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Has technology killed face-to-face communication

Has technology killed face-to-face communicationHas technology killed face-to-face communicationMost of us use our cell phones and computers to inform, make requests of, and collaborate with co-workers, clients and customers. The digital age has connected people across the world, making e-commerce and global networking a reality. But does this reliance on technology, also mean we are losing the ability to effectively communicate with each other in person?Ulrich Kellerer thinks so. He is a leadership expert, grenzberschreitend speaker, and author. According to Kellerer, When it comes to effective business communication, over reliance on technology at work can be a hindrance, especially when it ends up replacing face-to-face, human interaction.Carol Kinsey GomanYou were the founder and CEO of Faro Fashion in Munich, Germany. What did you discover about business communication in this role?Ulrich KellererThe digital age has fundamentally changed the nature and function of business commun ication. It has blurred international boundaries allowing people to connect with each other across the world. Communication is mobilized and instantaneous, and it is easier than ever to access and share information on a global scale.However, Ive also seen the negative impact of digital communication on business both internally and externally. While digital methods themselves are not detrimental in fact, many devices help us boost productivity, increase and inspire creativity it is our intensifying relationship with the digital environment that leads to unhealthy habits that not only distract us from the present, but also negatively impact communication effectiveness.GomanIn the midst of a digital age, I believe that face-to-face is mucksmuschenstill the most productive and powerful communication medium. An in-person meeting offers the best opportunity to engage others with empathy and impact. It builds and supports positive professional connections that we cant replicate in a virt ual environment. Would you agree?KellererConnection is critical to building business relationships. Anyone working in sales knows that personal interactions yield better results. According to Harvard research, face-to-face requests were 34 times mora likely to garner positive responses than emails. Communication in sales is complicated. It requires courtesies and listening skills that are simply not possible on digital platforms.Interpersonal communication is also vital for a business to function internally. While sending emails is efficient and fast, face-to-face communication drives productivity. In a recent survey, 67% of senior executives and managers said their organizations productivity would increase if superiors communicated face-to-face more often.GomanIn my research on the impact of body language on leadership effectiveness Ive seen the saatkorn dynamic. In face-to-face meetings our brains process the continual cascade of nonverbal cues that we use as the basis for buildin g trust and professional intimacy. As a communication medium, face-to-face interaction is information-rich. People are interpreting the meaning of what you say only partially from the words you use. They get most of your message (andallof the emotional nuance behind the words) from vocal tone, pacing, facial expressions and body language. And, consciously or unconsciously, you are processing the instantaneous nonverbal responses of others to help gauge how well your ideas are being accepted.KellererWhile digital communication is often the most convenient method, face-to-face interaction is still by far the most powerful way to achieve business goals. Having a personal connection builds trust and minimizes misinterpretation and misunderstanding. With no physical cues, facial expressions/gestures, or the ability to retract immediately, the risk of disconnection, miscommunication, and conflict is heightened.GomanHuman beings are born with the innate capability to send and interpret non verbal signals. In fact, our brains need and expect these more primitive and significant channels of information. When we are denied these interpersonal cues, the brain struggles and communication suffers. In addition, people remember much more of what they see than what they hear which is one reason why you tend to be more persuasive when you are both seen and heard.In addition to eye contact, gestures, facial expressions and body postures, another powerful nonverbal component (and one that comes solely in face-to-face encounters) istouch. We are programmed to feel closer to someone whos touched us. For example, a study on handshakes by the Income Center for Trade Shows showed that people are twice as likely to remember you if you shake hands with them.KellererBusiness leaders must create environments in which digital communication is used strategically and personal communication is practiced and prioritized. Technology is a necessary part of business today but incorporating the h uman touch is what will give businesses the competitive edge in the digital marketplace.GomanAgreedCarol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., is an international keynote speaker and leadership presence coach. Shes the author of The Silent Language of Leaders How Body Language Can Help or Hurt How You Lead and creator of LinkedInLearnings video series Body Language for Leaders. For more information, visitCarolKinseyGoman.com.

