When you have finally found the job of your dreams and have been called to attend that all-important interview, you want to be sure and make the most of your opportunity to generate the kind of impression that will help you stand out in the crowd. Below are some helpful hints that have made a big difference for other job seekers who were stalking the perfect career — and bagged it.

Research

The more familiar you are wtih with company profile before your interivew, the better impression you will make because you understand the phrases and terminology that is used in thiis particular business, so consider it is rather like learning the native language before journeying to unknown lands. By displaying a knowledge of the company’s personality and how it relates to their managment strategy and goals, you can give yourself a distinct advantage over other candidates.

Graphic Examples

We all know that “a picture is worth a thousand words” so make the most of this principle during the interview by presenting the portfolio of your work that can be reviewed while you elaborate. It is much more convincing for the interviewer to see professional samples of your work rather than just have to take your word for it. Make sure there is very little copy to read — simple captions at the most — since text can distract the interviewer from listening to your commentary. If your presentation is on your computer, be sure to have a a couple of hard copies and discs and/or flash drives that you can leave behind for them to consider later and share with others.

Negotiating

Regardless of how determined you are to have the job, it is always a good strategy to go in with the attitude that you have certain criteria that must be met before you would consider the offer. Appearing over-anxious and eager to please does not necessarily endear you to the interviewer, but having a cool yet shrewd attitude can convey your business-savvy nature, which is what potential employers want to see. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the benefits you can expect and chances for advancement within the company. Understand that you can use bargaining techniques to maintain control over the conversation so that you project a sense of self-assurance instead of appearing gullible by just agreeing to all terms as presented.

Persistence

Since employers are often swamped with potential applicants, it is obviously in your best interest to try and keep your name and face at the top of the pile while decisions are being made. The trick is to not appear to be a pest or become worrisome, but rather to convey a sense a genuine interest that extends past the interview session. You can stop by the main office to ask general questions about the company and politely inquire about the status of your application. Making personal appearances gives you the chance that have to encounter other staff members who may be able to influence hiring decisions — if you make a good impression on them. You can also maintain daily e-mail contact by simply providing additional information about topics discussed during the interview that do not require a reply.

Creativity

Showing an “above and beyond” attitude can also get you noticed when confronted with a virtual sea of competition. Take the initiative by offering to do a “test-run” on a project or ask for a tentative assignment so you can prove how quickly you can accomplish the task. If you know the company is interested in certain markets, you can present the interviewer with an impromptu research and development project that you concocted — just to show you are serious about the job. And it never hurts to come up with follow-up gifts that you can send to the personnel department who are considering your application, like a nice coffee cake or box of chocolates.

Having a great appearance, sterling CV and handful of glowing recommendations might make you feel prepared for a job interview, but how well you handle the “behavioural” questions also requires some careful consideration.

Here are some examples of show-stopping questions that can leave you groping for answers without proper preparation.

Consider how you would answer them while you have the time to think it through, because even though you might not face exactly the same questions, it is a good mental exercise to be used to devising answers to such questions in advance.

1. If aliens landed in your front yard and offered you any job in the world, what would your answer be?

This kind of a question gives you a chance to show off your sense of humor and your ability to think on your feet. The actual answer to the question can be as fantastical as you like as long as it does an insult the type of work you are applying for, of course. One interesting response from a job applicant to this question was,”‘First I would want to go change my clothes since the aliens just scared the crap out of me! … then I would ask for a job as Chief Navigator so I could enjoy coming to Earth and start scaring the crap out of other human beings.”

2. If you could change places with anyone in the world, living or dead, who would it be?

This is another ploy to determine if you will blurt out an unconsidered answer or adopt a “deer-in-the-headlights” response while you try to come up with a good answer. So go ahead and smile and take a deep breath while you consider your audience and devise a proper response. It always wisest to just be honest and chose someone you truly admire, but it’s probably not the best time to mention you once had daydreams of being Tarzan.

3. If you had six months paid leave, what would you do with the time?

This one can test a number of different personality aspects for the interviewer, so answer carefully and with an awareness of what kind of social and leisure activities are considered ” appropriate” for the type of position you want to land. Of course, you can use this opportunity to try and score some ” brownie points” by keeping it altruistic like “helping build houses in Haiti” instead of something juvenille like “hanging out at the golf course drinking beer.”

