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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., April 2, 2011 6:52 pm

Discovery Questions for Consultative Selling
 What are your goals?
 What will success look like?
 What are your clients doing now? (Provide a Needs Assessment)
 What does your goal mean to you, personally?
 What can I do to help?
 What are your three biggest challenges and what would happen if nothing were done?
 What are your resources, budget, schedule, and timeline?
 Are you the decision-maker or do you have to get “permission?”
 What does your typical day look like?
 If you could change anything at all, what would it be?
 What is the biggest issue you have today? –
 Is it painful? Why?
 What is the measure of that pain (time, effort, etc.)?
 How are you solving this problem today? When was the solution implemented? Why was it done like that? Who made the decision?
 What is this problem costing you? (lost revenue, lost customers, increased service costs, etc.)?
 Who would you expect to solve this problem? expectations around that for service, price, etc.
 What are you hoping to achieve?
 What are the barriers standing in the way of effectiveness?
 How does this affect your results, programs and what you deliver to your clients?
 Is there a will to implement change? What’s your commitment level after the program?
 What have you tried in the past?
 What is the best we could do? What’s your optimal environment/reality?
 How is this impacting your bottom-line?
 What’s the payoff or ROI? (Long-Term)
 How do others view this situation?
 What are the outside forces creating the stress?
 Who has the authority, time or money?
 Who else will be affected?
 What events or scenarios led you to think you may need Stress Management or Team Building?
 What are the factors in your environment?
 What outcome are you hoping to achieve?
 Have you had any other training similar to this?
 What have you done recently?
 Are you the decision maker?
 Who else should I talk to?
 What would you like to see changed and what do you hope to stay the same?
 What’s happening that you don’t want to happen? What would you like to have happen?
 What should we start/stop and continue?
 Who’s my audience (the employees)?
 What is your employee’s/families perception of the training?
 What’s the cultural attitude about training?
 Are there any danger areas that I should know about?
 What’s your budget?
 What’s your timeline?
 How did you hear about me?
 What will happen if you don’t address this?
 What’s the cost of NOT doing this – financially and emotionally?

A good coach asks questions; the student or client can answer them. What can you add to this list. Contact Dr Joyce at 1-855-DR JOYCE for more information.

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., March 3, 2011 5:25 pm

HOW TO GET THE VISON YOU NEED TO SUCCEED.

Vision Circle: Career, Money, Physical, Personal Growth, Health, Friends/Family, Romance, Fun and Recreational.

What is missing? 3 things we often do:

1) Deny things we want
2) Tolerate things that don’t work
3) Not giving time for things in life that need attn.

We have learned that success is measured by money. We succeed by growing. Money comes after!

We must stop living in fear. Decide what we want out of our life.

We must get rid of our “inner critic” (could have a whole committee) Also known as Monkey Mind. This is the way they think!

• Only one or two choices or no choice at all.
• Black and white or either/or thinking
• Decision making based on fear
• I should or I have to versus I want to
• Acceptance that this is the way the world is
• Breathing is constricted, chest tight.

Give your inner critic a name – the sabotager.

• Identify and eliminate energy drainers.
• Give up always giving – if this is a should or an obligation.
• Understand wants vs. should (Stop shoulding yourself and others).
• Know at least 5 out of balance signals.

Exercise: What are YOUR energy drainers. These differ among us.

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., December 29, 2010 12:26 pm

