When you get that job interview, you have to give the perfect interview if you want it to turn into a job offer. Keep the following considerations in mind so that you are sure to present yourself and answer interview questions in a manner that’s both professional and engaging.

Be Better Than On Time

Everyone knows to be on time, but your goal should be to arrive fifteen minutes early. This gives you time to settle down, cool down if need be, and get mentally prepared for the interview to come. If you haven’t visited the location before, also consider doing a drive by a day or two ahead of time to learn where it is and where you can park.

Turn Your Cell Phone OFF

You might think to turn your phone to silent, but when you do you still run the risk that your phone will vibrate, or something else will be activated such as a pre-set alarm. Avoid all risk and actually turn the phone OFF during the interview.

Bring Copies of Your Resume

You can’t always count on your interviewer having your resume in front of him, and if your interview goes well you may find yourself being introduced to others in the office for a conversation. Always have extra copies of your resume just in case. You will show that you’re responsible, conscientious, and motivated. Recently I was on the other side of this equation I was interviewing job candidates and realized I didn’t have their resumes on my desk. Those who were able to present a fresh copy on the spot impressed me as dependable and well prepared.

The Rambling Reply

If you tend to ramble on when you’re nervous, you’re not alone. Babbling is a common reaction in a nerve-wracking interview situation, especially when your interviewer sits quietly while you speak. The trick is to be aware of the length of your answers. Be sure that you’ve answered a question thoroughly, and once that’s done, simply stop.

Slow and Steady Wins the Job Race

Resisting the urge to rush can be difficult, but remember that’s it’s essential that your interviewer be able to understand what you say to them. Speaking slowly and clearly and being consciously aware of proper grammar will really help you come across as intelligent and capable.

Nothing But the Facts

One of the hardest questions for any interviewee to answer is the famous, “what are your greatest strengths?” Saying that you’re good at your job isn’t a bad response, but backing it up with specifics can transform it into an excellent answer. For example, did sales rise under your leadership or with your contribution? Did you find a way to solve a problem for your company? Whenever possible, tailor these examples to the specific needs of the company to which you’re applying.

Two Birds, One Stone

One to two days after the interview, send a brief but polite note thanking your interviewer for meeting with you and for their consideration. Not only is this a courteous and professional thing to do, it keeps your name fresh in their mind.

Words can help you smile, laugh, or feel inspired when you feel like you need to be picked up. When it feels like things aren’t going your way and the universe is working against you, hearing or reading the right words can give you the push you need to persevere and keep your nose to the grindstone. That’s why quotes are so popular; they’re a few lines of text that serve one of these purposes, trigger a certain emotional reaction and bring on a feeling that many others can relate to. This is the reason several companies sell quotes that are framed as photos or paintings; because, just like paintings, looking at a quote can bring about a sense of calm or motivation, and can make you think.

If you have a friend or family member who really enjoys quotes, they might recite them on a regular basis, or share them online on social networks or blogs. A framed quote would be a great gift for someone like this, especially if the quote shares a significant tie to both of you. They can look at that quote and not only stir up a feeling, they can also remember you and the experience you both shared that makes the quote special.

A framed quote is also a great gift for someone who is beginning a new journey. For a high school or college graduate, the path to the real world is ready to unwind in front of them, and a little bit of inspiration can go a long way. An inspiring framed quote could be something you give to this person as a graduation present — it could help them to have such a quote to look at during their most trying times of college, or in the frustrating moments of their working career.

Of course, one of the best ways to give this gift is if you have a friend or family member getting married, or if you’re tying the knot yourself. An appropriate quote about love, relationships, or marriage in a frame can be an unforgettable wedding present that doesn’t end up being returned to the mall, but instead hangs on the wall and becomes a lifelong reminder to the new couple that, though times may get tough, things will always get better.

These are just a couple examples of how a framed quote can make a fun, inspiring gift for a friend, family member, or significant other. You can perform an online search to find online retailers and nearby stores that have such products in stock. If you want to give someone a gift that truly leaves a mark, consider a framed quote.

Shawn Farner independently authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. SEM clients like The Woods Gifts, a company that sells framed quotes. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only, and not those of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

Have you ever caught yourself in the middle of a perfectly wonderful moment thinking about what you’re going to do next? We all do it and it’s something that most of us have to make a conscious effort to correct. What’s so bad about letting your mind wander off to the next big thing or the memories you hold on to from years ago? You miss out on all of the things happening around you right now. The next thing you know, you’re living that moment you were thinking about so longingly yesterday, but your mind has moved on to tomorrow or is stuck in a moment from two weeks ago. Challenge yourself to start living in the present, starting now.

Stop Living in the Future
During our younger years we tend to spend a lot of time wishing for the future. We see all of the privileges that come with growing up and we wish our time away. We wish for the day we get our driver’s license, we can’t wait to move away to college, and then finally, to graduate into the “real world.” All of a sudden, our college days are over and we wish we could go back to those days. The wisdom to appreciate these years is not commonly found in teenagers and young adults, but it’s important to slow down and cherish these moments now before they are gone.

Stop Living in the Past
After you lose a loved one to death, it’s common to find yourself living in the past. You think about how great your life was when the person you lost was still a part of it. There’s a difference between keeping the memories of your departed loved one alive and missing out on your life now because you’re stuck in the past. Even though your loved one is gone, there are people in your life now who care about you very much and who want to see you happy. Don’t miss out on that love and happiness that is all around you now because you can’t stop thinking about the way your life used to be.

We all have one life to live. Live your life in the present and try to cherish each moment as it happens. We’re only human, so you’re bound to find yourself longing for a different time every now and then. It’s okay to hold onto your memories and to get excited about the future, but don’t let those past and future moments keep you from cherishing the moment that is happening right in front of you.

When coming up with ideas of gifts for dads, they usually like anything their children give them with love. But to make your dad’s birthday more special, you can select a gift full of sentiments. How about giving him a picture frame? When he will place it on his office desk, he can see all the special people in his life while working. This collage picture will remind him how beautiful life has been.

If you want to buy a picture frame for your dad, you can add more value to it by making a photo collage for him. Have a look at the instructions below on how to make it:

1. Decide who should be included in the picture, i.e. only you, your whole family, or other family members too.

2. View your family photo album and scan through them. Choose those photos that clearly depict the family members you want in the photo frame.

3. After selecting the photos, make one copy of each photo, so that your family photo album remains filled with the same photos.

4. Now, it is time to buy a small or large-sized photo frame, depending on the number of photos you’ve selected. If you have selected a lot of photos to make a photo collage, then you will require a photo frame that should be 8×10 or larger. Also, make sure his office desk has sufficient space to place your gift there.

5. Once you have purchased a perfect photo frame, open it up and also remove its backing.

6. Since the glass of a photo frame often gets dust, you can clean it just to make sure there is no dust left.

7. Now, cut a piece of paper that is acid-free. The main objective of it should be that it can fit easily inside your photo frame. You can cut the paper after measuring the space in the photo frame.

8. When you are done with it, it is time to organize all selected photos on that paper.

9. Make sure you try your best to layer and angle the photos.

10. In order to come up with something creative, you can trim some of the photos by using a pair of scissors. A different design of photos arranged in a unique way will definitely look exciting.

11. Now, attach all these photos to the same piece of paper. You can use a photo adhesive or a glue to paste the photos.

12. Leave the collage for ten to fifteen minutes or until it gets dried completely. After that, insert it in the photo frame and present it to your dad. It can be one of the best gifts for dads!