Once your resume gets the attention of the hiring managers, the next step of the employment process is the interview. The number of interviews varies among employers, but no matter what, you have to be prepared for it.

Preparation for an interview often includes reading interview books or anticipating the interview questions, wearing the proper dress, understanding the salary negotiation process, and most importantly, developing good interviewing skills. Remember, it’s the final interview that matters above anything else as it is your gate to employment. A good interviewing skills, therefore, is critical in your quest to get your dream job.

There are lots of resources on the web that help improve interviewing skills. Here are some of them:
Job Interview Tutorial
Job Interview Guide
Interviewing Skills

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Let’s face it, old workers find it doubly difficult to find a job than college graduates and young workers. This is due to the fact that most companies would at any given time prefer a young employee than an old one. May it be because of age, physical endurance or other factors, an old worker should never lose hope when it comes to job hunting.

Here are some job tactics for old workers from QuintCareers.com:

1. Keep you skills up-to-date. In this time of information technology, make sure to harness your computer skills. Take time to learn everything from using presentation applications to html encoding.

2. If you were laid off due to economic reasons, find a new job as soon as you can.
3. Join a network. Networking is a very efficient tool when looking for a job. Connect with people that can give you scoops on companies that hire old workers.

Job hunting is something that you should be serious about. The employment process takes a lot of effort, determination and patience. Before you get hired, you will have to face obstacles and consume time, energy and resources. There are also preparations that have to be done.

Here are some tips to get you started in job hunting:

1. Create a professional resume.

2. Prepare your job search strategies that include any or all of the following: online search, networking, resume posting, hosting of personal web sites and other online portfolios.
3. Join professional associations and meet up with career experts to sharpen your skills.

You have seen from the previous entries the list of the possible illegal questions that might be asked during a job interview. In order to handle these questions, you must know what your true goals are, as they will guide you to the right actions. If you may come across some of the prohibited questions, there are three options which you can consider when you answer.

• You could momentarily forfeit your rights and allow yourself to answer the question, hoping that it will deepen affiliations with the employer instead of hinting prejudice.

• You can choose to carefully decline in answering the question but carry on with your aim to get the job you are applying for. You might want to say that, “I am a dedicated person when it comes to working and I balance my personal life and my job.” A promise of dedication is good for any employer.

• You can so choose to clearly refuse to answer the question and manifest an apparent aversion for the company. You can take blatant measures and go as far as filing a complaint or a law suit against the company.

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by mheo soriano

Answer truthfully and confidently

Make sure that everything you say is true. Do not pretend, just answer what is and what is not. Never attempt to impress the interviewer with made up facts, admit your limitations and how you can make up for it. KEEP IT REAL.

Be polite don’t talk more than you are supposed to

Limit your answers to what the interviewer is asking. Show them what you got but don’t brag. Keep in mind that the interviewer will gauge nor only your competency but your character and attitude as well.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Forbidden Questions about Race

Examples: What is your skin color?
What is your race?
Is your spouse Caucasian/Hispanic/African American/Asian, etc?

Exceptions: There are no fair questions about race in an interview or application, but an employer can allow you to voluntarily indicate your race on your application.

Forbidden Questions about National Origin

Examples: You sound like you have an accent; where are you from?
Where were you born?
Are you an American citizen?

Exceptions: Employers are required to hire only those employees who can legally work in the United States. For that reason, employers can ask whether you are eligible to work in the United States.
Suspect Questions about Age
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects workers over 40 in private companies of twenty employees or more and government organizations.
Examples: When were you born?
When did you graduate from high school?
How old are you?

Exceptions: The act does not prohibit interviewers from posing questions about age, but does prohibit discrimination on these grounds unless age directly affects the job. An employer can rightfully inquire whether the candidate meets the minimum federal age requirements for employment (usually 14-17 years old).

*to be continued*

Let’s say that you are now fully ready for the interview: the company was impressed with your online resume and you were immediately contacted; it’s as if the job is already yours for the taking. But before you start celebrating, you still have to get through the most important part; the actual interview itself.

Here are some things to remember during an interview online/or in person:

Be formal, show courtesy to everyone

To start things off, be courteous with everyone in the office (if a personal interview) as they may become colleagues in the future.

Offer a hand shake to the interviewer(If a personal interview). Proper greetings will emit an aura of professionalism which is essential to build a rapport with the interviewer. If rapport is developed, the interview will be a lot easier to get through. The interviewer is not your enemy, he is not there to criticize you but to measure your compatibility with the job.

Be calm and comfortable

A job interview is more like of a conversation than an interrogation; it is a process of determining whether you really are fit for the job or not. There is no need for you to fear anything. Just relax and be attentive to the whole interview. Express everything you say as clear and as possible because jittery and uncertain answers may just cause a bad impression. Be Cool.

To be continued…

Forbidden Questions about Family Situation

Examples: Do you have small children?
Are you planning to have children soon?
What is your marital status?
What is your maiden name?
Are you pregnant?

Exceptions: Employers can inquire whether you have ever worked under a different name or whether you have personal responsibilities that could interfere with requirements of the job like travel or overtime hours.

Forbidden Questions about Sexual Orientation and Political Affiliation

Executive Order 13087 acts as a guideline against sexual discrimination or party discrimination in the federal government.
Examples: Are you straight or gay?
How do you feel about working with gay or bisexual people?
Who did you vote for in the last election?
Do you belong to a party?
Exceptions: This executive order does not bind all employers, but protections exist at least for federal civilian workers.

*to be continued*

Employment laws prohibit discrimination not only in the workplace itself but as well as in the interviews. In interviews, questions that are inquisitive about race, religion, sexual orientation, family tradition and situation, and disabilities are illegal. Nevertheless, only a few people know which questions are illegitimate and most applicants fall into a trap of disqualification due to prejudice.

Forbidden Questions about Religion
Examples: Do you go to church?
Are you religious?
What religion are you?
Do you take time off work for religious purposes?

Exceptions: Organizations that have a specific religious orientation might ask questions relevant to religious practices and beliefs.

Forbidden Questions about Disabilities and Health
Examples: Do you have any disabilities or medical conditions?
How serious is your disability?
Do you take any prescription drugs?
Have you ever been in rehab?
Have you ever been an alcoholic?
How many sick days did you take last year?
Do you have AIDS?
Have you been diagnosed with any mental illnesses?
Have you ever received worker’s compensation or been on disability leave?

Exceptions: Employers may ask whether you have any conditions that would keep you from performing the specific tasks of the job for which you are applying. They may also require that all candidates for a certain position pass through a medical examination that is relevant to the responsibilities of that job. Employers can subject candidates to illegal drug tests or ask you whether you take illegal drugs.
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Cleanliness

• Showered and neatly combed hair
• Trimmed nails, clean hands
• Light perfume or cologne

Clothing

• Neat and pressed
• Dark colors
• No sneakers, sandals, shorts, t-shirts, or tight clothes

Hair

• Clean and trimmed
• Clean shaven and neatly trimmed facial hair

Jewelry

• Limit rings-men avoid earrings
• Conceal tattoos
• Finger nails should be business length-no loud colors or designs

Manners

• No gum chewing
• Do not use slang words
• Answer with yes or no not “yeah, nah, or uh-huh”
• No swearing or smoking
• Wait for employer to be seated or wait for employer to ask you to have a seat before you sit

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