Interview To Win The Job

Confidence, Preparation and Presentation are all key to winning the big prize. Here are a few insider tips about what employers really want from an interview.

Tip #1 – Context – Be a Story Teller Most people asking the questions are very knowledgeable of their company and the job but they are not always as experienced with conducting interviews. You may be asked questions that only prompt a YES or NO response but be prepared to help the interviewer and tell stories that support your short answers. It’s the context of your stories that will stick in the interviewers mind and give you the advantage over other candidates.

Tip #2 – Ask the Right Questions Employers can tell a lot about you from the questions you ask. For example, if you only ask questions about the company benefit plan then the employer may assume that it’s the benefits rather than the job that really interests you. Ask questions about what the the employer wants to accomplish or improve. Ask about the boss’s priorities, goals and objectives. By asking questions about results then the interviewer will assume you are a results oriented person. Results – That’s what they really want!

Tip #3 – Dress (better than) the Part You only have one chance to create a first impression. The first minute will subconsciously influence whether the interviewer will ask questions that funnel you into the job or filter you out. Arrive at your interview dressed in a way that makes the interviewer immediately assume that you are the one. Whatever the dress code is for the job, go to the interview dressed better than that.

The Close – An interview is a sales call where you are selling yourself. All good sales people know that you must ask for the order to close the deal. Don’t leave without asking your closing questions. “Will you offer this job to me?”; “Is there a date that you would like me to start?”; “What can I do that help make this decision easy for you?”; “Can we schedule the appointment for the next stage in the process?” If you don’t ask – you don’t get.
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The People Bank, is a division of Design Group Staffing Inc., employs more recruiters with the Certified Personnel Consultant, CPC professional designation than any other firm in Canada. Steve Jones, President of The People Bank is a CPC course conductor for the staffing industry Ethics and Business Practices certification module and Staffing Industry Legal Practices certification module.

Canadian Jobs Down - US Unemployment Rate Lowest in 3 Years

The November jobs reports from Canada and United States offer conflicting information. Statistics Canada reported today that Canadian total jobs declined by 19,000 on a month to month basis with significant declines in part-time work and retail work while full-time and services sector employment improved. On a year over year basis, the Canadian government agency also reported that in spite of the monthly decline, 274,000 more Canadians are working in full-time jobs than the same time last year.


While Canada is reporting a slight job loss, the US Department of Labor reported this morning that 120,000 new American jobs were created in the month of November and the US unemployment rate dropped slightly. Its hard to imagine that Canadian retail jobs actually decreased in this busy Christmas shopping season. US reported a more realistic increase in retail and leisure.

In a interesting twist, US Labor Department also adjusted (up) it’s numbers previously reported for September and October to reflect more accurate job creation numbers in the range of 100,000 per month.

Stay tuned for my New Years eve prediction for the upcoming year.

Steve Jones

The People Bank