story or answer a question. Pause and check in by asking, “Would you like me to continue?” or “Am I answering your question?” or “Is there any aspect of my background that is of most interest?”

6. Focus on what you can do for them. Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems and work with their customers. Do not operate out of a “job description mentality” that emphasises title, position, and narr

1.Know your past achievements. An achievement is something that excited you, gave you a feeling of pride, something that you enjoyed doing. Each achievement is made up of factors that have made you successful: creativity, for example, or management, directing, leading, or selling.

2. Do your research. Gather and analyse information about the company and the companies’ competition. Your painstaking research should include: what the company produces, who the company’s customers are, what their culture is like, and if they have a company mission and, if so, what it is. Also find out if they are growing and why, what their plans are for the future, and who their primary competition is. Your knowledge about them will not only contribute to your self-confidence, but also show that you have sincere interest in them.

3. Answer all questions directly. Don’t get long-winded or go off on unrelated tangents. The best insurance for a direct response is to listen: do your company research; and know your skills, achievements, values, and personal qualities. Listening and preparation are the keys to a winning presentation at an interview.

4. Be prepared to answer personal questions. Your personality and core values are strongly considered in a competitive market. Every person counts. You will not only contribute to the profitability of the company but also to its culture. You may be asked, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” “Describe your best or worst boss” “What are your three top values?”

5. Balance listening with telling your story. Do not interrupt and sit back (don’t slouch) when the interviewer is talking. Be brief when it’s your turn to tell your story or answer a question. Pause and check in by asking, “Would you like me to continue?” or “Am I answering your question?” or “Is there any aspect of my background that is of most interest?”

6. Focus on what you can do for them. Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems and work with their customers. Do not operate out of a “job description mentality” that emphasises title, position, and narro

nclude: what the company produces, who the company’s customers are, what their culture is like, and if they have a company mission and, if so, what it is. Also find out if they are growing and why, what their plans are for the future, and who their primary competition is. Your knowledge about them will not only contribute to your self-confidence, but also show that you have sincere interest in them.

3. Answer all questions directly. Don’t get long-winded or go off on unrelated tangents. The best insurance for a direct response is to listen: do your company research; and know your skills, achievements, values, and personal qualities. Listening and preparation are the keys to a winning presentation at an interview.

4. Be prepared to answer personal questions. Your personality and core values are strongly considered in a competitive market. Every person counts. You will not only contribute to the profitability of the company but also to its culture. You may be asked, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” “Describe your best or worst boss” “What are your three top values?”

5. Balance listening with telling your story. Do not interrupt and sit back (don’t slouch) when the interviewer is talking. Be brief when it’s your turn to tell your story or answer a question. Pause and check in by asking, “Would you like me to continue?” or “Am I answering your question?” or “Is there any aspect of my background that is of most interest?”

6. Focus on what you can do for them. Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems and work with their customers. Do not operate out of a “job description mentality” that emphasises title, position, and narr

uestions directly. Don’t get long-winded or go off on unrelated tangents. The best insurance for a direct response is to listen: do your company research; and know your skills, achievements, values, and personal qualities. Listening and preparation are the keys to a winning presentation at an interview.

4. Be prepared to answer personal questions. Your personality and core values are strongly considered in a competitive market. Every person counts. You will not only contribute to the profitability of the company but also to its culture. You may be asked, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” “Describe your best or worst boss” “What are your three top values?”

5. Balance listening with telling your story. Do not interrupt and sit back (don’t slouch) when the interviewer is talking. Be brief when it’s your turn to tell your story or answer a question. Pause and check in by asking, “Would you like me to continue?” or “Am I answering your question?” or “Is there any aspect of my background that is of most interest?”

6. Focus on what you can do for them. Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems and work with their customers. Do not operate out of a “job description mentality” that emphasises title, position, and narr

tive market. Every person counts. You will not only contribute to the profitability of the company but also to its culture. You may be asked, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” “Describe your best or worst boss” “What are your three top values?”

5. Balance listening with telling your story. Do not interrupt and sit back (don’t slouch) when the interviewer is talking. Be brief when it’s your turn to tell your story or answer a question. Pause and check in by asking, “Would you like me to continue?” or “Am I answering your question?” or “Is there any aspect of my background that is of most interest?”

6. Focus on what you can do for them. Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems and work with their customers. Do not operate out of a “job description mentality” that emphasises title, position, and narr

story or answer a question. Pause and check in by asking, “Would you like me to continue?” or “Am I answering your question?” or “Is there any aspect of my background that is of most interest?”

6. Focus on what you can do for them. Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems and work with their customers. Do not operate out of a “job description mentality” that emphasises title, position, and narrowly defined responsibilities. Today, businesses are focusing on the customer. They look for people whose primary concern is the customer and the company and who want to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

7. Let the employer raise the issue of compensation. Remember this golden rule: If you bring up money first, you’ve lost. All employers want to hire the best person for the job, especially in a competitive marketplace. They’ll make you an offer if you’ve done your homework and have shown then the relevancy of your experience and ability to their needs. If they ask, “What would you like?” respond, “I’d like you to make me an offer.” Then you’ll have additional significant information from which to think over their proposal and to counteroffer and negotiate.

8. Be bold – state your interest and why. In a competitive business market, employers hire people who know what they want and why. Often interviewers will not be as prepared as you are. So do your personal and company research. If the company and the specific job interest you, say so and why. For example, the organisation may have similar values to yours regarding their respect for employee growth and development, or their product/service could contribute to the environment in a way in which you believe.

9. Relate your past experience to their needs. Hearsay is that all employers are looking for employees with experience in their specific industry – but maybe not!! Be prepared to demonstrate how your experience and skills are allied with their needs. For example, tell a story about how you consistently met customers’ needs. Also give examples of your fair and productive management style. Excelle