Team Charisma's Blog

Hello and welcome to Team Charisma's Blog. 

Team Charisma is comprised of one English major and two Nursing majors at Clemson University. This blog is a course project and it's goal is to help familiarize students with the proper interview preparations, etiquette, and skills needed to succeed in today’s job market. Our blog contains information, links, images, and videos to help students land a job!

Image from: http://www.tipsontalking.com/2013/05/stage-presence-tips-for-job-interviews/

Preparing for Interview is Key to Securing a Job

Kyla Frankowski’s article "Preparing for Interview is Key to Securing a Job" explains how important research is to prepare for an interview. 

Research the company before your interview to:

1. Know what the company does
2. Know what the company values
3. Know what the company's goals are
4. Know who the company serves.

Resources that can be used to research the company's information include:

• Company website
• Business directories
• Calling the company directly
• Personal connections to the company
• LinkedIn profiles.

This column is part of a written series that offers job search tips and advice. The tips are relevant to anyone who is preparing for an interview. 
The full article can be found online at: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinion/preparing-for-interview-is-key-to-securing-a-job/

Image from: http://www.paulfalconehr.com/2014/05/25/researching-publicly-traded-privately-held-and-non-profit-companies-prior-to-your-interview/

Ace the Phone Interview

The article “Ace the Phone Interview” by Carolyn Brown offers insights on things to do during a telephone interview. The article offers and explains these five pieces of advice to help individuals score a successful phone interview: 

1. Stand up and smile - Be mindful of your body language even while you are on the phone. Standing helps your voice project and smiling improves your tone.

2. Ask the right questions - Ask questions that show you are focused on doing the job such as "What types of projects will I be tackling?" Stay away from questions about money.

3. Find out your status - Know where you stand before hanging up the phone. Ask questions such as "How many people are in the running?" or "What are the next steps?"

4. Get a second round - Send a follow-up letter or email to the interviewer within 48 hours of the screening call. Mention something you learned about the position to make a great lasting impression.

5. Customize your ringtone - Download a distinctive chime on your phone that alerts you when the call is about your career.

Image from: http://www.shanasblog.com/how-to-rock-a-phone-interview/

Here is the link to Brown's article: 

http://libproxy.clemson.edu/login?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=49131366#.U5Ci2ISHens.gmail

After the Interview: Critique the Process and Follow Up With Interviewers.

Eelisa Becze’s article “After The Interview: Critique The Process And Follow Up With Interviews” explains the proper etiquette for following up with the interviewer and goes on to offer tips on how to prepare for the second interview. 

Assessing your strengths and weaknesses regarding your interview performance can help you improve for the next interview. The article addresses various questions you should ask yourself immediately following an interview.

• What information did I fail to obtain about the company? 
• What important information did I fail to communicate about myself?
• What questions did I forget to ask? Make a list of these questions to ask if called back for another interview.
• Did I highlight the value of my experience?
• What were my strengths and weakness regarding overall presentation?
• What can I do to improve for next time? 

After an interview, you should ALWAYS send a thank you letter or email to the interviewer within 5 days. This is a great opportunity to thank them for their time and to  reiterate your interest in the position. Below is an image of a template that can guide you in writing an effective follow-up email or letter. 

Image from: http://forums.learnist.org/thank-you/follow-up-letter-template-examples/

The full article can be found at: http://libproxy.clemson.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35573401

Go Ahead, Ask

Tamara Holmes’s “Go Ahead, Ask!” is an article explaining the importance of asking questions during an interview. It is important for an individual to show an employer that not only are they a good listener, but a good communicator as well. 

Below is a list of tips for asking questions:

• Any question highlighting the applicant's knowledge of the company is a great one to ask
• Questions that shift the interview into a conversation are best. Think of it as taking over the interview instead of reciting answers back to the interviewer
• Asking important questions about the position early on in the interview can help you understand what they are looking for and thus assist you in answering the questions they have for you
• Ask as many questions as you can about the company and position not only to show interest but to determine if the job is actually a good fit for you

Topics to avoid:

• Money
• Benefits
• Sick/ Vacation days
• Avoid asking the interviewer any personal questions 

Image from: http://www.gajizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Questions-To-Ask-In-An-Interview.jpg

Here is the link to Holmes' article: http://libproxy.clemson.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&db=a9h&AN=12854860

How to Wow!

