Interview Tips to Nail Your Next Interview

Please note my comments listed as Comments 1.
Lots of good tips.

Job Interview: 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
By Amy Levin-Epstein | Feb 24, 2011 | 19 Comments

Get ready to nail your next interview, job seekers. I’ve asked my experts for their A-list advice to get you a second interview. I suspect you’re already savvy enough to send a thank you note and avoid lying on your resume. Let’s take your technique to the next level.

What follows, in no specific order, is a tried-and-true list of job interview tips. And by all means, if something else has worked even better for you, please sign in below and share it in the comments section.

1. Ask them upfront why they wouldn’t hire you.

The interview is coming to a close, but make sure you stick your landing, says Roberta Chinksy Matuson, President of Human Resource Solutions and author of Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around. “Always end the conversation with the following question: ‘Is there anything about my background that gives you concern?’” says Matuson. Now you’ve bought yourself a bonus round to derail any doubts.

2. Prepare sound bites.
Successes and skills need to be displayed clearly. “A sound bite is succinct and direct, catchy and easy to remember. An example is ‘I’ve designed logos for three Fortune 500 companies,’ or ‘My efficiency plan decreased product-delivery times by 15 percent without costing the company one cent,’” says Charles Purdy, senior editor and career expert at Monster.com. Implant these one-liners in your brain, and you won’t be grasping for words.

3. Ask for homework.
Until you’re hired, you’re an unknown to your potential employer. You sound great, but can you perform? Erase that question by asking for a trial assignment, suggests Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs. “Ask whether there’s any job-related task that you could do for them that would allow you to showcase your qualifications and maybe even save them a little time,” says Sutton Fell. Do a good job, and you’ll be getting paid to do the same work soon enough.

4. Mirror your interviewer.
You might feel like you’re in the hot seat, but if you can match your interviewer’s speed of speech and mannerisms, you’ll both feel more like you’re old friends and less like you’re in an NCIS interrogation room, says Ken Sundheim, CEO and Founder of KAS Placement, a New York City-based staffing agency. Not sure how you’re doing? “If you’re following their tone, speed and breathing correctly, validate your pacing technique by taking a sip of water - the interviewer will take a drink as well,” says Sundheim.

5. Be a stalker (within limits).I hope you’re already Googling the person who will interview you, and reading about the company - but you need to feel it out further. “Dig deep by using tools like Klout and Pipl,” says public relations executive Meryl Weinsaft Cooper co-author of Be Your Own Best Publicist: How to Use PR Techniques to Get Hired, Noticed and Rewarded at Work. “Lurk around LinkedIn. Do some investigations by interviewing people who work there, or those who have left, to get the skinny on the culture and crowd.”

6. Record a pre-interview practice.
Ever wish you could tell how you sound in an interview? Find out, suggests Marlene Caroselli, Ed.D., author of The Critical Thinking Toolkit: Spark Your Team’s Creativity with 35 Problem Solving Activities: “A week ahead of the interview, record your reply to expected questions. Play the tape back and analyze your responses. Would you hire you?” If the answer is no, press rewind and try again.

7. Lean in for the kill.
OK, we’re exaggerating slightly. But you do want to lean slightly forward so your interviewer can tell you’re game. “Slouching or leaning back may send the wrong signals. When you sit down for a formal interview, lean forward to show interest and active listening,” says Kathryn Minshew, co-founder and editor-in-chief of PYP Media, an online career consulting tool for women.

8. Use the word “we.”
Look, I trust you when you tell me you’re a team player - but during an interview, you can come across as a total narcissist by using only the word “I,” says Kimberly Schneiderman, job search consultant and owner of City Career Services. She suggests talking about what your last team created, and only then describing your particular role. An example: “At ABC Company, the New Projects Team, of which I am a member, created a new app that would identify bakeries by location for our users. My role on the team was to identify bakeries within a specific radius of New York City and categorize them by specialty.”

9. Bring props.
Think of an interview as show and tell, suggests Jenni Luke, national executive director of Step Up Women’s Network. “Bring a ‘brag book’ of career accomplishments which demonstrates the quality of your work. [Or] if you see great work that a competitor is doing, bring that to the interview and critique it,” says Luke. This will clearly show what you can do and how you think. Bonus: Having a prop can also calm jittery nerves.

