Saturday, May 30, 2020

STAR Method Technique Interview Questions Answers

STAR Method Technique Interview Questions Answers We're about to discuss behavioral interview questions and the STAR method, but first:Tomorrows my interview. Im so nervous that Im sweating bullets. Theyre going to ask me all kinds of questions, and their randomness makes it difficult to prepare for.I wish there was a way I could answer their questions perfectly, every time; I wish there was a secret method or strategy.Well, youre in luck!There is a special formula that works every time when tasked with answering behavioral interview questions: the STAR Method.So, get ready to ace your upcoming interview with this STAR interviewformat guide and tutorial on how to answer STAR interview questions.This STAR method interview guide will show you:An explanation of what the STAR interview technique to help you understand and apply it in your next job interview.How to tackle behavioral-based interview questions using the STAR method.What is a behavioral interview question and how you can answer it.Over a dozen examples of behavioral intervi ew questions and answers using the STAR approach.If you want to turn every interview into a job offer, get our free checklist:42 Things You Need To Do Before, During, and After Your Big Interview. Make sure nothing will slip your mind!Want to land more job interviews? Create the perfect resume in our builder:Pick a professional template.Get expert resume tips from recruiters.Edit and download your resume in minutes.Start getting more job offers. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume.Sample resume made with our builder See 20+ templates and create your resume hereOne of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume now1What is the STAR Method?The STAR method is a technique of answering behavioral interview questions in a structured manner by describing a specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are discussing. The STAR method helps you ex plain in a simple yet powerful way how you handled specific work situations and challenges.The STAR format stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result:Situation: An event, project, or challenge facedTask: Your responsibilities and assignments for the situationAction: Steps or procedure taken to relieve or rectify situationResult: Results of actions taken.The STAR interview method is also called the CAR method, which stands for Context/Challenge, Action, Result. Theyre essentially the same approach, with the Context of the CAR technique being equivalent to the Situation and Task of the STAR technique. It is synonymous, too, with the PAR method, which stands for Problem, Action, Result.Pro Tip: The STAR technique is perfect for all aspects of job hunt. It lets you talk about achievements on your resume rather than boring tasks and responsibilities, too!Sounds pretty simple, right?Sure, but how do those four words solve my interview worries on behavioral questions?Well answer that in ju st a moment, but first, we'll go over what behavioral questions are in the next chapter.The STAR method is one of the greatest behavioral interview tips, but weve got tons of interview advice for all stages of your big day: Best Job Interview Tips, Advice and Techniques2Behavioral Interview Questions - An ExplanationSo, what are behavioral interview questions?Behavioral interview questions are questions about specific situations in your past work experience and how you handled them or behaved.There are the essence of the STAR method of interviewing.In this approach, the recruiter assesses your answer to see if you are capable of taking proper initiative and action should a similar situation take place.Behavioral interview questions are one of the biggest pain points for interviewees. The recruiter isnt looking for a simple answer, like a yes/no, but rather a semi-detailed story.And, even if you have no work experience, behavioral questions and answers can be associated with other si tuations, such as university projects or volunteering responsibilities.Behavior-based interview questions often start in similar ways, such as:Tell me about a time when...Give me an example of...Have you ever...Describe an instance where youve had to...Ok, so now you get the gist, but lets take a quick quiz to find out if you really understand where well apply the STAR method.Which of the following is an example of a behavioral question?[A] Give me an example of how you would handle an irate customer phone call.[B] Tell me about a time when you performed well under enormous pressure.[C] Where do you see yourself in five years?So, whats your answer?Well, the correct option is [B]. Option[C] is clearly not of the behavioral types of interview questions, and [A] was a trickit starts the way many behavioral questions do but is actually a situational interview question.Pro Tip: Situational interview questions focus on speculative events in the future. Instead of giving the interviewer an actual event and how you handled it from your past work experience, a situational answer considers how you might act in a situation that might happen in the companys future.As for answer [C], you can check out our great article to prepare for this important question: Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? Interview Question [Examples]3How to Use the STAR Approach to Answer Behavioral Interview QuestionsWell, we know what behavioral questions in job interviews are, and we know the basic concept of the STAR method, as well.But how do we combine the two to make you the star of the interview?Lets use the above[B]as a lesson on how to answer an interview question using the STAR approach:Tell me about a time when you performed well under enormous pressure.Step 1. Using the STAR method to answer this question, well first start with describing the situation:One time, at my last job, my coworker had a family emergency and needed to miss work for some time, and their super-important project w as left unfinished and without a manager.Step 2. Next, well give them the task:My supervisor instructed me to take on the project, and with no leniency on the deadline, I had days to complete a project that originally should have taken several weeks.Step 3. Then the action taken to solve the problem:I requested and was granted a reduction in my weekly goals, allotting me more time to attack the special project. As far as my weekly goals, I was able to delegate them out evenly to some of my teammates.Step 4. And finally, the result of your actions:With the reduction in my daily goals, I was able to dedicate more time to the special project. This allowed me to finish it on time and with complete accuracy. My supervisor appreciated my attitude and drive, and I was given several more projects after that, along with an eventual promotion and pay raise.See that? It might have been a long story for an answer, but following the STAR interview format will give you detailed responses the inte rviewer expects when asking a behavioral-based interview question.And, its not too hard to do, either. As long as you work out each step in the STAR method in order, youll nail your answer and impress them while youre at it.Pro Tip: When answering in the STAR formula, use the first person singular - I did such-and-such rather than we did such-and-such - it will keep the focus on you.At your interview, therell come a time when youll have the opportunity to ask them some questions, as well. Dont get caught off guard: 65 Questions to Ask an Interviewer (Examples for Specific Jobs)4Behavioral Questions Examples of STAR AnswersNot as hard as you thought, right?You understand the STAR format interview, as well as what a behavioral interview question is and how to answer it.Now, lets looka list of typical STAR interview questions and answers:Top 10 behavioral interview questions STAR answers1. Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work.STAR Model Answer: There was a disagreement I h ad with a coworker which originated from a miscommunication. To keep our work environment professional and positive, we had to discuss it and make amends. I sat down with them one day during lunch, paid for their meal, and took initiative by apologizing for my part in the whole mess. Now, we work together well and are often praised for our impressive teamwork.2. Can you describe a stressful situation and how you handled it?STAR Model Answer: At my last restaurant, I once found out mere hours in advance about a health inspection. As the head chef, I was in charge of making sure everything was in order in the kitchen and the BOH before the inspector arrived. I quickly called in employees from the last shift to help out, leaving the others available to prep for that evenings dinner. As a result, we were able to ace the inspection, less costly in the long run compared to giving employees a few hours of overtime.3. Can you detail a mistake you made and how you reacted to it?STAR Model An swer: One time, I switched the packing labels of two packages I sent to customers. I had to correct the problem without angering the clients. I called them both up and provided them with shipping labels with the correct addresses while offering each of them a small gift certificate to use on a future order. The customers not only helped me fix my mistake, but they were both satisfied and will return and shop again.4. Tell me about a time when you performed well under enormous pressure.STAR Model Answer: At my last job, my coworker needed to miss work for some time, and their project was left unfinished and without a manager. My supervisor instructed me to take on the project, and with no leniency on the deadline, I had days to complete a project that originally should have taken several weeks. I requested and was granted reduced weekly goals, giving me more time to finish the special project. As far as my weekly goals, I was able to delegate them out to teammates. With my reduced go als, I dedicated more time to the special project. This allowed me to finish it on time and with complete accuracy. My supervisor appreciated my attitude and drive, and I was given several more projects after that, along with an eventual promotion and pay raise.5. Have you ever dealt with a sticky situation involving another department?STAR Model Answer: Previously, my department had a misunderstanding with members of our accounting department. We needed to correct the issue to keep office morale from plummeting. I gave my team a small budget and instructed my team to each pick out a thoughtful present for their counterpart in accounting. Later that night and from then onward, we became friends and strong colleagues.6. Give me an example of a goal you met.STAR Model Answer: Last October, I had to write six articles for the month to keep our blog fresh. I created an action plan for myself, with deadlines as to when each article should be published. I finished that month with six arti cles written and ahead of schedule.7. Give me an example of a goal you couldn't meet and how you handled it.STAR Model Answer: Last November, I had to write six articles for the month to keep our blog fresh. Throughout the month, I was tasked with small responsibilities that took time away from my goal. I was unable to complete my six posts, but I talked to my supervisor and detailed all my extra work completed, and I was praised for my accomplishments, as well.8. Tell me about a time when you had to placate an unsatisfied client.STAR Model Answer: As a flight attendant, I had a passenger who seemed to hate his seat next to a wailing infant. I decided to see what I could do to ease his suffering before he complained. With unoccupied seats in business class, I upgraded that passenger, and he was thrilled at his luck while the mother and infant were given more room to spread out.9.Have you ever had a disagreement with an immediate supervisor?STAR Model Answer: I once disagreed with my supervisor on the wording of her instructions. As her employee, I had to balance my respect for her with my English lessons from school. Instead of shoving a dictionary in her face, I apologized for the confusion and told her that I saw where we became confused. She respected me much more after that, and she even gave her recommendation for my promotion.10. Describe a time when you went above and beyond.STAR Model Answer: Earlier this year, there was a day where I had to come in to the garden center on a Saturday and take care of some tasks on which we were behind. I came in, listening to my headphones the entire time, and ended up finishing everything before lunch. As I was in such a productive mood, I stayed the full day, and eventually completed tasks that were meant for the following few days. Since that day, the garden center has never fallen behind again.Reread the STAR interview questions and answers examples above for inspiration. Notice its not important what you have to t alk about. Its important how you do it.Pro Tip: Some interview questions may not literally be questions at all, such as Describe a time when such-and-such happened. . . They could still require a STAR response, though!These are the most common behavioral questions at interviews, but for other common questions and how to answer them, see this: Common Job Interview Questions and Best Answers (20 Examples)For behavioral interview questions, specifically, check out this great article:The Hidden Flaw In Behavioral Interview Questions (Forbes)Key TakeawayBehavioral questions for interviews may seem difficult to tackle at first glance, but with the STAR method, answering behavioral interview questions couldnt be more simple and straightforward.Keep these points in mind as you figure out how to prepare for a STAR interview:Remember - Memorizing the STAR acronym makes it much easier to answer a list of behavioral interview questions, but you must still make sure to remember it in the proper order to give the perfect answer.Practice - Spend time getting the STAR formula right by giving yourself some practice STAR questions and answers before the interview.Prepare - Prepare for your interview and avoid getting blindsided by studying our list of the best behavioral interview questions and answers.Do these, and youll know exactly how to ace STAR interviews.Still not grasping the STAR acronym or what is the STAR interviewtechnique? Not sure how to prepare for STAR interviews? Give us a shout in the comments below and we will answer your question. Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Goals For a Resume in Tech