Systems Engineer Job and Salary

Systems Engineer Job and SalarySystems Engineer Job and SalaryDo you want to be part of software development but also have a desire to work with hardware? If so, a job as a systems engineer may be the ideal hybrid job for you.A systems engineer helps design and implement software. But what separates this IT professional from a software engineer is that a systems engineer also plays a large role in the infrastructure side of the solution.Heres a rundown of what these engineers do, what they earn and what qualifications are needed to be hired for this job.Job duties and responsibilitiesA systems engineer designs, implements and maintains the infrastructure necessary to run traditional client/server platforms, mainframes and web applications. This role includes installing and supporting software, debugging multiple systems and supporting an enterprises users. This specialist also performs high-level root cause analysis for service interruption recovery and implements preventive measures .On any given day, the system engineers duties may overlap with those of a software engineer, systems administrator or network engineer.Use our Salary Calculator to discover starting salaries for systems engineers in your area.Job skills and expertiseThe best systems engineers are flexible employees who thrive in complex and rapidly changing work environments and have a solid mix of technical and nontechnical skills.On the technical side, an engineer must be able to perform analysis, troubleshooting and systems design. Some employers seek candidates with experience in software development, including specification, documentation and quality assurance. Most hiring managers require at least three years of direct experience in the software or hardware the company uses. Experience in a specific industry is also beneficial. As for education requirements, a bachelors degree in systems engineering or a related field is generally preferred.On the nontechnical front, systems engineers spend m uch of their time working with others to determine requirements and solve problems, so solid soft skills are an absolute must. They need top-notch abilities in communication, customer service, time management and teamwork.Project management skills can be valuable in an engineering job as well, given the central role the systems engineer has in large projects that involve many different aspects of the enterprise.Getting an engineering jobTo start an engineering career, you need software development experience and the ability to design, implement, and maintain hardware and network infrastructure.If youre currently a software engineer, systems administrator or network engineer, you already have many of the qualifications for a career as a systems engineer. To enhance your credentials - and possibly increase your starting salary - consider adding one or mora of these certifications to your resumeMicrosoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)Oracle Java certificationsCisco Certified Netwo rk Professional (CCNP)Red Hat certificationsA legacy certification from CitrixSalary trendsSystems engineers are in high demand. If you have the skills and interpersonal attributes needed to succeed in this fast-paced and multidisciplinary role, becoming one could be a good career move in any industry - especially considering current engineer salary trends.According to the 2019 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, the salary midpoint for a systems engineer is $103,000, depending on location, experience and other factors.This salary increase reflects the strong demand this year for technology professionals in general, and the need for software development expertise in particular. If you have additional skills in basic administration, Cisco networking, Linux/Unix, virtualization and Windows, you could be offered an even higher starting salary.This post has been updated to reflect the most current information.