Do you have any no-fail interview tips you’d like to add to this list? Please sign in below and share. For more career advice, follow @MWOnTheJob on Twitter.

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COMMENTS
1 marygreenwood
02/25/11

Some more tips by Mary Greenwood, Author of How to Interview Like a Pro: 43 Rules For Getting Your Next Job.

1. NEVER DISCUSS MONEY AT THE FIRST INTERVIEW. If you do, you will probably not get the second interview. You want to spend the entire interview explaining what you can do for the company. The money discussion should come much later after they know they want you.

2. NEVER SAY YOU YOU DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
Not having any questions shows a lack of interest. This is your opportunity to show your in-depth knowledge of the company and that you are genuinely interested in the company. I make a list the night before and then ask the ones that have not been asked. Here is my favorite: What brought you to the company and what do you like most about the company?

3. HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT WHACKY QUESTION?
Some employeres like to ask those whacky questions. Remember when Barbara Walteres asked Katherin Hepburn what kind of tree she was. When you get one of those questions, don't take it too seriously. See if you can answer it humorously without appearing flakey or insincere. If you don't understand, perhaps you can ask them to rephrase.


2ExecCareerCoach

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
As an executive career coach I would like to add the following tips to the list above:

RESEARCH THE INTERVIEWERS WHO WILL BE CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW. Usually you will get the names of the people who will be interviewing you from the person who schedules the interview. Find these people on Zoominfo, Jigsaw, LinkedIn, and Twitter so that you can find points of common interest. This will help you establish rapport during the interview and give them the idea that you will be a good fit in this organization.

FIND OUT ABOUT ANY NEW INITIATIVES THAT THE COMPANY IS INVOLVED IN. Use this information in the interview to show the interviewers that you are not simply desperate for a job, any job. You are very interested in working for this company, and you have thought about how your position might promote the success of these new initiatives.

USE LINKEDIN TO FIND NETWORKING CONTACTS THAT YOU HAVE AT THAT COMPANY. Hiring managers prefer to hire people that they know something about, so if you come recommended, that will increase your chances of landing a second interview and even the job. These contacts can also give you inside information about the company that can help you in the interview. And they may be able to tell you about the interviewers as well as give you information about the company.

You can visit my website at www.calltocareer.com or email me at admin@calltocareer.com.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Palmer


3cvainrub

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
When choosing three tips to guarantee a second interview,
here are some suggestions:

1- Practice makes perfect - when interviewing, the more
practice you get, the better prepared you will be to fully
represent yourself. The interview process can be very
stressful, practicing will take part of the stress out of the
equation, allowing you to feel more comfortable with yourself
and focus on your story, and not your nerves. Practicing
doesn't mean scripting! It means thinking about questions you
will need to answer and understanding what could be good
answers to help the interviewer know how you can have
added value in their company.

2- Be true to yourself! Although times are tough for many,
our goal should be to find a job that provides the right fit
with our career goals, working style and interests. Think
Richard Branson! If he would have to look for a job and he
would act the part, he probably wouldn't last a month! So
represent yourself fully and remember, an interview goes both
ways.

By Claudine Vainrub, Principal of EduPlan - www.eduplan.us


4mdumaine

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Some insight from career coach and Aspyre Solutions founder Dana Leavy (http://aspyresolutions.com):

Be THE Problem Solver

Hiring managers want to know how you (and only you) can solve the needs of their organization. Read between the job description lines. What are you bringing to the table that the next person with a similar background is not? If you educate yourself and build awareness around what keeps your next potential boss up at night, and you clearly communicate how you can help to solve that, chances are you've got their attention.

Qualifications in the form of experience and tangible skills aren't enough to grab a hiring manager's attention these days. You need to be a creative, proactive problem solver.


5tlinde

02/25/11 | Report as spam

nexus IT group, Inc
1. Ask questions that elicit positive responses from the employer. Also, the questions should bring out your interest in and knowledge of the organization. By asking intelligent, well-thought-out questions, you show the employer you are serious about the organization and need more information. It also indicates to the hiring manager/recruiter that you have done your homework.

