1. Poor personal appearance2. Lack of interest and enthusiasm: Passive, indecisive and indifferent.3. Over emphasis on money: interested only in best dollar offer.4. Condemnation of past employers.5. Failure to look at the interviewer when speaking.6. Limp, fishy handshake.7. Unwillingness to travel or relocate to employers preferences.8. Late for interview.9. Failure to express appreciation for interviewer's time.10. Asks no or poor questions about job.11. Vague, indefinite response to questions.12. Overbearing, over aggressive, conceited with superiority or "know it all complex."13. Inability to express self clearly; Poor voice, diction, grammar.14. Lack of planning for career; no purpose and goals.15. Unwilling to start at the bottom; expects too much too soon.16. Lack of confidence and poise, nervous, ill at ease.17. Makes excuses, evasive, hedges on unfavorable aspects of job history.18. Lack of tact or cynical.19. Lack of courtesy; ill mannered.20. Lack of maturity.21. Wants job for short time.22. No interest in company or industry.23. Low moral standards.24. Intolerant: strong prejudices.25. Inability to take criticism.

Accept personal responsibility for your own growth; no one can do it for you. What you do today will determine your readiness for tomorrow.

Take time every day to do something for yourself. Take classes to stay current in your field of expertise. The world is changing

rapidly and you must learn to manage change to avoid obsolescence. The way Will Rogers put this was that "Even if you are on the right track, if you just sit there you will get run over."

Listen to cassette tapes on personal and professional growth topics. Never look back to the past-you only can control your actions in this instant,

so what should you be doing right now? Learn from "other people's experience" rather then having to try everything

for yourself. It shortens the time needed to learn.

Setting goals to improve performance

Step 1Raise the issue“I am concerned about …

Step 2Describe the Specifics“When this happens, the result is…And I feelHow do you see the situation?Then from your perspective… (paraphrase)

Step 3Request a change in behavior“In the future, how can we...

Step 4Agree on an Action Plan“OK , so I’ll…And you’ll…Anything else we should discuss?

Step 5Make plans to follow-up“When can I expect to see some changes?”

Interview

Arrive on time Avoid controversy Be yourself Come prepared Do your homework Dress to impress First impressions Give specific examples Informational interviews Know the Process Know your strengths and weaknesses Office culture

Think ahead Twenty questions Working with people

Follow Up

Arrive on time

One good way to make a bad first impression is to show up late for an interview. Appear professional by arriving on time, not early or late. 

To ensure you will arrive exactly as scheduled, give yourself more than enough time to travel between interviews or to go from your home or hotel to the interview. It's better to leave early and to sit in your car or wait in a coffee shop for an hour than to arrive 10 minutes late.

Avoid controversy

during job interviews, focus on you, your qualifications and the company. Eschew discussion of irrelevant topics such as politics or religion, as you never know whom you might offend, even with the most innocent comment. Save this more juicy fare for the water cooler once you've been hired.

Be Yourself

While it is important to appear professional and well-trained during job interviews, remember that the best thing you can be is yourself. 

Imagine you are getting together for lunch with a favorite high school teacher whom you haven't seen in years. If you act like yourself rather than a strange creation of a stressful job hunt, you will be relaxed and poised, and that will go a long way toward making a good impression.

Come prepared

Arrive at your interview with extra resumes just in case yours has been misplaced. If appropriate, applicants should also bring a portfolio of their work to display to the interviewer.

Do your homework

Before you interview, research the company. Many businesses have web sites with useful information about their history, mission and clients. Knowing this information in advance allows you to ask intelligent questions during the interview. 

Dress to impress

Come to the interview looking as if you're ready to go to work. That means be well groomed and wear professional clothes. Some companies will tell you before the interview if the company has a professional or business casual dress policy. If so, follow those suggestions. In any case, don't wear jeans, t-shirts or shorts. College students should leave the backpack at home and bring a briefcase or shoulder bag instead.First impressions

A firm handshake, accompanied by a smile and eye contact, is an important component of the interview. Employers say they judge applicants in 30 seconds, so don't waste their time with a limp greeting.

Give specific examples

Before going to an interview, think of specific projects, awards and other accomplishments of which you are most proud. This will allow you to respond with confidence and clarity - and without long

pauses - when interviewers ask you general questions about your professional and educational background.

Informational interviews

Oftentimes companies will invite candidates in for "informational interviews" if they aren't currently hiring but like an applicant's experience and skills and anticipate hiring in the near future. These more informal encounters are a good way for you to introduce yourself in person and to learn more about the company while the recruiter sizes you up for future employment.

Know the Process

When you schedule an interview with a company, understand what you are getting yourself into. 

Ask the secretary or human resources representative such questions as: How many people will be interviewing me? What are their positions? Will they speak with me individually or as a panel? How much time is allotted? 

Knowing this information will keep you from feeling nervous or blindsided when you walk in on the day of the interview.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

One question many interviewers ask is, "What are you strengths and weaknesses?" Prepare your answers in advance. Talk about strengths that would help you perform the job well. When you talk about your weaknesses, mention ways that you try to overcome them.

Office Culture

When you interview with a company, tour the building and take note

of how the other employees act. Do they seem happy? Stressed? Disillusioned with their job? These are your first clues to the working environment sustained by the company.

Think ahead

Think about what questions the interviewer will ask, such as "What was your greatest achievement at your previous job?" or "What would you do if you were in this situation?" Interviewers will inquire about your knowledge and experience, so think of specific questions that apply to your profession. If you have prepared answers, you will not be nervous during the interview

Twenty questions

Show your interest in the job by having prepared a list of questions for the end of the interview. Inquire about the duties of the position, the future plans of company and what the interviewer likes about working there. Save questions about salary and benefits until they make an offer.

Working with people

"Do you work well with people? Or do you prefer to work by yourself?" This is one question common to many job interviews. Prepare your answer in advance. Be honest with yourself and your abilities. It will help the employer place you within the company.