Tamekia Reece’s article “How To Wow!” is an article that offers some very valuable advice when it comes to the interviewing process. It explains the importance of giving a positive first impression to employers by being punctual, organized, dressing professionally, and knowing how to ask for the job.

Many employers often decide within the first few minutes whether you are a good candidate for the job. With that said, first impressions are everything. Below is a list of tips that will help you make a first impression that will land you the job!

• Be on time! If you cannot make the interview promptly, then how will you communicate that you are responsible enough to arrive at work on time?
• Dress professionally
• Avoid strong perfumes or deodorants, flashy jewelry, and heavy makeup. This is about you as a potential contributor to the company's goals. Don't add unnecessary distractions. 
• Get into "interview mode" as soon as arriving on the premises. Do not wait until you are seated in front of the interviewer. 
• Avoid using words such as "ya know", "umm", "uh", etc.
• Ask for the job. Most applicants fail to do this but if you are confident it is the right fit for you, express this to the interviewer. Be confident and assertive. 
• Follow up with the interviewer by sending an email or thank you letter.

Below is the link to the article:
http://libproxy.clemson.edu/loginurl=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=22902896

Image from: http://friday.ca/blog/first-impressions-matter

Job Interview Etiquette | Good Manners

Cool, Calm, Positive, Truthful

"Cool, Calm, Positive, Truthful: Steps to Getting that First Job", an article by Ian Taylor, articulates how to have a successful interview in today's job market.

The article begins by explaining the importance of doing background research before attending an interview. "There is no excuse not to have done some background reading-- especially nowadays with so much information available on the internet. The amount of research someone has done highlights how much they want the job," says Taylor.

Furthermore, the Taylor advises to do some background research on the individual that will be interviewing you. It is helpful to know if the interviewer is a man or woman, or if you have any common interests that can spark a conversation.

Confidence is key in an interview. However, Taylor stresses that it is important not to be "overly" confident. "Employers are looking for people who can stand up for themselves, but not ones who are cocky. Be confident about what you can do, but don't say: I can do this job standing on my head," advises Taylor.

In order to make a good and lasting impression it is helpful to have a few questions prepared to ask the interviewer rather than just rushing out once the interview is over. Taylor, advises to dress smartly, meaning to dress according to the position that you are applying for.

In closing, we will leave you with this piece of advice from Taylor's article, "Ultimately, employers are looking for someone with common sense who can use their initiative. Applicants from college leavers all tend to be of a high calibre nowadays, so you need to show something different, something extra. We are looking for a spark that makes the person stand out."

Image from: http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml

Here is the link to the full article:

http://libproxy.clemson.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=13639305

How to Ace Today's Job Interview

Kaitlin Pitsker’s article “How to Ace today’s Job Interview” explains how to succeed in an interview by anticipating “oddball” questions. Pitsker says that tough competition for jobs is forcing employers to add more challenging questions to their interviews.

Pitsker says, In addition to "Where do you see yourself in five years?" prepare for "What do you do when you see a spider in your house?" Employers are using these hypothetical or outlandish types of questions to tap into specific skills such as: critical thinking, problem solving, creativity or work style.

Interviewers and employers are using these types of questions to highlight strengths that are hard to discover in the traditional interview. 

The article suggests that if you're asked, "If I gave you a brick, what would you do with it?" You should answer by talking about "vision" and "innovation". Keeping this example in mind, it is important to anticipate being absolutely anything in an interview, and thinking of ways of answering these types of questions. 

For example, "What is your greatest weakness?"

Ultimately, employers are wanting to see how you handle the unexpected, says Pitsker. The article suggests to visit www.glassdoor.com to check out other oddball questions or to check out www.monster.com to see what has been asked at interviews for similar positions. 