Positive people smile….
Positive people give compliments….
Negative people give complaints…
Positive people are team-oriented
Negative people are self-centered…
Positive people are leaders
Negative people are tyrants…
Positive people are planners..
Negative people are schemers….
Positive people voice optimism…..
Negative people voice skepticism…
Positive people are gregarious..
Negative people are secretive….
Positive people speak
Negative people shout…
Positive people find solutions
Negative people find fault…
Positive people take action
Negative people take their time…
Positive people are cooperative…
Negative people are disruptive…
Positive people enjoy others..
Negative people ridicule others…
Positive people like challenges…..
Negative people don’t like anything…
Positive people are intellectually curious…
Negative people are intellectually stagnant.
Positive people assist others
Negative people resist others..
Positive people benefit from their experiences…
Negative people whine about them…
Positive people are flexible…
Negative people are stubborn…
Positive people have a sense of humor
Negative people have a sense of gloom…
Positive people think with a cool head and warm heart whereby Negative people think with a hot head and cold heart…
Positive people think with the big picture..
Negative people think they are the picture…
Positive people seek accommodation….
Negative people seek revenge…
Positive people are supportive…
Negative people are subversive…
Positive people appreciate their colleagues…
Negative people depreciate their colleagues..
Positive people are inwardly at peace…
Negative people are inwardly at war…
Positive people are friendly….
Negative people are friendless…
Positive people are open to new ideas…
Negitave people are closed to new ideas…
Positive people are conscientious…
Negative people just don’t care..
Positive people are trusting….
Negative people are suspicious…
Positive people are productive…
Negative people are petty…
Positive people are problem-solvers….
Negative people are problem-makers….
Positive people are dependable….
Negative people are dependent…
Positive people have dreams….
Negative people have nightmares…
Positive people are forthright….
Negative people gossip…
Positive people share….
Negative people hoard…
Positive people are propellers…..
Negative people are anchors.
Positive people live……
Negative people just exist!
ARE YOU POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE? THIS IS YOUR CHOICE!!!!!!!!

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., November 12, 2010 7:53 pm

A good friend of mine, DeBorah Carr, told me about this system and it just fascinated me! I hope it will fascinate you.

Effective teamwork is essential however you cannot expect a new team to perform exceptionally in the beginning. Team formation takes time, and follows some easily recognizable stages from being a group of strangers to becoming a united team with a common goal.

Understanding the Theory

Psychologist Bruce Tuckman came up with the memorable phrase “forming, storming, norming and performing” in 1965. He used it to describe the path to high-performance that most teams follow.

Later, he added a fifth stage that he called “adjourning” (and others call “mourning” Teams initially go through a “forming” stage where some members are anxious. some talkative and some quiet as they haven’t yet worked out exactly what work the team will involve. Others are simply excited about the task ahead. As the leader, you play a dominant role at this stage: other members’ roles and responsibilities are less clear.

This stage is usually fairly short, and may only last for one meeting at which time people are introduced to one-another. At this stage there may be discussions about how the team will work, given various personality styles where some members who just want to get on with the team task, while others want to socialize!

Soon, your team moves into a “storming” phase. Your authority may be challenged as others are concerned with position as their roles are clarified. The ways of working start to be defined and, as leader, you must be aware that some members may feel overwhelmed by how much there is to do, or uncomfortable with the approach being used. Some may resist taking on tasks or question what you want to accomplish. This is the stage when many teams fail, and even those that stick with the task may feel that they are on an emotional roller coaster, as they try to focus on the job in hand without the support of established processes or relationships with their colleagues.

Eventually, the team moves into a “norming” stage, as a hierarchy is established. Team members come to respect your authority as a leader and others show leadership in specific areas.

Now that the team members know each other better, they may be socializing together, and they are able to ask each other for help and provide constructive criticism. The team develops a stronger commitment to the team goal and you start to see good progress towards it.

There can be an overlap between storming and norming behavior: As new tasks come up, the team may lapse back into typical storming stage behavior, but this eventually dies out.

When the team reaches the “performing” stage, hard work leads directly to progress towards the shared vision of their goal,Individual team members may join or leave the team without affecting the performing culture.

The break-up of the team can be difficult for members who like routines or who have developed close working relationships with other team members, particularly if their future roles or even jobs look uncertain.

As team leader, your goal is to help your team reach and sustain high performance as soon as possible.

Some suggestions are to schedule regular reviews of where your teams are and adjust your behavior and leadership approach to suit the stage your team has reached.

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., September 5, 2010 10:30 am

The following blog report is from various forms of research and my love of understanding people. I believe this information is necessary to know of your children, in the workplace and in your personal life. Let me know what you think. I want to hear from you!

Silent Generation or Traditionalist – born between 1922 and 1946

This group of people lived through the depression and WW11.They are also called The Veterans (born 1920-1943.) Boomers are seen as most productive. Silent Generation” and “Greatest Generation” are the most admired:) That’s my generation!!