11 Words and Phrases to Use in Salary Negotiations

11 Words and Phrases to Use in Salary Negotiations11 Words and Phrases to Use in Salary Negotiations Wouldnt it be great if there were a magic word you could say in order to get people to agree with you? If, for example, a simple utterance of abracadabra could instantly convince your employer to see things your way, salary negotiations would be a whole lot easier.Unfortunately, we live in the real world, and those magic words that guarantee instant success dont quite exist - but the good news is, weve got the next best thing. The following words and phrases are expert-level ways to demonstrate the confidence, congeniality, and knowledge necessary to secure a higher salary.Use these in your next negotiation , and you might just see a bump in your paycheck sooner than you can say alakazam.Too often, people think of salary negotiation as a battle you, trying to get as much as you possibly can, versus your employer, trying to stay within budget. However, this type of t hinking can be counterproductive, explains Roy Cohen, career coach and author of The Wall Street Professionals Survival Guide . Never engage in negotiation as an ultimatum - an either/or - but rather as a collaborative process and a unique opportunity to create a compensation package that makes sense for both you and for them. Establish priorities as to what is most important to you and what items you are willing to trade off, Cohen advises.Unless you know for sure that you are indispensable, and few of us ever are, successful negotiation should never become adversarial. That is a bad sign that the process has broken down or will, Cohen continues.Its only natural to see if you can get a higher salary than the one that you were offered, but it needs to be grounded in reality. Rather than just throwing out a number that you think sounds nice, you need to do your homework on what your skills are worth in order to provide a compelling case for your employer to compensate you accord ingly.One phrase to use is something along the lines of based on my research. That shows the other person youve done your homework and know what youre talking about when negotiating , says David Bakke, Writer/Contributor at Money Crashers .One tip to come to the negotiation table prepared get a free, personalized salary estimate from Glassdoors Know Your Worth calculator.As part of your research, make sure you know what the market for your job is, says Labor & Employment Attorney Alex Granovsky of Granovsky & Sundaresh PLLC . Market refers to what the employee can earn if he or she went out on the job market and found a new, similar position, Granovsky says. If you are making $80,000, but could get a job around the corner making $100,000, the market suggests that you are being underpaid. And since companies presumably dont want to lose you to the competition, they take that number seriously.Value, on the other hand, refers to what you bring to your employer, Granovsky says. Fro m an employers perspective, each employee has to either (1) increase revenue, or (2) increase margin (ideally both). While probably elend as compelling as the job market , if you can show to your employer how you are bringing value to the company (in the form of increased revenue and/or increased margin), you can make a compelling case for a raise.So if, for example, you can prove that a new initiative you implemented earned the company $100,000, asking for a $5,000 raise sounds a lot more palatable to your employer.Forget any advice youve received about not snooping into your coworkers salaries - it can be a powerful data point in negotiations.Similarly situated employees are people who do what you do within the company, Granovsky says. If your position is senior account manager and every other senior account manager is making more money than you, this is something you should explore too.While you certainly dont want to force any of your colleagues to disclose information theyre not comfortable sharing, you can use tools like Glassdoor to find out what theyre making, and therefore, whether or not youre being fairly compensated .If an employer offers a number thats below your desired range , pushing back is essential - but you want to make sure you handle it with tact. Saying is that number flexible at all is a graceful way to give the employer the opportunity to offer more, or even mention other perks you might be able to gain if a higher salary isnt in the picture, Bakke says.Blunt phrasing like I need or I want can be a turn-off to employers. But expressing your desired salary with this phrase is a collaborative way to let the recruiter or hiring manager know specifically what youre looking for so they can focus on that dimension of your job offer, says Josh Doody , author of Fearless Salary Negotiation .The rest of this sentence should be a specific ask. For example, the rest of this sentence might be we can settle on a base salary of $60,000. or we can increase the Restricted Stock Unit allotment to 100 units. Contrast this with something like, Do you have any wiggle room?, which is vague and allows them to say No and short-circuit the negotiation, Doody continues.Well let you in on a little secret - often times, recruiters are just as anxious as you for salary negotiations tocome to a close . So if you can specifically spell out what it would take for you to accept an offer, youll be doing recruiters and hiring managers a favor.When you get to this phase of the negotiation, you want to make it clear to the recruiter or hiring manager that saying Yes will end the negotiation so theyre more comfortable acquiescing, Doody says. For example, you may want to say, I understand you cant come all the way up to $60,000. It would be great to add an additional week of paid vacation along with the $55,000 you suggested. If you can do that, Im on board, he suggests.This is a good one for employees who are negotiating raises to k eep in their back pocket. Why? It comes down to the fact that its part of a defensible strategy, Cohen says.A defensible strategy explains what you want, why you want it, and how it is a win/win for both your boss and for you. The goal is to show value and benefit, Cohen says. If a low salary at work is truly a dealbreaker for you, get an offer that you would be willing to accept, but prefer not to, Cohen advises. Tell your boss that you have received an offer, that it is attractive, but that you prefer not to leave It is far cheaper to give you a raise than to recruit and train a new candidate. But be warned this phrase should not be taken lightly. Know that this is a risky proposition It could backfire. So please dont use it if you dont really want to leave or dont have a bona fide offer on the table, Cohen cautions.Even if a job offer exceeds your expectations, try to play it cool. The first thing you should do when you receive a job offer is ask for time to consider it, Doody says. This little phrase accomplishes several things. Primarily, it buys you time to consider the offer, determine the appropriate counteroffer, and begin building your case to support your counteroffer. But it also enables you to move the negotiation to emaille if its not already there, Doody says. This, he says, is a key to successfully pulling off a counter-offer.You want to counter offer over email whenever possible because you can be very deliberate with exactly what you say. Your salary negotiation will be more successful if you carefully choose your counteroffer amount and clearly articulate why youre worth it, he explains.Your pleases and thank-yous didnt stop becoming important once you learned them in preschool - in the business setting, manners can mean everything.At the end of the salary discussion,be sure to thank the person for taking the time to sit down with you, just to maintain your professionalism, Bakke says. Not only is it simply the right thing to do - an employer is much more likely to accommodate the wants and needs of somebody that shows them respect.