Goals For a Resume in TechWriting goals for a resume in tech can be a tough task. What you need to keep in mind when you are developing your goals is that your goal will serve as a guide. You do not have to rush through your goals, and you do not have to go over your goals in detail. As long as you have a goal to aim for, your resume in tech should capture this goal in a good way.The best way to begin setting goals for a resume in tech is to think about what it is that you want to accomplish with your resume. This way, you are in the right frame of mind to think about the details and how you can get to where you want to be. Your goals for a resume in tech should be easy to accomplish and they should be within your capabilities.Once you have a set of goals, then you need to write them down. It might be easier for you to write your goals in your head, or you might need someone else to help you. You should take the time to read and reread your goals to make sure that you are doing thing s the right way.If you are going to hire someone to help you write your goals for a resume in tech, make sure that you trust them. People who are just starting out can be a little off, so you want to make sure that you can trust the person you are giving this task to. Get a feel for the person and make sure that they can do the job that you are asking them to do. The more experienced the person is at the job, the easier it will be for you to hire them.Goals for a resume in tech can include just about anything that you might want to say about yourself. You can list the goals that you have for yourself or the goals that you want for your career. Whatever it is that you want, your goals for a resume in tech should match what you want to accomplish.You can also ask for some outside help when you are writing your goals for a resume in tech. This can be anyone who is willing to offer input about the career that you are interested in. These people may include family members, a friend, or e ven your future employer. Having someone else around to give you ideas will help you formulate goals for a resume in tech that are tailored to you and your desires.Having goals for a resume in tech is not something that you have to wait until you have accomplished them. You can start them as soon as you start a new job and you will find that you have more to say to your employer about yourself once you have these goals written down. Once you have your goals for a resume in tech written down, then you can begin to figure out how to present them in the right way. Remember that this is just a guideline, and it is up to you to work with it to make it into a real resume.Creating goals for a resume in tech should be an enjoyable process. It can be a lot of fun when you get your first goals for a resume in tech and can start to work towards them. Do not be too hard on yourself when you are not satisfied with the results of your goals for a resume in tech. Give yourself some time to build u p on your goals, and you will find that your goal in no time becomes a reality.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Dont know what you want to be when you grow up

