All right! You got the interview! Now what?

RELAX ... you're about to discover the 10 most important elements of easily succeeding easily in any Job Interview situation! They will give you a BIG advantage over the competition!

So much information is floating around about TYPES of interviews (what?) or secondary callback interviews, etc. Call me crazy but a job interview is a job interview no matter how you dress it up! It is a series of questions, answers and dialogue between human beings to discover if there may be a good match for employment. Everything else creates confusion.

You'll be happy to know that this GUIDE was created to give you the "MEAT and POTATOES", while leaving out the "GRAVY!" You want and need easy to understand, specific, interview tools that you can USE and that will actually make a difference in whether you get hired or not. My simple, yet powerful approach will give you the best possible chance of landing any job your heart desires!

Suddenly you find yourself on the phone with the Hiring Manager or person responsible for scheduling the interview! What do you do? Simple. This person is calling YOU to schedule a TIME and DATE for your interview. That's it. Don't make this out to be more than it is. IT'S NOT THE INTERVIEW! Remember that!! While you're on the phone making an appointment be friendly, polite, and speak clearly. At this stage of the game there is only ONE thing that should concern you. The TIME and DATE of your interview!

Schedule a Time and Date

Ok, now think about this. If you were the Hiring Manager for a company, when would you do your best interviews? When you are most alert and mentally fresh. Right? All you're after at this stage is the chance at some quality interview time - a real shot at being noticed. Instead of your interview being looked at as the "hurdle" to a hiring manager's lunch break!

Try to "steer" the interview appointment towards the morning hours right after the coffee has taken effect! (Yours or theirs!). And don't worry about suggesting another time or date over the phone. People do understand schedules and commitments. In other words, not every suggested date and time works for every person. Use this fact to your advantage!

Simply say, "Early mornings work best for me but I'll do my best to be there when it's convenient for you. I really look forward to the interview."

You've now stated your preference towards the early morning hours, and believe it or not, in most situations they WILL try to accommodate you! When you speak up politely and clearly, people respond positively. Make this work for you and do your best to schedule the interview during the hours and days YOU prefer. This also shows that you are not desperate for the interview and do have a life to attend to!

NOTE: If you can't get an appointment in the morning try scheduling it later in the afternoon. Avoid the mid-day hours. The morning coffee is wearing off and people start thinking about their lunch breaks, etc. And of course we all know what happens right after a lunch break…Zzzzzzzzzzz!

ALSO, try to schedule the interview on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If you must, Thursdays are acceptable. Avoid Fridays if you can. Again, there is the potential for too many distractions. People like to finish their work and "get on with their weekends." It's human nature. So, make "nature" work for you not against you!

Okay, you've got an appointment for the job interview! Hopefully you had a hand in scheduling the DATE and TIME for this and now it's time to make a couple of preparations.

What Should You Wear? - I can't believe the long chapters I've read devoted to such a basic concept! My advice: Men, don't wear a tuxedo! Women, don't wear your prom dress!

Use common sense. Dress nice and keep it on the conservative side according to your field. No fashion statements need to be made at a job interview. Above all, look presentable.
You WILL Arrive On Time! - Make the choice to arrive on time for your job interview! (it IS a choice you know!) If you are constantly tardy for everything, plan ahead to make sure this doesn't happen! Set your clock forward, do whatever you must do to be on time! If you are a prompt person, keep up the good work! Enough said on this one.

Make a phone call or drive over and take a look at the company headquarters. Take a peek its web site, find out more about the business.

Pick out something specific that pertains to the position you're seeking and mention it in the interview. Something like:

"I visited your web site a few weeks ago and one of the reasons I was interested in working here is because you place such emphasis on ___________, which is something that I'm familiar with and really enjoy."

The whole point is to SHOW the person conducting your interview that you are not just another job seeker but a resourceful, interested, and motivated applicant!

Which brings us to the next INTERVIEW SECRET…

This interview secret is actually very simple, but it's powerful! It's about your understanding a basic truth. The Hiring Manager is looking to see what YOU can do for THE COMPANY. Do not make the mistake of starting most of your with the personal pronoun, "I." You'll likely come across as trivial and self-absorbed. Not a good combo!

You must incorporate a healthy dose of "YOU" this and "YOU" that! In other words put the focus on what you can do for the company! This Interview Secret is nothing more than a mind-set. The interview it is about what YOU can do for this company! The more you display this attitude and understanding the more appealing you become as a prospective employee!

