THE "PERFECT" INTERVIEW

For a Smooth, Effective, and Successful Interview you must be prepared!

Do your research and find out everything you can about your future employer and position.

Check out their website, brochures, annual reports, stock price, and so on.

Try to speak with someone who has a connection to this company.

Who are their competitors?

Who are their customers?

What do they sell?

What makes their products or services different?

By the time of your interview you should know their past, present, and future.

Ask yourself....................

What was it about my resume that attracted enough interest to invite me to this Interview?

Why do I want this position and why this company?

What makes this company different?

What skills are required and do I qualify?

What can I offer that is valuable and unique to me?

Is this position challenging enough?

TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE

I would recommend practicing your interview answers at least two weeks in advance with a professional Interview Coach.

By doing this your delivery will be smooth and your answers will sound completely natural which is so important. Professional feedback is invaluable to achieving success.

48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE INTERVIEW.

Confirm the DAY, TIME, and LOCATION of the Interview as well as the names and titles of the Interviewers.

I would suggest taking the time to go to the location to see exactly where it is and how long it takes for a casual stress free commute.

Prepare a package which includes extra resumes, a photograph, and anything else specific to the interview.

By this time your outfit should be chosen and dry cleaned solely for this interview.

Your overall look should be Professional and Conservative.

Refrain from wearing too much perfume or cologne as it may be overpowering.

Ties should be understated and shoes polished.

As Coco Chanel once said "You should notice the woman not the clothing".

THE NIGHT BEFORE

I would take the time to remind yourself as to

Why you want to work for this specific company?

Why you think this is a win, win situation for you and the company.

PREPARE FOR A STRESS FREE MORNING.

Have your outfit and Interview materials all organized.

Last but not least spend a few minutes and go over the questions and answers you anticipate will be raised during tomorrow's interview.

THE BIG DAY

Before you leave home make sure to go through your checklist.

Company's Address and Phone number

Interview package

Names and titles of the interviewers.

My Smile, My Optimism, and don't forget your SENSE OF HUMOR.

30 MINUTES TO "SHOW TIME"

You have arrived at your destination 30 minutes in advance and this gives you an opportunity to stroll around for 15 minutes and enjoy a short espresso.

15 MINUTES TO GO

You are walking into the reception room with a great smile and perfect posture and the first person you will meet is the receptionist.

Treat this person with the utmost respect and inform them as to who you are and why you are there.

While you are waiting scan over your resume and relax because at this point you have prepared as much as you can.

THE FIRST 5 MINUTES

The first 5 minutes will most likely decide whether you will be hired or not.

My clients, colleagues, and my own experience have convinced me the first five minutes are crucial to your success.

All of your experience, knowledge, and preparation have come down to you making a great impression in the next five minutes.

Greet the interviewers with your winning smile.

Shake their hands firmly.

Wait to be offered a chair.

Proper posture.

Look attentive.

Small talk is fine even desirable but don't force it.

Your NUMBER 1 goal is to connect with the Interviewers.

Create a rapport and reveal to them who you really are.

This can't be just another interview you have to "stand out"

Listen carefully and never interrupt.

Answer all questions but keep them short and to the point.

Due to nervousness we tend to answer too quickly and speak too much.

Most of us want to be perfect which is impossible so why add that extra pressure?

The PERFECT INTERVIEW is not meant to imply that you are perfect.

The perfect interview demands you connect with the interviewers showing your personal and professional value to the position and their corporate culture enough to "land" the job.

Try and use the interviewer's surname sometimes when answering a question.

This is one of the tactics used to create a positive rapport.

This is where your soft skills have to "shine".

Show each interviewer the same amount of respect regardless of their position.

So for example when answering a question make sure you are acknowledging each interviewer through eye contact, not just the person who asked you the question.

WHAT QUESTIONS WILL THEY ASK ME?

Tell me about yourself?

Why do you wish to work for our firm?

What are your salary expectations?

What are your present duties?

What do you know about our company?

Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

What do you do in your spare time? Hobbies

Why are you interested in this Industry?

What makes you an effective manager?

Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty?

How do measure success?

Do you manage your time efficiently?

What is your greatest passion?

Describe a proud achievement not on your Resume/CV

When can you start?

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

YES the answer is always YES

Having two or three questions prepared is telling the interviewer

I'm very interested in working for your company.

This is an opportunity to show your knowledge, enthusiasm, and preparation.

What would you like me to achieve in my first six months if I'm offered this position?

How would you describe the responsibilities of this position?