Don’t know what you want to be when you grow up Some people the seemingly lucky ones have an innate desire to join a certain career. However, for most of us, things are far less clear and being thrown into the job market after college or university can be bewildering. Personally, I had no idea and after graduation, I floated into the world of media and advertising. Despite being successful, I always felt unfulfilled and inauthentic until leaving years later and starting on a new coaching path. So, where should  you start in determining your future? Firstly, something to remember is that theres now far more flexibility in the world of work and its commonplace for people to switch jobs and careers over a lifetime. So relax about finding your one thing. Instead, frame your career as a journey and just focus on identifying the first step using this process: 1. Define your values. Consider what is most important to you in the way that you want to live and work. For example, do you prioritize security and trust or do you lean more towards wanting adventure and freedom? Other examples may be:  helping others, creativity, wellness, teamwork, independence, wealth etc. If you end up with a long list, try to settle on the top 3 or 4 values. This list will then form the criteria to help focus your search and evaluate all opportunities that come your way. A job that aligns with your values will help ensure you avoid burnout later on. 2. Brainstorm. Think back to school or college and write a list of all the work that you enjoyed doing the most. You can also include any present hobbies or part-time jobs. A useful way to frame this is to reflect on activities where time seemed to stand still for you and you were fully engrossed. Examples could be, organizing, drawing, researching, writing etc. Once you have a list, pick each activity and brainstorm for 10-minutes for possible industries and jobs that would enable you to do more of this. Dont self-censor, just write anything that comes to mind no idea is a bad idea! You can also play a game of trying to combine two separate ideas to form a whole new idea. Take a break and then return to your ideas with a fresh head. Circle any that seem worth pursuing and that you think would align with your values. 3. Connect. The majority of jobs that exist are hidden to people outside the industry. Have you ever heard of a Waterslide Inspector? Me neither until now. So this final phase is about exploring your  shortlist of ideas from the Brainstorm Phase and gathering as much insight as possible. To do this, you need to speak with people who work in the industry or have roles that you are interested in. Think about any connections you may have through family or friends; LinkedIn can be really useful here to explore your network. You may also be able to join an industry meet-up group or networking event. Cold-emailing someone can also be very fruitful if you are specific in your ask and communicate that you are not looking for job offers, you simply want to learn more about their role. Questions you should consider asking are: What does your day-to-day look like? What do you like and dislike about your job? How did you get to where you are today? The bonus of this phase is that youre also building up a network for the future. . Images via Pixabay and Pexels.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Diane Darling Interview 5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known - Classy Career Girl

Diane Darling Interview 5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known This week, I had the opportunity to interview Diane Darling,  Author of  The Networking Survival Guide  and  Networking For Career Success. She is the founder and CEO of Effective Networking, Inc.  She founded the company on the premise that everyone can learn to network, they just need to find their own style.  She is also the founder of Water Cooler Football. I loved Diana Darlings answer to my favorite question, so I wanted to share it with you today. Anna: What do you wish you would have known as a young professional woman just starting out in her career? Diane:  There are so many things that I wish I would have  known. I wish I would have double minored in business and psychology and majored in something that I enjoyed because you have to understand the way people work and the way money flows. So if you already graduated in something other than business or psychology, do some self-study in those areas because you have got to know how money flows.  And no matter what, you have got to know how people work. I wish I would have known the importance of public speaking.  It is very important to be a good public speaker, you need to know how to ask questions and how to speak up in meetings. Even though it sounds old-fashioned, but I would write lots of thank you notes. This will completely  separate  you from everyone else, especially now with email. I knew how to have fun when I was younger but the older you get, the more luxurious having fun feels. I think it is really important that you make peace with money because life is expensive.  When money is tight, you give up having fun because you are conscious of what you spend.  If I would do anything differently, I would pay more attention to earning money, not because I want money, but I want freedom and choices. This is tough but you always want to try to save up six months of walk away money. This is for if you are ever in a  situation  where  you are working for a company that is not ethical, you can walk away but still feed yourself. I think it is really  important to have a roof over your head and be able to cover your bills for 6 months.  You want to have that independence and you never want to be strapped to a company that is  asking  you to do anything unethical. Thanks Diane!  

