Before The Interview

Create a plan about how you want to approach the issue of your felony. One important decision is whether to volunteer the information on your own, or wait until asked by the employer. It is probably better to volunteer the information, because it shows confidence, honesty, and lets you control the message more and put a positive spin on things.

In addition to planning your approach to the felony question, practice talking about it as much as you can. Ask friends to talk to play the role of interviewer and ask tough questions about your past. You will become more comfortable with each one. Also, research the employer and the industry of the job, and be able to show that you know and care about the field.

During The Interview

Take care to not give any physical red flags that might combine with your felony. Dress as well as you can, and groom yourself as clean-cut as possible. When speaking to the interviewer, especially when discussing your felony, maintain strong eye contact along with a confident attitude and body language.

Bring the conversation to points that show responsibility. When talking about your felony, include any jobs you maintained in prison or courses and other reading you completed. Mention volunteer work you might have recently done. Also, explain how hiring a felon can help the employer with things like the Federal Bonding program that insures the employer, and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

After The Interview

For felons, it is especially important to follow up within a few days after the interview. A quick thank you message the same day is effective, but also follow up after a few days by mail, email, or phone to check the status of your application.

These follow ups show a responsible person who is ready for honest work. With attention to certain details like this, the interviewer will get the message that you plan ahead and follow through on things, and those are characteristics any employer wants.

With so many others applying for the same job as you, how do you make yourself stand out in the interview, that you are the candidate that gets the callback?

The following tips will help you to cinch that all-important interview:

• Be prompt and have a firm handshake

When the hiring decision come down to two equally qualified candidates, a decision will be based on the little things, a firm hand shake, being prompt, a professional attitude.

• Dress for the interview

While a manufacturing interview does not require a suit, do dress to impress. Dress pants or khakis, a button down shirt tucked in and a belt. The assumption is that if you look neat and tidy, your work will also be neat and tidy.

• Be specific about your experience and what skills you have.

This is very important, especially in manufacturing. In manufacturing, experience is key. If you have experience for the exact job they are hiring for, that is good, but if you have a variety of experience, but less specific, you may still be a more valuable employee.

• Be enthusiastic and ask questions

Show them that you are truly interested in working for their company. Prepare some questions to ask, directly related to manufacturing, such as; “do you use lean manufacturing techniques?” or, “What is your safety record?” Remember to thank them for the interview.

Remember interviewers see numerous people with similar experience. Machine operators and assembly people are plentiful, so the decision on who to hire usually comes down to the details, which put some effort into the interview. The interview is your time to show them you are prepared, professional and that you are the employee that will go the extra mile.

Dressing for Job Interview Success

Does it really make a big difference how you dress up for a job interview? In almost all cases, it does. Dressing for job interview success – this is perhaps one of the most overused job-hunting phrases, but this is also one of the most ignored by many job seekers. In hunting for a job, first impressions really matter.

Keep in mind that in job hunting, you are marketing yourself as a product to your customer, your potential employer, and believe it or not, the first thing that the employer or the interviewer sees when you greet him or her is your attire; therefore, you must exert extra effort to have appear in the interview in the attire most appropriate for the job you are applying for. Now you might ask if dressing properly and appropriately would get you the job. Definitely not, but dressing the right way will surely give the competitive edge.

Will you be judged by your interviewer by what you wear on the interview? Perhaps not; however, the reality is you are actually judged. Throughout the process of seeking for a job, most employers like to shorten the process – it’s either rules of thumb or heuristics but almost all of them have one common thing in mind – save their time!

What’s this shortened process? Well, they simply look at the opening paragraph of the cover letters and give your qualification a quick scan. The same thing is done with resumes. They simply give the applicant’s accomplishments a quick scan and with the job interview, it is how the interviewee dressed that actually sets the overall tone and mood of the interviewer to proceed to the interview process.

Doing your homework about a company before the interview can really make a difference. The more you already know about the company, the more relaxed you’ll feel during the job interview. Also, knowing more about the company upfront, you’ll be able to come up with good questions for the interviewer.

• Research and find out information about the company.
• Think of a couple follow-up questions you might ask at the end of the interview
• If you’re not familiar with the interview location, drive there before the interview to make sure you can find it ok and get an idea of how long it will take you to get there.
• Practice asking and answering questions
• Make sure you know how to pronounce the interviewers full name and title.

Day of the Job Interview Tips

• Show up early
• Dress Appropriately
• Stay Calm but engaging
• Be honest about weaknesses
• Maintain natural eye contact

Being let or not dressing appropriately can kill your chances for a job before the interview even begins. You should also be prepared on the day of the interview, as it will put you at ease a little more. This will help with the interviewer’s perception of you. Be natural and be yourself – you want to make sure that you’ll be happy in the job if you do end up getting it – don’t pretend to be something or someone you’re not.

After the Job Interview Tips

• Send a thank you note

This is another way you can stand out from the crowd and get a second round interview. Keep it short and sweet, but a nice little card saying you appreciate the interviewer taking time to look at your resume and speak with you will go very far in helping you get the job.