The call never came. You passed the phone interview, prepared all you could for the job interview, did a great job, but never heard back. Now, someone else has the job you applied for and you’re left wondering what you could have done better.
However, what you did get are several valuable lessons that will help you in the future. So, now what? 1. Don’t blame yourself You didn’t get the job. It happens! Everyone has experienced it at some point in their lives. The worst thing you can do is blame yourself. There are many reasons why you may not have been selected, and all of them are out of your control. Don’t focus on the negative. Instead, remind yourself that the employer liked you enough to consider you for the position and that the interview provided you with valuable experience that will benefit you in future interviews. It’s okay to be disappointed, but don’t let it discourage you. 2. Follow-up and ask for feedback Once you’re in a positive mindset, reach out to the employer and thank them for the opportunity to apply. It never hurts to be polite, especially because they might be hiring in the future. In a phone call or email, state something like the following: “This is ____ calling to follow up about my recent application for the position of ____. I appreciate you getting back to me regarding the role and the opportunity to interview with your organization.” Secondly, make sure you ask for feedback. The interviewer is usually happy to tell you the things you can improve on for success in the future. Example: “If there is anything I can do to improve my candidacy for similar positions, I would value your thoughts.” You may not always get an answer for this, but it never hurts to ask! The interviewer may identify a weak point of your interview (ex. lack of eye contact, mumbling, etc.) that you can be aware of for future positions. Finally, let the company know that you would love to be considered for future opportunities in a similar role. If they really liked you, this might the second chance that leads to a job later down the line when they’re looking for new employees. 3, Think about the interview Once you’ve followed up, it’s time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the interview. It is always important to reflect on your experience and think about those things you were happy about and those things you would like to improve. The best way to do this is to create a list. Under “Strengths,” things such as “maintain eye contact,” “shake interviewers hand,” etc. can be useful reminders of what you did right. Under “weaknesses” start with the issues the employer identified or things you think you can do better. Did you ramble during your answers to certain questions? Did you rush through other questions without giving a full answer? In-depth reflection and listing these strengths and weaknesses will remind you of what you did right and what you need to improve on in the future. 4. Address the Issues You’ve reached out to the employer and assessed your strengths and weaknesses. Now it’s time to take that information and apply it. With the help of a family member, friend, job coach, or other resource, go through interview preparation steps such as the mock interview and work on those specific issues. Did you have trouble rambling? Work on the length of your answers to keep them short and sweet. Was it difficult for you to make eye contact? Work on it with family, friends, and in daily life to be more comfortable looking at the interviewer. Did you give a specific example if an employer asked for one? If not, try coming up with a few to use in the future. Also, consider attending on the many interview workshops offered by employment agencies in the city (ex. Teamwork, Job Junction, YMCA). If you are not linked to an employment agency, feel free to contact the Employment Support Coordinator at Autism Nova Scotia who will be happy to help! Taking these key steps to address the identified issues will prepare you for any interviews you have in the future and find solutions to problems you’ve been encountering during the hiring process 5. Try Again! When you feel ready, start applying for jobs or employment opportunities! You were an appealing enough candidate to get the first interview, now it’s time to get a second or third! Eventually your hard work will pay off and you’ll find yourself in a job that you enjoy.
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References- They can be the difference between getting a job….or not! So, what exactly is a Reference? A reference is someone who will speak to your talents and experience. A reference is usually someone who you have worked for in the past and who knows your work ethic very well. Who can act as Reference? If you have worked before, you will want to choose your supervisor or manager as your reference. Choose a person who knows how you work the best- someone who will speak highly of your skills and abilities. Your reference could be the difference between you getting the job or not, so it is important you choose someone who knows how hard you work on the job! When you have chosen your reference, it is vitally important that you ASK them to be your reference! You must never assume someone will agree to be your reference. Furthermore, you must ASK EVERYTIME you apply for a job- asking once is not enough. You do not want your reference to be surprised by a call from your future employer- it is best if your reference is prepared and ready to answer questions about your past performance on the job. If you have never worked, you can use personal references but be sure to label these on your reference page so your future employer knows that they are personal and not professional references. Similarly, for personal references, you want to choose people who know you well and will say wonderful things about you! This could be a teacher, a coach or a family friend. You should NOT choose your Mom or your best friend! What if I didn’t leave my last job on good terms? Sometimes a job ends on bad terms- maybe you were dismissed or you quit. Depending on the situation, you could still use your last employer as a reference. If you did not get along with your manager/supervisor, you could look to ask someone else at the workplace to be your reference- perhaps a co worker, a different manager or supervisor. If you feel you can not use references from that job, simply list the employer in the employment section of your resume and do not use them as a reference. Listing your References on your Reference Page After you complete your resume and cover letter, you must complete your Reference page. This is kept with you until you get an interview. On your resume, at the bottom, you can write: “References Available Upon Request.” Always list your References in chronological order, or, by the most current reference (your employer now) to the least current. If they are all personal references, list by alphabetical order. Once you have worked out the order, list their full name, job title, email and phone number. Reference example: John Smith- Manager at Bayer’s Lake Winners [email protected] 902-123-4567 When do I give out my references? Once you have been given an interview time from a future employer, you will want to call all your references to ensure they will be a reference for you. You never know when they could be away on vacation! At the interview, you will want to bring your reference page with you and give it to the interviewer when asked. If they don’t ask, you can politely ask them if they would like to have a copy of your references. When you’re successful at getting an interview for a job it is super exciting, but your excitement can easily turn to stress and anxiety wondering what questions you will be asked.
