Practically speaking, there is nothing called a guaranteed formula that will get you the job. But there are some tricks and things to do which ease up the interview process for you and increase your chances of success. 

So, without wasting time and words, let’s have a look at those things:

a) Do proper research

You should learn as much as possible about a company’s services, products, customers, and the competition before going for a job interview there. You may search about them in places such as LinkedIn, Facebook, company websites, and public review websites. 

When the interviewers notice that you have a decent knowledge about their company, it will help you to make an impression in their minds. It will also help you to apply for the perfect job.

b) Prepare interview answers

Interviewers may ask you different generic questions such as ‘Tell me about yourself.’ or ‘How did you find out about us?’. Answer them with confidence and highlight your skills. Give a clear explanation of why you are the most suitable person to get the job.

Some common interview questions are given below:

• Tell us about yourself
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your greatest weaknesses?
• How did you know about our company?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Why should we hire you?
• How much work experience do you have?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Can you lead a team? How will you do that?

c) Dress accordingly

If you want to make an impression during a job interview, you must dress professionally. You should wear business attire, if the role is an office job. Suits, shirts, trousers, proper boots for men and a nice dress or a pantsuit for women is a must. Do not wear casual dresses or clothes with vibrant colors. 

You must also maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness during a job interview. Hair and nails should be properly maintained. Men must be clean shaved and women must be made up properly – although, of course, loud makeup should be avoided.

d) Treat the interviewer respectfully

It is one of the most important things that you should maintain during a job interview. Give the proper respect to the interviewers who are conducting your interview. The interview will notice your behavior and ask you interview questions accordingly. So, it is wise to treat them respectfully and build a positive impression.

e) Don’t show up empty-handed

It’s a good idea to carry the following items with you to job interviews:

• Pen and notepad
• Photo ID, etc.
• Several copies of your resume
• Portfolio/work samples
• References 
• Certificates achieved from your previous jobs

f) Don’t be late

Arrive early to the interview place at least 15 minutes before the set start time. Being late can make a bad impression on the interviewer’s mind and negatively affect your chances. Use those extra minutes to brush up your answers, and prepare yourself for the interview.

g) Listen first, then answer

Don’t interrupt when the interviewer is speaking. Always let them speak first, and then you can answer. And when you do, you should answer while maintaining good eye contact, and with a clear voice.

h) Keep your cell phone silent

You should keep your phone on a silent mode, and do not attend any calls or messages during the interview. If you do that, the interviewer might get irritated and insulted.

i) Speak positively about your former employers

Do not express any negativity or anger about your old employer during the interview. You might have left your old job due to some mismanagement in your previous company. But it is unwise to express such bitter feelings and aggression in your current job interview. It may create a negative impression about you which might be bad for your future job.

j) End on the right note

It is important to give interview answers with confidence and truthfulness. Latest but not least, always thank your interviewer after the interview is done. If you end on a positive note, it might increase your chances against the other candidates.

Author’s Bio:
Patricia Sanders is a professional content developer and a regular contributor to debtconsolidationcare. She specializes in the financial niche and is well known for her unique and effective financial tips. To get in touch with her and to get your queries answered, feel free to email at sanderspatricia29@gmail.com.

When you’re feeling stressed at your internship, or even in your personal life, it’s important to analyze where the stress is coming from, and to take proactive steps to deal with your stress. Discover how to deal with stress at your internship through these tips:

Get enough sleep
Sleep has been scientifically proven to reduce levels of stress. However, at the same time, high stress can also make it difficult to get enough sleep. If you’re feeling stressed during your time abroad, take a look at how much sleep you’re getting. In between social events, networking, interning and traveling, a good night’s sleep doesn’t always come first. However, getting between 7 and 8 hours of sleep is crucial to a successful, low-stress experience. For many young professionals, a rejuvenating night of rest is how to deal with stress.

Exercise
One excellent way to ensure you’ll sleep well at night is to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine. Exercise produces endorphins, hormones that are natural painkillers. The release of endorphins makes it easier to sleep, which as we know, decreases stress levels. In fact, exercise is one of the most common ways global professionals deal with stress.

Practice good time management
Time management and stress management go hand in hand. For obvious reasons, good time management is one way to keep your stress levels low during your internship. Of course, this is easier said than done, when you have an entire country to explore and a full-time internship. When you’re managing your time well, you feel more in control, and less stressed.

