| |
DON'T
GO BLIND |
| |
|
Don't ever go to an interview without looking at a company's web site for vital
clues to that company's culture or personality. If
your personality isn't a match, move on to another
choice! (Peter Langlois - Hospitality Career Expert).
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
KNOW
THEIR MISSION |
| |
| Want to really impress an
interviewer? Tell him or her what the company's mission
statement is, and that you agree with it. (Peter Langlois
- Hospitality Career Expert). |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
TAKE
A BREATH |
| |
| The best thing you can do before an interview
is: RELAX. An interview is not life or death, it just
feels that way. Going into an interview a little nervous,
but alert, can be helpful. However, feeling tongue-tied,
shaking, and sweating profusely is bad.
What's the worst that can happen? You don't get the
job. Who cares, you don't have a job now and the world
didn't end! So relax, picture yourself in the job,
and follow through with your plan for the interview.
You'll be surprised at how well you will perform without
the nerves. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
AN
INTERVIEW IS? |
| |
| An interview is not a test, an ego trip,
or a gossip session. An interview should be informative,
interesting, and pleasant. Interviews work best when
they are a free exchange of information and ideas. Every
interview should have some give and take. What you offer,
want, expect from the employer versus what the employer
needs, offers, will provide. If there is a balance between
your two sides, you will probably work well together.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
PLAN
BEFORE YOU GO |
| |
| Focus on two goals during every interview.
First, sell yourself to the potential employer. Second,
discover if you're right for the opening. Be honest
when comparing your wants and limitations against the
skills and expectations required for the position. It
would be a poor career move to accept a position for
which you are under-prepared. Square pegs in round holes
are easily spotted. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
TIME
MATTERS |
| |
| Agree to an interview time that is good
for you and the employer. Try to pick a time when you
know you'll be at your best. If you're not a morning
person or you're unsure of the travel time, do not schedule
an early morning interview. If you're unsure of your
availability, tentatively accept a time, but arrange
to confirm the appointment at a specific future time. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
KNOW
YOUR RESUME |
| |
| Agree to an interview time that is good
for you and the employer. Try to pick a time when you
know you'll be at your best. If you're not a morning
person or you're unsure of the travel time, do not schedule
an early morning interview. If you're unsure of your
availability, tentatively accept a time, but arrange
to confirm the appointment at a specific future time. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
A
BETTER SHAKE |
| |
| A good handshake is a small but vital
interview detail. It's important because, other than
your appearance, your handshake is the first impression
you make when meeting someone. A good handshake involves
the eyes and the hands. If you know the person's eye
color after the shake, you've made good eye contact.
As for your hands, you should connect to the other person's
entire palm and use a moderate grip. Practice your technique
on friends, neighbors, and co-workers until you can
shake hands flawlessly without forethought. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
POSTURE
PERFECT |
| |
| Don't slouch! Your mother hated it and
employers hate it. Slouchers tell employers that they
lack confidence, respect, and enthusiasm. Sitting up
straight is a simple but effective way to make a good
impression. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
IMPRESS
WITH YOUR DRESS |
| |
| Even though today's business atmosphere
is more relaxed, it is not acceptable to dress "down"
for an interview. To make a good impression, you must
look professional and well-groomed. The culture of your
prospective company and your future job title will dictate
whether you wear a suit or something slightly less formal.
It is a good idea to call and confirm the company dress
code before the interview. |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
DON'T
FORGET TO INTERVIEW THEM |
| |
Prepare a list of questions that you
will ask the company. Prioritize these questions so
that your most important ones are asked. We suggest
no more than five questions, for example:
- Could you describe what traits make a person successful
here?
- What training would I receive to prepare me for my
first assignment?
- Do you have a mentor program here? If so, how does
it work?
- What community service projects does the company
support?
- Could you tell me about the typical career path someone
like me would follow? Based upon outstanding performance,
where should I expect to be in five years? Ten years?