To help stop the worry and wonder about all the possible questions you could be asked during an interview, keep reading. The questions listed below will help prepare you for the interview and make you feel more comfortable and confident on the big day. It is important to remember that the employer is looking to meet you - meaning it is KEY for him or her to see you’re:
It is great to practice answering interview questions with:
Below are some of the most popular questions asked during an interview and they come from different websites, books, and my own interview experiences. “Tell me a little about yourself.” Keep your answer short, focus on the job you applied for, and highlight why you would be the best person to do the job. Let’s look at the example below: Olivia has an interview for a computer technology job. Here is what she said: “My name is Olivia Flower. I am a recent Computer Science graduate of Dalhousie University and graduated top of my class. I completed a successful coop work program at IBM where my main focus was in database administration. I also volunteer in the community at two different non-profit organizations where I help with computer support. I like teaching youth and seniors about computers and enjoy learning about technology.” “Why should we hire you? ”This question is a great opportunity for you to “sell yourself” to the employer. Highlight three or four key points about yourself that focus on your skills to do the job, why you would fit into the work culture, and what you expect to achieve while in the position. One author said: “This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself.” Let’s look at the example! Rickey has an interview at the Halifax Public Library. Here is what he said: “I have experience and education shelving books and using the Dewy Decimal system, and have volunteered at The Halifax Public Library Spryfield branch for three years during high school and successfully graduating from the Library and Information Technology program at Nova Scotia Community College. Not only am I familiar with the industry but I am a people person. I have travelled to a variety of countries where I had the opportunity to learn about different cultures. I also teach ESL part-time to a small group of adult immigrants where I have developed the ability to make connections and strengthen my listening skills. My experience and education have taught me how to help people with a smile. If hired, I will bring not only experience, but patience and creative problem-solving to this position.” “Why do you want this job?” You need to tell the employer why you would love working here and why you are a great fit! It is all about showing the love. If you don’t love the job you are applying for, you may not want to apply for it! Let’s look at the example! Tara has an interview for a Veterinarian job. Here is what she said: “I am passionate about helping people and I love animals. I love animals so much that I will go above and beyond my job to make sure an animal receives the best medical care. I graduated as a Veterinarian so I could combine my passion of helping people with my love of animals. Like your organization, I am invested and devoted to animals making a full recovery.” “What do you know about the company/organization?” Don’t memorize the company’s “about” page, instead (and more importantly) learn what their goals are and what they care about. You should try and make this answer personal by using a couple of key terms from their mission, vision or mandate. Look at the example! Jack has an interview for a Program Coordinator position at Autism Nova Scotia. Here is what he said: “Autism Nova Scotia is a well-known non-profit organization that continuously strives to increase the quality of life for all people with autism by offering a number of services, programs and resources to the community. I am drawn to this vision because I personally want to help people live their life to the fullest. The role of Program Coordinator will give me the opportunity to help many individuals with autism reach their full potential and enrich their lives.” “What is your greatest accomplishment?” If you are asked this question it is another great opportunity to highlight your successes from past jobs, volunteer opportunities, and/or coop work programs. Try and mention something that applies to the job you are applying for and hasn’t come up yet in the interview. You want to tell the employer two things in this answer:
Ellen has an interview at Halifax Regional School Board for a Teacher job. Here is what she said: “During my teacher practicum, one of my goals was to increase student engagement within the community. I started a reading program for Jr. High school students who were reading at a lower level. Students were expected to read to kindergarten kids twice a week for thirty minutes during story time at the local day care that was a five minute walk from the school. Not only did this increase community engagement, but also student self-esteem and their reading significantly improved.” It was a lot of fun and learning!” “Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.”Employers may ask you this question because they are looking to see the quality of your work, if you have demonstrated outstanding performance in the past, and/or how confident you feel about your skills to get the job done. Your answer can focus on how hard working you are or demonstrate your excellent customer service skills. Let’s look at the example! The example comes from the Prepary: Advice for the Modern Job Search Blog-http://www.prepary.com. It really gives you a clear understanding of how to best answer this question: A few years ago when I was interviewing someone for a Sales role, I asked this exact question. The first candidate I interviewed responded by saying “I once helped a customer try