Slow down
Slowing down can be very difficult when there’s a lot to do and see, for example when you’re living abroad. However, if you slow down and focus on one thing at a time, it can also help you to manage your stress level. Taking time in your day for a few deep breaths, or stepping out for a walk on your lunch break are great examples of how to deal with stress during your internship. Additionally, consider blocking out one day a week for yourself. Without any events or plans for the day, you can spend the time to gather your thoughts and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Ask for help
Sometimes, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, the best thing to do is ask for advice on how to deal with stress. As an intern abroad, you’ll have a strong support system, both in person and online. Utilizing TalkSpace is one of the best ways to get help dealing with your stress. As an intern with The Intern Group, you’ll have access to this anonymous online platform, where you can speak with a professional about culture shock, stress, and anything else related to living abroad.

This article was originally published by Golden Key partner The Intern Group. You can see the original article here.

However, employers do look beyond resumes and there are effective ways for you to stand out without a laundry-list of relevant experience or a prestigious degree. Contrary to how it may feel during the post-graduate job hunt, you can be more than your resume.

When hiring for entry-level positions, many hiring managers will have key personality traits and characteristics that they look for, in addition to or even instead of, adhering to traditional metrics of success. After all, the very definition of an entry-level position is that it’s the first step, meaning that most candidates do not have much in the way of resumes.

Here’s how to stand out as a candidate during the job interview process without relying solely on an impressive resume:

1. Develop Relevant Skills and Get Backed by a Brand Name Through a Tuition-Free Training Program

One of the most foolproof and effective ways to overcome a lackluster resume is by applying to a training program for the type of role you’re interested in. For instance, many aspiring engineers will apply to coding bootcamps, while aspiring sales representatives will apply to BDR training programs, such as SV Academy.

These programs vary in their approaches — some charge tuition, others take a percentage of your income, and rare programs charge no tuition at all — but the best will have extremely strong job placement in well-paying entry-level positions. For instance, the average SV Academy graduate receives a  salary package for $78,000 in a sales position. These programs do require time commitment and effort upfront, but many job seekers find the pay-off to be well worth it.

2. Prepare Answers to These Personality Questions

Hiring managers will ask questions and look for answers that exhibit certain personality characteristics that are relevant to the job at hand. For instance, many hiring managers will ask questions such as “Describe a time where you faced a setback — what did you do?” or “Would you say that a person’s character traits are fixed and unalterable or do you believe traits can be improved and changed?” The questions will vary, but make sure you’re prepared to give answers that exhibit the following traits:

• Optimism
• Resourcefulness
• Curiosity
• Time management and prioritization skills
• Confidence
• Professional presence

A good way to prepare for these personality questions is to read articles written for hiring managers on what to look for in a candidate for the role you’re seeking. These will help prepare you for the types of questions you’re likely to get, and the types of answers that hiring managers look for. Remember, though, that while preparation is key, you should never outright lie or pretend to be someone you’re not — just put the best version of yourself forward.

3. Prepare for the Screener Call

In any job, but especially in customer-centric roles (Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, etc.), a good employee will always do their homework before walking into an important meeting. Employers will test this characteristic in their initial screening call, through questions such as “What characteristics do you think would make you a good candidate for this role”, “Describe our company in one sentence”, and “What questions do you have about the role?” Your answers to questions like these will demonstrate the extent to which you’ve engaged with the publicly available information on the job and the company you’re applying to work with.

Additionally, make sure to write down 2-4 intelligent questions to ask the interviewer that demonstrate you’ve done your research on the position, the company and the person who is interviewing you.

4. Ask for Feedback and Demonstrate a Coachable Mindset

In entry-level positions, one of the key traits that hiring managers look for is coachability. Coachability encompasses your ability to listen to feedback and incorporate it into your work. Some hiring managers will test this directly through role-play, but others will just look for it through how you respond to questions. That’s why it’s important to ask for feedback during the interview.

For instance, when I was applying to my first tech position (as an entry-level marketer) the interviewer asked me how I would go about finding contact information for influencers to feature on the company blog. After I exhausted my ideas, I said “Those are all the avenues I can think of — but I’d love if you could share any other routes that you would suggest I use.” After I was hired, my manager said that this was a key differentiator between me and other candidates: that I asked for feedback and looked for learning opportunities, even in a context where it might not give immediate pay-off.

