These job jitters, caused by the finally recognized and most dreadful enemy of the 2000s and beyond is, of course, stress and uncertainty; and provides a host of negative physical and emotional symptoms for those brave souls subjecting themselves to the dreaded job interview.  Such characteristics as dry mouth, shaking hands, tight muscles, forgetfulness, quick breathing, increased blood pressure, nervous habits, perspiring, poor speech patterns, upset stomachs,

fast heart rates, and scores of other symptoms plague most job seekers to varying degrees in their lives.

 This is normal.  Most people describe the major feeling surrounding the job interview and search as nervousness.  Applicants feel nervous about themselves -- background, qualifications, communication skills, appearance.  They also feel nervous about the interviewer.  What questions will be asked?  What will the employer think of them?  Will the interviewer find them appealing?

Never fear, however, because there are ways to prevent (or at least disguise) these feelings of nervousness -- and all the other negative feelings -- relating to the job interview and getting the right job the first time. 

Job interviewing skills can be (and should be) learned; and when practiced and mastered, these skills can banish those feelings of inadequacy!  "That sounds great!" you might be saying.  Others, however, skeptical of the competitive times and steady rejections, may doubt!  "I don't think so," say the non-believers.  Still others may reason, "I know all that already!  I've heard it before!"  Or, “Who cares?” 

Whatever you may think, chances are, at some point, you will want a job.  A good job.  So read on.

   Dinah Roseberry

INTRODUCTION                                                                                          

Part I.   KNOWING WHO YOU ARE                                                    

Part II.  VALUES AND MOTIVATION                                 

Part III.  RESEARCHING FIELDS                                

Part IV.  RESEARCHING COMPANIES                       

Part V. MORE PREPARATION                                    

Part VI.  ASKING FOR THE INTERVIEW                   

 Part VII.  AT THE INTERVIEW                                  

Part VIII.  AFTER THE INTERVIEW                           

 Part IX.  IN SUMMARY                                              

Part X.  OTHER RESOURCES                                     

 Note from Author                                                     

·        Examine the newspaper,

·        Find an ad that interests them,

·        Apply for an interview, and

·        Go to that interview with very little pre-interview preparation. 

Others exhibit some forms of preparation; possibly a resume, a bit of research, or other techniques we will discuss further along.  But most never take the time to prepare by looking at themselves first.  I'm not talking about appearances right now (though I will, be assured), but of looking at oneself on a deeper level.

PASSION!

 Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language defines passion as:

 "Extreme, compelling emotion; intense emotional drive or excitement; enthusiasm or fondness; strong love or affection."

Now, what could your passion possibly have to do with getting the right job?  Plenty!  Ask yourself:

 1. What drives me? 

2.  What do I enjoy doing more than anything else in the world? 

3. What things do I like to do that inspire "passion" in me -- that extreme, compelling emotion; that excitement; that love and affection?

 Maybe the key to how well you do on the job interview, and at the job once you've gotten it, is in something that excites you!  Something you enjoy.

How many times have you heard someone say: "I hate my job."  "I don't want to go to work today."  "I wish it were Friday!"  (Maybe you’ve said that about going to school or a job you’ve had after school already!)  Now, don't get me wrong!  Most of us feel that way sometimes!  But on a consistent basis, wouldn't you think that something is terribly wrong -- or missing -- from that person's career? 

Of course something is wrong!  There is no passion.  No drive, excitement, or desire.  Do you think that these are the people who are wishing their lives away, praying for the week's end to hurry so that they might have a short reprieve to enjoy what little time they have for their passions on the weekend?  How sad.

Many well-wishers may encourage you to move towards a particular goal because you have an aptitude for the abilities involved in that career choice.  If you are good with children, you may be pushed toward academic teaching, though your real love is performing music.  A logical thinker may be influenced toward attending law school when the passion is computers.  And it's easy for us to be persuaded to do for a lifetime what we have the skills to do best right now!  Despite what makes us happy.

So then, what is the answer?  Obviously, you must:

 ·        Begin to recognize your passions,

·        Actively identify and be aware of those passions, and

·        Attempt to include them in the career you choose. 

Take a look at the following list of general activities, traits, and interests.  Each item is something that is not being assessed as skill-related at this time, but may be of mere interest to you -- a personal like, something that you enjoy doing.  There may be interests that are not listed, but may relate to you.  Add those to the end of the list and mark accordingly. 

When you see something on the list that you enjoy -- whether you feel that you are good at it or not -- place a check to the left of it.  Check as many, or as few, as apply to you. 

Next, follow the following directions. 

        1.      Look over the list again and place an "X" by those       interests in which you feel you have special skill. 

Research is the key.  And the first order of research must be you!