These questions indicate a long-term interest in the
company. You may get answers that increase or decrease
your interest in the company. It's important to remember
that you are interviewing to get an "offer,"
not to agree to take the job. You may get better or
worse answers at another company. When you've interviewed
with a number of companies you'll compare offers.
Remember that Utopia and Eden are concepts! The reality
is that every company and every candidate has pluses
and minuses. (Peter Langlois - Hospitality Career
Expert) |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
WHIP
UP INTEREST |
| |
| Resume advice: While vanilla is a great
flavor of ice cream, it's a disastrous flavor for a
resume. Companies are seeking candidates who can distinguish
themselves, and that definitely includes a resume that
piques our interest. Write to your strengths, so you
distinguish yourself from others. Vanilla? Employers
put those resumes in the circular file! (Peter Langlois
- Hospitality Career Expert).
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
SPEAK
YOUR PRAISES |
| |
| To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy,
"Ask not what a company can do for you, but tell
them what you can do for them!" Companies are looking
for problem solvers and people who can contribute to
their success. What are you bringing to the party? (Peter
Langlois - Hospitality Career Expert).
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
TELL
THEM A STORY |
| |
| To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy,
"Ask not what a company can do for you, but tell
them what you can do for them!" Companies are looking
for problem solvers and people who can contribute to
their success. What are you bringing to the party? (Peter
Langlois - Hospitality Career Expert).
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
OOPS!...
MY MISTAKE |
| |
| To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy,
"Ask not what a company can do for you, but tell
them what I've made mistakes, but I've learned from
them. Here's one example: I should have stayed a little
longer on that job, and exercised more patience. Next
time, I'm going to persist until I'm successful. I've
found out the grass isn't always greener on the other
side. There's a lot to be said for time proving your
value. (Peter Langlois - Hospitality Career Expert).
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
SSHH... LISTEN |
| |
| Listen carefully during interviews. When
the employer is speaking, you are receiving direct and
candid information about the job requirements, the company
culture, and your qualifications. If you don't pay close
attention, you may miss the opportunity to clarify a
misconception or ask an important question. Make a good
impression both by listening attentively and letting
the interviewer know you heard what was said.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
FOLLOW
YOUR INTERVIEWER |
| |
| Maintain your focus during an interview,
don't wander off the subject. You should always follow
the interviewer's lead. It's ok to be assertive, but
don't attempt to control the interview's path. Such
behavior might cause the employer to believe you are
hiding something. This is especially true if you ramble
on about your achievements, but don't discuss your failures.
However, if you feel you don't have enough information
on a particular topic, don't be afraid to ask politely.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
IT'S
NOT A DATE |
| |
| Always remember that an interview is
a professional business meeting. You are not there to
make a new friend or exchange life stories. Allow the
interviewer to establish the level of formality and
act accordingly. It is appropriate for you to convey
curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm by interacting and
asking questions. However, it is vital that you maintain
your role of a candidate looking for a job.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
CONFIDENCE
COUNTS |
| |
| Always remember that an interview is
a professional business meeting. You are not there to
make a new friend or exchange life stories. Allow the
interviewer to establish the level of formality and
act accordingly. It is appropriate for you to convey
curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm by interacting and
asking questions. However, it is vital that you maintain
your role of a candidate looking for a job.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
THE
MONEY QUESTION |
| |
"How much am I going to make?"
should NOT be the first question you ask during an interview.
First, it's important to be sure that you and your prospective
employer are compatible. You should ask questions about
work flow, menu planning, and their environment. Only
when you're positive it's the right place for you do
you discuss money.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
ALCHOHOL
ABSTINANCE |
| |
| It might be seem like an obvious sin.
But more often than you would expect, jobseekers arrive
at an interview smelling of alcohol. Even in our industry,
this will affect your chances. If your interview is
scheduled after lunch, refrain from having your usual
mealtime cocktail or glass of wine.
|
|
| |
Back to Top |
|
Email this page to a friend | Print this page