5. Follow-up With Personalized Thank You Messages

At the end of your first screener, interview, or any form of meeting with a company, make sure to send a follow-up thank you email. In this message, reiterate why you are excited about the job, and try and mention something you learned during the interview or screener. The more personal you can make this message, the better. For instance, one time I had a candidate send a nice follow-up email that included a photo of her dog because we had briefly chatted about being dog people. This small personalized gesture made her stand out as a caring and thoughtful person.

This article was originally published by Golden Key partner SV Academy. You can read the original article here.

From the first day, you start work at a part-time job to the multiple internships during your college career, you’ve been preparing for this day, the day when you’re kicked out into the so-called “real world.”  Donning the cap and gown to walk across the stage and into real life may sound frightening, but there are steps that can help you make this transition as smooth as possible.

Here are tips you need to know if you want to make a successful transition from the college life to a post-grad career:

It’s time for some time management.

The days of scheduling your first calendar event at noon are over, every minute from here on out counts.  You’re already skilled in the art of writing a 12-page paper overnight, but now it’s time to find a balance between your social and professional life.  No more running around to finish a project five minutes before it’s due, bringing that into a job will not get you very far with any company. Plan your days and your weeks; the more time you dedicate to specific work tasks, the more time you’ll eventually have to yourself.  

Entrepreneur.com has an entire section of news and articles dedicated to time management.  To fully optimize your post-grad lifestyle, you can find those articles here.

Focus on your health.

1AM pizzas and multiple beers throughout the week are going to visibly show on you as you start to age.  Don’t let the extra belly fat sneak up on you, those extra pounds are tough to lose once it’s there. Keep up the exercise you were (hopefully) doing while in college.  A gym can be expensive, but it’s completely free to go outside and run down your street. Try to eat healthier meals as well; if you map out weekly meal plans including lean meats and veggies and bring your lunches to work, you won’t have to waste time leaving the office to find a meal.  See that? That’s time management coming back in to play. You’re becoming an adult now, doesn’t it feel great!?

Huffington Post Associate Editor Alena Hall has written up a very informational guide to maintaining and mastering your health during your college to career transitional period, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a mid-week happy hour — just remember that moderation will help you have fun without going overboard and affecting your career or your health. Who knows, you might come to find that you actually prefer a quiet Friday night in sometimes after a long, stressful week.”

Live within your means.

You FINALLY have access to a substantial amount of cash flow!  At least, more than you did when you were working as a waiter part-time at school.  The only downside is you have some serious bills to pay. Rent, car insurance, student loans (the dreaded loans), all of these things need to be tended to now that you’re becoming a functioning member of society.  Just remember that these are serious responsibilities, don’t buy Apple’s newest product if you can’t afford it just yet. Set aside a little bit of money after the bills are paid and save up for the new flashy item you may want.  Most importantly, STAY AWAY FROM CREDIT CARDS. You’re flirting with disaster once you start to accrue any kind of credit card debt.

The life of an undergrad student is over, and this transition in the real world can be a challenge, but with some time management and smart thinking you can succeed in all aspects of your life and fly higher than you’ve ever imagined.

This article was originally published by Golden Key partner Dream Careers. You can read the original article here.

Be Organized

It is important that you are organized in your schoolwork and in your traveling plans. Studying abroad can be pretty hectic at times so it can be helpful to have a planner for you to write down when any assignments, quizzes, papers, etc. are due. As well as keeping track of any trips you plan with the right flight information, hotel reservations, additional transportation, etc. Being organized can help you a lot abroad, especially when you need to be on time when catching a bus, flight or train. Also, planning your trips beforehand can save you a lot of money on transportation and stay. If you know of a city or country where you really want to go, book it as soon as you can. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Early Check in

It is easier and cheaper for you to check in online and print your boarding passes before you arrive at the airport. It can be more expensive for you to check in additional luggage at the airport instead of checking in and paying for the luggage online. If you are worried about not having a printer, you can still check in on your phone and have your boarding pass that can be scanned when going through security or boarding the plane.

Pack Small     

Packing light is also easier and cheaper because you can bring a small carry on that can fit on airlines such as RyanAir and Vueling with no extra cost. Air compression bags can be a lifesaver when traveling. You can fit a lot of clothes in these bags and then press the air out of them to save more space in your carry on. Remember, it’s okay to wash and re-wear outfits!

