Some advice for job interviews | IE Business School Masters in ...

- Blog post by Matthew Buchholz, current MIF student

Many of IE?s Master In Finance students are currently seeking post-degree employment. The IE Master In Finance degree ensures that candidates have the requisite hard skills and educational background to begin a variety of finance-related careers. In an increasingly competitive job market however, interviews are critical to gaining employment, as hiring companies are selecting from a plethora of qualified candidates.

Given this, I have compiled ?the five most-sought after employer personality traits? and ? the 10 worst body language mistakes to make in an interview?, as reported by Forbes Magazine.

The five most-sought after employer personality traits: http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/10/04/top-five-personality-traits-employers-hire-most/

Five most-sought after ? employer personality traits	% of employers ? specifically seeking trait	Trait Description	Advice from Forbes
Professionalism	88%	First impression traits are evaluated within the first 30 seconds of meeting a candidate, and?these are the top three. Confidence is reported as being the most-lacking.	Dress well, extend for?a firm first hand-shake upon entering the room, and present yourself as?confident and energetic, but professional.
High-energy	78%
Confidence	61%
Self-monitoring	58%	The ability to adjust for interview- / position-required circumstances.	Before the interview,?adjust resume language to fit the specific position. During the interview,?ensure the conversation flows seamlessly and logically, but reference back to?your experience, skills, or resume whenever possible.
Intellectual curiosity	57%	The ability to problem?solve and the ongoing dedication to learning new technologies.	Express a desire to??adapt to changing circumstances and ask questions about forthcoming trends.

The 10 worst body language mistakes to make in an interview: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lml45lide/bad-posture-2/

Mistake	Forbes? advice
Bad posture	Leaning back is lazy?or arrogant, leaning forward is aggressive and slouching is just lazy.?Instead, experts say to aim for a neutral position, sitting tall as if a?string were connecting your head to the ceiling.
Breaking Eye Contact	?Hold eye contact?one extra eyelash, says charisma coach Cynthia Burnham. She says we tend to?feel uncomfortable holding eye contact once a personal connection has been?created. Don?t stare, but try to hold your interviewers gaze for one extra?second before breaking away. ?Do this especially when shaking?hands,? she says.
Chopping and Pointing	Cynthia Burnham, a?California-based charisma coach, says chopping or pointing motions?can?cut up? the space between you and your interviewer in an?aggressive way.
Crossed Arms	?Arms crossed?over your chest signal defensiveness and resistance,? says Karen Friedman,?communications expert. ?When they?re open at your sides you appear more?approachable.?
Excessive Nodding	Sometimes we undermine?how powerful or in focus we are by nodding like a bobble-head doll, says ? Burnham, a habit that?s particularly common in women. ?Nod once or twice?with a smile of agreement. But find your still center and stay there.?
Fidgeting	Stop fidgeting! says ? Amanda Augustine of TheLadders. ?The nervous energy will distract the?interviewer. You want [him or her] focused on what you have to say, not the?coins jingling in your pocket or the hangnail on your finger.?
Hands Behind Back	It?s important to?appear approachable and open, so don?t try to control gestures or fidgeting?by keeping your hands still. This is especially important when you begin to?speak, says Friedman. ?Keeping your hands in your pockets or behind your?back inhibits movement and makes you appear stiff.?
Mismatched Expressions	If your tone isn?t?matching your facial expression you could find yourself in hot water, says?communications coach Matt Eventoff. ?If someone asks what you?re most?passionate about and your face is in deadpan while you answer, it?s not going?to translate well.?
Shifty Eyes	Friedman says?distracted or upward eye movements can suggest someone is lying or not sure?of themselves. ?It?s important to look someone directly in the eye to?convey confidence and certainty.?
Staring	It?s important to be?confident and look the interviewer in the eye, says Amanda Augustine, job?search expert at TheLadders. ?But then break away. Locking eyes with?someone for an extended period of time can be interpreted as aggressive, not?to mention creepy.?

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Source: http://news.finance-masters.ie.edu/2012/11/some-advice-for-job-interviews/

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