Interview Tips

The interview is your best opportunity to stand out from other candidates competing for the job.  How you act, how you react and what you say will go a long way towards determining if you get the job.

First impressions are everything during an interview.  Be sure to use those first five seconds to look and sound your best.  Remember, your interview starts the moment you arrive at the company, so make sure you act professional at all times.

For your initial interview, look your professional best.  In general, dress too conservatively - white shirts, dark suits, and the like are most appropriate.  Avoid loud colors, faddish styles and anything that would distract from what you are there to sell - you.

Have your hair cut, shave, clean your fingernails, iron your clothes, and shine those shoes.  Last but not least, be polite and respectful to everyone you come in contact with. 

Be Professional

• Arrive ten minutes early for your interview. 
• Turn off your cell phone and do not chew gum.
• Keep your personal items in your left hand so you are ready to shake hands with the interviewer.
• Be honest and sincere.
• Be polite, alert, and relaxed.  Show a genuine interest in the interviewer with eye contact and always remember to smile.
• Watch your body posture and body language.  Slouching, leaning on the interviewer’s desk, and moving around are distracting.
• Do not be afraid to express your genuine interest in and excitement about the position, the company, and its goals.  Enthusiasm is the most frequently cited reason for hiring.
• Project self-confidence by speaking positively about your abilities, experience, and willingness to acquire new skills.
• Try to avoid all negativity, or put positive spins on any negatives (i.e. if you lack a particular skill, talk about the relevant skills you do have and your desire to learn).

Be Prepared

• Clarify your professional short- and long-term goals.  Be able to articulate them clearly. 
• Make sure you have a copy of your resume and references available to fill out employment applications. 
• Learn as much as possible about an organization before you arrive at the interview.  Good sources are the company’s website, annual reports and trade journals.
• Practice answering the standard interview questions.
• Allow at least one hour for your interview.

Be Clear

• Keep your answers specific and concise.  Try to maintain a good balance of conversation with your interviewer.  Try to limit answers to one or two minutes.
• Listen carefully and answer questions in an articulate and organized manner.  Avoid simply answering “yes” or “no”, if possible.
• Be patient with your answers.  If necessary, take a moment before answering a question.  Ask the interviewer to clarify the question, if needed.
• Always speak positively about former employers and experiences.
• Relate your work experience directly to the needs of the organization.  Examples of past accomplishments effectively demonstrate your abilities.
• If you are asked questions about your personal life, use them as opportunities to emphasize how well you balance your personal and professional life.
• Save all benefit and compensation questions for a final interview or when you receive a formal offer.

Be Confident

• Remember, it’s a two-way conversation that you and the interviewer can gain something from the interview. 
• You may go through multiple interviews with a company prior to being offered a position.  Your main goal during any interview is to get a job offer or, at the very least, an additional interview.
• For the employer, the interview is an opportunity to gather more information about you.  A resume, testing and an application only tell you so much. 
• The employer wants to know how you will fit in, your work style, motivations, experiences and training you have relevant to the position.

At The End of the Interview

Prior to the end of the interview, express your interest in the company and the position.  Be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time and leave on a positive note.  Always send a thank you note or email to the hiring manager.  Keep it brief and to the point, expressing your interest in the company.

Prepare for these Standard Questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to leave your current company?
• What are your long-term and short-term career goals?
• What do you look for in a job?
• What do you know about the company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What is your biggest strength?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?
• What has been your most important accomplishment?
• What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
• If they should ask, be prepared to name a salary range.

Questions To Ask:

• While you should always customize questions for a particular company or job, here are a few suggested questions for you to ask your interviewer:
• How long have you been in your position?
• What do you like best about working for XYZ company?
• What do you like best about your position?
• What are your expectations for this position?
• What will be the biggest challenge in this role?
• Do you have any concerns about my job qualifications?  This gives you the opportunity to overcome those concerns with reasons why you are qualified.

Do these simple things and you will find the interview process much less stressful.  Good luck!