2. During the interview, you may be asked some unusual questions. Don?t be too surprised. Many times questions are asked simply to see how you react. For example: ?Tell me a joke? or ?What time period would you like to have lived in?? These are not the kind of questions for which you can prepare in advance. Your reaction time and the response you give will be evaluated by the employer, but there?s no way to anticipated questions like these. While these questions are not always used, they are intended to force you to react under some stress and pressure. The best advice is to think and give a natural response.

3. DEFUSE RED FLAGS: Be upfront and honest about your past.

a. Resume doesn?t show continuous employment: ?I didn?t work in 2006 because I went back to school to finish my degree. I feel I made the right decision: when I returned to work my salary was considerably higher.?

b. Laid off: Explain in a way that dispels any shame or guilt you may be harboring. ?I was one of 80 people laid off last May when XYZ Corporation started downsizing.?

c. Fired: Be straightforward. ?To be honest with you I didn?t fit into the organization. My supervisor and I decided it was for my best interest to leave.?

www.nexusitgroup.com


6FrancesCole

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
As the author of two books on interviewing ("How to Wow" and The Wow Factor": www.thewowfactor-thebook.com) I'd like to add the following three tips:

Have two answers for "What's your greatest weakness?" Why?
Because HR Directors now know everyone has one answer ready so they simply wait for you to finish and say, "Great, tell me another." You need to out prep them.

2. Being rude, dismissive, or condescending to the wait staff at a lunch interview guarantees you will not make the next cut. No, it doesn't make you seem important, it makes you seem like a jackass. No one wants that behavior on their team.

3. Don't close your interview by asking, "How did I do?" It makes you seem very young/inexperienced. Instead ask, "What are my next steps?"


7badjobinterviews

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
A job interview story of not being prepared:
I went to an interview recently where the recruiter had failed to send me the job description. I had to start off the interview with "So? what position am I being interviewed for?"

Not a good start to an interview. Read more stories about bad job interviews and see some examples of what not to do.


8annspoor

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
So many great tips! Here are 3 more for your readers Amy.

1. Preparation is the key to success! Know the company- read news and press releases, listen to a recent earnings call. Understand the role. The more you know, the more credibility you have.

2. If you have a phone interview first, which is common practice, energy and clear communication is critical. Whenever possible, use a land line to ensure a good connection. Find a quiet place- no dogs barking or kids crying. Stand when speaking. This projects better energy on the phone.

3. Dress appropriately. Take a look at the website and LinkedIn for pictures and images of current employees. Dress in a similar fashion but a step above. Example, if this is a high tech company in the Silicon Valley where everyone is in a tee-shirt and jeans, don't wear a suit and tie. You won't fit in.

www.executivelattice.com


9fuhrsd

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Amy,

Great piece. I particularly like #2, about the sound bites. How often do candidates find themselves showing-up for the interview, only to be thrown off by distractions like the bustling office environment that day, phones ringing, etc.? Sound bites are a great way to access impressive information fast.

-Scott


10Philip Farina, CPP

02/25/11 | Report as spam

Manta Security Management Recruiters
1. DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE - RESEARCH THE COMPANY, INDUSTRIES THAT IT SERVES, PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS, CULTURE AND KEY PLAYERS WITHIN THE LEADERSHIP AND SELECTION TEAM. BRING THIS INFORMATION TO THE TABLE AND BLEND IT THROUGHOUT THE INTERVIEW.

2. TAKE OWNERSHIP IN THE POSITION BEFORE IT'S EVEN YOURS - PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS FACING YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER AS IF YOU WERE ALREADY PART OF THE TEAM.

3. FOLLOW UP AND THANK YOU NOTES - ENSURE THAT YOU OBTAIN BUSINESS CARDS AND/OR FULL CONTACT INFORMATION FROM EACH OF YOUR INTERVIEWERS. SEND BOTH AN EMAIL AS WELL AS A HARDCOPY "THANK YOU" NOTE, EXPRESSING EXCITEMENT, QUALIFICATIONS AND FURTHER INTEREST IN THE POSITION. INVITE THEM TO CONTACT YOU FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

4. KEEP THE DOOR OPEN - IF YOU ARE NOT SELECTED FOR THE POSITION OR AN ADDITIONAL INTERVIEW, DON'T BE DISCOURAGED. MAINTAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BY REPLYING WITH FURTHER INTEREST IN THE POSITION OR COMPANY. MENTION THAT IF THE CANDIDATE SELECTED DOES NOT MEET THEIR EXPECTATIONS, YOU WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THEM AGAIN.