Depending on when you have children, these are approximate dates!

Baby Boomers- (born 1946 – 1964)
Generation X – (born about 1964-1980.) Generation X as most innovative.
Generation Y, Millennials or Nexters- They are defined as separate from Generation X to a succession from “Generation X” and also reflects a change in the sexual openness of the younger generation, and then aged 13–19 as well as the teenagers of the upcoming ten years. Generation Y is seen as most Self-indulgent. (born l980-2000.)

There is actually a Generation Me! This describes anyone born in the l970’s, l980’d or 1990’s. These people would be between 7 and 36. Know anyone like this? They are today’s young people who take it for granted that the self comes first! One of my children is in this one!)

A recent survey by Harris Interactive conducted for Charles Schwab and Age Wave asked almost 4,000 Americans, (ages 21 to 83) what they thought of different generations. Specifically, they were asked about people, (ages 13 to 31), or Generation Y; (ages 32 to 43) or Generation X, Baby Boomers,(ages 44 to 62,) the “Silent Generation,” (ages 63 to 83) and the “Greatest Generation,” (ages 84 or older.) The results show how very differently people view the different generations, with many people holding strong positive and negative opinions about them.

These are some of the results of a Harris Interactive survey, Rethinking Retirement, based on a nationwide sample of 3,868 adults (ages 21 to 83 )surveyed online in March and April 2008. Much of the survey was focused on retirement issues and retirement planning.

Some of the most interesting findings are:

Baby Boomers (35%) are most widely viewed as having a positive effect on society, followed by Generation X (25%);
The Silent Generation (33%) and the Greatest Generation (30%) are the most widely admired generations, followed by Baby Boomers (22%);
The Silent Generation (40%) and Baby Boomers (33%) are widely viewed as the most generous;
The two generations widely seen as the most productive are Baby Boomers (45%) and Generation X (32%);
A 53 percent majority (including a majority of Gen Y itself) believe Generation Y is the most self-indulgent, followed by Generation X (25%);
A 41 percent plurality sees Generation X as the most innovative, followed by Baby Boomers (25%) and Generation Y (22%);
There is no consensus as to which generation is most socially conscious, but Baby Boomers (34%) and Generation X (26%) top the list;
Gen Y would like to rename themselves the “Internet Generation” (32%). They really dislike being called “Generation Y” or “Millennials”;
Gen X would choose to rename themselves “Generation Tech” (25%). They dislike being called “Generation X”;
Baby Boomers are the only generation which seems to really like the name given to them (27%)
The Silent Generation would re-name themselves the “Responsible Generation” (44%). They strongly dislike being called “Silent” or “Invisible.”

So What Does This Mean?

These findings show that two widely-held views are false. One is that America is riddled with ageism and that younger people have no respect for older people. While there is surely some prejudice against older people which sometimes leads to age discrimination, the two oldest generations – the Silent and the Greatest Generations – are much more admired than any other generation. There are several reasons why there is so little hostility to older people or concern about what some people have termed “intergenerational equity”.

One is that they are our parents and grandparents. Another is that we all hope to get old one day. Furthermore, research has shown that older people are much more likely to give money to their children and grandchildren than vice-versa. While older people are the beneficiaries of Social Security and Medicare, and the taxes that are needed to pay for them, most people do not see them as a burden to younger generations.

Another common belief, shown to be false in this survey, is that Baby Boomers are widely seen as particularly self-indulgent or even greedy. In reality, Boomers get higher marks than other generations for being socially conscious, productive and having a positive effect on society.
This research was conducted by many studies. There is much disagreement about dates and ages of the various generations.

My hope is that we can GET THIS STRAIGHT with your comments. Let us know what generation you are from, what your age is and how you view life.

Now, this ought to get interesting!

Thanks so much for visiting! Feel free to follow me on FB – join http://bit.ly/cPk3qk (love to share information with you there) email me at imagemaker@bellsouth.net to be a guest on my radio show, talk about generations, or if you are thinking about creating a business. I would love to help in any way possible Look at www.imagemaker1.com for further information.

