Advice On How To Prepare For Executive Job Interviews

By Jason Lee

In consulting firms interviews you may be asked some "real-world" problem, usually one with which you're totally unfamiliar! Use them as an opportunity to demonstrate how you approach problems. They also try to pressurize you usually through silence or confrontational questions, to see how you react. Answer pleasantly and calmly, ignoring the provocation.

If you have questions, be sure to ask the recruiter or headhunter prior to the second interview who had set up the arrangement. It generally is a daylong series of discussions with potential supervisors, co-workers and other managers or department heads. In disciplines like education, you may be asked to bring a portfolio or to prepare and deliver a class while being observed by other professionals. Some organizations also administer tests or give tours. The JobConcierge Best Executive Recruiters list is a free list of recruiters and headhunters who help anyone find jobs, including executive jobs and executive level jobs.

When you appear for interview a group may interview you. . Handle this situation in much the same way as if there were only one interviewer, taking care to direct your answers toward each person in the group. Treat each successive interview as if it were your first. Maintain your enthusiasm with each new person you meet. If you are asked the same question for the sixth time, remember that the person who asks has not yet heard your answer. If possible, learn the name and title of each member of the group before the interview. This will allow you to know with what orientation or area of interest each person approaches the meeting. It is best to know this in advance of the interview day.

Occasionally, second interviews include group interviews in which several applicants for the same position are presented with a problem to solve or subject to discuss as a group. The interviewer merely observe. In this case, keep in mind that you are being evaluated in terms of how you interact with the other members of your group. Recognize that you will be visiting a working organization and the people you see may not be able to devote exclusive attention to you. Don't take it personally if an interviewer takes a call; pick up the thread of the conversation when the interviewer is free again. On-site interviews often include meals. Follow your hosts' lead, both in ordering and in deciding whether to talk about work-related or casual topics. These meals are part of an evaluative process, whether or not they appear informal.

Close the interview with the same enthusiastic and energetic style with which you approached it. Send a thank-you note following each interview. Be aware of signals that indicate that the interview is over. An interviewer may stand or express appreciation for your time. This is your clue to close the interview. Express your enthusiasm for the organization and, if you are interested in the position, ask the interviewer when a decision will be made and when you may call. Maintain eye contact and return a firm handshake if a hand is extended. JobConcierge collected some of the best job search advice on cover letter tips, career change advice, networking advice, video resume tips and ranked the best articles on the executive job search website.

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Fashion Industry's Hiring Trends

By John Smith

Networking

If you ask from the fashion industry people you will find that there are many people who dreamed of working there all their lives and people who got caught into their position by chance. One associate designer said that to get into the creative end of the industry, proper education is must. You need to study designs for this. On the other hand technical people like buyers and inventory planner, are more likely to be fallen into their jobs. Although fashion professional agreed that having industry contact is much more important than having talent. "To find a job," reveals an employee from federated, "It's very important to use the people you know. I found my first job through contacts next job through exploratory notes and third was luck-- I got it out of a newspaper advertisement. I'd say my first job was the easiest to find."

While many people - and fashion student in particular feel disgusted by this need to know the right people, one insider says that worry is unnecessary. Student often think that they cannot make connection when they are in the college boundaries," says a career counselor from a top New York fashion school. This is totally a myth. Connection is just a another word for relationships. You have relationships with other students, professors, career counselors, the school administration and many others. An acquaintance at your workplace or school will provide you valuable information. It's all come through networking. If you want the job in your industry it is necessary to discuss your job search with the people you know and the people they know. Ask questions like openings in the company, and request informational interviews. Fashion students seek relevant internships. After their internships ended they should keep in touch with their managers. A fashion career counselor confirms, "Those who serve as intern advisors often grow very fond of their interns. They want to know that you've graduated; they want to help and advise you."

Internships

Most fashion internships are in design, marketing, and production -- and unpaid. If we see the entertainment industry here actual education isn't important as work experience. You need some more education to get into the door, but after this your resume or connection will get you more further. Get an internship or even a part time job in sales or merchandising if you want to go into fashion or retail industry. Because each experience on your resume will help you better to get the internship or full time job next time. Many internship searches are self directed and some are posted in the trade papers. If the position is at If the position is at a popular company or designer, the internship will never be posted since everyone will want it on his or her resume.

Make sure to express your willingness to learn and help the company - even if you think that your level of responsibility is not as high as you would like. Once you are in company you can easily find out the other positions before they may even be open. Make your resume updated and you can get the interviews and introduction. Of course your initial job in the fashion industry may not pay well. There are many options firstly you need to get the experience or to learn enough to start your own business. If you are thinking of the latter, take any experience you can. It will pay off later.

Take initiative

While different fashion positions requires different skills, most insiders agree that the industry calls for initiative, patience and a strong degree of independence. One insider said that it is good to have a mentor who will teach you all the things and also push you. Despite the prestige and job satisfaction insiders have their gripes. One informant says that its too competitive both within the industry and within the office. Sometimes people become unethical they might give you the commitment but after that they drop the ball. Sometimes clients cancel the order and then I face the loss. Its a huge time commitment which offers another contacts in buying. I often started early and then stay late-- and I also travel a good part of the time. You lose perspective after so many hours." A different buyer adds, " I often spend 12 hours at work and eat lunch at my desk. Burnout. There's a lot of burnout."

Getting the job, acing the interview

If you want to move up the fashion ranks there are two schools of thoughts. If you want to climb high some insiders suggest that it is necessary to switch to any other company. According to one knowing source, "Many companies have non-mobile positions, where employees are "pegged" in certain roles. In other words we can say that if you are an assistant of the company everybody will see you as an consultant only. " Others contend that it's best to stay put. "To move up the ranks, you have to be a hard worker, know the right people or lie on your resume," says one informant. "I was a hard worker. And I had a great boss who served as my mentor. By staying right where I was, I ended up moving up into key roles."

Once the job interview has been arranged for the company candidate should do the extensive research.

Examine the company literature and read the company web site is a good option. Just see the most recent articles on the company development. Some insider's advices that it is good if you go to the library of a fashion school and then ask somebody if you don't able to find information. It is good if you ask the employer that how they work and what they do exactly. Last but not least go and shop the brand or retailer. You should know this thing that what type of Product Company deals in. Also research the company biggest rivals. General knowledge of key fashion players is also important. Insiders recommend brushing up on your mental database of trendsetter: Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Alexander McQueen and Ralph Lauren, among others.

On the day of a interview, establish a rapport with the person. "You cant be a bump on a log answering question, even if you are having a great resume and portfolio. Let your personality show through, because the interview is also about fit. And also don't ask about the salary at least not on the first round. It is good if you ask intelligent questions about the company, positions and even the interviewer's experience. Even if you lack interest in particular area an interviewer will hire you if he finds that you have the capability of grasping things quickly.

Insiders recommends a careful consideration when it comes on dress code. The person who is taking your interview always see that what you are wearing and how you wear it. With the same logic, one theatrical designer has advocated the careful observation about your clothes. While everybody knows that this situation not always hold true but it is always advisable to dress well when you go for an interview. Another insider quoted " Nothing out of the norms, unless you are aspiring to be a fashion designer and the organization conduction interview is looking for out of the league and futuristic looks." Good Tip - Be overdressed rather than under dressed.

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