Indiana Jobs Info

Job interviews are dreaded by many people in the United States. It is completely understandable given the state of the economy. Now, more than ever, it is important to shine in an interview to give you the boost to being hired. However, with the pressure of needing to absolutely succeed at the interview comes the nerves and worry that often hinder one’s ability to perform at maximum capacity. Take a minute to go through the following tips that will help you mentally prepare for any job interview, no matter how much pressure you feel in performing your best.

Get a good night’s rest. Getting your full average number hours of rest can do wonders on your body, including relaxing your muscles and providing you with longer energy throughout your day. You might be thinking when you get excited it’s harder to fall asleep. To help fix this, you must first turn off all stimulation to your mind about 10-15 minutes prior to when you want to fall asleep. This includes anything that provide light (laptop, lamps, television, cell phone, etc.) and other sources of entertain that stimulate your brain (books, word puzzles, etc.).  This should help you relax your brain and allow it to sink into a deep sleep.

The day before or morning of your interview take time to print off two copies of your resume, one for the interviewer in case they can’t find yours right away and one for yourself to follow along and point things out on. It’s extremely important to know what your resume says and where everything is. The last thing you want is for your interviewer to mention that they say something on your resume and you can’t find where it is quickly enough. It is your resume and you should know it like the back of your hand.

Another important part to prepare for your job interview is to review the job title, description, and current information regarding your field. By doing so, you will be able to incorporate qualities about yourself that tie directly back to the job description during your interview.  You will also be able to demonstrate your knowledge and aptitude for your field by knowing up-to-date news. Knowing this information will boost your self-esteem and will transfer as confidence to the interviewer, which is always a positive trait in the professional world.

Finally, it’s important to allocate about 30 minutes of extra travel time than is necessary. You should always arrive at the location of your interview about 15-20 minutes before your interview time to give yourself time for parking, checking in, finding the room, etc. However, giving yourself an extra 30 minutes will all for any traffic accidents that might slow you down and/or for traffic in general. Worst case scenario is that you didn’t need the extra 30 minutes and you’ll have 30 extra minutes to go over materials that will prep you for your interview, such as your resume and/or newspaper.

The main thing to remember is to remain cool, calm and collected. With the right preparation your interview will go as smooth as you could hope. Follow these simple tips and you’ll do great. Good luck on your interview.

Job interviews can be a stressful time because of all the anxiety and pressure based on performing your best. The stress you feel can cause the level of stomach acid in your stomach to increase which can in turn cause you to feel sharp pains in your abdomen. Feeling these pains right before a job interview is not desired. Eating right the morning and day of your job interview will help avoid stomach pain while providing you with good brain fuel.

Instead of coffee the morning of the interview, try having an apple which contains the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee and provides energy that is longer-lasting. Without as much sugar as coffee, the apple will not cause you to crash a few hours after consumption.

Also, try to avoid coffee which will increase stomach acid, more so than orange juice, and might increase the chances of abdominal pain when compounded with stress.

If your job interview is after lunch, have one of the above mentioned or similar style breakfast meals and for lunch create a meal combining a few of the following foods that promote active brain functioning:

• Protein provides amino acids to the brain which help neurotransmitters send messages in your body:

• White meat poultry
• Eggs
• Beans

• Low Glycemic index foods do not increase insulin secretion so blood sugar levels remain steady to avoid the sugar crash:
  • Fruits (grapefruit, apples, cherries, oranges, and grapes)
  • Vegetables and legumes (soybeans, kidney beans, chick peas, and lentils)
  • Dairy products (milk and yogurt)

If your job interview is in the morning, a well-balanced breakfast will help give you the burst of energy required. You might think a hearty breakfast would provide you with stamina for your interview; however, it could actually have the opposite effect.

A hearty meal will require more energy from your body for digestion which will leave less energy for you to function at full capacity. You don’t want to be drowsy and yawning during your interview! The best approach would be to have one of the following options:

• Whole grain bagel with low-fat cream cheese with orange juice
• Peanut butter and banana on an English muffin.
• Granola/cereal, yogurt and an apple
• Scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice

Eating the right foods before a job interview could have a serious impact on your performance at the interview. Take your time in choosing and preparing meals the day of your interview to ensure that you eat foods that provide maximum brain power.

Watch this video to learn how to ace your next job interview. From handshakes to what to wear, there are many things you should think about before you get to your next job interview. With a little preparation, you can make sure you do a good job and stand out from the rest of the applicants.

In the midst of a struggling economy, jobs are harder to come by than ever. People searching for new employment can often feel at a loss when faced with the realities of today’s economy. Actually securing an interview is a huge accomplishment, but it’s important to make sure that you stand out from the hoard of other job seekers competing for the same position. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to make certain that you’re cementing a great and lasting first impression.