Warmly,
Dr. Joyce

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., July 14, 2010 10:47 am

What really motivates us? Is it making more money, driving in a more expensive car, achieving more social standing or prestige? Or are these goals external needs rather than motivations that serve our growth and transformation? What do we really value in our lives?

We all heard, “I have problems motivating myself.” They may have a wonderful house, nice kids, and a fine career, but, for some reason, they do not feel fulfilled and happy with their life. People want to change it but, for some reason or another, they just do not change!

This seems to be a common problem for people. We all have plans to be successful in life, but what is lacking is the motivation that keeps us going to convert plans and dreams into action. Usually you feel very excited at the beginning when doing something new for the first time, but after awhile, somehow you feel that you lack passion and motivation. The excitement that you had in the first few days and weeks just disappeared for no reason.

We all have this challenge from time to time but we do not allow a short period of not being motivated stop us from achieving your goals and dreams. Think about the five points and see if they help you become more motivated:

1. THINK ABOUT PURPOSE:
If you do not feel motivated, think of why you want to achieve what you want that is the purpose of doing what you are doing. Your purpose could be to improve the lives of others, to help people to do things more efficiently, or to help people to make more money. Thinking of your purpose and inner values is an important way to motivate yourself. Write them down and hang them in a special spot in the house where you can see them daily. Once you write goals on a page, they “magically” become more real.

2. PRETEND THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY REACHED YOUR GOAL and connect and focus on that great feeling. If you find yourself lacking motivation, simply start smiling (it raises your positive energy) and think about something you can appreciate. Keep focusing on appreciation and tell the universe how you want it to be rather than focusing on the obstacles. For more on this point, I suggest reading the book Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting– by Lynn Grabhorn.

3. TALK TO A POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE FRIEND
Find someone that you are comfortable with who has already solved the problem you are facing. It is my experience that after sharing and asking for what you need, you feel re-energized.

4. READ INSPIRING BOOKS THAT FEATURE SUCCESS STORIES
By reading these books, you not only learn from others, but the story will motivate you to move ahead with your plans. Success stories also make you re-focus your energy on your goals. Some suggestions of books to read are: Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill, or Path of Least Resistance, by Floris Rommerts and read Successful Failures by Dr. Joyce Knudsen!

5.CREATE POSITIVE ENERGY RITUALS
Start each day with a ritual that gives you a good feeling and positive energy. This is the most powerful mean to create the life you really want.

We all face challenges. Some are easy and some are difficult. But all these challenges give us the opportunity to grow stronger, and become more wise and experienced. Embrace those opportunities for in them you will find the beauty of life!

Please post and let me know if this blog entry helped. We’ll all grow together:)

Dr. Joyce

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., March 23, 2010 9:17 am

How do you feel about yourself?  What value do you place on you?  Gloria Steinem once said, “It’s just that there’s nothing without it.”  Self-esteem carries two dimensions—your self-image and your self-confidence.  Self-image is what you believe yourself to be.  Self-image is the image that you show to other people and it may not be who you really are. 

          SELF-IMAGE IS YOUR PERCEPTION OF YOURSELF

This self-image can be accurate or very misleading.  How many people do you know that are successful and talented and have a poor self-image?  There are several self-images.

PHYSICAL SELF-IMAGE – One does not have to look further than the daily newspaper to see what people will do to improve their physical self-image.  Everyone has opinions about their appearance.  Many people look at mostly the negatives that they see when they look into the mirror.  In the image business, we help people to enhance this part of image.  It is important to do what we can to be our best and then accept ourselves for what we look like.

INTELLECTUAL SELF-IMAGE – In your early years of school, this self-image may have been formed.  While writing the book Successful Failures, I learned from someone how one teacher made him feel so inferior that it affected the rest of his life.  There are many learning styles and people, not only learn differently, but each has their own pace.  It is important to learn as a lifetime process.  Do not allow others to make you feel you are not intelligent.

SOCIAL SELF-IMAGE – It is nice to be well thought of by your friends and colleagues but how “they” see “you” is  really not what counts.  Others are more worried about themselves and what everyone “thinks of them” to be that concerned with you.  Have a good opinion about yourself where people are concerned.  Do your best to be cordial, kind, and understanding.  Be a good listener and watch your social self-image soar.