Things You Wont Like About Objective for Customer Service Resume and Things You Will

Things You Wont Like About Objective for Customer Service Resume and Things You Will Objective for Customer Service Resume at a Glance Also, employers wish to observe the effect your work has had. When youre applying for such position, you must include all the needed skills in your application to impress the employers and receive the desired job prospect. Your resume objective ought to be relevant and targeted to every different job prospect. Ensure you tailor-fit your objective statement to the particular job position youre applying for and the particular company that you are applying to. Im a self pro claim problem solver and client tafelgeschirrs expert. Within this sort of resume, you have to possess a capability of satisfying the consumers in a style thats professional. Your whole application has to be targeted around this career objective. Be patient and allow the customer know that youre working hard to solve the issue. An objective statement is only one part of a st rong resumeyour abilities and experience sections also play a big role in attracting hiring managers. Whenever you wish to emphasize that youre ambitious, that you understand what you want in a career, or you have the skills for the particular job, you could benefit from a resume objective. Finally, stating an objective is optional, but it might help convince employers that you understand what you need and know of the business. An objective is a brief statement that clarifies your goals concerning the sort of employment desired and the way in which your skills make you a nice fit. These agents are for the most part required in IT companies to help the foreign customers. Stick to what the prospective employer is searching for and what you can provide. By agreeing you accept using cookies in agreement with our cookie policy. The crucial thing is to clearly show your very best side on the resume. Highlight your communication skills, including any extra languages spoken which ma y let you help a broader segment of consumers. Adaptability and capability to work under pressure. Strong Interpersonal communication abilities. The Nuiances of Objective for Customer Service Resume The standard of your CV has a crucial role in getting you noticed by the employer. When you have lots of experience in customer support, you might want to use a combination format to highlight both your years of knowledge and accolades. A premium quality sample customer tafelgeschirr resume will incorporate several suitable key terms and phrases that could consist of phrases like customer satisfaction, customer retention, processes or efficiency, based on the particular job. An excellent service rep also boasts good product knowledge, so talk about any present interest or experience applicable to the specific merchandise or services that the business deals in. If you own a college degree, even if it doesnt have anything to do with customer support, go right ahead and list it. Thi s order is known as reverse chronological purchase. To compose the objection section of a customer service resume, you will need to discover the significant tasks to be carried out at work. It takes a unique type of person to excel in all the proper areas of consumer support. If youre searching for a position in customer support, whether its at a call center or face-to-face, use our absolutely free customer service resume sample that will help you land an interview ASAP. A customer service representative is liable for supporting customer on several different aspects like troubleshooting different technical issues or to address apt remedy to their customer. Think about what it is you are good at and the way it might apply to a customer service job. Since youre going to learn how to create a kickass customer service resume. A job in which you have to maintain a smile and a positive attitude, even in a circumstance where the customer is wrong they continue to be perfect. An energ etic and quick learner whos committed to excellent customer services. Speech-impaired clients and good. Able to well tense conditions, and remain calm when confronted with angry clients.

