What stands out like a Red Flag about this Applicant?

"Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

- This is one of the first things I say when I interview a job applicant.






I've interviewed for fun, like the interviews with my boys and the interview with the Pioneer Woman.
I've also interviewed for work. Serious interviewing for hiring serious job applicants.

And it's been an interesting process that I've learned a lot from.

I can't share the step-by-step approach my company takes, which is rather extensive, but I can share some insights about what you should and shouldn't do, as an interviewee.  In my opinion.

The economy is tough right now.
When we send out a job ad on Craig's List, we get HUNDREDS of applicants emailing their resumes.

It's overwhelming.

So, the first thing that catches my eye?

The subject line of an email.

"Very interested"

"I'm the one you're looking for"

"This job is perfect for me"

Those stand out.

Now, the NUMBER ONE RULE of going to a job interview?

DON'T BE LATE!!

Show up early for goodness sake.

Dress appropriately.

No flip flops.

No extra cleavage.

I spent a whole interview staring at one woman's breasts...and I'm not a lesbian!

They were just...so...there.

Do your research before you arrive.
Know the company's name and what they do.
Don't ask the receptionist these questions as you're waiting.

Have good body language.

Shake firmly.

Make good eye contact.

Smile.

It's ok to be nervous.
That's expected.
But be honest.
Ask questions.
SHOW interest.

Don't answer all the questions by looking out the window.

And please, please turn off your cell phone.

These are the basics, people.

I have more, much more, but follow these simple steps and trust me, you'll make a good impression!

Have you been on an interview lately?

Any interview horror stories?

Job Interview - Part 2

OK, where was I?

Oh, yeah. Gut cramps. Sweat. Bad feeling.

We sat down across from each other on leather couches. As I tried to settle in and look professional, my squirming produced a "tasteless" noise. I didn't actually toot, it just sounded like it. Honest.

I really hoped he understood that.

For the rest of the interview, I sat as still as a statue...which is very hard for me. I think I like to change positions a lot. (no bad jokes here, please)

If the sitting still so as not to make a farting noise, sweat and gut cramps weren't enough, the questions began (Tell me about a work situation you had that required excellent communication skills.)...and I swear every single one of my answers started with this phrase: "Well, I haven't really had this experience, but the closest I can come to it is this..."

I swear.

Holy heck.

I was pulling answers out my hiney...honest and creative answers/solutions to the hypotheticals he suggested, but probably not exactly the answers he was looking for.

He took notes. Probably so he could laugh at my answers later with his friends.

My job history has no customer service...I've worked summer jobs as a teen in law office and dental office...I volunteered at children's hospitals and in ICU's. I currently coach a children's soccer team. I've been a nanny, a medical transcriptionist and am currently free lance writer.

I put myself out there, honestly and wholeheartedly, but no one wants me yet. It's a tough feeling. Exposing your self, like running naked through the mall (I hate the mall), and then having everyone ignore you...begging for attention and getting none.

I'm holding out hope the right job is out there for me. Somewhere.

I haven't heard back from "Dick" Jones.

I do have another job interview elsewhere today. Wish me luck.

Job interview - Part 1

My hair doesn't like to look nice. It likes to curl and frizz and go its own way. See?!




So, when I take the time to wash it, blow it dry and roll it up in hot curlers, you know something important is going down in the Texas Word Tangle household. Add in a tiny bit of make-up, tasteful jewelry and my nicer (non-frumpy mom clothes) outfit and the fact that I shaved everything I could think of, something BIG was definitely going down.

I had a job interview.

Now, it really doesn't matter who this interview was with. It could have been a big hotel chain, a bookstore, or a clothing store. All that matters is that is was somewhere I have had no experience working. In fact, I have had no retail experience period. So that just makes me a tad undesirable. But, I put my best smile on, but wished I had my kick-ass tough cowboy boots on because then I feel invincible,



and I pulled up my big girl panties and turned off my cell phone (I thought) and strode right in.

The office was intimidatingly nice.

Me: Hi! I'm here to see Dick Jones for the 2pm interview.
Girl at the desk: Um...do you mean Rick Jones?

Me: (crap) Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Rick Jones. Thank you for setting me straight, I must have written it down wrong. (Whew, glad I found out before I met him!)
Girl at desk: (looks behind me) Mr. Jones, your interview is here.

Me: (crap, he's right behind me, no chance he didn't hear that!)


And I turn around to find a man in a suit, with no smile on his face. Beads of sweat broke out immediately on my forehead, and I felt my gut cramping up.

Not the best way to start an interview.