EMOTIONAL SELF-IMAGE – Our feelings are responsible for how we feel emotionally.  If we are positive, we generally feel good; if we are negative, we do not.   Emotions are governed by thoughts and you have the power to select what thoughts you have.

CAREER SELF-IMAGE – We need to decide to be in competition with ourselves.  There is enough business for all of us and if you concentrate on your strengths and walk your walk, you will find that colleagues will only complement what you do and make you stronger.  Competing will make you work harder to achieve your goals.

As times keep changing, it is important to remember that you can not afford to have a low self-esteem.  You simply cannot be in charge of your life with a low self-esteem.  In order to make dreams happen, one needs to have the strength it takes to move forward in life. 

The following “tips” may be helpful as we enter the year 2007.

(1) Visualize yourself as a success.~If you can dream it, you can do it.    Walt Disney

(2) Improve your self-talk. ~Are you talking to yourself positively or negatively?

(3) Rid yourself of negative forces. ~Are you allowing others to bring you down?  

(4) Examine your strengths.~You have many more strengths than you think.

(5) Learn to embrace change.~ Without change, there is no growth.

(6) Concentrate on you.~It does not matter what others think; what is important is what you think. Stop being what others want you to be.  Become an expert on yourself.

(7) Focus on what you do well.~If you are creative, concentrate on that.  Devote yourself to something you are good at.

(8) Purchase a Journal~ I believe that once words are scrolled upon a page, they become more real.  How can you know what you want if you do not take the time to decide what to write down?

(9) Take Action~Look at your journal and work on something every day to accomplish the goals you have set for yourself.

(10) Find a Mentor~Find someone you admire and work with them to accomplish your goals.  A mentor is someone who has achieved the level that you aspire to. 

(11)    Let go of blame.~Forgive your friends, parents, and children.  Forgiveness is Powerful!  Blaming only drains you of positive energy.

(12)    Persistence~If you work at something hard enough, and long enough, success is eminent. Do not stop until you reach your desired goal

A person with self-esteem is able to value themselves as a unique entity aside and apart from their role or ambition. They base their value on their own internal standards. This internal “happiness” with one’s self plays a crucial role in job performance and satisfaction.

For more information about self-confidence, go to http:www.businesspresentationsplus.com and order the eBook, From Head to Soul®International. This book can change your life.

Written by Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., AICI Master (since l985)  Self-image Counselor

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., January 12, 2010 1:27 pm

10 Reasons Why You Should Become An Image Consultant – By Dr. Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D.

Why should YOU become an image consultant?

Speaking from my own personal experience, because I have been a professional in the wonderful, rewarding field of image consulting for some 35+ years. I am fortunate enough to be one of the few people in the world who has earned the designation as Certified Image Master from The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI). Every day I counsel my own clients and train others to become image consultants – successful image consultants.

BACK TO IMAGE CONSULTING COURSES

Here are 10 good reasons why you should become an image consultant:

(1) You Can Earn A Great Income

As an image consultant, you have the opportunity to earn whatever you want to earn.

Some image consultants charge their clients $50-$75 an hour; some charge $250 an hour and more.

Some work part time and make enough to cover all their living expenses.

Others make it their full-time career and earn high six-figure incomes every year.

(2) You Can Help People To Succeed And Live Better Lives.

A person’s image can make the difference between success and failure in personal life, social life and business life.

As an image consultant, you can take your clients’ lives in your hands and make them better by positively shaping and molding their images . . .

. . . not just their external images – but their self-images, too . . . the confidence and self esteem they feel about themselves.

In the process, you will earn their gratitude (and a sense of achievement from helping someone else that will stay with you forever.)

(3) You Can Earn The Respect Due An Accomplished Professional.

Think about this title:  “Certified Image Consultant.”

That title says a lot. It conveys a picture of learning . . . of competence . . . of professionalism. It says to the other person,  “This is a person of knowledge . . . of accomplishment . . . of skill – the kind of person who deserves my respect.”

(4)  You Can Work When And Where You Want.

An image consultant does not need an expensive office or any fancy equipment.

You can work out of your home, if you want. You can choose to meet  your clients in their homes or offices.

