Interview skills

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Interview Skills
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Agenda
Introduction.
What type will the interview be ?
What to prepare ?
What should you wear ?
Answering difficult interview questions.
Worst Case Scenarios.
Ways to rescue a dying interview.
Follow-Up.
Agenda
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How to Get your Target Job!!!
Introduction
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Got The Job

Your resume has put you at the first stage

It is your chance to do yourself a favor
Introduction
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LAND TO THE POSITION
YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
Introduction
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Interview
What is an interview ?
What can the process create ?

Introduction
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What is an Interview
Two way process.
Argumentative issue.
Gather and clarify information.
The most important stage of job search.
Introduction
What can the process create?
Simply, A decision to be hired or not !

Hiring decisions are made on emotion and justified with logic
You like things first and then justifies it.
Get the employer to like u

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The Art Of Interviewing
Can you sell / Market yourself?

Can you impress?

It is not just answering questions.
Introduction
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Market / Sell Yourself
Suppose you are a product

Know your product (SWOT)

Know your customer’s needs

Demonstrate how you can satisfy him
Introduction
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Sections of Interviews
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Be Prepared for the Journey
Once you have the Interview secured

Don’t walk-in without keys …

PREPARATION IS THE KEY!
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Ask your Self
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Know the Type
Telephone screening.
Screening.
Second or third interview
One to one interview.
Group interviews.
Panel Interviews.
Free Form / Un-structured.
Psychometrics.
Presentations.
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Panel Interview
Two or three interviewers ask set of questions for every candidate.
The atmosphere can be formal.
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Free Form
A loosely- framed, few topics

Could be away from normal working hours.

Unstructured, informal and can be perceived as a chat.

It can be difficult to sell yourself without being prompted by relevant questions.
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Presentation
Prepare well

Practice
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Psychometric
You will be asked a series of questions to:
Discover self-observation.
Reactions ?

Psychometric tests are becoming popular.
Mainly supporting role.
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Answers to prepare
Why can you do the job?
Situational questioning.
Behavioral questioning.
What’s your great weakness?
Why you change job’s so frequently?
What is your biggest mistake in career?
How would your supervisor / friends describe you?
Tell me a story?
Tell me a joke?
What can you offer that others don’t?
What is your major accomplishments?
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Answers to prepare
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1- Situational Questioning:
You might be asked how you would cope in a hypothetical situation.
For example, how you have dealt with a difficult user at the issue desk in your current job.
2- Behavioral Questioning:
You may be asked about your behavior or reaction to a certain situation..
For example, how would you deal with a difficult user at the issue desk ?
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Expectations
General information about the position.

Articulate your qualifications and interests.

Understand the nature of the organization
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The Matching Process / Self Assessment
Technical skills that match this job.

Will your personality match your job?
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R U the right one ?
Prepare your matching sheet
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ran team of 3 people for 18 months.

Experience of handling mgmt accounts
Four years of relevant experience

How will your teamwork and leadership spirit help you match with the job?
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Team Work
Are you more comfortable working as a part of a team or individually ?
Be honest If you are a person who would rather work alone, please say it.

What is the job necessitates?

If you have not stated this, you may have the shock of being one of the team and you may hate your job.

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Analyze your strengths / weakness
Strengths:
Think about how you have used your strongest skills.
Keep all your achievements at your fingertips
For example, you may have decided to rearrange the filing system to help your colleagues to find documents more easily.

State the skill & example it.
State the skill & show how you use it.
Don’t just say it, show it.

Weaknesses:
Be ready to explain any inconsistencies or breaks in your career.
Think creatively and remember transferable skills.
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Dress For Success
Professional business wear is a must in most of the organizations

It is a part of the first impression taken about the candidate

There is no perfect dressing but try to select what suits you
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Dress for Success
Dress appropriate to the Organization.
Comfortable clothes to you.
Show you have made effort.
Shows that you are serious about the job.

