Are You Prepared For Your Job Interview?

There is no disputing the fact that the job interview is the most important step in winning a job. That is not to say you shouldn't concentrate and work on your resume and other aspects of the job game, because a good resume will get you noticed, but it is your behavior during an interview that will get you the job.Being prepared, by researching the company to rehearsing your answers, is essential in presenting yourself well in a job interview. Whether this is your first job search or whether you are a seasoned professional, job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience. Although, you may be qualified for the job, not being prepared can lose your chance at employment. It is important to know the rules of the job interview regarding what to wear, what to say, and what to do when the interview is over. There are various strategies within these rules that you can use to your advantage. Remember, in the end there is usually only one winner. Figuring out what type of work you actually want to do is probably the most difficult part of finding employment. You should not limit your options to a particular field or industry. It is not uncommon for a person to have four or five careers during their lifetime. As the saying goes, you learn something new about yourself every day. Your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. These can be priceless bits of information when you apply these learning experiences to choices you make as far as your career is concerned. There are two very important questions to consider when choosing or changing careers. First, are you really prepared to take on the day-to-day duties that a job position would entail, just because a particular industry or job title seemed glamorous or enticing? Ask yourself whether it is just a job title you think would impress your friends, or whether you are actually ready and willing to meet the demands of this job. Second, what about your lifestyle and the demands of the job? For example, while the idea of becoming a talent agent or the assistant to some famous person sounds like a dream job, are you willing to be on call 24 hours a day? Are you willing to deal with degrading remarks or the sometimes "difficult" personality? A strict "very-little-free-time" price tag often comes with many high-paying and/or high-profile jobs. Before applying for these positions try to speak to someone in this particular field or a career counselor so you can learn more about it. Carefully read the job description and make sure you are ready, willing and able to provide the services that will be asked of you. You never know, the ideal job you dreamed about could turn out to be a nightmare. That is why it is very important you research the job, its duties and the company before accepting a position. Okay, so you've determined that being at someone's beck and call 24 hours a day doesn't coincide with your plans. What to do next. Sit down with a pen and a piece of paper and make a list. Make two columns. Mark one column "likes" and the other "dislikes". Think about the tasks that you liked performing as well as those you didn't like performing, and write them down in the appropriate column. While on your job search journey, this list will serve as a reference guide. Whenever you come across a job that sounds interesting or if you are being considered for a particular position, you can check the list and see if the job duties coincide with your likes and dislikes. Oftentimes, in the job search game, your mind can get clouded, so don't be influenced by someone telling you that you would be perfect for that job position. Remember, thinking you might be great at a particular position doesn't necessarily make it so. For example, you may love to talk and people may come to you for advice for their problems, but that wouldn't necessarily make you a great psychiatrist.