An image consultant does not have to work any set schedule.

You can work 12 hours a day or you can choose to work 12 hours a month.

You counsel your clients by appointment. And, you set the time and place.

(5) You Can Have The Fun And Enjoyment Of A Glamorous Career.

Some image consultants help their clients by going shopping with them to pick out the clothes that will make them look best.

I did that for a public official’s wife and picked up an extra $750 for a few hours of “fun” work. Others do the same thing for Hollywood Stars – even more fun. Some image consultants travel across town to advise a local business person on the proper etiquette for an important business dinner.

Others travel across the world to lecture large groups on the importance of image. I did that, too. I went to Hong Kong with my husband – all expenses paid for both of us.

(A LOT of fun!)

GO BACK TO IMAGE CONSULTING COURSES

(6)  You Can Be An Image Consultant Regardless Of Your Age Gender or Background.

Grandmothers become image consultants. So do their granddaughters.

College graduates become image consultants. So do high school dropouts.

People from big cities like New York and Hong Kong and little towns like, well, East Anywhere, become image consultants.

People who have lived in the same place all their lives become image consultants. So do people who have moved to homes in other countries.

(7)  You Can Have The Job Security Of A Professional.

Styles change, but image always stays in style.  It always has and always will. Cleopatra wanted a good image.  So does Cleo Jones.

(8)  You Can Have Clients Seek You Out And Come To You.

One thing you should know about being an image consultant . . .. . If you do it well, your clients will become walking, talking, praising, recommending, and referring “billboards” for YOU. Other people will see the great job you have done for Mrs. X and they will want that kind of image help for themselves, too. So, they will ask Mrs. X to tell them how they got that great look.

Then, your phone will ring.

(9)  You Can Reach Your Horizon – And Then Go Far Beyond.

Think about you as an image consultant. What do you see in your mind’s eye? Do you see yourself advising a client about the best clothing style for his or her body type? What is their best hair style? What eye glasses look good on them? What type of shoe should they purchase? Do they know the right colors that will flatter them? Do they know proper etiquette?

That’s what you can do – and you can earn a good living . . . an outstanding living . . . doing it. But that horizon is not the last one for you as an image consultant.

Think about you in an entirely different setting – standing at the podium addressing a room full of corporate executives.

You are advising them what they need to do to mold their employees in an image that moves their company ahead.

Moreover,  you are being paid several thousand dollars for a few hours of your time to do it.

Think about being called upon to appear on TV shows and being quoted in newspapers and magazines as an expert in the image field.  (I am all the time.)

Yes, that is the horizon that is open to you as an image consultant if you do your job well.

(10)  You Can . . . (Well, You Pick This One!)

We all have different aspirations in life. Nine of the reasons to become an image consultant I have listed above would apply to most of us. But you are not “most of us.” You are YOU. So add your own 10^th “good reason to become an image consultant” to this list. You well know, of course, there are no guarantees about success in life, and I can’t give one either.  Like everything else in life, what you achieve in image consulting is up to you.  It depends on how well you are trained and how well you apply what you learn.

GO BACK TO IMAGE CONSULTING COURSES

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., November 20, 2009 2:20 pm

My radio show brings image together from head to soul. Guests on the show help listeners with image, appearance, beavior, marketing, public relations, communications and more. Do you have an inspiring story that you want to share on air with me? Just send me an email. You can listen at http://www.theimagemakerpresents.com

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By Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D., November 13, 2009 10:00 am

INTERVIEWING

1) RESEARCH THE EMPLOYER–The first part of any interview process is research. The idea is to learn as much as possible about the organization, its philosophies, goals and future plans. You are showing them that  you took the time to research their company and showing them you went that extra mile.

2) REREAD/REDO YOUR RESUME–Make sure you are familiar with the contents. It will be the employers basis of asking questions. Know our strong points. Be able to tell them (indirectly) why they need to hire you.

3) DRESS FOR SUCCESS — Always look the part of the position you want. Be meticulously groomed and bring properly organized work with you (letters of recommendations, resume copies, performance evaluations and list of questions.

