Refer.io Blog

Did you know that you can still be in control of an interview, even if you are the interviewee? You can (and should be) an active participant in an interview. Think of an interview as a sales negotiation. Not only are you trying to sell your skills to the employer, but the employer is also trying to buy your skills to improve their company. You can subtly manipulate the conversation and increase your chances of getting hired by using some of the following tips. Make a great first impression While in the waiting room, turn off your phone and put it away. First impressions are everything, and the last thing you want is your interviewer to come out to meet you only to see you hunched over playing Candy Crush. Sit up straight, smile at the receptionist, and be ready to meet your interviewer at any moment. Establish trust before the real interview even begins There are a few golden seconds you have before the interview actally starts and settling into your chair. These seconds can al...

Interviews can be intimidating. Especially if you get asked questions that are really difficult to answer. Some questions can be very direct, and most of the time employers are looking for a specific answer. If you don’t answer the question in the way they want you to, chances are the employer will pass you up. Which begs the question - what is the right thing to say? How do you answer the most difficult questions in an interview without sitting there for five minutes trying to come up with a good answer? Here are a few tips for some of the hardest questions an employer will ask in an interview. What are your weaknesses? Employers really like to ask this question. They use it to gauge your personality and get insight into what you think of yourself and how you might fit in with their workplace culture. The best rule of thumb is to know the answer to the question before you arrive at the interview. Consider what your strengths and weaknesses are well before you even leave for th...

Here’s something you definitely already know: to expand your network, you have to get out and talk to people. But how exactly do you go about that, especially if you are an introvert? It’s already stressful to step out of your comfort zone and make new friends, but it can be even more frightening when you are trying to connect with the CEO of a company you want to work at. Here are a few tips you can use to help you prepare for the big conversations, or connect with people you already know on a more meaningful level. Make the first move This is the scariest part. The approach into the conversation will take guts, but it is up to you to make the first move. The person you want to speak with cannot read your mind. They won’t know you want to speak with them unless you say so. If you spend too much time doubting yourself or weighing the pros and cons of your approach, the opportunity will be missed. Once you see an opportunity, jump on it within 5 seconds, you will thank me later. ...