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What you should know about an organization
Potential advancements.
Atmosphere.
Benefits.
Bonuses.
Dress code.
Ethics and integrity.
Owners.
Flexible / rigid structure.
Org. goals.
Growth potential.
Training.
Turnover.
Company type
Main customers.
Company history.
Location.
Management philosophy.
Management structure.
Office politics.
Previous problems faced.
Product / services.
Profit / sales volume.
Reputation.
Research.
Relocation potential.
Size.
Stability.
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Ready to go to the BIG DAY !
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The Big Day
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Big Day Objectives
Going to the interview.
Interview Principles , skills & tips
Playing the game
First Impression
Verbal communication
The interview questions
Gesture and body language
Worst Case Scenarios
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Going to the interview
Your route: PLACE
Know how to get there.
How long it will take.
Always allow for extra time.



Arrival: TIME
Five minutes early is about right.
Always be polite and friendly to everybody
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Interview principles;
Opportunity for two people to meet.
Its two way street (Not begging, you’re equal).
The employer is on your side (He wants to hire you).
Objection is not a rejection.
Let the employer talk and you listen.
Increase your chance for second interview (dress , time..etc).
Hiring decision is based on emotions.
Focus on your accomplishments examples.
Be yourself and be the best in it.
Use examples to back up statements (STAR).
Be prepared to elaborate the CV details.
Project confidence all over.
Send thank you note.
Relax and enjoy.
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Key interviewing skills
Active listening.
Preparation.
Building Rapport/Relationship.
(Trust, respect & use his name or the company’s)
Be yourself yet the best.
Control the content not the interview.
Get info about the job.
Learn to talk about yourself.
Let others speak for you
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Interview tips;
Get plenty of rest

Watch cultural difference

Dress appropriately

Bring pen and pad

Remember the interviewer name

Shake hands firmly

Wait before you sit
Look for interviewer interests

No smoking or gum chewing

No profanity

Keep it interesting

Go in with agenda

Don’t ask silly Question

Don’t assume
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Playing the interview game
The pregnant pause
Don’t answer rapidly every question.
Go pregnant pause after a relatively tough question.
Other wise you are who “shoots from the hip”

Eye contact
Constant eye contact is unnatural
Normal conversation, speaker looks away 30-70% of the time
Staring makes me uncomfortable

Truthfulness
There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience. (John Wooden)
If u tell the truth you don’t need such a good memory (Mark Twain)

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Overcoming objections
Objection is not a rejection
Its request for more info.
Employer needs reassurance about experience and learning.
Its opportunity.

Predict the objection you’ll face
Its raises doubts about your ability
“You don’t have enough experience”

Don’t argue with employers
He: you don’t have enough experience in this field
You: I realize there may b others w more experience, but I really feel the quality of my experience is the key. Because of the variety of things I’ve done, and my level of responsibility earned. I see my five years r equivalent to most people w the 10. There is no question in my mind that I can do an outstanding job for you.
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Master story telling art
Describe yourself
Let me tell you I’m hard working,energetic,a true leader and a person who can juggle multiple tasks
Problem: Selling too many things so you don’t do good job w any of them
(NO EXAMPLES !)

Employer should remember you for weeks.

Stories have impact.

A non-work experience with a work experience.

Show how you overcame the problem.
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Cont’d

Key points for telling stories
1- Provide all key information`s
2- Describe the situation as you came into
3- Describe your analysis & recommendations
4- Describe what you implemented & results obtained
5- Provide interesting details (KISS)
6- Make the story interesting
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Describing Accomplishments
Telling vivid stories requires practice
1- Write 12 accomplishments and write brief descriptions for each
2- Practice giving 3 min. version, 2 min. version & 1 min. version of each

Quantify results.

Results sells people.

Which / Which resulted in.
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First Impression
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First Impression Elements
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Verbal / Non Verbal Communication
Greet the interviewer with a strong handshake.

Eye contact is an important component of the interview.

Always feel relaxed not confused or somewhat stressed.
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Talking Vs. Listening time
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During The Interview
Sell yourself and be confident about your qualifications.

Be honest about your decision criteria of the job.