1. Be on time. Sure, it’s understandable that life can often get in the way. Realistically, though, an employer is going to be immediately turned off by an applicant who can’t be bothered to show up when they’re scheduled. You may have had a horrible morning – the interviewer doesn’t want to hear it and doesn’t care. They have their own jobs to do, and your tardiness likely sets them behind schedule. So, leave extra early and wait in the parking lot if you have to, but make sure to arrive five to ten minutes before your interview is scheduled to start.
2. Come prepared. Although most employers will have your resume and sometimes even your references printed out from your application, it never hurts to bring extra copies. Also make sure to have any other paperwork or documentation they have asked for or that logic dictates you may need. They’ll be impressed that you’re thinking ahead.
3. Know about the company and job you’re interviewing for. Researching a job and a company ahead of time tells the employer that you were interested in their position, not just any position. It can also help you be better prepared for the questions that they might ask during the interview.
4. Don’t ask about money! While we all realize that money is obviously a key factor in whether or not a job is for you, it’s downright tacky to bring it up yourself. Either let them introduce the topic of payment or assume that it’s something that can be shared during a later interview.
5. Keep it friendly, but professional. Have a good attitude, make eye contact, and laugh at their jokes, but don’t go off on long winded personal tangents that have nothing to do with the position. Make sure the conversation stays focused on the position, the company, and how you fit their needs.

These five simple steps are a great building block for a fabulous first impression. Know them, live them, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities coming your way.

It is no secret that finding a job with a felony record can be a challenge, but with persistence and some knowledge about the Indiana job market, felons certainly can find jobs in Indiana. To be successful in a job search, felons must use all possible resources available to them and be prepared to sell themselves correctly when opportunity knocks. Techniques for both of those factors will be covered here. Continue Reading

You never know when the right interview opportunity will arise in a job search, so it pays to always be ready. Going over likely questions in your head helps, but there is no substitute for actual practice in interview conditions. This is why practice interviews are one of your best weapons in preparing for the real thing. Continue Reading

When looking for a manufacturing job, you will find the market flooded with numerous people applying for the same jobs.

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.

Sometimes the simple questions may be the hardest to answer in a job interview. Aside from the fact that the applicant may be emotionally stressed during this process, a number of interview questions may be tricky. Thus, here are some of the strategies for answering difficult job interview questions. You can practice answering these questions by asking someone to play the role of the interviewer. After this, you may find out that the emotional stress is less severe and you feel more confident when you go for the interview.

One of the most common job interview questions asks you to tell something about yourself. Because this is a general question, you may be momentarily stunned by it if you are not prepared. There are so many aspects of your life that you may soon find yourself hesitating. The key to answering job interview questions is to always relate them to the position that you are applying for and the company. Thus, you can focus on your strengths and your personality traits that you feel will add value to the company.

Another hard interview question asks you to state your greatest strength. This may seem easy at first but there is a temptation to fake it. However, it is advisable to be realistic in your answer to this question because the employer will soon find out if you are telling the truth assuming that you are hired. Focus should be made on your strengths that you can apply for tasks that will be required by the position.

Another difficult interview question is, of course, about your greatest weakness. Some applicants try to answer this question by disguising a positive as a negative trait. However, interviewers can easily recognize this strategy. It would be better to state a particular weakness and then describe how you have overcome it.

Interview Based Questions for Felons

Interview based questions for felons are quite similar to those that are often used for all kinds of applicants. However, felons may be at a disadvantage when competing for a particular job against applicants who have not served a jail term. Nevertheless, felons can enhance their chances of getting hired by determining the specific requirements of the employer.

They should keep in mind during the job interview that interviewers usually look for certain traits. These include honesty and integrity, good communication skills, teamwork skills, strong work ethic, self-motivation or initiative, interpersonal skills, positive attitude, dependability, and adaptability.

A common interview question requests you to tell something about yourself. The best way to answer this is to take note of your positive traits and strengths, work experience and skills that make you qualified for the job. Make sure that you practice answering this question until your response appears to be natural and spontaneous.

Another usual interview question is why you left your previous job. The important rule to follow here is to never say anything negative about your former employer or company even if it is true. If you do this, your prospective employer will know that you will also be bad mouthing him when you leave him. Simply indicate that you wanted a job that is more challenging and that would provide you with a better chance for advancement.

Of course, a very important question in the “why you were convicted and sent to prison?” one! It is vital to prepare for this question. The technique is to explain that you now regret your previous errors and that you have already learned your lesson. You can also add those things that you have done to counter your weaknesses and to improve yourself to make sure that you will not commit the same mistake again.

I have an interview, what are they going to ask me?!  Answering tough interview questions is a frightening prospect when a job is hanging in the balance.  It doesn’t have to be that scary, preparation will get you a long way.  But what about answering the tough interview questions that come from out of nowhere?

How do you answer questions like “if you could have lunch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?”  Much of answering these questions involves assessing your ability to think on your feet.  Be prepared to answer that without much thought.

You should choose your hero and explain why they are your hero.  It does not necessarily have to relate to the position, it will give an interviewer insight into your personality.  There is no wrong answer to that question.

One of the toughest and most common questions is “where do you see yourself in 5 years?”  You must always answer that question with respect to the company you’re interviewing with.  Be specific if possible.  Be careful not to threaten the person interviewing you.  Read that as “where do you want to be?”  Your answer may help you move through the ranks.

You must be honest.  Many people are comfortable in their role and don’t want more than that.  Employers also like that answer as they don’t want to have to fill a position every year or two.  There are lots of great resources available, check some out and be prepared.