Are You #8216;Game Ready#8217; 4 Keys to Proactive Preparation

Are You 8216Game Ready8217 4 Keys to Proactive Preparation When people hear the term game ready, they immediately think of athletics. Being game ready, however, applies to situations in life and business as well. As is the case for agreat athlete, advanced preparation will allow you to achieve the best possible outcomes in your career and personal life.Dont get me wrong were all guilty of sometimes procrastinating and avoiding tasks until absolutely necessary. But that means that, instead of being proactive, we are placing ourselves in reactive states and dealing with events after they havealready happened. This results in unnecessarily elevated stress levels, costly financial challenges, and ultimately, missed opportunities.With a little forethought and planning, however, you can be an MVP.To help you begin, here are four keys to proactive preparation1. Start With a Self-EvaluationTo kickstart your proactive thinking, take out a piece of paper and m ake two columns. In one, list the personal challenges you are either currently facing or know that you will face in the other column, do the same for business challenges.Next, grade yourself on where you think you are with regard to preparation. Are you mostly prepared for upcoming responsibilities? If so, good for you But Im willing to bet that things are not quite as planned out as youd like them to be.2. Commit Time to ThinkThe best proactive thinkers and planners start by committing the time to think, not only about immediate tasks, but far into the future as well. While it may seem like a waste of resources in the moment because its not a physical activity that you can easily track, the mindfulness of laying out a path will be a worthy investment in the end.3. Predict and PlanPlanners set long-term goals and anticipate events. Then, they work backward until they find themselves in the present. As a result of following this process, they are able to lay out effective plans becau se they understand and predict the gaps that will need to be filled in order to reach success. Pretty simple, huh?4. Identify the Usual SuspectsIn our personal lives, we often have predictable events in our futures, from relationship milestones (such as marriages and anniversaries) to parenting and sending children to college. Similarly, our work lives include known eventslike selecting and cultivatinga career, starting and building a business, dealing with employee or client challenges, maintaining profitability, etc.Absent a plan, we often keep these in the very backs of our minds until we cant procrastinate anymore. When the time comes, we work to deal with them as quickly as possible. Instead, we should take time to outline the steps well need to take to meet those big goals and challenges. If you do that, you will be able to confidently and quickly succeed.Remember Olympic athletes dont accidentally end up at the top of the podium. They relentlessly prepare and execute their pl ans over and over again. If you arent comfortable in going through the process by yourself, reach out to a business coach or someone who can help you. In the end, the will to win means nothing without the will to prepare. Dont get disappointed by the results because of the work you didnt do. Get game ready.Marshall Martin is a strategy and wertzuwachs coach with Petra Coach. Contact Marshall at marshallpetracoach.com.

Special Forces Asst. Ops & Intelligence Sgt. MOS 18F

Special Forces Asst. Ops & Intelligence Sgt. MOS 18FSpecial Forces Asst. Ops & Intelligence Sgt. MOS 18FAn Army Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant is part of an einzelschrittal detachment of special forces soldiers, tasked with preparing intelligence for special missions. The Armys Special Forces unit, best known as the Green Berets, began as a unit tasked with unconventional warfare tactics, but has grown to include special reconnaissance missions, counterterrorism, foreign internal defenseand direct action strikes, usually quick operations in hostile territory. The Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant is categorized by the Army as military occupational specialty (MOS) 18F. These soldiers are the cream of the crop, and much of the work they do and the tactics they use arehighly classified. Some of their duties are humanitarian in nature, including hostage rescue and peacekeeping missions. Duties of MOS 18F These soldiers are part of 12-soldie r units known as detachments, which have specific missions. They employ conventional and unconventional warfare tactics and strategies to collect intelligence and provide tactical guidance to the detachment commander as well as other Army personnel. They prepare intelligence both in preparation for special missions and during operations. This may include writing operation plans and combat orders and conducting briefings and debriefings. MOS 18Fs are also tasked with establishing what are known as intelligence nets, handling agents and preparing agent reports for the operations at hand. They process prisoners of war, establish security plans, and maintain classified documents. A significant part of their duties is to establish evacuation plans for their Special Ops detachment. How to Qualify As MOS 18F This is not an entry-level position before you can serve in this job you must have served previously as a lower-rank special forces soldier, in MOS 18B (Special Ops Weapons Sergean t), 18C (Special Ops Engineer), 18D (Special Ops Medical Sergeant), or 18E (Special Ops Communications Sergeant). New recruits who want to join Special Forces enlist under MOS 18X, a general Special Forces Enlistment Option. Youll need to do more than the standard basic training/boot camp you also have to take infantry training at the same time. The specific job youll have in Special Ops is determined during the Special Forces Assessment and Selection portion of your training. Requirements for MOS 18F Special Ops soldiers need a score of at least 110 in the general technical (GT) section and a combat operation score of at least 100 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests. They also must take and pass the Army Physical Fitness Assessment with a minimum score of 240, and complete the pre-basic task list. If youre interested in Special Ops jobs, you have to qualify and volunteer for airborne training and have vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. You als o have to be a U.S. citizen. And of course, since so much of what Green Berets do is highly sensitive and often classified, anyone enlisting in this MOS must qualify for a secret security clearance from the Department of Defense. This involves a background check of finances and character and a criminal background investigation. A history of drug or alcohol abuse may be grounds for denying this clearance.