Emphasize the positive sides of your personality.
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Advice
Honest
Stay positive in all your answers
Promote your skills
Have your body language
Be straight forward
Enthusiasm
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Project Enthusiasm
Demonstrate it throughout the interview

Perform an enthusiasm check
(Straight up in the chair, introduce more hand gestures, tones, add feelings to your talk)

Your potential is your future worth to the organization

Show it thru accomplishments

Selling potential can overcome ur lack of experience
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Use Power words;
Built
Created
Decreased
Designed
Enhanced
Established
Generated
Implemented
Won

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Improved
Increased
Initiated
Introduced
Organized
Saved
Sold
Solved
Transformed
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Accepting
Appreciative
Assertive
Cheerful
Compassionate
Considerate
Cooperative
Decision making
Decisive
Diplomatic
Discreet
Drive
Easy going
Effective under stress
Efficient / Productive
Emotionally stable
Energetic / Stamina
Enthusiastic
Flexible
Forgiving
Friendly / Nice
Generous
Goal oriented
Growth oriented
Honesty / Integrity
Insightful
Loyal
Mature
Motivated
Open-minded
Optimistic
Patient
Persistent
Reliable
Resourceful
Responsible
Risk-taking
Self-confidant
Sense of humor
Sincere
Sound judgment
Tactful
Thorough
Use personality skills in interview
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The most admirable skills, Universally accepted
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Talking tips (Do)
Wait for him to finish speaking.
Take time, and collect your thoughts.
Answer the question.
Speak simple and professional.
Humor is important but be serious.

You will appear Calm, Confident & Polite.
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Talking tips (Don’ts)
Answer before being asked.
Quickly fill the silence.
Ask irrelevant questions to the job.
Use the umms, ahhs and slang.
Use your own jargons profanity.
Interrupt

Being smart is never expressed by words.
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The Interview Questions
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Tell me about your self?
Why did you leave your job?
What is your biggest weakness?
What is you biggest strength
Why can you do the job?
What’s your great weakness?
Why you change job’s so frequently?
What is your biggest mistake in career?
How would your supervisor / friends describe you?
Tell me a story?
Tell me a joke?
What can you offer that others don’t?
What is your major accomplishments?
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Tell me about yourself ?
The simplest… Yet can be the hardest.
Be yourself.
Prepare
Experience
Skills
Education
Ambition
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Tell me about yourself? Experience
Experience
Choose relevant experience.
How you are profiled.
Highlighting relevant work achievements.
Fresh graduate, speak about summer training
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Tell me about yourself? Skills
Skills
List the relevant skills.
Employers look for skills like
attention to detail.
strong communication.
dealing with deadlines.
Programming skills doesn’t mean much for administrative position!
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Tell me about yourself? Education
Education:
Vital for the less-experienced.
Is it relevant?
Did you taking relevant courses
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Tell me about yourself? Ambition
Ambitions:
What are you looking for
What are you seeking to fulfill.

Other Qualities
Travel experience, associations and activities.
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Tell me about yourself?
Put it in Writing

See the below example:
A sales representative job in a software company requiring 2 years experience would need a “personal commercial” that goes something like:

“I have been following a sales career for the last 2 years in the software industry. I have been handling various account sectors, especially the tourism and hospitality sector. At my last job, I was noted for surpassing my target, and helped raise sales by 30% in one year.”
“My strengths are in communication. I pride myself on being able to establish a relationship with my clients and being able to maintain them. I am always meet deadlines, and work well under pressure.”
“My degree in business has helped me get a grip of this career, as well as my coursework in psychology.”
“I have participated in several sales-oriented workshops.”
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Example
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Ten things Employers looks for
What results you’ll achieve?

How soon you’ll b productive?

How much supervision will u need?

Do u generate more value than cost?

Can you become high performer?
Will u fit into the culture?

Will u b fun to work with?

Are u responsible?

Can u manage ur own development?

Will u stay?
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How to excite the employer?
MSSR needs !

Show that you can;
1- Make money for the organization
(Sales, TQM, CS)
2- Save money for the organization
(Productivity,Cut costs, Efficiency)
3- Solve problems the employer is facing
4- Reduce stress level
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Why did you leave your job ?
Stay Positive
Show desire for growth opportunities.
Employers are looking for employees with good attitudes even when working in bad situations.
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Why did you leave your job ? Fired?
Be honest.
Quickly explain it…
No details especially the political ones.
Never ever lie about it or around it
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Why did you leave your job ? Quit ?
Be honest and stay positive.
Simply the job was not challenging enough.
You are seeking higher levels of responsibility and ready to make the next step on your career ladder.
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Why are you leaving your current position?
Stay positive, even if your previous company has left a negative impression.
Employers are looking for employees with good attitudes even when working in bad situations.
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What is your biggest weakness ?
Simply, tell him