One of the best ways to display this quality during an interview is to ask a few questions about the position or the company. Heck, don't hesitate to ask a specific question to the person who's interviewing you if you feel it's appropriate. He or she is also a human being with dreams, fears, families and problems just like the rest of us!

Don't!!!

Ah, Hah! You're going to LOVE my advice on this topic!

Entire books are devoted to the "Q & A" portion of a job interview. My goodness, I've even seen "flash cards," coaching services, and page after page of examples with typical questions you can expect during an interview. Not only that, they even try to provide you with the "correct" answers you should respond with! Huh?

Look, there is nothing wrong with being prepared for an interview. But I believe you can over-prepare too!

Are you ready for some shockingly simple, yet powerful interview advice? Would you like to know the one secret to handling any Questions and Answers with ease during any job interview?

I thought so!!!

This secret can be summarized in two words! And is probably the best advice you'll ever get on the topic…BE HONEST!!

That's right! The most deceptively simple advice I can give you is to be yourself and answer all the questions HONESTLY!

In a world where "image is everything" there is something so special about telling TRUTH. People can sense it, smell it and taste it! It's totally refreshing and it creates a feeling of mutual respect. And in the job-seeking arena, where it can get so fake and stuffy, the TRUTH will dazzle 'em every time. Yes, it really is that simple!

When you speak the truth, you naturally relax and the conversation flows so much better! You've got nothing to worry about even when a difficult question may arise; you handle it with ease because you speak the truth.

Why would you ever try to memorize answers to questions that haven't been asked yet? Are you trying to be someone that you aren't? Are you trying to project an image that is not you? My experience tells me this is a big waste of time and energy.

Stay in the moment and answer each question when it is asked of you. You'll learn to trust your instincts and think on your feet. And that is the most powerful way to walk into any interview! The person who does this will get the job! I guarantee it!

Be YOU, be HONEST and keep your questions and answers
in the POSITIVE! That's it!

Take a deep breath and RELAX, you'll now handle any question with ease because you will respond naturally and honestly! Isn't that a big relief?

Let everyone else sweat and stutter as they attempt to "keep it together" by trying to remember what they're "supposed" to say!

If you feel nervous the morning of the interview and you are trying to "get a hold of yourself," don't! You're just fighting a natural reaction that most people have in situations like these. Remember, most of the other applicants are feeling the same way-you're no different! Accept that you are nervous, feel it, and be happy that your central nervous system is working properly!

When you meet the person who'll be conducting your interview, here are a few simple guidelines for those first few moments.

Stand up straight, make eye contact, say hello, and shake hands in a firm and friendly manner.
Let the interviewer tell you where to be seated. Have a seat, sit up straight, make eye contact be yourself and answer the questions honestly.
Do not start the interview yourself. Let the interviewer speak first.
One good way to ease the tension you may be feeling is to memorize one simple sentence that allows you to release some of your nervous energy right from the start. Something like:

"I'm feeling a bit nervous, I think mainly because I'm very interested in working here. I probably shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee!"

A little humor like this is harmless but avoid trying to be funny!
That can definitely hurt you.

The old saying, "First impressions can make or break you" is not necessarily the absolute truth here. You've got the entire interview to make a good impression—so hang in there! Stay POSITIVE!

Again, be YOURSELF, be HONEST and let the chips fall where they may! After all, what else can possibly be expected of a person, other than to tell the truth and to be himself or herself?

Can it really be that simple?

Yes.

Here is some good basic advice with regards to the topic of money and how you can increase your chances of getting paid the most a company is willing to offer.

There are two things you should never volunteer during an interview.

One, do not introduce the salary discussion for the first time on your own! And do not let the interviewer "bait" you into discussing what you'd like to get paid. Always put the question back to the interviewer. Something like, "I'm open to salary and benefits and would like to know more about the position and what you're looking for first before answering a question regarding compensation. I'll leave that up to you."
Two, avoid talking about the salary you earned in a previous job. This is simply another way for the interviewer to get you talking about the money issue so he or she can gauge what to offer you. And believe me, companies are in business to make a profit so if they can pay you less then expected, they probably will!
Of course, this is unavoidable if you've already included salary history with your cover letter, which some companies ask for in certain situations. If this is the case, I suggest you still let the interviewer lead the way!

