Comments on: 18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview

By: Marga

Marga — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:56:09 +0000

Hi Everyone,
I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, so excuse me if is not…

After a couple of years trying to find a better job I finally got an offer and signed a contract last week… (I got great support here on my waiting game… Thank you!)

At the same time, I applied for other positions and I went to another interview at a big company, they told me from the beginning that it was a lengthy selecction process, so three weeks passed and I got an email for a second round of interviews. This is a great place to work, as well as the one I signed in. My question is, should I cancel this new interview?

I’ve done some research and some people suggest to cancel while others say that it may be worth to try. This new interview is an assessment of a few hours (probably 8). I would like to cancel it so I would not waste other people’s time, but at the same time I’m not sure what would happen on my new job once I’m there… I’m debating.. what should I do?

Thank you!

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:22:47 +0000

Thanks, Biee!

So…how did it go? I hope there’s good news. Although I understand it can take a while before you know for sure. Fingers crossed.

By: Biee

Biee — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:45:03 +0000

Hi Ronnie Ann!
Absolutely, you are most welcome to. If you can access my email address you are most welcome to contact me if you’d like to discuss more as well. It is a different ball game on the other side of the fence and this week has certainly seen me experience a lot more empathy for those who walk through our doors.
I am off for the interview in 45 minutes – one more quick read of your article and I am off!

Cheers,
Biee

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:49:17 +0000

Hi Biee!

I really appreciate your kind words about the article. Even more, I appreciate the excellent first-hand advice from someone who does recruiting for a living. Unless you have any objections, I may have to turn some of what you said into a new article.

I wish you much luck in your career! And thanks again for taking the time to help our readers.

By: Biee

Biee — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:28:08 +0000

Brilliant article. I am a recruiter, so I do this for a living. In two days I am going to a second interview for a new job and it dawned on me in the first interview – I had no idea what to do! I didn’t prepare, just went in and was 100% me and it secured a second interview. I Googled ‘acing an interview’ just now (in a frantic flap thinking I needed to ‘prepare’) and this article came up, and I am SO glad it is the first article I read. It is right – you cannot prepare you answers, because you are YOU. If the company needs YOU they will employ you. If they don’t it’s not personal, it is just business. Relax, be honest and enjoy it. You are two people – you both got up this morning, got ready for your day, did your daily routine and had appointments and things to do before your interview. You also both have things to do after your interview. You both travelled to the location and as an interviewer all you are thinking is – PLEASE be normal, please show up on time, please be friendly and easy to talk to. The rest is just experience and at the end of the day if you haven’t got it, you aren’t going to fool anyone otherwise. If you are successful at fooling someone, you may well just have a nice little ‘three month stint’ to add to your CV when your inexperience shows. Do everyone a favour, be real.

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:36:16 +0000

Thank you, kaifi! I wish you MUCH luck in your job search.

~ Ronnie Ann

By: kaifi

kaifi — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:21:56 +0000

I m really helpful to u that i git lot more idea abt how to an interview and i’ll do my level best to crack any interview with the examples u have given.thanks! thanks a lot

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:40:19 +0000

Thanks for adding that Karen. Good advice. Although for me…if that’s the only reason someone didn’t hire a person, I’m not sure I’d want to work for such a rigid, close-minded person!

But at the very least, a firm handshake while looking the interviewer right in the eyes and thanking them – with at least “words like I look forward to hearing from you” is a good way to leave a strong impression. It’s not just the words…it’s the attitude and how you carry yourself.

~ Ronnie Ann

By: Karen A.

Karen A. — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:56:56 +0000

The way you speak is just as important as the way you write, use the person name when you speak to them and avoid the um-ahh and other slang. So after the interview when you get up to thank the person and shake their hand you should inquire about how they view your qualifications for the position and what is the next step and when they expect to make a final decision. I have read review from employers who stated that they did not hire a person because they stood up, shake their hand and simply walk out of the room.

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:52:03 +0000

Ethel and Ginger…

I can well understand your feelings about all this unnecessary process (more appropriately called “hogwash” ) I too long for the simpler days when it wasn’t such a game.

Please know some of us who hire do take time to see if there is a good match and do care about treating job seekers with respect. It makes me sad this isn’t the standard. Of course, when you get hundreds of resumes at a time, something has to give. But your points about what’s behind a lot of this are right on, Ginger.

FYI…I am someone who writes this blog because I want to help. I do not make a living from resume writing or career coaching nor do I even advertise those services. I’ve hired and been hired – plus I get thousands of comments I learn from – and just share my take on things the best I can.

I wish you both much luck in whatever you do!

~ Ronnie Ann