4. If you could compare yourself with any animal, which animal would you choose…and why?

There are several different ways to approach this type of question: humorously, figuratively or logically. The idea is, of course, to create a strong image of yourself, so don’t be tempted to say something too silly like “an aardvark” that really would not reflect well on your association with noble creatures. Of course, to use a response like, “a lion, because he is king of the jungle” does not indicate you have a very lively imagination. Consider a more lovable approach with a response like “I would like to be a dolphin so I could finally understand just what they have been saying.”

5. In a news story about your life, what would be the big headline?

Questions like this are a wonderful chance to show your high self esteem while wrapping it up in humble modesty. Quite an achievement, undoubtedly, but good answers to this question include: “Man Finds Secret To Happy Life,” “Devoted Worker Sets All-Time Sales Record” or even “Local Man Finds Job of his Dreams.”

Although being unemployed has many drawbacks, it can be transformed into a chance to see the world and tackle new challenges. What stops most job hunters from taking advantage of this “free time” is the expense involved in staying in an exotic locale long enough to learn about another culture and hone your skills.

But thanks to an organiation known as Work & Volunteer Abroad (WAVA), English speaking UK residents can sign up for a program to work in the hospitality or agricultural business in Norway.

Although there is a charge for the service — from £580 for 8 weeks to £800 for 22 weeks, the expenses are a fraction of what a vacation would cost because of their work/exchange program. Participants stay with a local family and are provided three meals a day.  In exchange, they work 35 hours per week at a job arranged in advance by WAVA. Each week a stipend of about £75 is provided for pocket money. Personal transportation is not provided –although workers can bring their own bicycles — and most employers provide transport to and from work.

WAVA workers learn about the Norwegian culture up close and personal, making their journey much more than just a sightseeing tour or a typical “job abroad.”

Total immersion in the local community provides a chance for UK participants to appreciate how many common concerns people share – regardless of their location – while learning the facinating differences that are created by climate, religion, government and education.  In return, the hosts are exposed to fresh perspectives on their business and society as well as provided with much needed assistance during peak seasons, making it a win-win situation for all concerned.

WAVA programs in Norway are available for citizens of the UK and Eire over 18 years of age who speak fluent English and are able to perform the types of tasks required by their host.

Experience in agriculture, animal husbandry and hospitality are matched with appropriate positions, and participants are briefed on the program before departing. Letters of intent are sent by WAVA participants to the host families who select candiadates suitable to their lifestyle and job requirements.

Of course, working for WAVA is not going to replace the need to secure full-time, permenant employment, but it can provide fresh insight and perspective into the truly important things in life while learning valuable lessons about yourself.

With the constant economic upheaval and general disquiet in todays job market many jobseekers rush CVs out. Simple details can be missed during this rush and when there are many candidates applying for the same vacancy you need to ensure you stand out.

Here are some ideas to get recruiters attention.

Make is easy for them to contact you.
Recruiters like to have several different methods of contact, so put in land-line, mobile phone numbers, email and postal addresses. Double check to make sure you are entering the correct details, it could loose you the opportunity of a lifetime. Have a simple and effective email address: YourName@Hotmail.com is better than jumpingjoeiscrazy@hotmail.com

When responding to employers emails make sure you include the original message string so that the employers know which appointment they gave you and when they have asked you to attend an interview.

Make sure your full contact details are displayed on your CV and are correct, don’t make them hunt around to find them, they may go off the idea of interviewing you.

Be Ready
As Employers make use of CV databases more and more these days, you need to assume that every time your phone rings it could be a potential employer. Answer politely and awake as many small business owners will call late in the evening or early in the morning.

When attending an interview be polite to the receptionist and the security staff. Don’t arrive too early or late. Don’t talk to yourself while waiting for the interviewer. In other words don’t do anything that might make employers question your suitability as a candidate.

Keep it positive. If asked why do you want to leave your present employer, it is better to say ‘It’s a small company and I can go as far as I can’, not ‘They are stifling my growth and don’t trust me as a self starter’.

Whilst its good to have a salary guide in your head, remember to look at the bigger picture, is there more scope for promotion, does the package include private health care or a car. Remember once they have decided you are the best candidate and offered you a position you can do a bit of negotiating.

