How To Close The Deal On Your Job Interview
By Kevin Smith Staff Writer© Pasadena Star-News, July 21, 2007
Video: 7/22: Preparing for a job interview
The job interview.
We've all been there. You go to great pains to make a good impression by appearing knowledgeable, poised and confident.
The resume is ready, job references are lined up, clothes neatly pressed ...
But many job applicants sabotage their chances by not preparing enough or by making stupid mistakes. So what's the best game plan?
Gary Kaplan, president of Gary Kaplan & Associates, a Pasadena-based executive search firm, has some thoughts about the process.
"First and foremost, you need to carefully research the organization you're going to visit," he said. "In this day and age of the Internet it's a terrible mistake to go into an interview cold."
Kaplan advises job seekers to understand the financial standing of the business they are applying to and to be generally knowledgeable about the company.
"It's also imperative that you develop a list of questions to ask because you'll find that the majority of savvy interviewers won't think you're interested if you don't come prepared," he said. As a safeguard, Kaplan said applicants can write down their questions.
And appearances? Very important.
"People tend to minimize this, but image is incredibly important," Kaplan explained "Go in there well groomed. Unless you've been instructed otherwise, you need to be wearing business dress - not business casual. And for a man that means a suit and tie."
Kaplan further advises job hopefuls to maintain eye contact and to let the interviewer set the tone of the session.
"Give them the opportunity to ask the questions they want to ask," he said. "You should respond in a comprehensive manner, but you also need to know when to stop talking. You don't want to be too terse or too talkative ... there is a balance."
Kaplan said some applicants talk themselves out of potential jobs by being too gabby and offering up unsolicited personal information - often a sign of nervousness.
Lastly, Kaplan says applicants should be truthful about the information in their resume.
"Make sure it's verifiable," he said. "If you claim a degree, you'd better have that degree. Don't operate on the assumption that it won't be checked."
Kaplan said the current job market is robust, in part, because companies that paired down their work force during tougher times are now rebounding and in need of more employees.
"In many cases, companies are not adequately staffed to support their infrastructure," he said. "And you've also got the beginning of an aging baby boomer work force that will start to take retirement. Fifty percent of the federal government is approaching retirement age."
On Friday, the state Employment Development Department released figures showing that employment in Los Angeles County increased by 38,000 non-farm jobs, or 0.9 percent, between June 2006 and June 2007.
Educational and health services had the biggest year-over-year gain, with 16,800 new jobs. Professional and business services grew by 11,700 jobs over the year.
Other industries to post sizable gains included government (8,000 jobs), leisure and hospitality (6,900), trade, transportation and utilities (2,900) and other services (1,700).
Jack Kyser, senior vice president and chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said there are lots of job opportunities in leisure/hospitality sector.
"The overall job market isn't bad," he said. "There's a lot of hotel development going on around the area and restaurants are continuing to expand. They are looking for people with good interpersonal skills."
Other employment opportunities exist in such diverse fields as accounting, architecture, law, engineering and scientific research and development, according to Kyser.
"When you go outside of mortgage lending, financial services also looks good," he said.
Many baby boomers are talking about retirement. But some companies are also trying to hang on to these employees because of the corporate intelligence they can pass along to newcomers, Kyser said.
Sunday Abuelhawa, a branch manager for Abigail Abbott Staffing Services in Pasadena, said her agency advises job applicants to pay attention to small, but important, details.
"We believe a firm handshake is important when you walk in," she said. "And body language is important. You need to sit up straight, you shouldn't be chewing gum, and you should avoid strong perfume. These little things can make the difference between them giving the job to you or to someone else."
Abuelhawa agreed with Kaplan that applicants should have strong and focused answers ready for such broad questions as, "Tell me a little about yourself."