Philip Farina, CPP
CEO, Manta Security Management Recruiters
http://www.manta1.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manta-Security-Management-Recruiters/389269133746

Author of:

Antiterrorism Careers - THE Ultimate Guide to Professional Employment Opportunities in Specialized Security

Effective Strategies for Mastering Success on Linkedin.com - The Security Professional's Guide to Capitalizing on the World's Best Business Network


11Jenny Schade

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Great tips! And here's my own Single-Best Interviewing Tip: ALWAYS add value, right from the first encounter. That means do your homework ahead of time and bring in an article you think will interest the interviewer or even an idea for the company. In your follow-up communication, send an article you think the interviewer will find of interest and value.

Other people won't do this - they'll just send a regular old thank you note. You be the one to send an interesting article that addresses a business or personal interest of the interviewer. You'll stand out in the crowd, I promise.

Jenny Schade
www.JRSconsulting.net


12ShawnGraham

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Great suggestions although the first tip is very risky. Asking someone if there's any reason why they wouldn't hire you is like asking someone at the end of a date if there's any reason they wouldn't go out with you again.

Typically, people avoid situations that could lead to awkward exchanges or possible confrontation...so that means they'll typically say "Nope, you are great" even if they don't really mean it.

Shawn Graham
www.CourtingYourCareer.com


13ronkaufman

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Tips from Ronald Kaufman, author of "Anatomy of Success," anatomyofsuccess.com:

1. Everyone knows you should research a prospective employer, and yet very few people go deep enough. A key to getting hired, is to convince the interviewer that you want a career with their company, not just a job. Like dating, I want someone who wants me, and who?s looking for a long-term relationship.

Research the company as if you were buying their stock. What are the earnings, what are the products, what?s the corporate culture, what are their values and mission statement, what?s the outlook for their products and for their industry, where are they located, what?s their debt rating, what changes have occurred in the last 12 months, what?s the stock been doing if they?re public, who?s their competition, what marketing are they doing (TV, radio, print, blog, twitter, Facebook, YouTube), who?s their leadership and how long have they been with the company, etc.

2. Know yourself thoroughly in terms of skills, traits, values, talents, beliefs, and accomplishments. Who are you, and what do you have that is unique that will be a resource for them to achieve their goals? And be prepared with examples to prove what you say about yourself is reliable.

3. Have a positive attitude, learning what their perceived problems are, what their goals are, and how you can help them to succeed. Assume whatever you?re saying in your mind about yourself or them, is being heard by them. Only say things in your mind that you would be okay with them hearing out loud.


14ihirsch

02/25/11 | Report as spam

Lydia Whitney
Great tips ! As the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Winning STEP and the author of the Winning STEP? Comprehensive Career Entry Preparation Guide, Comprehensive Career Entry Independent Study Workbook and Career Organizer & Journal, as well as a number of customized career preparation curriculums, I would like to offer a few more job interview tips.

My first tip would be to make sure that you have a more modern formatted resume which focuses on skills, experience, and accomplishments and not dates and chronology. If the interviewer must take time to search for what you are able to do, you may not get that second interview.

Secondly, during an interview, when you are asked a question, before you start your answer, try to determine why that question was asked. What is the interviewer trying to learn about you? The interviewer wants to learn more about you as a person, and how you might help the company. Make sure you state how you will be a benefit to the company.

Thirdly, learn all that you can about your interviewer. Try to find out his/her name, title, and job before the interview. Also make certain you can pronounce his/her name correctly
Lydia Whitney
Winning-STEP.com


15Hillary O'Keefe

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Amy, these are all such great tips, and so many unusual ones as well! When I spoke with Josh Gampel, Senior VP of Staffing at Onward Search, he recommended the following tips as sure fire ways to get to that next round.

Tip #1: Set objectives and a goal before you interview.

