1. “Tell Me a Little About Yourself” – Simple yet tough to answer.  How can you sum up your entire life story in just a couple of minutes?   You don’t.  Instead, it’s a request for you to describe what you can offer the company.  Focus on:  (1) your key accomplishments at previous jobs.  (2)  The strengths demonstrated by those accomplishments. (3) How these relate to the job for which you’re applying.  Illustrate how you came to be interested in this particular company and job, and weave examples of past accomplishments throughout to demonstrate why you are the perfect candidate.
2. “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?” — Did you resign? Get laid off? Get fired? Whatever that happened in the past when you leave your previous employer will have to explain here.  The key point, STAY POSITIVE.  The biggest sign of a troublemaker is when someone trashes his or her former boss or company during an interview. It doesn’t matter if your boss was a jerk or if you hated your co-workers — an interview is not the place to vent past frustrations.   Rather, the best way to answer this question is to stay positive and talk about your desire for growth opportunities. This will paint you as a proactive employee who enjoys responsibility and challenges.  The secret is to stay positive and discuss your desire for growth. Hiring managers love applicants who actively seek responsibility.
3. “What’s Your Biggest Weakness?” – The “weakness” question is popular with interviewers because they’re interested in hearing how you tackle challenges.   The most important thing to remember is that after you name your weakness, you MUST discuss what you have done to overcome it.   Pick a weakness that is real but understandable or relatively harmless. Whatever weakness you pick, be sure that it is work-related
4. “Do You Have Any Questions for Me?” — Yes, you definitely do. You should always try to ask a thoughtful question or two at the end of an interview. It shows that you’ve been listening and that you’ve done your research on the company.   What should you ask? Ask such questions: (1) does this job usually lead to other positions at the company? (2) What kind of positions?   (3) What do you like best about this company? Why? DO NOT ask about salary, vacation days, benefits or anything else that would make it look like you’re more interested in the compensation package than the company. Also, don’t ask too many questions; just a couple will be fine.   And the most important question of all: Don’t forget to ask for the job! “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?”

1. Don’t bore the recruiter with your lengthy job duties – Your resume should not be a boring listing of job duties and responsibilities. Go beyond showing what was required and demonstrate how you made a difference at each company, providing specific examples. When developing your achievements, ask yourself: (1) how did you perform the job better than others?  (2) What were the problems or challenges faced? How did you overcome them? What were the results? How did the company benefit from your performance? (3) Did you receive any awards, special recognition or promotions as a result?
2. Don’t use objective statement if you are not one – Many candidates lose their readers in the beginning. Statements like “A challenging position enabling me to contribute to organizational goals while offering an opportunity for growth and advancement” are overused, too general and waste valuable space. If you’re on a career track, replace the objective with a tagline stating what you do or your expertise.
3. Too Short or Too Long – Do not squeeze your resume into one page.  You will leave out your impressive achievements if you do so.  On the other hand, do not ramble on about irrelevant or redundant experiences. There is no rule about appropriate resume length. However, ask yourself this when writing your resume, “Will this statement help me land an interview?”
4. Using Personal Pronouns and Articles – A resume is a form of business communication, so it should be concise and written in a telegraphic style. There should be no mentions of “I” or “me,” and only minimal use of articles.
5. Listing Irrelevant Information – Include interests, but only those that is relevant to the job. For example, if a candidate is applying for a position as a ski instructor, he should list cross-country skiing as a hobby.
6. Using a Functional Resume When You Have a Good Career History
   It is irksome for hiring managers not to see the career progression and the impact made at each position. Unless you have an emergency situation, such as virtually no work history or excessive job-hopping, avoid the functional format.
7. Write out an initial summary section for a hard sell! — This is one of the job seeker’s greatest tools. Do your homework and you will know the skills and competencies important to the position. The summary should demonstrate the skill level and experiences directly related to the position
8. References Available — Employers know you have professional references. Use this statement to signal the end of a long resume.
9. Typos – One typo can land your resume in the garbage. Proofread and show your resume to several friends to have them proofread it as well. This document is a reflection of you and should be perfect.