Keep your CV Fresh
Make sure your CV has a logical name and the name appears up to date. Joescv2007.doc or joesupdatedcv.com probably wont help you. By naming your CV jsmithlandscapeforeman.doc you are telling the potential employer both your name and current position before he even starts to read your CV.

When asked questions about hypothetical situations in an interview try and use the S.T.A.R. technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to tell the story of how you have handled a similar situation before.

Differentiate between your achievements and those of you plus a team. By saying that you completely re designed Hyde Park and finished the job on time and on budget sound boastful. It is better to say that you worked with several others on the design and that a team of 12 landscapers headed by you worked to bring the project in on time and on budget. Emphasis the specific problems you encountered and how you overcame them.

When the interviewer asks ‘Do you have any questions?’ have some ready.

Make sure the people named as references are aware that you have used them, ask their permission in advance so that when the employer calls to ask about you they are ready for that call. It is also helpful to let your referees know the job you are applying for so that they have some idea of the questions they will be asked about you.

Write a thank you note, even if you do not get the job this time, you may have been their second choice and their first choice candidate might not work out. They will also remember you for the future.

Follow these simple steps to help you get noticed. Employers appreciate candidates who are prepared and it tells them you understand the needs of their company and you can offer solutions.

When you sit down at an interview, it’s perfectly fine and acceptable to ask the interviewer your own set of questions. In fact, it’s expected and can be quite off-putting if you don’t. Not having any questions to hand might create the impression that you’re not really that keen on the position.

As well as the company trying to establish if you’re their ideal candidate, you need to ask questions in order to establish if it’s potentially the right company for you.  So ask, ask away. The following questions are ones you might want to ask. However, they are mere suggestions as you can, of course, make up your own.

Warning: do not ask questions that can be answered by visiting the company’s website; it’ll show you haven’t done your homework properly.

So, without further ado:

1) What is a typical working day for the role?

It’s important to get a full-bodied idea of what the role entails/the range of tasks you’d be expected to fulfil should you secure the role. Asking for a run-through of the tasks involved in a typical working day should hopefully paint an example of that.

The interviewer should be able to oblige you. However, if he/she is unable to answer your question or is sketchy about it, then this should raise an eyebrow.

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2) How many people are in the team for the role I’m applying for?

Some people prefer (and thrive in) an intimate working environment – nothing wrong with that; while others prefer the hustle and bustle of a swarming work environment. Dynamics can differ for both.

What’s your preference? If the interviewer replies with a team size that’s not ideal for you, perhaps it’s something you could get used to. Is it a challenge that could ultimately strengthen you? On the other hand, if you’re neither here nor there about it, it might still be a question to ask just to help you build a mental picture.

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3) Who will I be reporting to and what is his/her management style like?

Perhaps you have a clear idea of what management style suits your working method. Knowing who you’ll be reporting to and how he/she leads the team (or department) might help you decide if you can picture yourself in the role or not. Does the description of management spell out potential friction, stress or personality clashes for you? Or do you feel yourself drawn to it? Remember: it’s about what you feel will work for you, so listen to your gut.

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4) Are there any training opportunities within the company?

Will the company absorb the bill for (or subsidise) any training courses you might decide to go on in the future to advance your career, or is it down to you to train in your own time and with your own money? This covers further education as well.

If the company doesn’t cover training expenses, ask if it offers paid days off for training (as opposed to you having to book it as a holiday).

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5) Is there room for growth within the company?

If you’re aiming to reach a certain career level in the future, then this question’s a pretty important one to ask. Is the company in line with that plan of yours? What are the chances that, as long as you apply yourself and work your socks off, there’ll be room for your growth through the company?

You might also want to ask for examples of any of its staff who’ve achieved just that (and whether there’s a chance of possibly having a meeting with one or two of them). You could even ask the interviewer what position he/she initially started at within the company and where they are now.

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6) What do you like about working at the company? What would you choose to improve within it?

This is an opportunity to glean some information from someone who works on the inside. Why did the interviewer choose to work for the company? How long has he/she been there? What does he/she like about working there?

The second part of the question is a rather bold one to ask as, perhaps, not every company would admit to its own weaknesses. How forthright will they be? It doesn’t mean it’s a question that shouldn’t be posed; far from it. In any case, both questions can be very useful in helping you make up your mind about the job.