Establish ahead of time what elements of your personal brand you are selling to the company. The interview is, after all, really about what you're bringing to the table, not what you'll get out of the job. Figure out your selling points in advance so you're prepared to explain exactly how you'll improve the company when hired.

Tip #2: Use the STAR format.

When answering a question, try to frame your answer in the STAR format, which stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. In doing so, you will give the interviewer the type of specific and measurable evidence of success/experience they are looking for.

Tip #3: Ask Open-Ended Questions

Arrive at the interview prepared with open-ended questions that are based on the research you did on your prospective employer. Their responses will give you insight on what they're looking for in an ideal candidate, how the role will be measured and what types of obstacles they hope to overcome. Use these insights to tailor your responses from there on out.

Josh also mentioned that many job seekers don't express enough interest in the job. He suggests separating yourself from the crowd by making it crystal clear that you want the job and ask about what the next steps are.


16Lynn Taylor

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Nice article, Amy! Here are some more tips. More at my author site: www.TameYourTOT.com and blogs:

TIPS

1) PRESENT YOUR UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION (USP)

Every savvy marketer knows that a product or service has one foremost distinction above its competitors. If you can sell yours in the first interview, and relate it to the opening, you'll stand out. More specifically, how will adding you be a good ROI or return on investment? Put yourself in the hiring managers shoes. The Domino's Pizza classic USP was: "Hot, fresh pizza delivered in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed." In your past career, were you known for streamlining business costs? Over-delivering on customer service or having outstanding staff retention? These are all great USPs.

2) MANAGE THE INTERVIEW

Yes, you read correctly! Just because you're on the other side of the desk doesn't mean you can't gently guide the conversation. You are there to listen first (and carefully) and answer questions. But this is your opportunity to lead the dialog into why you are the best fit for the job - and highlight key points. It takes skill and tact. If you don't believe you're the best choice, why should the interviewer?

3) ASK INTERVIEWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CAREER

You'll have a much better idea if you want to work for the person and company, and in the process, the hiring manager will be flattered. Its the rare person who doesn't want to talk about their own career. By taking an interest in any person, they will automatically take a greater interest in you.

Best of luck!


17SpeakEtc.

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Great points! I'm a Communication and Presentation skills coach and video tape my clients before their interviews! Here are 3 things my clients always seem to need reminders about:

1) Remember to bring your personality
So many people feel they have to strip away their personality as soon as they don their interview clothes. Not so? Many interviewers sit in a room all day talking to job applicant after job applicant. Imagine how boring that might be. Bringing your personality to the interview is one way to be memorable.

Instead of: Walking in as though you?re going to a firing squad, sitting down, folding your hands and staring at the interviewer waiting to be grilled.
Try: Walking briskly in, (always give them a few seconds to ?check you out?), sit toward the front of the chair with your chest slightly forward. * SMILE and start the conversation yourself! Comment on their office, something their wearing and yes, maybe even the weather. As long as your comment is positive and authentic, it could really serve to break the ice and make you both feel more comfortable and engaged.

Remember it?s a conversation not an interrogation:

There?s a tendency for people to make interviews like one person tennis games. The interviewer serves, the interviewee gives a one sentence answer which lands with a thud on the other side of the net, forcing the interviewer to bend down pick up the ball and serve again. That gets a little tiring and would be really boring to play or watch.

Instead of: Answering the interviewer?s question with the answer, the whole answer and nothing but the answer.
Try: Giving the answer and then bridging your answer to a topic that highlights your strengths.
Example:
Q. What social media sites do you feel are essential?
A. I really like working with twitter, facebook, linkedin, ning and several other of the popular sites. (good answer but don?t stop there!) I also work with a lot of the applications that simplify and aggregate content because I like to be as efficient and effective as possible. At my last job, I was able to increase the companies? unique users by 40% in three months. (PAUSE - If there?s no sign that the interviewer wants to interrupt, add) - I know that this company prides itself on being transparent and I?d love to apply my skills toward your social media marketing. (I know this example might sound bogus to real social media folks but I hope you get the picture.)

NOTE: Of course, you also need to be aware of talking TOO much!