What factors distinguish successful employees from less successful employees?

Would you like a list of references?

What are the company's short and long term goals?

What do you enjoy most about working here?

If I'm offered the position who would I be reporting to?

Does management encourage advancement from within the company?

What is the next step?

When is the starting date for the successful candidate?

Are there any other questions I can answer?

Thank the interviewers for their time and be sure to thank the receptionist.

I would advise sending a Thank You note immediately.

Now sit down and ask yourself

How did I do?

What did I do right?

What would I do differently?

Did I connect?

Did I develop a rapport?

How was the first five minutes?

Was it the "perfect" interview if so why?

RESTAURANT INTERVIEWS

In my opinion it is easier to make mistakes in these types of Interviews because we have to rely more on our "soft skills" and we often "let our guard down"

The goal is still the same, you have to connect with your interviewers.

Why have they chosen a restaurant?

It could be they want to see how well you "navigate" in this environment and to test your social skills because the position demands you entertain clients regularly.

(or maybe they're just hungry)

CHECK OUT THE RESTAURANT AND THE MENU IN ADVANCE.

During the interview you want to avoid anything "messy" or hard to handle.

Avoid alcohol remember THIS IS AN INTERVIEW.

So arrive at the restaurant 15 minutes in advance.

Greet the Interviewers with a smile and a firm handshake.

Once you have been seated place your napkin on your lap.

If you have to leave the table then place your napkin on the left arm of your chair.

Treat the service staff with the utmost respect.

WHICH FORK DO I USE?

Always start from the outside and work your way in.

ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED EATING

Place your knife and fork parallel across the plate.

Place your folded napkin neatly beside your plate.

Once the Interview is over

Thank them for their time and the wonderful meal.

Last but not least be sure to send a Thank you note immediately.

On behalf of MBASENSEI I wish you my very best.

INVEST IN YOUR SUCCESS !

RON TAYLOR IS A COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER BASED IN TOKYO

A WINNING RESUME

A "winning" resume is a distilled profile of where you have been, where you are, and where you are going.

A "winning" resume is a tailored business plan offering a seductive proposal.

A "winning" resume "delivers" an Interview and ultimately a career.

So today lets concentrate on putting you in the proper mindset by asking .....

What do I need to consider before writing a resume?

1. What type of position would be perfect for me?

2. What position would I find challenging?

3. Based on my background and personality what do I really need and want?

4. What are my qualifications and where do I excel ?

5. What type of company do I want to work for?

6. Who is this company?

7. What do they sell? What is their reputation?

8. What are they famous for?

9. What is their mission statement?

In other words know yourself and know your future company?

Let's explore the "ingredients" of a winning resume

Self Analysis

Marketing

Public Relations

Graphic Design

Business Planning

Diplomacy

Copy Writing

Sales

Psychology

Editing

Critical Thinking

Soft Skills

and a little bit of Luck.

As you can see this is going to be a custom designed resume armed with a powerful, succinct, proposal aimed at one company.

You know who you are, so you know what you want and now you have "tracked down" a company who requires your unique background and talents.

Your resume has 30 seconds to convince the Personnel Manager you are worth more of their precious time and an interview.

So before you even start thinking of writing your resume ask yourself

Who and What does this company need?

Do I have the qualifications they are looking for?

Why should they choose me?

Why do I want to work for this particular company?

The more you know about this company and yourself, the better your chances of "landing" an interview.

Your resume must be "tailored" to reflect that you have what they need.

This is your "Masterpiece" and your Representative.

You have 30 seconds to get an Interview so Sell, Sell, Sell.

This is your "Masterpiece" so be Innovative, Daring, and Concise.

Revise, Revise, Revise

For the final draft I would recommend having an expert examine it to make sure your resume is the best it can be and that it matches your background and professionalism perfectly.

Spare no expense in materials and services because this Resume and the way it is presented, represents you!

INVEST IN YOUR SUCCESS !

RON TAYLOR IS A COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR BASED IN TOKYO

KNOW YOUR "INNER BRAND"

If you were planning on introducing a new product the first questions you might ask are.

Why would someone be interested in buying my product?

What is special or different about my product?

Am I offering a high quality service?

Does my product "stand out" from other products?

How can I improve my product? Is it the best it can be?

How will I market it?

How will I promote it?

How will I develop it?

The great news is you have an amazing product to offer and that product is YOU.

YOU ARE THE PRODUCT! YOU ARE THE BRAND!

The bad news is you do not know your own "product" so you do not know what you are selling.

