Comments on: Five Tips for Kicking Ass at an Interview

By: Uk jobs

Uk jobs — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:58:00 +0000

This is a really interesting idea and makes a great home based business opportunity. Many people have dreadful C.V.’s so there is a market for helping people. With employment getting more difficult to find the quality of C.V.’s will become more important.
Thanks for an interesting article.

By: Job search

Job search — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:12:00 +0000

As I was searching the web about job interview tips, I stumble upon your blog and found it very interesting and informative. All those tips are very helpful especially for job seekers like me. I like to read more of you blogs. Keep posting.

By: debit

debit — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:08:15 +0000

These are great tips. The thing that always impresses me by applicants (even people who cold call), is a personalized follow up (like your idea of a handmade letter). Even if I get just a simple cold call from a prospective applicant and spend a few minutes talking to them, getting some follow up that confirms that they were listening and engaged and interested in the opportunity really helps keep that person at the front of my mind.

By: 60 of the Most Bookmarked Job Search Articles | Resume Donkey

60 of the Most Bookmarked Job Search Articles | Resume Donkey — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:02:58 +0000

[...] a (Near) Stranger for a Favor After Years With an Employer, Jumping Back Into the Interview Process Five Tips for Kicking Ass at an Interview Know What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview 10 Job-Search Rules to Break This [...]

By: Toni Gatz

Toni Gatz — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:12:53 +0000

Kudos!!
Great information! Dare to be different! You are RIGHT ON!!

By: Danny Overstreet

Danny Overstreet — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:46:50 +0000

For sales positions, it’s a great idea to create a 30/60/90 day sales plan, to show how you would “hit the ground running”. This goes along with your helpful advice on standing out from the masses.

By: Danny Overstreet

Danny Overstreet — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:44:28 +0000

Great post, Ryan! Your #1 tip is right on. I discovered an easy, immediate and cost-effective way to send a physical personalized greeting card without going to the store, stamping or mailing. I just started using this system to follow-up after interviews with a high quality, heartfelt card. Of course, the uses are limitless. Please send a card on me!

By: SMiGL

SMiGL — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:00:28 +0000

Nice article. Thanks

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:02:17 +0000

I have my second interview this morning, despite being a tad nervous I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have been given and am going to give it my absolute best! I found these tips as soon as I was invited back for a second time, Fab!!

Thanks :)

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:44:09 +0000

I have my second interview this morning!! I am extremely nervous but exceptionally grateful for the opportunity I have been given, I hope I wow them today! :D Great tips Ryan, I found these as soon as I received an email inviting me back. Fab!!

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:14:48 +0000

Shouldn’t #1 and #4 happen much before the interview, wouldn’t these be tips on “how to get an interview”?

By: Mike Damman

Mike Damman — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:01:11 +0000

These are some good tips I would also like to really draw attention to fashion. Be sure you dress for the job. I was in human resources for 11 years and when people aren’t dressed for the job it really makes me upset. On the flip side if the person goes out of his or her way to dress very similar to what the dress code is I usually give them extra points.

By: Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:57:21 +0000

That’s *awesome* :)

By: Blizzo

Blizzo — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:48:00 +0000

I was applying for a job that was to be the jump from web developer to senior web developer, so for the interview I made a spiral bound portfolio printed on glossy high quality paper. For the design, I did an extensive audit of the companies existing site, and branded myself in a way that was integrated into the existing companies branding strategy. Colors, fonts, page weight, etc. were all improvised.

At the interview I was asked about it and I explained “I wanted to show that I was capable of producing something that would be in line with what the marketing vision for your company was” and the interviewers response was “this looks way better than anything that has ever come out of our marketing department”

At that point the conversation shifted from looking at me as a potential employee, to a discussion of how I could help the company to take its next steps.

I *so* got the job :)

By: Andrew Thomas

Andrew Thomas — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:27:22 +0000

As a developer I have pulled of Tip #2. I was the only one to offer a presentation and it more than impressed. Needless to say I got the job.

By: cancel bubble

cancel bubble — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:54:32 +0000

#1 and #4 (Getting creative with your letter and resume) is only appropriate if you’re applying for a creative position and even then you have to be careful. Not too long ago there was a blog posting out there, a roundup of “creative resumes” (can’t remember where I saw it), but I thought most of the designs were awful for a resume. They were way too hard to read and follow. It should not require effort to decipher someone’s resume. Ironically, I spent over an hour today going through resumes, I want simple.