Recruiting a New Hire if You Havent Hired in a While

Recruiting a New Hire if You Havent Hired in a WhileRecruiting a New Hire if You Havent Hired in a WhileRecruiting a New Hire if You Havent Hired in a WhileYoure thinking about making your first new hire in years as you look to grow your small company. Yet the prospect of taking on a risky newcomer and adding to the payroll have either paralyzed you or impelled you to act hastily. Take a deep breath and absorb these recruitment strategiesfrom small-business owners who have made hires in these uncertain times.Slow down. Dont short-change your recruiting strategyjust because a thousand candidates come knocking every day. Hiring decisions are among the most important that we make, says Jeff Adams, president of Balentine,a financial advisory firm in Atlanta. Start recruiting early, perhaps before youre even certain you want to make a hire.Dont assume employee sourcing will be easy. Yes, many millions of Americans are out of work. But talent acquisition crisismeans that not all positions will be easy to fill with top people. There are still a ton of qualified candidates in HR and IT, but sales recruitmentis more difficult, says Rob Wilson, president of HR outsourcing firm Employcoin Westmont, Ill.Hire just in time. Do a cost-benefit analysis as part of your hiring strategy,before you add to your payroll. Hiring today to be prepared for tomorrow is obsolete, says Jeff Dudan, CEO of AdvantaClean Systems,a mold-remediation franchisor. To be competitive, you cant have extra people around. You have to wait to hire until youre in pain.Cast a wide net, regardless. Yes,there are cheap or free channels for sourcing hundreds of candidates for almost any position. But to make the best hire, you must conduct a broad search. Employee referrals, Web postings and a tischordnung firm together this gets us the best and brightest, says Adams.Bring in the grown-ups. Your new hire will have to learn your proprietary systems, but she or he should come in with all the fundamental skills in gear. In this economic environment we have less time to grow people into their roles, says Seth Earley, CEO of consulting firm Earley Associatesin Stow, Mass.To thin the herd, test candidates early. Whats the quickest way to narrow the field of candidates to serious contenders? Put them to work on a demanding employment application. With the job market the way it is, employers can set up hurdles in the hiring process, like a lengthy QA, says Dudan. Write a screening questionnaire that tests candidates industry knowledge, energy level, as well as innate reasoning and communications abilities.Interview hard. Small businesses are putting a lot on the line when they make a new hire. One additional employee can either spark a new wave of growth for your company or send it into a death spiral by losing customers or missing opportunities for new business. So you owe it to your company to put candidates through multiple, demanding interviews with lots of open-ended questions. And brin g your current employees into the interview processto boost their buy-in of a new colleague.Think twice about hiring out of big companies. Its tempting to recruit large company employeesfor your small firm. But dont underestimate the challenge to that corporate warrior when he finds out he has to do all of his own legwork. People who have been successful at major corporations have a very difficult time adjusting to the small-business environment, says Dudan.Its OK to consider (un)employment status. Is it fair to question the qualifications of a victim whos been a casualty of massive layoff? It is, if you consider the stakes for your business and your employees. For every one partie out of work, 9 are employed, says Dudan. The very best performers typically remain employed.Do-it-yourself temp-to-perm. If you can get a top performer to join you as a contract or temp worker, give serious consideration to the arrangement, which reduces some of the risks of bringing on a new worker. As m ore projects ramp up, we give the best contractors preference and transition those who want full-time employment into that role, says Earley.Check references, really. Criminal and other background checks may be necessary in these litigious times, but you should engage in reference checking the old-fashioned way, with this twist Leave a voicemail or send an email to the reference, asking them to contact you only if they consider the candidate to be one of the best employees theyve ever had, and only if they can recommend the candidate without reservation. Youll have more faith in a positive response no response will be bad news for the candidate.