Why he shouldn’t hire you.
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What is your biggest weakness ?
Why is he asking ?
Mention your weakness.
Discuss what you have done to overcome it.
Criteria of the chosen weakness:
Real.
Understandable.
Relatively harmless.
Work-related.
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Examples
"I used to have some problems with organization. So now I carry a schedule book throughout the day and I also use this Palm Pilot to keep me on track. It`s worked out great!“
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Examples
"Once in a while, I focus too much on the details of a project. So now, when I`m working on a project, I always make sure at the end of the day to sit back and take a few minutes to think about the general scope of my work. It forces me to keep priorities straight and helps me keep the right mindset."
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Examples
I tend to be a perfectionist.

I sometimes work too hard, leading to unnecessary stress.

Work life balance.

Used to do things all by myself, now I learned delegation.
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What is your greatest strength
This is a great question to SCAN your skills.
Talk about your skills confidently.
Such as being able to plan and organize information.
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Body Language
Personal image is more than just clothes.
Smile, make eye contact with all interviewers.
Sit back in the chair to be comfortable and confident but don`t lounge.
Keep still (fiddling, scratching, and arms in a knot indicate nervousness and defensiveness).
Breathing out helps you to remain calm (but breathing in makes your voice go higher!)
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Gestures
Spatial gestures indicate openness.

Leaning forward adds emphasis to a point.

Leaning backward, to put distance between yourself and the interviewer.

Touching your face means that you are stucked, lying or don’t know.
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Nervous Candidate
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Interviewer Body Talks
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Body Language - Watch it
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Worst case Scenarios
Late for the interview ?
Don’t know how to answer a question ?
Forgot to bring copies of my resumes ?
Called the interviewer by the wrong name ?
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I am going to be late
Take a deep breath, collect your thoughts and rehearse for the coming phone call.
He will accept incidents of the ‘couldn’t be avoided’ category.
What does he want to know ?
Why are you late ?
What is the realistic estimation of your time of arrival ?
Courteous apology.
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Example
“Salam Alaikom. This is Mohamad Salah. I have an 11 a.m. interview today for the editor position. Unfortunately, my car has broken down. I should be able to get there in 25 minutes if that`s OK. I apologize for the inconvenience and I wanted to inform you as soon as possible."
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I Don`t Know how to answer !!
That’s really a good question.
Don’t use the ummms & ahhhs.
Don’t ask for time to think.
Ask for clarification for the question or a difficult part of it.

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Forgot to Bring My Resume!
Acknowledge it upfront.
Give a practical excuse. (Lazy?)
"I just wanted to let you know that I planned ahead to bring copies of my resume, but my printer didn`t cooperate. It broke down on me. I can e-mail you a copy after the interview if that`s OK."
Make sure you have all emails that likes to have it.
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I Called him by the Wrong Name!
Reasons.
“Mohamad, I`m sorry. I`ve met so many great people today, and I`m trying to put names with all the faces. Mohamad, I apologize."
Mention his name in the apology.
What if the opposite happens ?
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Ways to rescue dying interview
Smile
Ask Questions
Get Feed back
Compliments
You did everything …
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You did everything …
You’ve done every effort to succeed but you still have the feeling it’s not working!!

Follow the advice:
Just do your best and move-on.
Don’t worry about things you cannot control.
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Do you have any questions for me?
Yes, you do.
You should have one or two.
It shows that you:
Have been listening.
Made your research about the company.

Never ask about salary, vacation days or other benefits.
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Do you have question for me?
Switch the focus from yourself to the interviewer.
Let him do some of the talk.
He might reveal one of the clues you need.
Prepare your questions in advance.
What`s your favorite thing about working at this company?
How would you describe the working environment here?
What`s a typical day like in the department?
Why is this job available?
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Examples
Does this job usually lead to other positions at the company? What kind of positions?

What do you like best about this company? Why?

I`m very interested in this job. It`s exactly the kind of job that I`m looking for. What is the next step in the interview process?

If I got the chance what will be the career pathway

What was last year % turn over ?
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Remember: they are looking for the right person for the job not the best person overall.
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If you get the job, have a great sigh of relief.
If you don`t get the job, then you have one final stage to go through.
If you get to interview stage it means that you can do the job.
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Don`t forget to be yourself.
Looking natural and feeling confident is your best asset.
Finally;
The End