Saturday, May 16, 2020

How to Write a Salesforce Resume

How to Write a Salesforce ResumeSalesforce resume services can be found online or in a brick and mortar office buildings. Most of these salespeople are either fresh out of college or just starting out in the business. If you are already in sales but are looking for a job, salesforce resume services are the right way to go.The first thing you should do is research. Talk to people who have already had jobs at the company that you are interested in. Find out if they were given a proper presentation before being offered a job. Getting feedback is a great way to learn more about what is expected from you and how they operate.Salesforce resume services can give you information on how to write a resume as well as a resume format. Salesforce is very nice with their system. The material they provide is professionally done and will appeal to any employer that you speak to. If you do not like the sales force resume service or format that they provide, then look for another company. You may find something better and have something that people are willing to pay money for.Before you submit your resume to the sales force, you will want to make sure that it is written to go along with the sales force work profile that they provide. There is nothing worse than sending in a resume that is no good because the company knows that you are not qualified to apply. They should never expect you to send your resume in by hand. This can get you in trouble because you do not know what you are doing, and when you send your resume in by hand, you are taking away from the knowledge that the company is going to provide to help you.Once you have your resume, you will want to send it in to the sales force. When you send in your resume to the sales force, you will want to make sure that you are polite and send in an email. By using an email, you are sending in a resume that has been prepared for you and for the company that you are applying to.The work that you have done so far should be approve d before you even send in your resume to sales force. This allows the company to see what kind of work you have done so far, the level of experience that you have and the amount of time that you have been working. If the company is interested in hiring you, they are going to want to get to know you and your work history.As soon as you send in your resume to the sales force, you will be sent a letter. It may take them up to 3 months to get back to you, so be patient. By sending in your resume, you are also giving the company the opportunity to learn about you and what your interests are. The sales force company needs to know who you are and what you are looking for in a job. The company wants to send the best fit possible to their new employee and they will want to know what kind of person you are.Use the information that you receive from sales force in your resume to let the company know what type of person you are and the kind of work history that you have. You should be told about any certifications that you have and the number of years that you have been in the industry. The key is to get the sales force company to know about yourself before sending in your resume.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

4 Keys to Changing Career in Midlife - CareerAlley

4 Keys to Changing Career in Midlife - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. There are many things to consider before making a career change midlife. The first step you need to take is to construct a timetable that outlines immediate (the next couple years) and long-term (retirement) goals. Its important to bear in mind personal financial goals as well as market conditions hospitable to those goals. Additionally, those interested in making a midlife career change should consider retaking career assessments to discover talents, aptitudes and latent abilities. Heres what else you need to know: Occupational Outlook Handbook The Occupational Outlook Handbook is disseminated by the United States Department of Labor. Every year the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics creates a useful compendium of working conditions, potential earnings, educational requirements, and job outlooks for various careers. The list includes regional and state employment breakdowns. Specific state employment outlooks are important because, although the national unemployment rate hovers around 8%, areas of the American South were especially hard-hit by the latest double-dip recession. Career Inventories Before embarking on any sudden midlife career changes, it may prove beneficial to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory or another career inventory. The Myers-Briggs, for example, helps to assess ones temperament whereas the Strong Interest Inventory aids clients unearth their strongest interests. Both types of assessment are beneficial for middle-aged people looking to reignite their career options. The Myers-Briggs helps people discern how they take in information (i.e., sensing or intuition), and the Strong Interest Inventory will steer a clients passions in the right direction. Be Realistic. Be Fearless. Career specialists say that fear and unrealistic expectations can keep even the comfortably employed in a rut. So, even if you dislike your job, you may be tempted to retain it for awhile because of an irrational fear of change. It is crucial to align your career goals with both the Occupation Outlook Handbook, your short and long-term goals and your passions. More particularly, by staying connected to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, you can be assured of finding any boom industries or job prospects in flux. Dollars and Cents Ideally you will locate a job in midlife that provides both financial support and emotional gratification. Resources like US News and World Report and the Occupational Outlook Handbook are best coupled with an honest assessment of your immediate and retirement goals. Byline:Justin Sandoval writes about all things related to jobs. His recent work highlights the Top 10 Healthcare Careers for the Future. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

Friday, May 8, 2020

What Employers Are Looking For When Advertising Top Jobs - CareerEnlightenment.com

