And they typically scare people (maybe you) to death.

If you're feeling uncomfortable right now just thinking about a job interview, there are resources to minimize that fear. But think about what causes the fear for a second.

Usually the fear comes from one of four things:

• General "stage fright" kind of willies
• Lack of preparation
• Worry about not knowing the answer to something
• Lack of resume confidence (frequently because of "exaggerations" on it)

Avoiding the last one is easy. Keep your resume brutally honest, but present yourself in the best possible light. If that's hard to do, hire some help. Professional resume writers are good at that stuff.

As for general preparation, you can visit my site for recommendations.

But let's talk in general terms for a minute about preparation.

A killer cover letter and resume will get you in the door, but then you have to impress the interviewer to close the deal. It can be terrifying. You've spent lots of time preparing documents in the privacy of your own home, but now you have to put on a show. And the one who puts on the best show wins.

Obviously, interviewing skills are critical to your job search success. But what skills are you going to need? It's not as simple as "walk upright, don't drool, etc." What exactly are interviewing skills?

There aren't many, although it might sound like it if somebody's coaching you on how to interview. Here are the critical ones:

1. Dress well. This "common sense" isn't so common.
2. Bring business cards (if you're coming from another job), extra copies of your resume and cover letter, and a pen and pad. Never say you have to borrow a pen!
3. Relax. I know it can be difficult, but shaking is a turn-off. Act like you're cool as a cucumber, even if you're not.
4. Know the job you're applying for, and why you want it. You'd be surprised how many people walk into an interview and say they're there because "you're hiring." Kiss of death.
5. Be absolutely familiar with the details behind everything you said in your cover letter and resume.
6. Be honest. Simple, but it's amazing what kind of foolishness comes out of some people's mouths in an interview.
7. Pause for 1-2 seconds before you answer every question. Interrupting is bad form, and pausing also shows you're thinking before speaking.
8. If a really tough question come
   Target and Define Your Organization's Mission Statement
   A mission statement is simply an encapsulation of the mission of a particular organization – its purpose, its goals and how to achieve them. A mission statement may also be considered a blueprint for success, streamlining the efforts of an organization’s executives as all decide the direction the organization must head, delineating the perceived best paths towards objective fulfillment.It is not an easy exercise to target, define and create a mi
   ing
9. Lack of resume confidence (frequently because of "exaggerations" on it)

Avoiding the last one is easy. Keep your resume brutally honest, but present yourself in the best possible light. If that's hard to do, hire some help. Professional resume writers are good at that stuff.

As for general preparation, you can visit my site for recommendations.

But let's talk in general terms for a minute about preparation.

A killer cover letter and resume will get you in the door, but then you have to impress the interviewer to close the deal. It can be terrifying. You've spent lots of time preparing documents in the privacy of your own home, but now you have to put on a show. And the one who puts on the best show wins.

Obviously, interviewing skills are critical to your job search success. But what skills are you going to need? It's not as simple as "walk upright, don't drool, etc." What exactly are interviewing skills?

There aren't many, although it might sound like it if somebody's coaching you on how to interview. Here are the critical ones:

1. Dress well. This "common sense" isn't so common.
2. Bring business cards (if you're coming from another job), extra copies of your resume and cover letter, and a pen and pad. Never say you have to borrow a pen!
3. Relax. I know it can be difficult, but shaking is a turn-off. Act like you're cool as a cucumber, even if you're not.
4. Know the job you're applying for, and why you want it. You'd be surprised how many people walk into an interview and say they're there because "you're hiring." Kiss of death.
5. Be absolutely familiar with the details behind everything you said in your cover letter and resume.
6. Be honest. Simple, but it's amazing what kind of foolishness comes out of some people's mouths in an interview.
7. Pause for 1-2 seconds before you answer every question. Interrupting is bad form, and pausing also shows you're thinking before speaking.
8. If a really tough question com
   Tell the Carwashes to Stop Hiring Illegal Aliens
   For years we have all been going to the local carwash and we conveniently tip the towel spinning driers who do not speak any English a dollar or two depending on their performance and the quality of the drying they have done. Yet have we considered that they are illegal aliens? Certainly we have or should have. Indeed we probably knew they were but did not wish to make a scene and we went on our merry way in our clean car.Why do we Americans put
   but then you have to impress the interviewer to close the deal. It can be terrifying. You've spent lots of time preparing documents in the privacy of your own home, but now you have to put on a show. And the one who puts on the best show wins.