Remember they really want you to be right for the job:

When you send out hundreds of resumes and lose out on interview after interview, it?s very normal to get negative, discouraged and bitter. Trust me, I know. As an actor I probably got less than 1% of the roles I auditioned for. However, it?s very important not to bring that bitterness into the interview. One piece of advice that really resonated with a current client was something casting directors always tell you: They really want you to be good! Think of how much easier their job would be if they found the perfect candidate without a lot of hassle. Although it may not seem that way, it really is not in their best interest to call you in just to waste both of your time.

Instead of: Answering questions in a monotone voice that sounds like you?ve said the same thing a million times. (My clients were particularly struck by how their voices and vocal tone came across)
TRY: Infusing your voice with energy and passion. Letting them know that you love what you do and can?t wait to do it for them.
Instead of: Getting defensive when they ask you about your experience.
Try: Feeling proud of everything you?ve done and grateful for the opportunity to share information that is going to prove how right you are for this position.

And remember you?re sizing them up too. Is this really a place you want to be for the next few years, few months or even few minutes? Remember to ask questions and check out their body language, strengths and personality.


18gerardfr

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
One of my favourite questions when interviewing for staff runs along the lines of: What I have to do at the end of the day is decide between various candidates, so help me out here, why should I employ you?

The number of times that this has stumped interviewees or forced them to think on their feet amazes me.

The question totally sums up the interview process and before going into an interview you need to have thought through clearly the answer that you want to give.

If you are not asked the question directly, you need to make sure that you have conveyed all of the information in your answers to the questions asked or as a statement towards the end.

This is the question that the interviewer needs to answer at the end of the day. The more that you can assist in providing a clear answer in your favour, the more likely you are to move forward.

By the way, try to steer clear of generalities and banalities - if I did not think that you would be honest and hard working, then I would not have asked you in for an interview.


19Amy Levin-Epstein

02/25/11 | Report as spam

RE: Job Interview? 9 Great Tips to Get You to Round 2
Thanks everyone, for all of these fabulous comments. It just
goes to show that there is no "right" way to nail an interview.
Job seekers simply need to find out what techniques or tricks
work for them. It's also worth noting that many of these tips
can be used for many important meeting situations, not only
job interviews. Amy (Twitter @MWOnTheJob)




Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author ofHow To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com

Signing Event at Winter Park Borders on March 12, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

On March 12th, there will be a signing event for How to Interview Like a Pro: 43 Rules for Getting Your Next Job from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Borders at Winter Park Village is located at
600 N.Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, Fl. 32789
tel. 407-647-3300

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author ofHow To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com

Mary Greenwood is leading 8 hour training at Oakland Mediation Center in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan on March 21, 2011

Oakland Mediation Center, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Event Information Name of Training : 8 Hour Advanced Mediator Training

Training Description : This training will review the mediation process, discuss the roles of the mediator, and emphasize the neutrality and ethics of the mediator. The participants will learn how to talk like a mediator and deal with difficult parties. Additionally, participants will learn about different types of mediation and how to employ the skills in the marketplace.

Start Date : 03/21/2011

End Date : 03/21/2011

Start Time : 08:30:00 AM

End Time : 05:00:00 PM

Cost : $325.00

Location : Oakland Mediation Center

Trainer : Mary Ann Greenwood author of the books How to Mediate Like a Pro and How to Negotiate Like a pro

Class Limit : 16

Grade Level : Adults
Audience : Mediators who have completed the 40-Hour Mediator Training
CEUs :
Meals : Breakfast, lunch, snack

Questions : Please contact Camelia Ureche at (248) 338-4280 ext 211.







Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author ofHow To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com

Mary Greenwood speaks at South Florida Writers Association in Miami on March 5

SFWA Membership Monthly Meeting

Guests are welcome!

Next Meeting: Saturday, March 5, 2011

Time: 10 am to 12 Noon

Subject-SFWA member, Mary Greenwood will cover awards and special extras for your books

Book: How to Interview Like a Pro, 43 Rules for Getting Your Next Job plus a discussion on additional publicity and recognition for her books.

Where: New Location! South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge

6304 SW 78 Street

Miami, FL 33143

(US 1 in back of Taco Bell and BP Gas)

Map of Elks Lodge location

Cost: $8 for members and $10 for guests. Food will be provided by Andy's Catering for breakfast brunch. No price change for meeting. You may pay with cash or check at the door. You may also renew your SFWA membership or become a member at the door.

