In this job market, it’s not enough to have a well-organized resume, an engaging cover letter, and a new suit. With so many applicants for each position, potential employers can afford to be choosy and you need to call upon every last ounce of charm, smarts, and, yes, even cunning. Here are some tricks that will give you an edge.
Read between the lines. There’s a lingo to the classifieds that you should understand before you apply for any job. For instance, “Good sense of humor required…” is code for a tense environment. “Must be comfortable with flexible hours…” translates to you’ll never see your family again. And “Busy exec looking for…” means you’ll be doing all the work while he plays golf.
Ask for the last interview. Don’t scramble to be the first one in line. Studies show that the last person interviewed gets the job the majority of the time, simply because that candidate is fresher in the boss’s mind.
Exercise in the morning. A few hours before your interview, go for a pleasant run or walk. Aerobic exercise releases endorphins (feel-good brain chemicals) so you’ll be more relaxed and also have a healthy glow about you.
Visualize and rehearse. On the drive over, anticipate the questions you’ll be asked and respond aloud, as if you were actually in the interview. It’ll help you be less nervous and better prepared. (Ignore any strange looks from other drivers.)
Eat chocolate. Immediately before you enter the room, eat a small piece of dark chocolate. The combination of caffeine and sugar will give you a small jolt of awareness and energy that will bring out your best.
Sip this. If your throat tends to dry out in pressure situations, pack a bottle of water with lemon to sip just before the interview. But don’t chill it—lukewarm water helps your voice sound richer. And the lemon clears mucus buildup.
Interview the interviewer. The more you can get the boss to talk about himself, the more positive he’ll feel about you. So ask how long he’s been with the company or what he likes most about it. Be careful not to dominate the interview but, at the same time, try to turn it into more of a conversation.
Take the high road. If you were fired from your last job and your prospective employer knows it, say that you and your former boss had a “disagreement.” Speak highly of him, say there were some “problems between us,” and take responsibility for them. Everyone has difficult bosses; this one won’t hold it against you if you’re honest.
Check the door. If it’s closed that’s a good sign. It often means the boss values trust and privacy and is prepared to give you his full attention. That’s someone you’ll no doubt enjoy working for.
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