What Employers Are Looking For When Advertising Top Jobs So, you’re well into the post-education phase of your life, which means that you’ve been employed and in a job or jobs for some time. You’ve still got ambitions for your career, but they might have taken a ride on the back-burner for a little while as you concentrate on elements of your home and personal life.However, what are you going to do when your dream top-level job is advertised online? How are you going to sell yourself to employers who’re looking for the very best? This article is concerned with just such questions, showing you what employers look for when hiring for the top jobs.Education HistoryAs you get older, your grades from high school become increasingly irrelevant. Employers tend not to look at these grades, seeing as they were achieved some ten or more years ago and that you’re simply not the person today than you were then.However, some of your educational qualifications do matter â€" and the grades you achieved do get noticed. This is obviously the cas e for your degree â€" but it’s also the case for any educational or vocational training you’ve received as an adult. They’re looking for people who sprint at new opportunities to expand their horizons.They’re also looking for life-long learners: people who are intent on growing their business skills and personal acumen throughout their lives and their careers. As such, you can never really go wrong, when attempting to achieve higher levels of career success, by studying relevant courses and degrees online.Get your MBA with RMIT 100% online in order to be able to show two qualities to prospective employers: one, that you’re a go-getter who’s willing to study alongside their work. And two, that you’re able to assimilate new information in a self-motivated way. Both are attractive to employers.Career History Your past roles are of course of deep interest to employers who are setting out to find the brightest and the best. Here, though, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that some of your experience in lower-level or seemingly irrelevant jobs are in fact looked on with some admiration in the hiring offices of some of the best companies in the world.That’s because, in the modern business environment, employers aren’t looking so much for refined and perfectly-formed talent. To put it simply, they have a great number of such individuals working for them who’re able to perform to a high level in their roles.No, employers are looking for creative and unorthodox thinkers â€" individuals termed ‘disrupters’, who can bring new perspectives to the business world and can truly make an impact on a company. So, in light of this, you might want to include something a little left-field and tantalizing on your resume in order to pique interest in your professional capacities. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! Yo u have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Written Information Whenever an employer goes about hiring individuals, they know they’re going to have to read more than 100 CVs, resumes and cover letters. Sometimes, the volume of individuals applying for top jobs can hit four figures. As such, you shouldn’t expect your written individual information to meet with the eye of your employer for longer than about ten seconds on the first sort of everyone’s CVs.This is a deeply important insight for anyone looking to wow their potential employers â€" you’ve got to grab their attention in that incredibly short window of opportunity.How do you do this? Well, that’s up to you; you might choose to highlight certain important areas of your CV, you might foreground your recent experience, or you might make a well-designed infographic to communicate your skills and journey through the professional world so far.Whatever method you choose, you should ensure that i t’s captivating, inspiring and easily communicated within around ten seconds of viewing time. Those ten seconds are where you either land in a pile of rejects or the pile of individuals invited to interview.The InterviewYou’ve heard a lot of interview tips over the years. Teachers and career tutors have told you time and again that interviews are all about telling your employer what they want to hear, and selling yourself by blowing your own trumpet as much as possible in the short space of time that you have in the hot seat.While these tips aren’t to be discarded when being considered for the top jobs, you should certainly bear in mind that employers aren’t particularly looking for the ‘cookie-cutter’ individual who gives the same answers as everyone else â€" they’re looking for someone who can dazzle them with something a little bit unique.This can be you â€" you just need to let your personality come to the fore a little more during your interview. There are plenty of ways in which you can do this.For instance, you can make light of some parts of the interview, and ensure that your interview is a little two-way, with you engaging those who are interviewing you across the table in a conversation rather than a single-direction interview. Smile, be confident in your abilities and feel free to range over many topics in your interview to show your comfort talking in different ways about different things.Professionalism The final piece of advice for those aiming at the very top jobs in the world is a clincher: You should have an incredibly well-developed personal and professional profile that can take no criticism from those around you.Your reputation in your office and amongst those who’ve worked with you before should be squeaky clean, and your appearance should always be well-groomed and carefully assembled.In short, you need to look and act the part to be offered some of the top jobs in the land. Only by assuming this utmost professionalism ca n you guarantee that you’re going to be judged more on your abilities than your appearance, and more on your expertise than your conduct.This final tip is something that you should bear in mind throughout the totality of your career â€" as you never know when your professionalism will turn heads in your direction when it matters the most.These tips and pieces of advice are aimed at those professionals seeking the very top jobs â€" helping them realize their ambitions by astutely planning for their recruitment opportunities.