C h r o n i c l e s ...

Q I HAVE been to interviews where I was told either that I was a job-hopper or that I was over-qualified.

I have changed jobs more than 10 times for a change of environment and to try out new things when I was younger.

I am 47 now, hold a Master's degree in accounting, a diploma in tax, a diploma in business administration and a private secretarial certificate.

I do not look my age, am pleasant-looking and speak well.

What advice would you give? Currently I am unemployed and just don't understand why I cannot land a job.

A The fact that you have been getting interviews implies two things - that you own an effective resume and that your professional profile and experience come close to matching the needs of the hiring companies. Well done!

Your performance at the interviews could be the stumbling block to your receiving a job offer.

Two other reasons could be the competition you are up against, and the 'personality fit' between you and the hiring manager - or 'personal chemistry'.

There is nothing much you can do about the latter two reasons.

However, how you perform at the interview is at your absolute control.

There are three golden rules to effective interviewing - preparation, practice and performance.

For each company you apply to, prepare yourself well by researching all that you can about it.

Focus on those areas related to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are going into the accounting/tax arena, find out about the financial aspects of the business.

Find out the names of the key personnel in the local/regional office, and even those in the head office.

You will impress if you subtly mention a couple of these names when responding to interview questions, for example, 'I am sure Mr Gates will be suitably impressed if the profit margin of his Asia-Pac business exceeds 20 per cent for the first time in a decade!'

Practise your responses to commonly asked questions such as 'What did you do in your last job?' and 'Why did you resign/leave?'

On this last question - instead of offering reasons such as a change of environment, say something to the effect that your career interests changed over time, or that you realised the limitations of what you could learn in those companies.

These responses will come across as more acceptable to comments made by interviewers that you are a job-hopper.

On the other comment that you are 'over-qualified' - remember this: They were willing to consider your candidacy.

Many times, they just want to see how you respond to such a remark. If you blink, you 'lose' and it is 'game over'.

Never argue or lose emotional control - focus on the benefits of your extensive experience.

Another let-me-see-how-you-react-to-this-one question favoured by effective interviewers is this: 'You will have difficulties fitting in with the team, they are all much younger in age!'

Stay calm and say something about your ability to blend in with people and adapt to new environments. Substantiate these claims by sharing an experience where these strengths were exhibited.

Focus on how you can bring value to the table, whenever possible. If asked why you applied for a job, offer reasons that show how you can contribute to the team/business. That's a powerful proposition.

After each interview experience, do a post-mortem to find out where you have done well, and where you can do much better. This is a sure-fire way to continue improving yourself.

Finally, present yourself well. What inspires confidence in interviewers is what they see - so, dress professionally.

You are 47, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to change this. Be proud of your experience.

Paul Heng is a professionally certified executive/career coach. He is the founder of NeXT Career Consulting Group, Asia (www.nextcareer.net) and the author of Jump Start Your Career.