4) BE ON TIME– There is NO excuse to being late. There was too much traffic, a car accident, family emergency– will not cut it. find out where this interview in and make a trial run. Know where the parking is. Keep of a note of the person you will be meeting with. Review questions you plan to ask. Bring your notebook, black pen, tissues, business card, personal data, letters of recommendation, money for gas, telephone and parking, social security card and drivers license identification.

5)  BE POLITE, SHAKE HANDS AND BE POSITIVE–Always stand up to shake hands, use eye-contact and smile. This sets the tone.

6)  SCHEDULE STRATEGICALLY– Try not to be the first person being interviewed. Research shows that the first person interviewed only gets the job 17% of the time, while the last person interviewed gets the job 55% of the time. Late Afternoon is best.

DURING THE INTERVIEW – WHAT AND HOW

1) USE RELAXED CONCENTRATION
Enter into a state of relaxed conversation. Be able to clear your head and concentrate on the present moment of this interview. You will want to act spontaneous but yet be prepared. Rely on the research you have done before this interview to put you at ease. Listen carefully. It’ is okay to ask politely for clarification if needed. Always pause before answering to consider all facts that may be helpful in your response. Be positive and communicate that attitude. You are willing to work. Let your employer know this. You expect to make a contribution. You are flexible. Let the employer know this. You are committed to continuous learning. Let the employer know this.

2) KNOW THE QUESTION “BEHIND THE QUESTION.”
Every question is trying to ask, “Why should we hire you?” Be sure you know the answer! Perhaps there will be a question about meeting deadlines or time management, consider whether the interviewer is attempting to find out about your personal life. It is important for employers to know whether your family live will interfere with your employment.

3) WATCH FOR NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Look at the facial expressions, body movements and other clues during the interview process. In a certain way, you are interviewing as well. This takes concentration and focus. Is the employer tapping his pen; is the employer leaning forward. Watch for positive cues. Walk in and sit confidently. Show interest by leaning a bit forward. Keep eye contact. Speak clearly.

4) FINISH STRONG
Show interest by asking when the position will be filled?  Give your qualifications. Whatever you may have “left out” during the interview process, this is the time to “sell yourself” if you are interested in this job, ask the interviewer what the next step would be in the interviewing process. Does he know when the hiring decision will be made and find out when the interviewer feels you should follow up?

5) FOLLOW-UP
Think back and evaluate the interview. Keep a logbook with the dates/times/contact of your interviews.  Write Thank You Notes within 24 hours and send one to every person you interviewed with –thanking them for their valuable time. You can add some “personal touch” by saying something you discussed with them. For example, if you happened to talk about an issue, you can say, “I’ve been thinking about what you said about __________and that really is right on. You will stand out above all other prospects!

JOB QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE READY FOR

Tell me about yourself. Why do you feel you could handle this job? What do you hope to gain from this job opportunity? Are you doing any reading lately? What books? (The interviewer wants to find out about your interests). Do you have specific financial goals? Why did you choose this field? Do you see this as a lifetime job? Are you considering other positions? What do you think is your leadership style? Would you be willing to travel/relocate? Do you feel you work well under pressure? How about deadlines? Are you on time when you are supposed to be somewhere? Have you consider your short term and long term goals?  Do you have goal dates for these? How do you measure success? Does success in a particular area have special meaning for you?  What is your main motivation for this job?

QUESTIONS FOR THE EMPLOYER

What is the size of your company? What is the sales volume? What are the companies earning? Does the company plan to expand? What are some trends in your industry? What is your organization’s ranking within your field? What types of responsibilities will I be given? For example, what type of project can you see me doing? Is there travel involved at this point, or at some later point? What are your goals for me to accomplish in this job position?  Is there some reason this position was not filled from within? What would you describe the “public image” to be with this company?  What are the main qualifications you are looking for in the person you eventually hire?  What are some of the challenges of this department/company?
What salary range does this job fall into?

ALL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ARE REALLY THE SAME QUESTIONS!

Why are YOU the best person for the job?

7)  SET GOALS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW–It is your responsibility to leave the interview feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he/she needs to know about your skills, abilities, experience, and achievements. If you sense that there are misconceptions, clear them up. If the interviewer does not ask you important questions, diplomatically bring them up and answer them! Do not leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into.