You are too busy to STOP and examine who you are and this is slowing your advancement personally and professionally.

KNOW YOURSELF! KNOW YOUR BRAND!

Successful companies know their products and services "inside and out" and so should you.

Most of us make the same mistake and focus only on "Hard skills" and not on "Soft skills"

Many of us become too complacent and stop reinventing ourselves.

We do very little to market, promote, or develop our ourselves.

So let us start over and ask ...

What is my specialty?

What makes me unique?

What is my image or reputation?

How do I make people feel?

What do I offer?

What is my niche?

What actions would increase my value?

WHAT IS MY BRAND? WHO AM I?

Great brands have earned our trust by specializing and offering us predictable excellence in a patient and consistent manner.

You have to define and refine your brand just as Toyota, Google, and Coke does.

You have to know the quality of your product before you can effectively sell it.

What do you project when you enter a room?

How do you want your colleagues, clients, and friends to think of you?

What do you need to change? Do you stand out?

What is your vision?

What is your personal mission statement?

What do you want to be famous for?

To understand yourself you need to take an honest look at who you are and what changes you need to make.

In other words you have to "Audit" yourself regularly to understand your brand and direction.

You also need to consult with someone you trust to give you a frank assessment of your strengths and weaknesses.

Successful companies and people use Focus Groups or Advisers and so should you.

Like all great companies you must evaluate and refine yourself on a quarterly basis.

The more you know about yourself the more you will understand what you want and what you do not want.

Everything you say and do reflects your brand from the way you dress to the business card you give out.

Everything should match the image you want to project.

You are a "walking advertisement" for all to see and judge.

What are you selling?

Marketing and Promoting ourselves is our way of becoming "VISIBLE."

The more visible you become the more refined you have to be.

You as a brand have to embrace the same strategies and tactics as global companies do.

Most of us are too busy reacting to life's challenges, but discovering yourself and who you are pays huge "dividends" personally and professionally.

Now is the time to STOP and evaluate who you are, where you are, and where you are going.

INVEST IN YOUR SUCCESS !

RON TAYLOR IS A COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR BASED IN TOKYO.

"SOFT SKILLS"

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE + SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE = EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT

YOUR IQ WILL GET YOU HIRED, BUT YOUR EQ WILL GET YOU PROMOTED!

Global companies now realize the importance of "SOFT SKILLS" and are spending Billions of dollars to develop this valuable asset.

The higher your position the more you need a high Emotional Quotient.

Research strongly suggests that EQ plays a far greater role

than IQ when measuring a leaders' impact on her company's bottom line.

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to Master your emotions and be Self Aware. A.K.A. Self Management.

Social Intelligence is the ability to Inspire, Empathize, and to Interact skillfully with your colleagues and clients.

In the past "Soft Skills" were not taken as seriously as "Hard Skills"

Now after years of research we find "Soft Skills" offer powerful ways to enhance meaning to all of our business and personal relationships while improving your company's bottom line.

Employees with high technical skills can be difficult to find but finding employees with a high Emotional Quotient are rare.

In fact most firings are not because of a lack of technical skills but because employees lack "Soft Skills"

People like companies become complacent and stop "Investing in their Success"

Your ability to cultivate and build long lasting relationships will add value to you personally and professionally.

This will only happen if we make a sincere effort to understand ourselves and others.

We can strengthen these abilities through persistence, practice,

and feedback from colleagues, and coaches.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What is my reputation?

What impact do I have on others?

Am I self disciplined?

Can I laugh at myself?

Do I take the initiative?

Do I inspire people?

Do I listen to my colleagues?

Am I willing to change?

Do I know my staff? What do they need? What more could I do?

Am I a team player?

What would I like to improve personally?

How well do I collaborate with my team?

What is my "track record" for developing talent?

Am I a positive role model?

Do my actions match my words?

Do I dress for success?

How well do I connect with people?

Do I share my time equally with each member of my team?

Do I keep my team up to date?

Do I bring out the best in people?

Am I enthusiastic?

Do I need to improve my English skills?

How well do I understand International Etiquette and Manners?

Do I need a communications adviser?

It's clear we have to be Diplomats, Counselors, Managers, Friends, and Teachers

all rolled up into one to be effective leaders.

It's also clear that in order to attain a high EQ you have to invest in the common good.

We all need to give more to our fellow man only then can we consider ourselves truly rich.

We all win personally and professionally when we invest in ourselves and in others.

INVEST IN YOUR SUCCESS !

RON TAYLOR IS A COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR BASED IN TOKYO.