Job Interviewing Techniques - 8 Steps for Successful Interviews

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States, in August of 2010 there were approximately 14.9 million people who were unemployed in the United States (9.6% unemployment rate). If you fall into this group of the unemployed, or if you are just looking to find a different job or career, you will want to know what are the proper techniques a person should use for securing a job.

Through our research we have discovered eight steps that will assist people during their job search process. While many of these techniques can be utilized during a telephone interview, these eight steps are most definitely recommended for an in-person interview. This in-person session is also referred to as a personal interview and it occurs when the candidate has a face-to-face meeting with a hiring manager or a search committee. This meeting can include a one-on-one interview, a group interview, or an interview during a meal.

Interviewing for a job is both an art and a science. Some people are more outgoing and comfortable in an interview setting and they come across in a very positive manner. However, if a person is not prepared for the interview they might not get the job; no matter how outgoing they are. Therefore, the key to interviewing success is to be prepared for the interview. This includes knowing and perfecting the eight steps to interviewing success:

    Developing a Personal Sales Pitch
    Completing your Interview Preparation Form
    Preparing for interview questions
    Interviewing like a consultant
    Asking questions during the interview
    Understanding the mistakes people make
    Properly closing the interview
    Following-up after the interview

Securing a job, to a large extent, is a numbers game. The more interviews you have, the more likely you will secure a job. By properly preparing for and practicing these eight steps, you can increase your chances for interviewing success and can "speed up" this numbers game.