Workplace

According to a recent survey, that’s how long it takes most hiring managers to figure out whether you’re right for the job or not. So here’s how to use those 10 minutes to dazzle your potential employer. Courtesy of experts interviewed by Money Magazine.

• Give a good handshake. It sounds silly, but the handshake is still the first indicator of what kind of person you are. So have a strong, firm grip – and look the interviewer in the eye. That says “I’m interested, and I’m not afraid.” A clammy, soft handshake signals self-doubt and a lack of confidence. So shake like you mean it!
• Using your most recent work experience, offer a quick sales pitch that proves you’re worthy of hiring. That’s the word from Don Sutaria, the founder of Career Quest. He recommends using the “problem-action-result” model. Basically, you should talk about a problem you had at work, the action you took to solve it, and what happened in terms of results – whether it was money saved, money gained, or fewer complaints.
• Know this: Hiring managers are looking for a conversation. That’s according to a recruiter for Price-Waterhouse Coopers. So skip the two or three-word answers and string an actual sentence together. If a hiring manager is asking about a specific skill, they want a candidate to say “Here’s what I’ve done and here’s how it fits with this job”.
• Don’t say bad things about a previous employer.  Even if they were truly awful – and even if the interviewer says something like “Man, I’ve heard they’re ogres to work for.” If you chime in with “Yeah, they’re a bunch of jerks” it gives the impression that you’re difficult and never satisfied – two qualities that WON’T get you hired. So rise above, no matter what.