6 Really Easy Ways To Improve Your Job Interview Performance

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Interviews can be daunting. The good news is that in addition to diligently preparing your interview skills, there are simple strategies you can follow to boost your chances of getting the job.

Here are 6 really easy ways to improve your job interview performance! Remember – sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference.

1. Get there early. Showing up late makes a poor impression. It's far better to kill time outside the office beforehand than it is rushing to get to the interview on time. No need to compound the stress of the interview itself.
    
2. Eat before the interview. Many people get cranky on an empty stomach, present company included. Feel full and satisfied by having a snack prior to the interview. Just remember to avoid eating anything with a strong odor which will follow you, such as onions or fish.
    
3. Turn your cell phone off. You'll create an embarrassing situation when your phone rings, beeps, or buzzes during your interview. Be in the moment, and eliminate potential distractions. Your messages will still be there after you're done meeting with the hiring manager.
    
4. Bring several extra copies of your resume. Not only will you have a document in front of you which will jog your memory about highlights from your work history and accomplishments, you'll also have nice, attractive copies available to interviewers who didn't have time to print up their own beforehand.
    
5. Amp up the energy level. This isn't the time to be reserved – show that you're happy to be there! Smile. Be animated. Sit forward in your chair. Low energy can be perceived as a lack of interest
    
6. Ask great questions. Hiring managers love being asked great, well-thought-out questions – these show that you're interested and engaged, and did some interview preparation. Conversely, if you don't ask questions during or at the end of an interview, you'll send the message you either don't care or weren't paying attention. And your questions don't need to be brilliant - try, "What does success in this role look like?" or "What are the biggest challenges the company faces in the next year?" And use your research on the company to lob a couple targeted questions about their business.

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Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

I Was A Lousy Student. Can I Get A Good Job With A Bad GPA?

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Recently finished college with a less than optimal grade point average? Concerned about your job prospects?

Don't panic. While it's true the class valedictorian will have a relatively easy job hunt, even graduates with GPAs on the lower end of the scale can have bright career prospects if they approach the situation strategically. Here are strategies to help you stand out and improve your chances of snagging a desirable career opportunity.

• Embrace the fact that your degree has value. Even a medical school student who graduated at the bottom of his class earned the privilege of being called "Doctor;" the operative word here is "graduated." The university firmly believed you met the standards required for your degree, and that matters to employers.
   
• Detail important life factors. Did you work your way through school as a single parent? Perhaps you funded 100% of your degree by cleaning dishes in the dining hall. Maybe you went back to school after a distinguished career, while managing substantial life responsibilities.  Explaining unique and challenging circumstances to a hiring manager can re-frame your college career in a positive light.
   
• Showcase your applied experience. It's essential to clearly demonstrate your capabilities in both your resume and interviews. For example, if you're looking for a position as a computer programmer, detail how you've developed applications in class projects,  internships, or other initiatives which clearly show your applied mastery of the programming languages. If you still lack experience, work on independent projects independently to develop a portfolio of work.
   
• Slice and dice your GPA to showcase your academic performance and capabilities. Was your grade point average higher in your major than in non-core classes? Perhaps your academic career started off poorly, but improved substantially over time. Or maybe you excelled in a subject relevant to the positions to which you're applying. Here are some examples:
  • GPA: 2.8 (3.7 Last Two Years)
  • MAJOR GPA: 3.6 (2.5 Overall)
  • GPA 2.8 (3.9 in Engineering Classes)
     
• Highlight specialized or challenging coursework. Specific classes you've taken can open doors with hiring managers. If you're applying for a entry-level journalism position with a leading medical journal and you've taken a class on Healthcare Reporting, it should feature prominently on your resume. Likewise, be prepared to speak during the interview to demonstrate a strong understanding of industry-specific issues.
   
• Show off relevant non-academic experience on your resume. The key here is to list activities which might impress an employer. Being elected Student Class President certainly qualifies, as does playing Quarterback on the football team. Maybe you were a business student and chaired the Marketing Club, or competed in the Robotics Club as an engineering major. The possibilities are vast, so long as what you demonstrate career relevance, applied leadership, or some other unique facet of your skills and personality.
   
• Remember – your first job probably won't be your last. No matter how good or bad your first job out of college is, you'll be given the opportunity to build your skill set, establish a work history, and get a few professional wins under your belt. With time, the importance of your GPA will fade, and future employers will place greater (if not total) emphasis on your experience and skills.

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Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

3 High-Impact Resume Strategies For Aspiring Managers

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If you're an individual contributor looking to make the leap to a manager-level position but have never held such a role role, you need to sell yourself as a proven leader. This can be challenging since organizations typically look to hire managers with direct managerial experience.

Here are 3 high-impact strategies aspiring managers can use to elevate the impact of their resume!

1. Demonstrate continued professional success. Strong leaders don't just do their job, they elevate the performance of the entire organization. Your resume should present a strong list of measurable achievements. Well-structured bullet points detailing your professional wins show both the initiative and value you've brought to your company, and will help a potential employer visualize the positive impact you'll make should they hire you.
    

2. Clearly illustrate your leadership history. Perhaps you've led projects or initiatives which have required the coordination of various other team members. Or maybe you've coached and mentored peers, summer interns, or temporary employees. Details about your ability to successfully align diverse stakeholders will speak directly to your managerial skills.
    

3. Detail your strategic orientation. Managers undertake a variety of important critical functions, including budgeting, resource allocation, short-term and long-term planning, interviewing, and other leadership duties. If you've collaborated on any of these initiatives, note them prominently in order to demonstrate your ability to think strategically and with a broader perspective.

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Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.