Interview Etiquette Lessons from a First Date

Interview Etiquette Lessons from a First DateInterview Etiquette Lessons from a First DateYouve heard the analogy An bewerbungseinstellungsgesprch is like going on a first date. Think about it. Blind dates can be painful without some chemistry. And they even check your references. Translate your dating knowhow to win over your next interviewer.Going on an interview is like going on a first date. Ive used that analogy hundreds of times. For over 20 years as a recruiter, Ive been preparing candidates for that scary and mystifying experience - going on an interview.Most of us have only limited experience with interviews. But first dates, no matter how long agoor how weve tried to forget, are something we can all recall. So what can you gpurple drank from those awkward encounters? Well, there wont be chocolate shakes or a good night kiss, but there are a few ways to translate your dating experience to better prepare you for that first interview with an employer.Dont show up too early, a nd never show up late. Weve all seen the movies where the poor guy is sitting in the living room getting grilled by the dad while the young woman frantically applies a last coat of mascara. Similarly, the business world tends to run on a schedule. Arriving too early for an interview can make the managers uncomfortable. They end up leaving you in the lobby, fidgeting in a chair pretending to read the ancient copy of Fortune magazine on the coffee table. It is best to arrive 10-15 minutes early thats it. That way, you send the message that you are not only punctual, but also appropriate.Arriving late is a no-brainer dont do it. It is always seen as disrespectful. Though you might not get shoes thrown at you (back to the movies again), you have instantly damaged your chances of making a good first impression and getting the job.Make a good first impression. In the dating world, this is all about cologne or your skinny jeans. In the interview world, good first impressions are equally cr ucial. You can never dress too professionally for an interview. If its a corporate environment, that means a suit for men and a pants suit for women. The devil is also, as they say, in the details polished shoes, appropriate heels or flats and clean finger nails. Practice a firm handshake and direct eye contact with a friend to make it feel like second nature. There are finer points to consider, but the key is to start off on the right foot. Additionally, bring a couple extra copies of your resume. The more people you meet, usually the better, and you want to be prepared.Dont tell em you snore.Of course, you want to be honest during an interview, but this is not the time to give away all your secrets. The company can verify a great deal of information through employment background checks and references, so you want to make sure you present yourself honorably and that means honestly. But dont advertise your negatives. You would never tell a first date that you snore. Youd wait until she falls in love with you and will find all your idiosyncrasies endearing. In the saatkorn way, make sure that you are presenting all your information by putting your best foot forward. It is the job of the manager to figure out reasons you dont fit, not your job to red flag them. Stay positive and present the glass half full. If you have little or no experience with something, then respond with an answer that says, No, but. Then present the closely related skills you have, your ability to learn quickly or a relevant class you completed. Sell your strengths do not point out your weaknesses.Dont ask for the kiss before the date.Applicants are always concerned about how to respond when they are asked for their salary requirements. Its an important part of the process, but it does not belong at the beginning. As many of us have experienced, the kiss belongs at the end of the evening likewise, the salary discussion should be saved for after the company falls in love with you. A safe an swer regarding your salary requirements is Im sure you will make me a fair offer, and Im interested because _____.Its great to get fixed up, but its all about the chemistry. When your friend tells you all about a potential date, you listen for key details. Maybe you care about the dates job history, or where he went to college or what sports shes involved in. If you hear something that sparks your interest, you decide to meet. In the same way, your resume got you in the door. It said something the employer liked. But weve all met people we thought sounded interesting, but turned out to be a dud. An interview is similar. The manager has to walk away feeling like youd fit into the team. You can help this along in several ways. First, look around while you are sitting in the lobby or walking toward the managers office. Is it a quiet place or do people seem to be working in teams? Based on what you see, thats what you emphasize. Additional chemistry builders lean forward in your chair, dont fidget and smile. Be prepared. Listen. All of these are simple things which increase your likeability.Tell him what a good time you had.The technical term is closing the sale. Think about it, are you more likely to call the other person back when, at the end of the evening, he says what a good time he had? Of course No one likes rejection. Companies do the same. They are more willing to call you for a second round of interviews or offer you the job if they think you are interested in them, too. So, before you walk out the door, thank the interviewer for her time and tell her what you like about the job and why youd be a great fit.Though the results are different, a first date and job interview both involve one person trying to impress another. Because its so unfamiliar, yet so important, the world of interviewing can be a scary place. Hopefully, thinking of something familiar offers some reassurance. Though these are just a very few pointers, they give you an idea about how thi s all works. Just relaxing a bit will make you more successful and increase your chances of success. Now go out there, and get that job