Be Confident

Don’t be afraid to talk to locals and practice new languages. It’s the easiest way to learn a new language and learn about cultures and the people living in that country you are visiting. If you want to meet people, it is important to be confident and initiate conversations with new people. You could end up creating long lasting friendships and possibly visiting them later in life.

Be Patient

Traveling can be very tiring and stressful at times. Being patient can help you and the people you are traveling with. When you are living and traveling to different countries, it can be scary adjusting to such a new and different environment. There is such a different lifestyle abroad that it can be hard for people to get used to. Language barriers can make people impatient and cause confusion between two people from different places or cultures. As long as you are patient, you can adjust easily to the language barriers and different cultures.

This article was originally published by Golden Key partners The Intern Group.

The Intern Group is a proud partner of Golden Key, and it inspires and encourages people to believe in and challenge themselves, discover their passion and realize their potential. They are the leading provider of international internship programs across the globe.

Watch the video of this Golden Key Talks session now:

Golden Key Talks is a series of ongoing interviews with heavy hitters from every industry to help Golden Key members continue to excel and achieve at high levels. Golden Key Talks covers topics for your career, personal, and professional development. Join us, and be part of the conversation.

But how do you score a top internship in the first place? By networking. By being thoughtful and strategic about how you network, you can grow your contacts, discover new opportunities, develop your people skills, and generally expand your horizons. Plus, it’s great preparation for later in your career when networking will continue to be so important.

Here are seven tips on networking that can help you earn a top internship in your industry:

1. Always be ready to actively network

Be ready to give an elevator pitch in any setting, whether it’s a meeting, at an actual networking event, or at a party. There are always people around you that may present an opportunity, no matter where you are at that time.

2. Be knowledgeable

I would never expect anyone to understand the ins and outs of every aspect of a business or individual, but go into any professional setting with some knowledge about the company and hiring manager if you know who that person may be. Google search can be one of your best friends, use the tool that’s right at your disposal to have some facts at your disposal if you’re speaking to someone who may be able to offer you that dream internship you’ve wanted to snag for months.

3. Get comfortable with who you are

People can quickly sniff out someone who is unauthentic. If you have an interview coming up do some prep work for the company as mentioned above, but try to go into the meeting as relaxed and calm as possible. Showing your nerves or worrying about it too much can hinder your chances at landing the internship. Be yourself, employers will value that.

4. Know what NOT to do at networking events

It’s easy to tell you what you should do if you want to land that top internship, but you should also keep in mind the things you shouldn’t be doing. Inc.com wrote up a list of what not to do while you’re at a networking event, and these tips are very helpful.

5. Volunteer during your down time

If you’re in between internships and waiting for next summer to land the one you’ve had your eye on, do some volunteering. It’s always good to pad your resume if you have the time to do so, and once that future internship interview comes you’ll have even more contacts through those volunteer opportunities.

6. Master your social network, don’t let it control you

You know the drill. If you haven’t done so by now, clean up your social media presence. There are tools like persona-co.com and others that help you get a clean online reputation. Post less, pay attention to your likes and favorites and scroll through those photos to eliminate any unwanted/less than flattering pictures for a future professional.

7. Stay positive

Positivity can go a long way, and whether it a friend or a prospective employer who sees a smile on your face, you’ll be paying it forward to everyone who may have a lot on their plate. The best networking is a real smile. Stay away from negativity and focus on the positives, and you can land that top internship.

This article was first published by Golden Key partner Dream Careers.

Dream Careers is a tuition based, an all-inclusive internship program, providing motivated college students an easy way to spend a summer in exciting cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, London, Washington DC, Barcelona and more, while also providing custom internship placement at your choice of nearly 5,000 companies. The program tuition ranges from $8,499 – $9,499 and covers your summer housing with hundreds of other college students, a meal plan, academic credit, exciting weekend trips, resume and interview preparation, and career development seminars.

1. Networking

The summer is an excellent time to do some networking, make new friends, and activate a network that might help you down the track. Take some time to comb through LinkedIn and update your profile (we have some great tips for you here on how to do this) and reach out and make connections with potential contacts.

2. Events 

A great way to network and meet interesting new people is to attend an event such as the Golden Key Leadership Summit in Houston this July. Running for one inspiring weekend, this will be a chance to meet people (just like you) from around the world, learn from experts in a series of keynote speeches and workshops, and grow as both a person and as a future leader.

