You may think that certain things are cliche to say in an interview. But say them anyway! You can substantially upgrade the impression you make by hitting on these common points.The top three OBVIOUS things to say in an interview...#1 - "I want this job"...I can't believe I actually have to remind people to say this. It is such a boost to an employer when you state your true interest in the position. Some candidates feel th...

Resumes are not the only place employers go to to get information on you. We live in an era of transparency and tremendous access. While you can't prevent people from learning about you on their own, there are still a few things you CAN control. Nowadays, HR professionals and Hiring Managers are investigating who prospective candidates really are. Not all companies conduct formal background checks. But most do some level of...

Don't be too specific about your career objectives or you may shoot yourself in the foot. Always go with a "less is more" approach to how you communicate your professional goals. Your basic rule of thumb should be this..."If you don't know if what you will say will help your candidacy, don't say it!"How could being honest about your career goals hurt you, you ask? There are many examples of this. Here are the general no-no'...

Sometimes the first interview you do seems like "the one". Now, it very well might be! But you may also want to think about playing the field and doing a few more interviews before jumping into a decision.With the marketplace picking up speed, companies are going to be moving fast. Back in the dotcom boom, candidates would go out to an interview at 9 a.m. and find themselves held hostage for the next three hours while more...

Just like learning that babies don't come from the Stork, candidates should know the truth about how offers are made. Most companies go about it the same way. Know what this standard process is when negotiating your salary. Facts vs. Opinions First off, recognize that everything that goes into what you'll be offered will be "factual." In other words, don't expect companies to offer you more because that's what your frie...

A strong job market combined with a talent shortage provides you with serious leverage. However, no one (and I mean NO ONE) likes a cocky candidate! Your hard to find skills may be in demand, but there's ALWAYS competition in play. Stay humble and sell yourself whether you think you have to or not. Read on as to why... Below are all the different reasons you are not likely to ever be in the safty zone of being the only...

Very rarely will you get all the offers out on the table at the exact same time. This means you'll have to decide without knowing how things would have eventually turned out. If you don't have a crystal ball handy, there are other ways to predict your future.Wouldn't it be great if your job search would allow you to see into the future before making a decision? Well it doesn't work that way. You're going to be made offers...

They don't hire "resumes" or "skill sets." So, never leave an interview only portraying these things. This sterility is detrimental to both parties (not to mention boring). Learn how to use preparation and your personality to connect with the Hiring Manager.PreparationTo make a connection, you need topics to engage the Hiring Manager on. Do your research on their professional and personal background (what's been their job h...

Some of the most reasonable things to ask can kill your chances in an interview. Understand how these questions can come across and learn how to rephrase them to avoid this pitfall.What are the benefits? (translation..."I get hung up on minute details"). Do you really think the Hiring Manager knows the benefits off the top of their head? Trust me, they don't. So, don't torture them since it would take them easily ten minute...

As the pace of the job market picks up, Hiring Managers will need to move more quickly. However, the candidate is also responsible for the speed of this interview process. Learn how to put your foot on the gas and avoid putting your foot on the brakes. When certain interview steps take too long, they lose their value or worse can even terminate the process. Extra time in the world of recruiting is nothing but bad news....