KOZLIN Associates Inc. - Recruiters

You've invested time and energy and probably some money on a winning resume. No matter how hard you've worked or how impressive your resume, the job interview can leave you a winner or send you back to square one. Interviews are getting tougher. That is why it is necessary to make a positive impression from the start. We see too many instances where an excellent candidate with exceptional experience does not receive an offer because they interview poorly. Before your next interview, review these tips to ensure that the employer doesn’t pass you by.

Be professional, confident, and look your best. The first impression is always the lasting impression. Be on time! Make sure that you attire is clean and professional looking (including those shoes!). Your presentation of your skills should also be polished. Don't come across as cocky or a know-it-all, but rather as someone who will be able to share their knowledge with the people they work with
Have the interviewer talking 65%-70% of the time. Prior to the interview, create a short list of probing questions pertaining to the company's goals and job responsibilities. Answer questions with a question. If asked about a particular qualification, answer the question fully, then inquire how that fits with what the company is looking for.
Be motivated and enthusiastic. We see too many times a top-notch candidate who does not receive an offer because they come across as being not very interested in the position. Don't let your personality get in the way of your skills. Practice with someone you know prior to the interview.
Show a trend of performance and accomplishment over time. Indicate the impact you have had with your current and previous employer(s). This should include major organizational changes that you have implemented. This is a good time to share what you can do for the interviewer's company. HAVE A PLAN BEFORE THE INTERVIEW!
Highlight your experience, educational, and industry background. Use this along with past accomplishments: strong education and experience can sometimes offset a weaker accomplishment rating.
Show problem solving and training skills - Express that you have the ability to solve job-related problems and anticipate what needs to be done.
Team Management and Leadership Organization - Show the interviewer that you have the ability to persuade and motivate others.
Character: Values, Commitment and Goals - Summarize your integrity, honesty, responsibility, openness and fairness when dealing with others. Express your commitment to the company, and have a plan as to what you can do for the company. THIS TOPIC SHOULD BE SAVED FOR THE END OF THE INTERVIEW.
Maintain good body language. Keep good posture, leaning slightly forward indicates interest. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT AT ALL TIMES. You can also determine if you are keeping the interviewers attention by reading their body language.
Stay Positive! Even if you decide that the position is not the right fit for you, never communicate that during the interview. You may change your mind once you get home and have had a chance to think about it. After you have considered it, if you still feel the position is not a good fit for you, let us know and we can withdraw you gracefully, keeping the door open for future consideration within the company.
VERY IMPORTANT! At the conclusion of the interview, state that you are very interested in pursuing the position, and then ask, "Where do we go from here?" or "What is the next step?" This leaves no doubt in the interviewers mind that you are interested in joining the organization.
Do not discuss salary or benefits. If asked about your current salary, advise what it is but indicate that you would prefer not to comment on the salary without complete knowledge of the opportunity. You might say: "Compensation is very important to me, and I will consider your best offer, but frankly what is most important at this point is what I can offer your company and what the future will hold for both of us in a long-term relationship.
Have available a list of references that you can present if requested. These references should include names of former supervisors in previous jobs who will be willing to discuss in detail your work performance, usually for positions covering the last five years. Be sure to check your references out ahead of time so that you can be assured that they will provide positive feedback to the inquirer.
Bring at least two to three original copies of your resume.
Call us as soon as possible right after the interview to advise us of how things went. Too often, this step is forgotten, and the result is it appears to make you uninterested in the position. Many times, our clients call us immediately after the interview, and we would like to relay your enthusiasm to them at that point.
Send a thank you note.


		Interview Preparation Checklist Home \| Job Listings \| For Employers \| For Candidates
		You've invested time and energy and probably some money on a winning resume. No matter how hard you've worked or how impressive your resume, the job interview can leave you a winner or send you back to square one. Interviews are getting tougher. That is why it is necessary to make a positive impression from the start. We see too many instances where an excellent candidate with exceptional experience does not receive an offer because they interview poorly. Before your next interview, review these tips to ensure that the employer doesn’t pass you by. Be professional, confident, and look your best. The first impression is always the lasting impression. Be on time! Make sure that you attire is clean and professional looking (including those shoes!). Your presentation of your skills should also be polished. Don't come across as cocky or a know-it-all, but rather as someone who will be able to share their knowledge with the people they work with Have the interviewer talking 65%-70% of the time. Prior to the interview, create a short list of probing questions pertaining to the company's goals and job responsibilities. Answer questions with a question. If asked about a particular qualification, answer the question fully, then inquire how that fits with what the company is looking for. Be motivated and enthusiastic. We see too many times a top-notch candidate who does not receive an offer because they come across as being not very interested in the position. Don't let your personality get in the way of your skills. Practice with someone you know prior to the interview. Show a trend of performance and accomplishment over time. Indicate the impact you have had with your current and previous employer(s). This should include major organizational changes that you have implemented. This is a good time to share what you can do for the interviewer's company. HAVE A PLAN BEFORE THE INTERVIEW! Highlight your experience, educational, and industry background. Use this along with past accomplishments: strong education and experience can sometimes offset a weaker accomplishment rating. Show problem solving and training skills - Express that you have the ability to solve job-related problems and anticipate what needs to be done. Team Management and Leadership Organization - Show the interviewer that you have the ability to persuade and motivate others. Character: Values, Commitment and Goals - Summarize your integrity, honesty, responsibility, openness and fairness when dealing with others. Express your commitment to the company, and have a plan as to what you can do for the company. THIS TOPIC SHOULD BE SAVED FOR THE END OF THE INTERVIEW. Maintain good body language. Keep good posture, leaning slightly forward indicates interest. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT AT ALL TIMES. You can also determine if you are keeping the interviewers attention by reading their body language. Stay Positive! Even if you decide that the position is not the right fit for you, never communicate that during the interview. You may change your mind once you get home and have had a chance to think about it. After you have considered it, if you still feel the position is not a good fit for you, let us know and we can withdraw you gracefully, keeping the door open for future consideration within the company. VERY IMPORTANT! At the conclusion of the interview, state that you are very interested in pursuing the position, and then ask, "Where do we go from here?" or "What is the next step?" This leaves no doubt in the interviewers mind that you are interested in joining the organization. Do not discuss salary or benefits. If asked about your current salary, advise what it is but indicate that you would prefer not to comment on the salary without complete knowledge of the opportunity. You might say: "Compensation is very important to me, and I will consider your best offer, but frankly what is most important at this point is what I can offer your company and what the future will hold for both of us in a long-term relationship. Have available a list of references that you can present if requested. These references should include names of former supervisors in previous jobs who will be willing to discuss in detail your work performance, usually for positions covering the last five years. Be sure to check your references out ahead of time so that you can be assured that they will provide positive feedback to the inquirer. Bring at least two to three original copies of your resume. Call us as soon as possible right after the interview to advise us of how things went. Too often, this step is forgotten, and the result is it appears to make you uninterested in the position. Many times, our clients call us immediately after the interview, and we would like to relay your enthusiasm to them at that point. Send a thank you note.