law Firm Administration
- 734 15th Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 628-3022, Fax: (202) 628-2838, email: nri-legal-dc@nri-staffing.com1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263, email: nri-baltimore@nri-staffing.com.- NRI Staffing Resources®
Specializing in Office Support and Administrative Positions
- 11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 820, Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 230-0400, Fax: (301) 770-3198, email: nri-staffing-md@nri-staffing.com
1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263, email: nri-baltimore@nri-staffing.com1899 L Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 466-4670, Fax: (202) 466-6593, email: nri-staffing-dc@nri-staffing.com7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 603, Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: (703) 658-1705, Fax: (703) 658-1493, email: nri-annandale@nri-staffing.com10780-90 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 140, Reston, VA 22191
Phone: (703) 391-8000, Fax: (703) 391-9091, email: nri-reston@nri-staffing.com- NRI Technology Solutions®
Specializing in IT and Technical Engineering Professionals
- 1899 L Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 466-4670, Fax: (202) 466-6593, email: nri-technology@nri-staffing.com10780-90 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 140, Reston, VA 22191
Phone: (703) 391-8008, Fax: (703) 391-9091, email: nri-technology@nri-staffing.com1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263, email: nri-technology@nri-staffing.com