3. Volunteering

Giving up some of your time to take part in a project that can help other people is an amazing thing to do on your summer break. It can be something as simple as volunteering for a few hours a week at your local nursing home or pet shelter. Doing shopping or gardening for a neighbour who has trouble with mobility. Taking part in a local soup kitchen or offering some free baby-sitting to friends or family who are having trouble entertaining their kids during school vacation.

4. Scholarships

It’s also worth thinking ahead and doing some research on ways to get yourself closer to your goals. A great way to do this is with one of the many scholarships offered by Golden Key throughout the year. 

5. Professional development

The summer is also a smart time to work on your professional development. Do you have a resume and is it up to date and ready to send up when an exciting opportunity arises? Have you done some practise for future job or internship interviews? Are you being proactive in your networking? This summer, Golden Key will be launching our Summer Series, full of useful content that will help you with your next step prep for resumes, interviews and networking. Keep an eye out on this blog for more information.

6. Relax 

Finally, don’t forget to take a well-earned break. You’ve worked hard all year, so this is the time to stop and relax a little, and recharge for the year ahead. You’ve earned it.

The platform has over 500 million users, and over 3 million active job postings. If you’re on the hunt for a job, or just looking to build up a network, LinkedIn is a good place to start! All young professionals should be actively networking and promoting themselves.

Here are 8 things you can do to make the most of LinkedIn:

Maximize your summary

A good LinkedIn summary is essential for any profile. Your summary is the first thing many recruiters, connections and potential employers will see. Make the most of it and include the important things about yourself. Briefly describe your professional or academic trajectory, and mention your key skills.

Showcase your accomplishments

Every good LinkedIn summary should focus on your specific accomplishments, either academic or professional. Are you the founder of a club on campus? Make sure to include the steps you took to get there, the mission, number of members etc. Don’t be afraid to use numbers. Employers want to see tangible successes. If you increased your company’s social media reach by 150% – use it in your summary.

Utilize additional sections

Regardless of industry or country, recruiters and employers want to see well-rounded applicants. Take advantage of the optional sections on your LinkedIn profile to speak about your hobbies, interests and skills, even those that aren’t related to your career field. Highlight activities that showcase your adaptability, and if you have international experience, make sure to put it at the top!

Stay Active

Just like on any other platform, to get noticed on LinkedIn you need to be active. Make sure your profile is up to date, and that you actively share and engage with other people’s posts and updates. LinkedIn is a great way to explore the professional world, and connect with some of the most successful people in your industry. Articles, studies and news reports are great ways to keep your professional audience engaged.

Use Keywords

If you want employers and recruiters to find your profile out of the millions of profiles on LinkedIn, you need keywords that they’ll be searching for. These keywords will be different depending on your industry, so start by taking a look at words that show up in the job descriptions you read. Think about the types of things a recruiter searches for and use them to build a good LinkedIn summary and title.

Make the connection

If you meet someone at a conference or event, don’t just put their business card in your wallet and never look at it again. Reach out to them with a personalized message on LinkedIn within 48 hours, with a quick reminder about how you met. Be sure to engage with their posts and content, and to share your own.

Share your profile

Encourage people to connect with you on LinkedIn by including the link to your profile on your professional website and Twitter page. Anywhere you share your professional work is a good platform to connect to LinkedIn.

Nail the headshot

In addition to your summary, your picture is right at the top of your profile, so it’s important to make a good first impression.Choose a photo that shows a clear image of your face, with a clean background.

A version of this article was first published by Golden Key partner The Intern Group.

The Intern Group is an award-winning, social enterprise that takes top applicants and significantly improves their skills and employability via our international internship programs. Their global team understands deeply how important international professional experience is in today´s job market. We are a global leader in the international internship area: one of the fastest growing segments of the international education industry.

Be part of it.

Why join today?

• The chance to see the world and develop your skills with Study Abroad – who give priority access to Golden Key members
• Access to a wide range of scholarships and awards that will provide you with the funds to achieve your dreams
• The opportunity to take an active role in chapter activities and gain valuable leadership experience that will help to make your resume stand out
• Assistance when you’re preparing for graduate school, including support during the application process to exclusive grad school scholarships and the biannual Golden Key Virtual Graduate School Fair