I have a scheduled interview for Alliance Advertising (http://www.allianceadvertisinginc.com/main.html) for a customer service position.

Its the first job that I've applied for that is a stricly professional business environment, and my experience in the field is solely as a csa at a circuit city for over a year, but I consider myself excellent in people skills. I can calm down an angry customer in minutes =)

My question is whats the best way to sell myself and make myself stand out from others for the position. I'm working on my resume and going to buy a business suit (going to need advice there too) later today. I'm 20 years old with some college experience.

any tips would be hugely appreciated, because I need a job bad and this would be a great opportunity for me.

This is how I interview:



Wish I could be of more help :shrug

Originally posted by EclipseSix
I have a scheduled interview for Alliance Advertising (http://www.allianceadvertisinginc.com/main.html) for a customer service position. Its the first job that I've applied for that is a stricly professional business environment, and my experience in the field is solely as a csa at a circuit city for over a year, but I consider myself excellent in people skills. I can calm down an angry customer in minutes =) My question is whats the best way to sell myself and make myself stand out from others for the position. I'm working on my resume and going to buy a business suit (going to need advice there too) later today. I'm 20 years old with some college experience. any tips would be hugely appreciated, because I need a job bad and this would be a great opportunity for me.

If you are going to get dressed up make sure you throw in a tie. Nothing means business like a tie. But not a bow-tie, bow-tie's mean ass hat.

I wanna know what jobs you're interviewing for cougar. hook me up :D

Yes, I'm getting a nice suit coat and tie, and I've been re-writing my resume so that my customer service experience comes first.

any other tips?

If the interview takes a turn for the worst, offer to get a shot in the mouth.

after tricking me into believing you were some devilish hacker, you should be offering me better advice. Not what got you into your current job :D

white shirt, red tie.....

get the whitest shirt you can find... that's right, grab 5 or 6 diff makes of white shirt, and put em all under good light... pick the brightest one...

red tie needs to be a "power" tie.... bright, BRIGHT, red w/small squares or circles (not both)....

shave, get a hair cut 2-3 days prior, not too much cologne, but smell "clean"..

shine your shoes... kiwi is cheap...

hope that helps

Be yourself.

I only had one interview after I graduated with my Masters. I took that as a bullshit practice interview and didn't even give a shit. I did not take it too seriously and was myself, as opposed to other interviews I've had for internships where I was trying to "sell" myself, those did not work out.

Be yourself, be confident in yourself, and let them know if you cannot do something, or don't know how to do something... it worked for me. Main thing other than being yourself, stick with what you say... Scenario:

Potential employer: "Let's say we have an employee who has missed X days recently and has X amount of writeups, one more and he is terminated... What would you do if his wife is pregnant and he calls in saying that he can't make it in because he wrecked his car while bringing his wife to the hospital?"

State your answer.

Potential employer: "Why?"

Back up your answer, don't back down or reverse yourself.

Ask a lot of questions.

Mind you I was also throwing up all night beforehand and right when I was leaving for the interview (bad gyro the day before). It worked for me, so I would do it again, but it's all up to you how you go about it.

Show up about 15 minutes early. No later than 5 minutes early, but no more than 15. Drive by the night before to be sure you can find the place without too much trouble, if you can.

FAB
Features - Achievement - Benefits

Be prepared for those behavioral questions. "Tell me about a time when..." That sort of thing. Look back at your experiences at Circuit City and come up with a bulleted list of features about yourself. Then, next to each feature, detail a related achievement. Finally, translate the previous two into a benefit to a potential employer. It's the best way to answer those types of questions.

An example:
(Feature) Director of sales and marketing for XYZ Co.
(Achievement) exceeded quota each year in highly competitive selling environment
(Benefit) proven sales management ability, managing a sales force of 35 reps over a 4-state geography.

ALWAYS HAVE A QUESTION OR TWO FOR THEM WHEN THEY ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THEM. IT SHOWS INTEREST. Ask them about about the company culture, recent projects or something to show you're interested in what they do.

I wouldn't bring up compensation. Let them do it. If they ask you what you're expecting, fall back on one of these guys:

- I've been considering opportunities in the A-Z range lately.
- Right now, the opportunity is what I'm most attracted to. I'm sure ABC Co would offer a fair level of compensation.

Keep these guys in your back pocket for the end of the interview.

- "Is there anything else about me or my background that you may still have questions or concerns about that I can answer for you at this time?"

- If you are excited about the opportunity, SAY SO. Say something like, "Steve, it sounds like a great opportunity. I'm really excited. What is the next step?"

If they take you around to meet other people, you can bet you're doing smashingly. Always a good sign.

Damn. Look at me. I've been an executive recruiter for all of two weeks, now, and I'm tossing this shit around like a madman. If anyone here knows about any water/wastewater engineers with more than 8yrs experience in the Carolinas, let me know. :P

I'm a firm believer in every point Brian has made, but want to add this. Do not sell yourself as infallible. In every interview that has gone RIGHT for me, when asked about strong points and experience, and training that may be necessary, i have made mention of a weak point or two. I am a firm believe that it shows honesty to a potential employer, and gives them an idea of appropriate training if you were to be hired.

Hope it helps, or even makes sense, just thought i would give a hint from my experience.




in search of a new 2g....

Be ready to talk about your resume and the company. Have questions you want to ask about the company, but not simple questions you would know from looking at their website. Below is a compiled list of questions I was asked most when I was looking for a job out of school. Look online for more.

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Tell us what you did in school
3. Tell us what you did in job/internship listed on your resume
4. Do like working better in a group or individual
5. Tell us of a time when you were working in a group and how you dealt
with a person not doing their share of the work
6. Why did you become a ? major
7. What do you feel is your greatest strength
8. What is you biggest weakness
9. What do you like about your major and why
10. What do you like least about your major and why

Relax and be yourself. Impression of you as a person is just as important as the answers you give.

I have worked many customer service positions in my days and every interview that I have gone to I have ended up getting the job. The best thing that I can advise you is to definately be yourself. Be honest and be confident without coming across as arrogant. I think the best interview I had was for an office job where I was under-qualified and I told the guy interviewing me was that all I wanted was at least a chance. The guy gave me a chance and I ended up being the best employee they ever had. So if you see the interview isn't going good for any reason you might wanna just ask them to give you a chance at least on a temporary basis.