It is in your best financial interest to stay off the "money topic" as long as possible. You may be screened out because your compensation ideas are too high or even too low! Let the interviewer play the first hand regarding money and you've got a great chance at earning the most for that position.

When the topic of money does come up and you receive an offer for the job, remember it's much easier to negotiate upwards! But when YOU initiate the "money" conversation without really knowing all the facts you run the risk of lessening your negotiating power.

The interview is winding down and you're just about to say thank you and goodbye. Here's your chance to leave a last, and lasting impression with one simple, powerful sentence.

This is one area that you CAN prepare for in advance. Why? It is the most critical time for you to make that last positive connection with the interviewer.

If you do this one thing well, it's enough to put you over the top and land you a job! This is the final opportunity you'll have to make things happen in your favor. It is the last memory you will leave in this person's mind. So, as you exit the room and he or she jots down a few last notes, what is the freshest information stored in this person's brain regarding YOU? That's right, your well-spoken closing sentence!

Example, "Thank you very much for this interview Mr. Jones, I would really like the chance to show you and the company what I can contribute. I work hard, and I like to learn new skills, and I love this field. If you'll give me the chance, you won't regret it!"

Pretty awesome way to finish off an interview! See how simple this stuff is?

There is a reason I kept this ALL-IMPORTANT secret for the ninth slot. It ties into everything you do in the interview. I would have made it number ten but as you will see, number ten is the final step you should take AFTER the interview has already been completed.

This one secret you're about to discover is so powerful that it alone can take you anywhere you'd like to go - in life - not just in an interview. Use this secret during an interview and you'll be at the top of the list for a job offer. It's that powerful!

Can you guess what I might be talking about?

One word ... PASSION!

When you display PASSION for something, you fill the with room positive energy.

But you cannot fake true PASSION. Yes, we all have to go to work to pay our bills and put food on the table. But if you have NO passion for what you do for a living, you might want to seriously consider taking your career in a different direction.

Or, you may want take a long, hard, OPTIMISTIC look at what you could feel passionate about in your current situation.

Show the interviewer that you WANT this job! Let him or her feel your passion!

It is one of the most powerful forces on the planet for shaping our world and lives. True passion is a positive force. It is not to be mistaken for "ruthless negative energy"!

Is passion missing in your life? How do you feel about what you do and have done in your career? Is there anything there that you're passionate about? Could you find something if you looked hard enough? Perhaps you should look at it from a new perspective. Or is it time for a change?

Do you dare look for employment in a field you love? Do you dare change careers? Or, is it only about the money for you?

As you know, money alone can never make you happy. So dare to dream—to explore new job opportunities in an industry that you once thought was impossible. Take ACTION.

I know you have to pay the bills. And to do that you need to make money. So, try to find the "hidden" passion that might be eluding you in your current situation. Also, spend some of your free time exploring opportunities, which until now you've only dreamed about!

Before you go into any interview, find the one thing that you can
get PASSIONATE about! Visualize it, feel it, and show it throughout
the entire interview and you'll land any job you set your sights on!

Nothing great was ever accomplished without PASSION!

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have
to work a day in your life." - Confucius

Immediately following your interview, while it's fresh in your mind, take some notes so you can refer to them later.

Be specific. Write down the name of the person who conducted your interview, the position you're interested in, the name of the company and anything you can remember as being unique.

Now, select a date for your follow-up phone call. Base this date on when you believe the company will make the final decision. Be sure to call at least a week before. The point is to inquire whether the position has been filled, and to express your interest and availability.

Before you make this follow-up phone call, however, I suggest you write a Follow-Up letter. See the "Others" category in your ICL Creator™ to help you with yours.

The Follow-Up letter is a chance to thank the person who interviewed you, show your continued enthusiasm for the position, and your interest in further discussion by phone. Also let the employer know the day and time you'll call.

It's not enough simply to sit back and wait after a job interview is completed. Take action by following up.

Send a Follow-Up letter, make a phone call,
and let the employer know you mean business!

The FOLLOW-UP is probably the most OVER-LOOKED, UNDER-RATED aspect of the job search!!! By committing to these two simple actions of a Follow-Up letter and phone call, you are doing that extra special something that many job-seekers ignore completely!

Make sure to FOLLOW-UP!

This will give you an INSTANT advantage over the competition!