Here is the link to Pitsker's article!

http://libproxy.clemson.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=95579980

Image from: http://filipinoasianamericanchurchoftruth.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/job-interview-skills-to-pay-the-bills/

Got the Interview? Now Get Your First Job

Dorcas Adekunle’s “Got the Interview? Now Get Your First Job” is an article from the magazine Minority Trial Law. This article expresses the need for a successful interview in order to land a job. 

Adekunle begins by explaining how to prepare for an interview by dividing the process into four steps:

1. Perform a self- assessment: Before your interview you should perform a self-assessment by identifying your skills, accomplishments, values, and work preferences. Adekunle notes that answers to this assessment don't have to be definite, but they should help you identify your strengths and career goals.
2. Get to know your application materials and bring copies: Adekunle stresses that it is important that you review your resume, cover letter, writing sample or other application materials that you have submitted to the interviewer. You should be prepared to answer questions about them to demonstrate engagement and enthusiasm about your work. More so, bringing copies will reflect well upon you.
3. Know your online presence: Because employers are now often reviewing candidates social media sites, it is important to keep up a professional online persona. Before an interview you should search your name on Google and see how the interview will view you, and make necessary accommodations. It may be smart to adjust your social media site's privacy settings as well.
4. Learn about the employer: Showing up at an interview well-informed about the employer shows enthusiasm about working for the firm. Adekunle says, "It will also demonstrate that you are thorough, detail-oriented, and professional-- all favorable qualities when you are representing the organization as an employee."

Adekunle's article also offers some advice on what to do during an interview:

1. Show up well-dressed and energetic: Your attire is important to your professional image, and it gives them employer an idea of how you will carry yourself within their organization. It is extremely important to arrive on time, so prepare to give yourself extra time in case there is traffic. Adekunle advises, "When you arrive at your interview, you want to have a confident, dignified, and friendly demeanor. Give a firm handshake. Try to pay attention to your body language so that you do not fidget but also do not appear to rigid or informal."
2. Communicate effectively: Answer each question fully and thoughtfully. Be articulate and interesting. Be sure to show interest in your interviewer!
3. Prepare to answer questions: Adekunle says, "Potential employers ultimately want to know the answer to one question: Why should I hire you? To help articulate your response, list three or four qualities the interviewer should know about you, and then attempt to mention them during your interview." The article also advises to review standard interview questions and prepare possible answers to these questions.
4. Prepare to ask questions: The article stresses that asking questions is a part of your "interview performance", it shows that you are interested and gives you an opportunity to learn more about the firm. Adekunle offers some sample questions to ask your interviewer:

• How would you describe the work atmosphere here?
• Tell me about supervision, mentoring, and training for associates.
• At what point are junior associates expected to specialize?
• What constitutes a billable hour?
• Do you feel that this firm values pro bono efforts?
• What do you like most about working at this organization?
• Here is the link to Adekunle's article:

http://libproxy.clemson.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=90356958

Preparing for a Job Interview

Image from: http://www.cityjobs.com/cityblog/2013/12/18/preparing-success-exercises-job-interview/

BBC news- Job Interview- Making the Right Impression

BBC news posted a video to their website in December of 2013 about how to make the right kind of impression at a job interview.

The video addresses the importance of punctuality when making a good first impression. Lauren Fararra, a recruiter at Creative Circle in Los Angeles, describes how professional and friendly body language can have a big impact during an interview. Furthermore, the video gives advice on how to prepare for an interview by having answers to common interview questions prepared in your mind.

Selling yourself in a smart way is vital key to a successful interview. This video also teaches us how to market your skills and how to develop a clear career goal to explain to the future employer.

Breaking the ice with your interviewer is something to do with caution, and you must sense the situation to know the best tactic to take. More so, dress is extremely important to consider when attending an interview, and it must be tailored to fit the position that you are seeking.

Here is the link to the video!
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-25217961