   Obviously, interviewing skills are critical to your job search success. But what skills are you going to need? It's not as simple as "walk upright, don't drool, etc." What exactly are interviewing skills?

   There aren't many, although it might sound like it if somebody's coaching you on how to interview. Here are the critical ones:

   1. Dress well. This "common sense" isn't so common.
   2. Bring business cards (if you're coming from another job), extra copies of your resume and cover letter, and a pen and pad. Never say you have to borrow a pen!
   3. Relax. I know it can be difficult, but shaking is a turn-off. Act like you're cool as a cucumber, even if you're not.
   4. Know the job you're applying for, and why you want it. You'd be surprised how many people walk into an interview and say they're there because "you're hiring." Kiss of death.
   5. Be absolutely familiar with the details behind everything you said in your cover letter and resume.
   6. Be honest. Simple, but it's amazing what kind of foolishness comes out of some people's mouths in an interview.
   7. Pause for 1-2 seconds before you answer every question. Interrupting is bad form, and pausing also shows you're thinking before speaking.
   8. If a really tough question com
      Making Your Business Safer - Robbery Prevention
      With holiday shoppers out and about in record numbers this season, many restaurants and retail establishments are thriving. Unfortunately this also is an ideal time for robbers to prey on unprepared businesses. We've put together a special reminder for business owners in hopes of lessening the chance that harm comes to your hard working employees and management teams.Preventing a robberyHave at least two employees open and close the busin
      ebody's coaching you on how to interview. Here are the critical ones:
      1. Dress well. This "common sense" isn't so common.
      2. Bring business cards (if you're coming from another job), extra copies of your resume and cover letter, and a pen and pad. Never say you have to borrow a pen!
      3. Relax. I know it can be difficult, but shaking is a turn-off. Act like you're cool as a cucumber, even if you're not.
      4. Know the job you're applying for, and why you want it. You'd be surprised how many people walk into an interview and say they're there because "you're hiring." Kiss of death.
      5. Be absolutely familiar with the details behind everything you said in your cover letter and resume.
      6. Be honest. Simple, but it's amazing what kind of foolishness comes out of some people's mouths in an interview.
      7. Pause for 1-2 seconds before you answer every question. Interrupting is bad form, and pausing also shows you're thinking before speaking.
      8. If a really tough question com
         Getting That Frame Of Mind To Make Extra Money
         When you are totally cash strapped yourself, it is pretty darn difficult to maintain sound judgment when someone tells you that they know how to make extra money. You might know that whatever making extra money ideas that they have could be pretty much a hair-balled get rich quick scheme. But then, part of you wants so much to believe in it. After all, people do get lucky right?You might be down on your luck, working for minimum wage in a gas st
         many people walk into an interview and say they're there because "you're hiring." Kiss of death.
      9. Be absolutely familiar with the details behind everything you said in your cover letter and resume.
      10. Be honest. Simple, but it's amazing what kind of foolishness comes out of some people's mouths in an interview.
      11. Pause for 1-2 seconds before you answer every question. Interrupting is bad form, and pausing also shows you're thinking before speaking.
      12. If a really tough question comes up (such as, "What if I said you're the most unimpressive candidate I've ever seen?"), answer it like it pro. Ask for more specifics, and speak confidently, but don't be defensive.
      13. Have a few questions prepared ahead of time to ask the interviewer. Hey, remember that you're interviewing them as well.
      14. Be prepared to tell them why you're right for the job. Yes, you already did that in your resume and cover letter, but they're likely to ask anyway.
      15. Before you leave, thank the interviewer for his/her time, and ask for the job.
      16. Get business cards, or at least names and addresses for everybody who interviews you. Write each one a thank you note and mail it after each interview.

      That's the core. The first time I did all that was in 1993, and I got the job. It just works. There are other skills, of course, and they're helpful, but you could survive most interviews with that list of 12. Believe it or not, some interviewers might be more nervous than you are!

      Copyright (c) by Roy Miller