1. Be prepared for any conversation from the employer – The first and foremost thing that you should do is have a clear picture and overview of what you are doing and what you have done so far in your past employment.  They called in to get a clearer picture of your employment and in this phone conversation; you are suppose to give this piece of information to them.  To do that, make a short or compress list of things that you’ve done out of the resume.  Categorized into logical sections which they can absorb easily.  In this way, you demonstrated that you are sure of what you are doing, giving them the confidence in employing you (or recommending you).
2. Ask for the real employer details and job description – If you are going through a recruitment agency, do feel free to ask for the real employer details.  Likelihood is that they will not reveal to you as they may be afraid that a direct contact be made by you.  However, sometimes, you may be surprised that they do tell you the actual employer details.  Also, what most of us forget is the job description.  Do remember to ask for the job description in the form of email so that you can refer to when you are free.   Why?  Most recruitment agencies will call at office hours and you may feel uneasy to discuss openly and therefore it’s best for them to send you the job description.
3. Can you take blunt comments? – This may be difficult for mid-career changes.   Especially if you are not holding a junior position anymore.  Ego is high and you expect employers to look up on you.  Take note, unless you are those high-paying-everybody-wants-CEO, you can forget about your ego!  Your work experience may not be fully applicable in the employer’s environment and they may make comments (mock) at your experience.  Example, “Are these what you do for the past two years?”, “Is that all?”  Take these comments positively.  The good thing is at least you know what is lacking for you to hold the prospective position.
4. Give the recruitment agencies time – Lastly, this is the final advice that we have.  The recruitment agencies may eagerly want to fill the position.  Why?  Because filling the position means cashing the profit for their company.  However, they still need time to communicate back and forth with the employer and negotiate your baseline package with them.  Therefore, don’t get worked out or disheartened that they never get back to you.  Give them some time and they will get back to you. Because once you passed their first screening, they already have interest in getting you into the employer and want to have a proper closure with you.  Also, if you fail to secure the position, you will still be in their prospective list for other employers too!

1. Look at all the sources for recruitment. They can be internet, recruitment firms, job agencies, newspaper classifieds, university job postings, individual company websites and even friends!
2. Next, beef up your resume and CV.  Without taking this very first step, you won’t be able to talk about the interview or what you should wear on the interview day.  Not even the possibility of discussion about the compensation package that is installed for you by your prospective employer. J
3. Send your resume and CV out to all the sources. If you get rejected, ask to find out what you are lacking.  Fine-tune it.
4. If you get into an interview,  the first thing you want to do is to impress the interviewer.  Don’t talk about the compensation package.  That will leave him a negative impression on you.  Leave it for the HR personnel to go through the compensation package when the time comes.
5. If you are really lucky, you get the job on the 1^st interview.  But on a cautious note, understand the reason that you are being offered a position.  Recap from your 1^st interview if there were anything mentioned about filling the position urgently or if someone is leaving the organisation.  They maybe offering you the position because they want to fill it urgently (desperately) and you will most likely be working like a mad dog when you join them!
6. If the HR department calls you up for a 2^nd interview to discuss about the compensation packages, you are in luck!  Before you go into the 2^nd interview with the HR department, go to the internet to find out more about how much you are paid.  Talk to friends who are of the same industry to advise you on the compensation package.  You want to be prepared to know where your baseline is for the discussion.
7. When you are at the 2^nd interview, be firm with your baseline.  However, leave room for negotiations.  You may want to go into the room with your minimum and maximum range first.  If you have other employers waiting for you to sign the offer, you definitely have an upper hand in the discussion!
8. Sign the offer when you are really comfortable with it.  Remember, if it is not something that you want, you have a choice to decline the offer!

Of course, there are interviews that can stretch for more than 2 sessions.  Even 5 sessions that can involve the CEO or directors.  Whatever the situation is, what is clear is they are keen to get you in and putting you through all the tests (interviews) to see your suitability.  Persevere and stay positive about these interviews!  With a positive attitude and right mind set, you will definitely see the light at the end of tunnel and get the job you want!