As well as listening to the interviewer’s response, listen with your eyes: watch their body language.

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7) Where does the company see itself in the future?

Showing that you have a genuine interest in the company and where it’s going packs quite a good punch. It’s also a chance for the company to blow its own trumpet.

Depending on the answer/s the interviewer replies with, it might make for a neat segueway into you suggesting how you feel you can contribute towards its future success.

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8) Will you only contact the successful applicant (or shortlisted applicants)? How long before I hear back from you? How will I be contacted?

Some companies do tend to say that if you hear nothing from them within a set period of time, then you should assume you didn’t get the job. So establish how the company operates in that regard: do they contact all applicants regardless of success, or do they only contact the person they’d like to offer the position to (or the ones who have been shortlisted)?

If the company does respond to everyone, how will it do so (email?, post?, pigeon?), and when can you roughly expect to hear from them.

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9) If I’m successful, when would you expect me to start?

This is obviously important to know if you’re in current employment. That way, you can gauge when to hand in your notice to your current employer should you get the job. It might also be useful from a financial point of view as you might need to be aware of a potential gap between receiving your last pay packet from your current employer and your first pay from your (hopefully) new employer.

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Its always great to get feedback from people using our site, but its especially rewarding when we get great success stories from very happy job seekers!

“I found the Land-Force.com web page by accident. I uploaded my CV without any expectations of a quick response. To my surprise I received my first contact within 12 hours and I had an offer of work from that first contact within 4 days.  Since then I have had to request Land-Force to remove my CV as I have been inundated by potential employers.

I can not believe how successful the website was for me – my only regret is that I did not upload my CV sooner!

Thank you for an efficient and highly effective service.”

Neil J.

Obviously this is an exceptional situation, especially since it occurred over a bank holiday weekend, but it goes to show that if you have a reasonable CV and are flexible with your requirements small miracles can and do happen!

We wish Neil all the best and hope to hear how he is gets on in his new job.

Do you remember the geeky guy at college whom you always made fun of? Well he’s now the CEO of the company that you are desperately trying to get a job with. Think it will affect your chances?

It may sound flippant but the reality is that everyone you have ever interacted with may have an impact on you achieving your professional goals.

Taking some time to forge a positive contacts network can pay huge dividends in the future and it needn’t take a lot of effort.

Firstly, always treat other people with respect because you are always making an impression on others and you never know when they might have an influence on your future.

Secondly, look for opportunities to build relationships, particularly in areas that interest you. Try to attend relevant events, discussion groups, etc. and make an effort to talk to people you don’t currently know. Then follow up these new contacts after the events to start to build relationships. Remember, it takes time to build good relationships but it takes only seconds to destroy your reputation!

A CV is like a marketing brochure for you and your career and as such it is important that it portrays you in the best possible way. Whether you are looking for your first job or are experienced it is always important to have an up to date CV prepared.

CVs should present relevant information in a logical and easy to read format. Whilst there are no hard and fast rules, typically a CV should include personal information such as name and contact details, as well as a summary of your education and qualifications and your employment history. Many employers also like to see a summary of your career goals, details of any training you have undertaken and the details of referees.

Most importantly, your CV should never contain false information and it is also important that your spelling and grammar is accurate. It is also advantageous to tailor your CV to each job that you apply for, as certain skills/ experience may be more or less relevant.

Finally, get someone else to check your CV before you send it off to a prospective employer or publish it on Land-Force.com. And good luck in your job search!

A new telephone helpline has been launched to provide fresh produce industry workers with access to advice. The Pay & Work Rights helpline will allow individuals including migrant workers to get advice about wage rates, the working time directive and gangmaster licensing. It can be reached on 0800 917 2368.

If you are in the market for a new job and are lucky enough to get invited to an interview then remember to research the business and the market it operates within before you go. Whilst no potential employer is looking for candidates to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of their business it will look like you are not interested if you don’t know anything at all. Visit the company’s website, download and read any annual reports and visit their competitor’s websites to get a better understanding of the marketplace. If possible, try to think of some relevant questions about the business that you can ask during the interview. Just a short time preparing can be hugely beneficial when you are in the hot seat and might just be enough to get you the job!