For questions: Contact Teresa Bendaña, e-mail: terebend@yahoo.com

Parking: Free in front, sides and back of building.

Synopsis:

(written by Jonathan Rose, Program Director and paraphrased by Lynn MacKinnon, Secretary)

SFWA member, Mary Greenwood, returns to speak about her third new book How to Interview Like a Pro, 43 Rules for Getting Your Next Job which earned the Editor's Choice and Rising Star designation by iUniverse. Her two previous books, How to Negotiate like a Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes won six book awards and How to Mediate Like a Pro, won 12 book awards. Mary Greenwood is a a Human Resources Director and Attorney. She has a BA and MA in English, a Law Degree and an LL.M. in Labor Law. Greenwood lives in Orlando, Florida. For further information, her website: www.Marygreenwood.org







Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit Award, South Florida Writers Association Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com www.marygreenwood.org

Feathered Quill Book Review gives How to Interview Like a Pro a 5 star review

Self-Help/ How To/ Business
How To Interview Like A Pro: Forty-Three Rules For Getting Your Next Job

By: Mary Greenwood
Publisher: iUniverse
Publication Date: December 2010
ISBN: 978-1450270892
Reviewed by: Eloise Michael
Review Date: February 2011


How To Interview Like A Pro: Forty-Three Rules For Getting Your Next Job begins with “Rule 1. Getting a Job is a full-time job” (pg. 1). It may be disappointing to realize that it takes work to find work, but the good news is that this book will make the job easier. How to Interview Like a Pro includes all the information you will need with nothing extra to take up your time. Author Mary Greenwood writes clearly. The rules are numbered, arranged in a logical order, written in bold, and divided into chapters, making the book exceptionally easy to navigate.

Greenwood allows readers to tailor her advice to their own situations. Of course there are many different jobs out there, and readers will have diverse backgrounds. Greenwood has considered the job-seeker just out of school, the person moving from one high-level managerial position to another, and everything in between. She advises on using your credentials to gain a higher salary at a new job. She also gives ideas on how to explain the fact that you have a criminal record. In short, if you are looking for a job, whoever you are, this book is for you.

Readers will not find, however, that they are wading through lots of information that does not apply to their own situation. Greenwood has isolated forty-three rules that are almost universal. Below each rule are lists of sample questions, answers, or scenarios. Readers can easily scan through the list and pick those that are a good match.

We have all encountered “How to” books that repeat good advice we have heard already. This is not one of those books. How to Interview Like a Pro will have some new information for anyone, whether you are just out of school and interviewing for a first job or have changed jobs several times. Greenwood does not leave out the conventional wisdom; she offers new insight into the old rules.

One section that will be particularly useful is a list of twenty-six common interview questions. Greenwood follows each with some suggested answers. The list of questions allows job-seekers to think about the best response and to rehearse it in advance. Readers have the opportunity to develop their own style and presentation around the framework of Greenwood's suggested answers, which will allow them to be more focused and more confident later at the interview.

Realistically there are some jobs that you will not get, even if you interview like a pro. Greenwood explains the hiring process from the inside, pointing out that sometimes, for legal reasons, companies interview candidates they have no intention of hiring. Sometimes they do not hire anyone. Though it is helpful to remember that there are many reasons why a company does not hire candidates, rejection is still hard to take. How to Interview Like a Pro can help with this, too. Greenwood offers encouragement and a positive spin on the jobs you don't get. She suggests practical ways to gain from each interview experience and to apply that new knowledge to the next interview.

These forty-three rules are not a one-size-fits-all program for getting hired. Instead they are a framework to help readers identify their own strengths and think about how best to present them. Reading the book is an interactive process. Greenwood provides choices, and gives readers the opportunity to put the pieces together, following the forty-three rules, so that they may obtain a job that will fit with their skills, experience, and interests.

Quill says: How to Interview Like a Pro provides practical advice in an easy-to-use format. If you are looking for a job, this book is for you!