1. Understand and appreciate that the interviewer took out some of his precious time to meet you for the interview – At the baseline, do not waste each other time.  Both of you want to get something out of it!  Your employer is looking for a prospective staff and you are looking for a prospective employer.  So get down to business!
2. Be early – Most often said.  Be early.  Much early than your given time.  You need to factor the traveling time and maybe any traffic jams and glitches along the way.  Remember, both of your time is precious!
3. Wear appropriately but not overdress – Don’t wear a tux for an interview.  Nor should you wear long pants with sneakers.  First impression counts and your dressing will generalize your character.
4. Read up about the company that you applied for – Do a last minute research about the company.  Their industry, profit margin, cost model, markets.  This will show that you really care about the company!
5. Know the industry well relating to the company you applied for – Understand how the industry works.  Also find out about the challenges for companies that are operating in the industry. This will aid in the discussion during the interview.
6. Admit your lack of knowledge on the industry and company – You may have read up about the industry and company but of course you are not in it yet.  Therefore, admit honestly that you lack the in-depth knowledge of the industry and company.  Honesty here works better than knowledge.
7. Think carefully before you say anything – Always think carefully before you respond to your interviewer questions.  Your answers are being analyzed by the interviewer about your integrity and character.
8. Be relaxed but not let down your guard – Even if the conversation starts to transit into a friendly talk, do not let down your guard.  When you are relaxed, you may have the tendency of saying things that are not supposed to be heard.
9. Give positive gestures – Avoid the negative postures that illustrates over defensiveness.  Slouching positions should be avoided as well.  They are recruiting a professional, not a pizza boy.
10. Thank the interviewer for his time – At the end of the session, remember to thank him for his precious time again.

1. Understand that the resume and CV needs to be done correctly before you can talk about an interview – Therefore, do not waste time thinking that about your interviewing process or how much to ask for.  Use your energy in perfecting the resume and CV.
2. List down the industries you are interested in – Then do a search on all job portals.  Do not limit yourself to local portals.  You may find something interesting from regional portals as well.
3. List down the companies you are interested in – Then search for the jobs through each individual company career website.  Recruitment firms and job portals may not have all the listed jobs you want.  Therefore, it’s good to look for the jobs directly from the employer (company).
4. Increase your chance of employment by dropping your resume with a few recruitment firms – This recruitment firms will help you get your job.  Why?  They receive commission and bonus for getting a staff to the employer!  Therefore, they will be more desperate to get you a job!
5. Keep track of all the applications made – If you left this step, you will be confused when prospective employers call you and you are unable to tell which company that you applied for.  And unknowingly, you confused with the company’s competitor.  Not good for a first impression!
6. Follow-up with your employers – Call in or email in to confirm if the employer have received the resume.  Do this after two to three days after you submitted your resume.
7. Do not be saddened after a series of applications – Call up the employers if they did not get back to you and learn from them what you are missing to get the job.  It may be some key skills and experience you are lacking.  It may be some information that you are missing in the resume which you can amend easily too.
8. Call your employer to thank him for sparing the time for the interview session – That is when you are given a chance for interview.  Also, thank him for considering you for the position.
9. Call your employer to thank him even if you are not employed – You may not be the suitable one that they are looking for.  It’s ok.  Leave a good impression as it may come in handy in future.  They made consider you for other positions too!  Also learn the mistakes that you are lacking and fine tune your approach and the resume.

1. Understand how HR works – HR will have done an initial screening of the resumes and CV.  They will look for keywords and phrases, and if you do not have them, you will be filtered off.  Those that looked common or uninteresting will be filtered off too. So how do you survive this initial round?  Read on!
2. Understand how online job application system works – Online application is to allow the HR employer to better search through the applicants.  What will they search for?  Keywords, key skills and certifications in your resume.  This is important to understand as you will know what to provide in your resume. 
3. Don’t use Microsoft Word resume template – Everyone is using the resume template.  You won’t be different from them and leave you a higher chance not to be filter off.  Create a template of your own to differentiate from the others!  (And do not use those templates on the internet!)
4. Cover letter should write in employer context – Craft it in what they want, not what can you give.  However, you can write what you can give to satisfy their incumbent’s position.
5. Cover letter should be one page long – Limit the amount of scrolling and not deterring the employer from reading
6. Write resume content with keywords – Remember about how online system works?  Keywords, key skills and certifications are just a few things they will search for.
7. Send a printed copy to your employee – Do this on top of the electronic application.  This shows your sincerity of the job.  This is another differentiator that you can employ.
8. Talk to an “insider” – It is easier to get into a job through recommendation and it had always been the case.  Therefore, get a good network that can lay you the job in the company if possible.
9. Fine tune your resume – Fine tune your resume after each round of the interview.  Through the applications (after being rejected or being approached), you will eventually learn what the industry really want (not what you can provide) and you can fine tune your resume to suit their needs.