Who would want to go on 100 job interviews?  Sofia Faruqi, who interviewed at 40 different firms during a six-year stretch that ended in 2013.
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You might think that Faruqi went on so many interviews because she didn’t receive a job offer, but that was not the case.  In fact, she received 11 job offers, and she accepted four of them.

The Wall Street Journal recently spoke with Faruqi, who has certainly accumulated quite a bit of experience and wisdom regarding interviews.  So you could say that in essence, Faruqi agreed to her 101st interview (although an offer of employment was not likely).

Regardless, the WSJ was able to uncover some nuggets of wisdom from Faruqi, which take the form of the following five tips for interview success.
1. Be prepared to “think on your feet.”  Questions could be asked for which you weren’t prepared, and there may even be some inappropriate questions, as Faruqi encountered.  You might also be asked to perform a task or solve a problem, so ready yourself to adapt to whatever course the conversation takes you.
2. Make eye contact often.  According to Faruqi, good body language is all about making and maintaining eye contact with the people interviewing you.  Of course, you don’t want to keep staring at them for so long that it seems creepy.  However, avoiding eye contact raises a red flag in the minds of the interviewers.
3. Exhibit verbal and nonverbal confidence.  Confidence is good, but overconfidence is NOT.  Any behavior that borders on arrogance will only hurt your chances of making a favorable impression and receiving an offer of employment.
4. Focus your energy and attention.  Faruqi addressed this point in terms of a phone interview, but it’s just as important in a face-to-face interview.  Focus on the situation; focus on each question; and focus on being positive, confident, and adaptive.
5. Dress appropriately.  What does this mean?  Simply put, don’t allow your wardrobe to become a distraction to the interview proceedings.  The two words that Faruqi used were “clean” and “professional” . . . so that the interviewer can focus on the task at hand just as much as you are.

What are your thoughts regarding these five tips?  What has been your experience during interviews, both telephone and face-to-face?  Would you ever go on 100 interviews?

Putting together your resume is one of the most important parts of your job search, and as a result, it should NOT be overlooked.  It’s the crucial first step of your search, and inattention to detail can ultimately derail that search before it’s even begun.
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The construction of your resume involves both the information it contains and also the way in which that information is put together.  Strive to avoid an oversight in either of these areas.

Below are seven “must-do” tips for constructing your resume:
1. Be 100% honest.  This would seem like a “no-brainer,” but you would be surprised by how many people are not truthful on their resume.  Being dishonest in even a small matter can have negative consequences.
2. Keep it to two (or maybe two) pages in length.  Your resume needs to be filled with pertinent information, yes, but it should NOT be three or four pages long.  Company officials simply are not going to read it past a certain point.
3. Include graduation dates.  If you earned a college or university degree, list the type of degree andthe date that you graduated.  If you attended a college, but didn’t graduate, indicate that, as well.
4. Account for time not working.  Did you “take time off” after high school or college?  Did a health problem prevent you from working at some point?  Whatever the case, be sure to document the reason for any gap in your employment history.
5. Include ALL jobs.  If you omit jobs, this will also create a gap in your resume, which will still have to be explained.  Even if you believe the job was unimportant or not relevant to the position for which you’re applying, include it, anyway.
6. Include the specific dates of employment.  This means listing both the month and the year that you started a job and also finished it.  This level of detail eliminates any doubt about how long you actually worked at a company.
7. Check it for both spelling and grammar.  Once again, this seems like a “no-brainer,” but people submit resumes all the time that contain these types of errors.  Use spell-check, read and re-read your resume, and then have other people read it.

Use the list above and check it against your current resume.  How well does your resume stand up?  Do changes need to be made?  What are those changes?

The construction of your resume is the foundation of your job search.  Pay careful attention to it, follow the proper guidelines, and position yourself for career growth and success.

So you nailed the interview and got the job! Now what? Now it’s time to take the next step and prove to your new employer that they definitely made the right decision.
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You’ve heard the expression about making a good first impression, but why stop there? Why not make a “great” first impression?

You can absolutely do that. It just takes some knowledge, planning, and a little effort.
Below are 10 ways that you can make that “great” first impression:
1. Research the company. If you haven’t already done so, do some research on your new employer. If you have already conducted some research, do more.
2. Plan your clothing carefully. How were company officials dressed during the interview? You would be wise to mimic your wardrobe choices accordingly. You want to strive for something clean, neat, and professional.
3. Arrive at the appropriate time. Needless to say, do NOT arrive late. However, don’t get there two hours early, either. Fifteen minutes early is just fine. It’s conveys your eagerness and enthusiasm.
4. Speak clearly and professionally. Slang and jargon won’t cut it, and profanity and other potentially offensive remarks are clearly out of the question. This is not a locker room or beauty salon; this is your new place of employment.
5. Be positive. People love to be around other positive people. Speak and act positively, and your co-workers will notice your attitude.
6. Be organized. Yes, there’s a learning curve involved and a lot of information will be thrown at you, but create a system for keeping track of everything.
7. Ask questions. This is one of the best ways to become acclimated to your new position and get up to speed as quickly as possible. You don’t have all the answers, so don’t pretend that you do.
8. Listen, listen, listen. Your co-workers and colleagues have obviously worked there longer than you have. They are a potential fountain of useful information that can make your transition much easier.
9. Take notes. Write down the names of co-workers, their positions, their duties, how you’ll be communicating with them, etc. They’ll appreciate it, and it will help you immensely.
10. Display your gratitude. A lot of people will be providing a lot of help to you on those first few days. Tell them thank-you or show your thanks in another way. (Doughnuts are very popular.)

Don’t start “on the wrong foot,” so to speak, at your new job. Instead, begin your employment with confidence and lay the foundation for what could be a long career with your new employer by taking the 10 steps listed above.

Make a “great” first impression