How do I prepare for a job interview?

You need to understand the job you've applied for and be able to convey how your skills best fill the companies needs. Be prepared to give real life experiences when asked questions.

As a hiring manager I can't tell you how many times I've heard "I'm good with people" and "I'm a real go-getter" or "I'm a team player".

That's great. So is everyone else I've talked to. What I want you to tell me is exactly how you're a team leader. Did you do a project that required you to work with a bunch of folks? How do you take initiative? Give me an example.

Be prepared to ask questions of your interviewer. A good interview is a give and take of questions and answers between both parties. Interviewees that ask good probing questions about my management style or career growth opportunities within the company show a real interest in both the hear and now and their future prospects.

Don't talk money, benefits, 401k, or vacation. Period.

Just don't.

Unless the interviewer asks you specifically about those things avoid those topics like the plague. Those folks that come in and start talking $$$ immediately take themself out of the running with me. You're there to talk about the opportunity, your skills, and how you fit. Chances are if I've called you to interview then your skills AND your salary requirements are in line with what the job offers.

Save the money talk until very late in the process.

Do research the company. It may sound obvious, but I can tell you that there are very few people that come in that really understand not only the company, but the markets we serve, our competitors, and the economic challenges we possess. Present a complete picture when you discuss the company not just the obvious stuff you can find on the web.

Be prepared to have a discussion on your career plans. Finding someone that has a clear vision of what they want to do in their career is a very important part of the process. It shows that you're thinking long term about yourself and the company.

Practice your answers in front of the bath room mirror. Having someone sit in front of me, not making eye contact and "Ummming" and "Ahhhhing" their way through the interview is a sure fire way of not getting a 2nd interview. Also, don't use slang or street talk. Provide a firm handshake, make eye contact, sit up straight and look very presentable.

Again, I can't tell you how many people have knocked themselves out of contention by coming in and saying "Whasss up." to me at the start. Show your polish and your best side.

And finally: Answer the questions that are asked. Provide clear, non-rambling, and direct answers. If I ask you about your computer skills don't proceed to tell me about a friend who really likes computers and is really good with Excel. That's great, but that's not what I asked you.

This is your one and only chance to make a fantastic impression. You are selling yourself to this company and as such you should be prepared to show exactly how and why you are the best candidate for the job. 

Is it ok to leave some jobs out of a resume?

Some employers will run a background check of public records to verify your employment so you need to be careful on how you present your work history.

Large gaps in time -or- times that don't align with what's on record (e.g. you said you worked at a place for 2 years and they show you on roll for 6 months) will raise red flags.

The internet age has allowed prospective employers a very detailed look into your past. For a small fee they can look up public records files, if you filed taxes, schools you went to, marriage, moves, the works.

My advice would be to put all your job history on your resume so there are no gaps and/or inconsistencies. For those jobs that you want to de-emphasize only put a sentence about what you did. As you noted, most of those jobs aren't going to relate to your current career aspirations and won't be the center of discussion anyway.

Your interview is the first and only chance you get to make a strong first impression. You sound like an honest hard working person you don't want to jeopardize that. If they ask you if you liked working at Taco Bell, be honest but not petty.

I'd rather you tell me: "I worked hard while I was there and enjoyed the opportunity but in the end it just wasn't for me. I don't really enjoy cooking and the schedule demands didn't fit my school studies so I looked for other opportunities to help put myself through school." That's a much easier conversation to have than me asking you why there was a gap and/or that your background check showed you had omitted past employers. To me that says you're hiding something. 

Are the work at home businesses real?

The old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" is never more accurate than when you're talking about work-at-home businesses.

Most of these "opportunities" come in the form of you buying some type of "starter kit", booklet, or other type of list that promises to share with you all the secrets of eternal wealth.

What you typically get is some half-baked information that tells usually 1 of 3 things: 

1. Set up a business selling these exact same "secrets" yourself.
2. Some type of list or booklet of companies that are dying for you to be their secret shopper, survey taker or web page surfer. 
3. A bunch of common sense things you already know like "find something you love to do and offer it for a service -or- go dig around your basement to find things to sell on eBay.

The problem with #1 is that you turn into another huckster looking to make a fast buck of someone that's looking for work. Don't be that person. 


The problem with #2 is that 99% of the companies they claim are looking for this type of work are either a) fictitious or b) have no such opportunities available. 


And finally the problem with #3 is that did you really need someone to tell you to sell your baseball card collection for extra money?

No matter which scenario they employee they all have one thing in common they want to separate you from your $19.99 as quickly as possible.

Don't fall for their pitch. Better to look for meaningful employment locally either working for someone or finding a small business you can run.