on 10 different pairs of shoes.” This wasn’t exactly what I was looking for because well, bringing someone a bunch of shoes to try on is a basic requirement of the job. The next candidate I interviewed responded very differently. They told me a story about a customer who was looking to track down a discontinued product for their sick family member (because it was their favorite product and they had lost it). Instead of checking the systems, not finding it, and letting the customer know, they took it a step further. They called the corporate office, found the person who handled the product archives, and figured out a way to get that product (that was many years old) to the client. Now that is above and beyond!” “What are your strengths?” When answering this question, make sure you are honest and your strength relates to the job. Be specific and only give one or two examples, unless the interviewee asks specifically for three or four. After you have given a strength follow it up with an example. Let’s look at the example! Jason has an interview for a Culinary Chef job at a popular down town restaurant. Here is what he said: “Creative: For example, turning basic ingredients into tasteful dishes. French dish, Foie Fras is basically duck or goose liver, if prepared right, it can taste rich, buttery and delicate.” “What are your weaknesses?” Again, when answering this question make sure you are honest, and remember that no one is perfect! We all have weaknesses, the thing to keep in mind is to pick a weakness you are trying to improve! Don’t tell the interviewer you have no weaknesses, instead, let’s look at the example. You also don’t want to tell the employer personal things you are not good. Jennifer has an interview at Walmart for a retail position in their clothing department. Here is what she said: “I talk too quickly when I am helping a customer. To improve this, I am focusing on talking slower and asking the customer questions or asking him or her if they need me to repeat anything I told them.” "Tell me how you think your references would describe you?” For this answer, be honest and talk about your strengths that have not been mentioned yet during your interview. One thing that helps me answer this question is going through my written references and writing down all the great things previous employers and/or supervisors have said about my skills and ability to do the job. When you list a strength, follow-up with a short example. Let’s look at the example! Darren has a job interview at a Pet Shop for a sales clerk. “My references would describe me as: Friendly- I am always friendly, even when dealing with an upset or unpleasant costumer. Team player-I am work well with others doing many tasks such working with others to set up and display equipment, thinking of new sale pitch ideas and putting stock/inventory away. I work well because I listen and ask others questions when I am unsure. Reliable-I rarely show up for work late and if I am running late, usually because of the bus, I call to let my supervisor know. “ Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it. The employer wants to know how you handle conflict and find a solution. The key is to focus on a situation and how you handled it. Let’s look at the example! Amanda has a job interview at the Canada Games Centre for an event planner position. Here is what she said: “One time I was planning a dinner fundraiser event for an organization I worked for. On the day of the event, as we were setting up tables in the morning, the smoke alarm went off and so did all the sprinklers inside. When the sprinklers finally stopped, everything was soaked and as a result we could not hold our event in the space we originally planned for. I calmly made a new to-do list and gathered my team together. I explained the change of venue and location, delegated tasks accordingly, and motivated everyone to stay on the task at hand. Throughout the day I continued to do check-ins and helped problem solve where applicable. When it came time for the dinner to start everything and person was in their place. Things were certainly not perfect, but the night went off with a bang. All the guests were happy and enjoyed themselves and were more than understanding about the last minute change of venue!” Conflicts can happen at work and it is important to tell the employer how you handle the conflict and work with the people involved to find a solution. “Are you a good team player? / What makes you a good team player?” Team work is an important part of most work environments today. Not only are people working together on projects but are also sharing work spaces. The first part of this question is closed-ended and most people are going to respond with “yes”. For the second part of this question, the employer is interested in learning what skills you have to complete goals within a group and relate to people. You should list two or three points and then state how they helped you work with a group of people to achieve the project goals. Let’s look at the example! Sean has a job interview at Halifax Recreation Summer Camp for a Camp Leader job. Here is what he said: “Yes, I am very much a team player. I enjoy opportunities to work with others on big and small projects because I not only learn about the task at hand but build stronger relationships with my co-workers. Some skills I have demonstrated while working successfully as part of a team include: Communication-I make sure I communicate with everyone in the group on an on-going basis. If I am unsure about something or what my role is in the group, I ask questions and for clarification. If I need help, I ask. If I am running late for one of our meetings, I make sure to let another group member know. I also make sure to communicate with others to reach my own goals and help others reach their goals. Collaboration-I really enjoy collaborative approaches because it teaches me many things about my skills. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn new approaches and/or solutions to solving problems, coming up with new ideas or directions, and build relationships.” “Describe a situation when you worked as part of a team.” This question is different from the above one because the employer is asking you to give a specific example of a time when you worked with a group of people and your results. When answering this question think about how the employer will want you to be a team player. Let’s look at the example! Heather has a job interview at the IWK for a Nurse position. Here is what she said: “I enjoy working with others and a nurse’s success and performance depends highly on the ability to work effectively with others to ensure that patients receive the best care possible. While working at the Dartmouth Hospital, I was the only nurse with workplace experience, the other nurses on my floor had just graduated university. To help newer staff adjust to the patients on the floor and their needs I handled the more difficult patients, took extra shifts to teach new staff best practices and procedures, and completed more of the unpopular duties until everyone adapted and adjusted to the environment. “ “Why is there a gap in your employment?” If you haven’t worked in a long time you will need to explain to the employer why. Keep this answer short and to the point, focusing on how you have the ability to do the job and can contribute to the company. Let’s look at the example! Kate has a job interview at the Royal Bank for a Financial Manager Job. Here is what she said: “I took six months off work to focus on completing my Masters of Business Administration Degree. My past work experience, combined with my education, has a number of benefits including the ability to handle challenging environments, leadership skills, and intellectual expertise that I am ready to contribute to a thriving business such as this one. “Explain a time when you disagreed with a decision that was made at work? ”Disagreements happen, and they may happen at work. The employer wants to know if you can disagree in a professional and helpful way. This answer should be short and to the point. It is important to pick the right story for this answer. You don’t want to tell of a time when your supervisor was a jerk or when you were in the wrong. Let’s look at the example! Henry has a job interview at EB Games for a Sales Clerk job. This answer comes from LIveCareer website and it is a great response to this difficult question: “I once disagreed with my boss over how to best help a customer. Rather than question his authority in front of everyone, I talked to him off of the floor. I was open and honest about the problems I had with the way he wanted to do things. It turned out that it was just a simple misunderstanding. The disagreement showed me the importance of communicating with my coworkers to make sure that something obsolete doesn’t become a bigger problem than it needs to be.” Remember that hiring managers are looking for someone that will fit in at their company. Try and answer in a way that will show your better qualities. “Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job?” If you are leaving one job for another, you will most likely be asked this question. Your answer should be short and positive (never say anything negative about any of your past employers). Instead, focus on talking about taking on new opportunities and job responsibilities that will help you grow in your professional career. Highlight why this job is a better fit for you than the job you are currently in. Let’s look at the example! Danielle has an interview with Starbucks for a Manager Assistant job. Here is what she said: “I would like to be part of a successful thriving business such as this one that will allow me to demonstrate my effective and creative management style. I know I would have the opportunity to do this here because your company is innovative and willing to try new things.” “What questions do you have for me?” This is where you get a chance to learn more about the job and work culture of the organization. Take advantage of this opportunity and prepare questions ahead of time about the job. Asking questions also shows the employer how serious and interested you are about the job! Let’s look at the example! Jonathan has an interview at The Westin Hotel for a Front Desk job. Here is what he said:
Honestly you will never know all the questions you will be asked during an interview; all you can do is practice and be ready for any question! To find out what other interview questions you could be asked, look online, go to the library or an employment agency, talk to your parents or a friend. The goal of an interview is simple: impress the interviewer, get the job. However, feeling confident and comfortable in such a stressful situation is not so simple. How can you properly prepare for this difficult task? A mock interview may be the answer. A mock interview is an exercise where you practice interviewing in an environment similar to what you expect to see on the big day. This simple process will help you adapt to an interview setting and prepare you to give the best interview possible. What you Need
Preparation The more you practice and prepare before an interview, the more comfortable you’ll feel and the more likely you are to succeed!
The Session
The Feedback
An interview does not need to be a painful process. Proper preparation will provide you with the confidence you need to succeed. The mock interview is an excellent example of one way of preparing for success. Check back to our blog next week for more information on the types of questions to expect during an interview. |
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