markewicken in Hiring ProcessJob Interview

5 Steps for Interview Success

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New graduates need to know…If you have made it to the interview, it means your are qualified for the job. (If the company has seen you resumé, why would they interview you if you were not qualified?…They wouldn’t.)

Your behaviour in the interview will determine if you get the job. All you have to do is perform better than your competition.

This won’t be hard if you follow these 5 simple points.

Prepare, prepare, prepare: Research the market, the company, the job and the interviewer as best you can. Plan your response to all the interview questions and rehearse your answers.
Attitude makes the difference: Employers want employees with a positive attitude…nothing negative. Show confidence and focus on your accomplishments.
Ask the right questions: Ask questions about the job and the company and show an interest in their values.
Dress for success: Find out the dress code of the company but remember that you don’t work there yet. Better to be over-dressed versus being too casual. Dress in clothing that makes you feel good. If you feel good you will look good.
Leave a lasting impression: Finish the interview by thanking the interviewer and telling him/her you ‘want the job’. Always follow-up with a thank-you letter after the interview. Always.

Remember, the person who aces the interview

is the person who gets the job. Period!

Next Read: Quality control of your resumé is critical »

How to prepare for a job interviewInterview questionsInterview tips

markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.