Here are tips on things you should be prepared to discuss at any job interview:

1.       Can you tell me a little about yourself?  Concisely discuss your professional goals and interests as they relate to the job opportunity.  Your answer should provide insight into why you are the right fit for the position and the company.

2.       What do you know about our firm?  Research the business beforehand and be prepared to describe how your skill set and experience will help you contribute to its success.

3.       Why do you want to work here?  Whether it’s the company’s values, history of success or reputation in the industry that attracted you, respond in a way that shows you understand the organization’s priorities and business objectives.

4.       Why are you looking to leave your current position?  Keep your answer focused on the opportunity -- for example, a chance to advance your career.  Remain positive and avoid disparaging other employers.

5.       What is your most significant professional accomplishment?  Cite an achievement that demonstrates your abilities and shows you value results.

Executives polled said it takes them just 10 minutes to form an opinion of job seekers, despite meeting with staff-level applicants for 55 minutes and management-level candidates for 86 minutes, on average.

 ·        82: Percentage of executives who said job seekers should follow up with the hiring manager after submitting a resume

 ·         84: Percentage of executives who said it takes only takes 1 or 2 typos in a resume to remove a candidate from consideration

 ·         88: Percentage of executives who said sending a thank-you note after the interview boost job seekers’ chances

Here are some job Do's and Don't:

ACT FAST
Employers Form Opinions of Job Interviewees Within 10 Minutes

·         10 minutes: Time it takes executives to form an opinion of job seekers during the interview

DON’T BE A STRANGER
Job Seekers Should Follow Up Within Two Weeks of Submitting Resume

·        82: Percentage of executives who said job seekers should follow up with the hiring manager after submitting a resume

Don't Forget the Spell-Check
A Single Resume Typo Can Ruin Job Prospects

·         84: Percentage of executives who said it takes only takes 1 or 2 typos in a resume to remove a candidate from consideration

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS
Thank-You Notes Influence Hiring Decisions, But Only Half of Candidates Send Them

·         88: Percentage of executives who said sending a thank-you note after the interview boost job seekers’ chances

'Did I Just Say That?'
Biggest Job Search Mishaps

·          “Someone tried to bribe me during the interview.

·         “A job seeker didn’t hang up the phone after calling about a job. I overheard everything he said, and it wasn’t good.”

·          “A job seeker wrote on her application, ‘My boss was a jerk so I quit.’”

'I'VE GOT AN UNEMPLOYMENT ALLERGY'
Unusual Pitches Used by Job Seekers

·          “An individual told me he was allergic to unemployment.”

·         “One person brought his mother to the job interview and let her do all of the talking.”

·         “An applicant drafted a press release announcing that we had hired him.”