Be The Best Self Seller

Saqib Mansoor

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude Zig Ziglar

Purpose of the Interview

The Interviewer
Evaluate candidate based on qualifications and employer needs Determine fit

The Candidate
Clarify responsibilities of the position

Determine if you can/will do the job

Determine fit

Before the Interview

Research Review Prepare Rehearse

Standard Interview Questions

Would you tell me about yourself? What is your greatest strength & weakness?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

What about this position do you find most appealing?

Why do you want to work for our company?

Why should we hire you? Can you describe the most valuable criticism you have received and what you did with it? Can you tell me about an event that really challenged you?

Prepare
Write Down Answers/Scenarios Draft written answers to potential interview questions Develop job appropriate scenarios based on your research A solution to one of their problems

Prepare ..

List down your Strengths / Weaknesses

Relate them to the job Give examples of where you have demonstrated these strengths How were they developed Identify your mentors and/or role models Show the positive side of your weaknesses Identify the steps you have taken for improvement Detail the results and/or time frames expected Identify criticism you have received and its effects

"

STAR" Approach of Answering

Situation
Task Action Results

Prepare Questions for the Interviewer

About role Responsibilities Corporate values Employment trends Work environment

Demonstrate your knowledge about the industry and the company Task allocation

Performance Measurement Quality of work Personality factors

Appearance
Dress conservatively Pride in yourself implies pride in your work Be well groomed and clean

Creativity should not be in your P P E A R A N C E

Interview Do's
Be on time

Walk with confidence

Treat the people with respect Be enthusiastic, eager, and smile Dont sit until youre invited, sit straight and still Practice good eye contact

Listen carefully
Request to repeat or clarify if required Use formal titles unless asked to use first name

Watch the tone of your voice

Interview Donts
Take responsibility

Dont chew gum or smell like smoke

Dont be casual Dont make negative comments Dont appear interested in salary only Dont appear desperate

Dont take cell phone calls

6 Things Recruiters Dont Like

Lack of energy

Inability to use free time

Procrastination Unpreparedness Job hopping Shaky online presence

What to Bring to an Interview

Several copies of your resume Your portfolio, if applicable

New notebook and a nice pen

Briefcase or leather folder

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of references

Evaluate/Retrain
How did you do overall? What were your strengths?

What needs improvement?

Develop a follow-up chart for tracking

Tips for Cover Letter & Resume

Cover Letter - Contents

Paragraph 1: What you want. How you know about the organization Mention enclosure of your resume Paragraph 2: Concise overview of work history and skills that will help you perform the job Paragraph 3: State confidence in your ability. Give information on how you can be contacted

 Paragraph 4: Express appreciation Closing, signature, and typed name

Cover Letter Writing Tips

Never start a cover letter with to whom it may concern Never enclose photos in covering letters Never handwrite cover letters

Always check for spelling, grammatical or typographical errors

Keep your cover letters short

Use correct fonts and formatting

Always end your cover letter appropriately Always customize your cover letter for each job application Saving your cover letter in the standard format Avoiding the use inappropriate language

Cover Letter Flubs to Avoid

1. Failing to personalize 2. Starting off weak

3. Size Matters (Making it too short/long)

4. Being generic 5. Rehashing the resume 6. Underselling your talents 7. Trying to be witty or humorous 8. Focusing too much on yourself 9. Omitting contact information 10. Failing to proofread

Most Common Resume Mistakes

Bad Grammar
Its Verbose Copy Pasted Objective Statement Irrelevant information / Not focused Generic format

Under qualified
Over qualified

Wrong / obsolete contact information

Non serious contact details

 Boring
Too much artistic format Social Profiles is not linked No Cover Letter

Basic Checklist
Must always be 100% truthful
Contains no inappropriate personal information Produced on a computer Data presented in chronological order No more than 2 or 3 different font sizes

Information is logically recorded

Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results Bullet points when possible for accomplishments Quantify your results whenever you can

Sample Resume for Reference

Under Graduate (Fresh)
Masters (Some experience)

Thank You