Dreaded Job Interviews

As a senior in college, entering the real world strikes images of resumes,cover letters, and perhaps the scariest part, job interviews. It's not necessarily because job interviews are scary, but because intelligently talking about oneself in a professional manner can be hard!

In Chapter 4 of Richard Bolles' book,  What Color is Your Parachute? he gives various advice to job hunters embarking on the interview process including:

• A friendly reminder that while amidst in the job hunt, you're going to hear NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, and NO many times before you here YES, YOU HAVE THE JOB!
• Go on interviews having researched the company. Look at their website, search newspaper databases for mentions of the company your interviewing with, and ask family and friends if they know anyone who works at the company. Know what the company does and what you're getting yourself into, which honestly is a good idea with anything you chose to pursue in life.
• Honor agreements between you and your prospective employer
• Realize that both you and the prospective employer are collecting data on each other. You both have to decide if you like each other, it is not a one sided event. 50% of the talking should be you, the other 50% should be the prospective employer. This being said, make sure you feel like you will like the company before you start marketing yourself.   
• Expect to be asked to "Tell me about yourself." Answer this open ended question tactfully. Answer with what kind of experiences, skills, or knowledge,that are relevant to the job you are interviewing for.  Have this answer summarized and well rehearsed.  It's your elevator speech.
• 5 questions that may  be approached in various forms are 
• Why are you here?
• What can you do for us? 
• What kind of person are you?
• What distinguishes you from the other people applying for this job? 
• Can we as a company afford you?
• Appear presentable
• avoid nervous mannerisms like avoiding eye contact, a bad handshake, slouching, or fiddling with your hair.  
• show confidence while interviewing ( Yes, I know, easier said than done)
• Be nice to everyone and thank the employer before leaving. 
• Remember employers are trying to predict your future behavior and how it relates to their company. 
• e-mail and send a hand-written thank you note