Job Interviews & The Magic of MusicWritten by Bonnie Lowe
Can music help you with your next job interview? It just might! Here's how. First, it can help you during your research, preparation and practice. While it doesn't appear to work for everyone, some studies suggest that having classical music playing softly in background as you study can boost your recall. Try it as you're reading over your prepared answers for probable interview questions. Second, music can help you relax, put you in an positive mood, and help dispel nervousness. Think of a song you really enjoy, one that makes you feel great, and listen to it as you're driving to your interview. A possible song you might consider is "All Star" by Smash Mouth. It's got a great, upbeat tempo, and some of lyrics could be interpreted as advice for getting ahead:
| | Why You Should Never Complain About Former BossesWritten by Bonnie Lowe
You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions left and right. You're enthusiastic, upbeat, confident. Then they ask, "Why did you leave your last job?" An image of your former boss, red-faced and screaming, pops your head. He was such a jerk! You desperately want to vent your frustrations and tell them why you HAD to quit, but you hesitate, thinking... is honesty best policy in THIS situation? There's no better way to present yourself as a whiner than to complain about a former boss or job. Even if you left a job because your boss was an egomaniac who took credit for all of your hard work, verbally abused you in front of others, and poisoned plant on your desk, don't say anything bad about him/her during an interview. If you do, interviewer may think you have a problem with authority or can’t get along with others. After all, they don't know you. And as an authority figure, they may more easily identify with your maligned former boss than with you. It's best not to count on them believing YOUR side of story, even if it IS truth. So instead of saying "My boss was an incompetent idiot," choose one of these sample responses, whichever fits your particular situation best:
|