For more information on How To Interview Like A Pro: Forty-Three Rules For Getting Your Next Job, please visit the author's website at: www.MaryGreenwood.org







Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How to Interview Like a Pro,Editor's Choice and Rising STar and Finalist in Reader Views Book Awards, How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category, Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book Festival How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book Festival, Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association Email: howtointerview@aol.com www.marygreenwood.org

How to Interview Like a Pro is Finalist in How To category in Reader View Book Awards

How to Interview Like a Pro; 43 Rules for Getting Your Next Job is a finalist in the Reader View Book Awards. The finalists will be selected in March. The annual literary awards were established to honor writers who self-published or had their books published by a subsidy publisher, small press, university press, or independent book publisher geared for the North American reading audience.


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author ofHow To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com

Look for Red Flags During the Interview Process

As part of your debriefing after an interview, you should list any red flags that may make working at this company unacceptable. You may have seen things at this employer that gave you pause about working there. In the excitement of going for an interview, do not overlook these red flags and go with your gut.

Here are some potential red flags:

1. I am not sure my management style is compatible with my new boss.
It is important that you and your new boss work well together. You may want to ask your prospective boss what his management style is and how he likes to work on projects. If you like to work independently and he/she likes to micromanage, there may be a potential problem.

2. I want to know how long my new boss intends to work before retiring.
Once I took a job and my new boss almost immediately announced his retirement. I immediately started looking for a job. It was a good thing I was proactive because after I left, they eliminated that position and did not reinstate it for at least twenty years. This is a tricky subject, but you might want to discreetly ask what your prospective boss' future plans are.

3. I would like to know if they will train me and pay me for conferences.
With budget shortfalls, cuts in travel and training are some of the first to be eliminated. If this is very important to you, this may be a red flag. You should ask before you accept an offer whether they will pay for you to go to a national or regional conference. You should explain how important it is to you to keep up to date in your field.

4. I heard someone mention layoffs during my interview.
You might wonder if the rumors are true. If you have already been through a layoff, you probably want to avoid putting yourself in that position again.

Everyone's red flags will be different depending on his/her comfort level on these issues. Of course, things will happen that are not foreseeable, but make sure you find out as much as you can on these red flag issues before making your decision to accept an offer.

Mary Greenwood, Attorney Mediator, and Author of How to Interview Like a Pro, Editor's Choice and Rising Star, How to Negotiate like a Pro, Winner of six book awards and How to Mediate Like a Pro, Winner of twelve book awards.
Email: howtointerview@aol.com
Website: http://www.marygreenwood.org

Review of Networking for the Novice, Nervous, or Naive Job Seeker by Tom Dezell

Tom Dezell is a fellow iUniverse author. He has written Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naive Job Seeker, which is an excellent "must have book" for a jobseeker. A few weeks ago Tom asked me to do an interview on his radio program. While discussing our books, we discovered that our tips and rules overlapped in many areas. His focus is networking and mine is interviewing.

The review can be found on Amazon.com. "What makes Tom's book unique is that he provides true life anecdotes to illustrates his points. As an author of a recent book on interviewing, I really appreciated his tips and found myself nodding in agreement throughout the book. For example, he quotes Penelope Trunk, who said, "Hiring Managers do not hire the most qualified; they hire the individual they most want to work with." Tom recommends adding your military service, like the Marines, because that may be a plus for the hiring manager. Your interest in film or dogs, (I have a picture of my Boston Terrier Annabelle on my cover) may help the hiring manager decide he/she wants to work with you.

Another thing I loved about the book are the chance encounters that got people jobs: The engineer whose neighbor was an HR Director for an Engineering company; the Little League Dad who sat next to another Little League Dad, who ended up giving the first Dad some leads for another job. You just never know where your next lead is going to come from and so you should tell everyone your situation. It is nothing to be ashamed about,especially in this economy.

Tom Dezell gives a lot of pragmatic, practical and down-to earth tips about networking. I give it my highest recommendation."





Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How to Interview Like a Pro: 43 Rules for Getting Your Next Job; How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law Category, Best E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association Email: howtointerview@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.org

Feathered Quill Book Reviews lists How to Interview Like a Pro as a Friday Find

Feathered Quill Book Reviews list How to Interview Like a Pro as a Friday Find. http://featheredquill.blogspot.com/2011/02/friday-finds.html

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author ofHow To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com