#2 (Give a Presentation), I don’t know about this. Even a short presentation can take some time to come up with and prepare properly. I’d recommend spending that time brushing up on skills mentioned in the job you’re applying for. For example, if the role requires Section 508 and you’re not an expert, spend that time reading up on Section 508 guidelines (and accessibility in general).

#3 (research) is solid, with emphasis on the people interviewing you.

#5 (why you want the job) is solid, show real interest.

By: Resume Writing Tips

Resume Writing Tips — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:36:18 +0000

[...] NEED YOU. Your employer may have a stack of resumes a mile high, and he sees something like Carson’s interns handmade letter, it certainly makes you memorable. In this type of industry, those are big clues that that person [...]

By: Tyce Clee

Tyce Clee — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:21:01 +0000

I agree, there are some great tips here. It’s all about how you apply yourself to the task of getting that position, and in nearly all instances within the creative industry I would agree a personal touch definitely helps.

I kept my CV fairly minimal (www.iamtyce.com/cv) but made sure both the HTML and CSS validate, as that’d my line of work and where I want to impress is in good, clean code.

By: Wedding Songs

Wedding Songs — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:34:25 +0000

The tips are awesome and original. I get the point here, it’s not about following what Ryan has suggested, it’s about how you market yourself to differentiate yourself to all applicant’s with the goal of winning the job.

Ms. M

By: Bexxie

Bexxie — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:34:01 +0000

Great article! These are very useful tips as I’ll be done with school soon and looking for work. I love how your intern sent you that beautiful handwritten letter. Will have to keep that one in mind!

By: Celebrity Gallery

Celebrity Gallery — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:01:48 +0000

Nice article huh!
Your right.. for me #1 and #4 is the best.

By: MaRiOn

MaRiOn — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:59:40 +0000

Its great! For Me #1 and #4 Is the best.

By: Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:18:43 +0000

Good luck! :)

By: Keith Wolf

Keith Wolf — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:43:51 +0000

This article is perfect timing as tomorrow I have an interview for a promotion in my company (retail moving up a position). These tips (both the article’s and comments’) will help immensely.

Thanks and wish me luck!

By: Clay Newton

Clay Newton — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:37:44 +0000

Yes, totally agree. It’s well worth the time & money to have comps of your work mounted on foamcore. They last forever if you keep them out of the light, so you can do them additively rather than all at once.

By: Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:33:21 +0000

I’m sorry if I implied your position was low in any way – that’s not what I meant. I’m simply saying that being the company founder (and I’ve been an employee as well) gives me a unique insight into the decisions that go into hiring people. Feel free to ignore my advice – no worries.

By: Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:31:16 +0000

No – she worked on about eight different magazines. Also, why is it “poncey” to create an interesting, well designed, creative CV?

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:26:27 +0000

p.s. consultants are responsible for choosing all the employees junior to them so I do a fair amount of interviewing as well. I may not have founded the best company in the world like you clearly have, but I’m not a total worm.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:56:17 +0000

Yes but wasn’t your wife working for some web magazine? Point is, you both work in the WEB industry. I’m sure you have a unique perspective on what works in your industry, but let’s face it, you’re not in HR, you haven’t worked in loads of other sectors.

And if you actually read what I wrote, I said ‘that kind of creativity’ was a turn off. As in, poncey CVs. I’m not referring to creativity full stop. Of course everyone’s looking for hard-working, creative people. That’s a no-brainer mate.

By: Dave McFarland

Dave McFarland — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Another interview suggestion: go to the interview like it’s your first day at work. Years ago, I applied for a production manager job at national magazine. They liked my resume and called me in for an interview. Before the interview, I picked up the latest copy of their magazine and went through it page by page circling ever layout, printing, and typographic error I could find–something I’d be expected to do BEFORE the magazine went to press. During the interview I pulled out the magazine and went over these errors with the designer and creative director who were interviewing me, just as I would do with them during the magazine production cycle. It worked like a charm, and I got the job. Of course, I made sure I didn’t criticize the design itself–that would have just alienated the designer and creative director–I just stuck to the tasks I’d be responsible for at the job.