24 SP I R I T OF WOMEN SPRING 2016 w w w.sp i r i t o f women.com

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talk clearly about your accomplishments and strengths, and explain how they would translate to a new job and a new company, is crucial.

In addition, be sure the image you present communicates your professionalism by dressing to be taken seriously, says Nealon. That means wearing well-fitting, conservative clothing in good repair, and no overpowering perfume, cologne or aftershave.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECTTo get comfortable talking about yourself during a job interview, you need to practice. Start by jotting down your talking points: why you’re interested in the job and the firm, why you are looking to leave (or have already left) your current job. Use the research you’ve done on the company to inform your answers.

Ideally, you can find a friend or family member to help you rehearse. Have them ask you common interview questions and practice how you’d reply. Or, use the recording feature on your smartphone so you can play back your own answers to listen and edit.

FOLLOW UP WITH GRATITUDENealon’s final piece of interviewing advice could just as easily come from your mother: Write a thank you note to every person with whom you met within 24 hours of the interview. Nealon cites research that shows only about 1 in every 5 candidates do this.

“Sending a thank you is Interviewing 101,” he says. “I’m always amazed that smart, capable people don’t do it.” •

By Margaret LittmanAcingthe job interview

Whether the economy is up or down, job hunting can be a stressful, time-consuming proposition, from crafting the perfect cover letter to following up on resume submissions.

All that preparation pays off when you land a coveted in-person interview—but that’s when the real work should begin, says Bob Nealon (aka Career Coach Bob), a Florida-based certified professional career coach and job search strategy expert.

“Most people do not prepare, don’t practice and don’t research before an interview. That’s a mistake,” he says. “Interviewing is truly a skill.”

MAKING THE GRADENo matter what kind of job you’re applying for, be it entry level or C-suite, Nealon says a prospective hire will be assessed on three criteria during the interview process:

• The ability to communicate your value: how you produced results at other jobs;

• Whether you are a good fit for this particular employer: how your values and experiences mesh with those of the company; and

• Call it likeability or call it chemistry: whether your demeanor makes people want to spend 40 hours (or more) each week with you.

If you’re like most people, Nealon says, you may be uncomfortable tooting your own horn. But being able to