Interviewing Do's and Don'ts

Interviewing well is the most important thing you can do to
win the job.

Your ability to do that is key to reaching your goal.

In fact, it's not unheard of for a lesser qualified candidate to win the job simply because she interviewed better than more qualified candidates.

In this crucial first meeting between you and the hiring authority decisions are based on:

1. How well you relate to the hiring authority
2. Your personal presentation
3. How well you handle the questions
4. How well you meet the position requirements.

You have complete control over how you behave, how you're groomed and the information you share. Little things may not work for you when right but they will definitely work against you if wrong. Putting your effort into getting them right will give you an employment edge.

Interviewing Do's and Don'ts

• Do prepare in advance. Preparation should include:
  
  Researching the company; knowing what it does and how the position you're interested in fits into the company's mission.

  Reviewing the job description and thinking about how your experience answers the position requirements.

  Preparing and memorizing a short 30 word career profile highlighting your strengths as they apply to the position.
  (Pay special attention to this one!)

  Formulating answers for commonly asked questions. You don't need to memorize these answers. But writing them out will make it easier for you to remember key points in a pressure situation.

  Preparing for behavioral based questions in addition to traditional ones. These questions involve not just what you accomplished but how you accomplished results.

  Preparing three to five questions to ask . Write them down so you won't forget what you wanted to ask when the time comes. (Asking the right questions can move your candidacy to the head of the line!)

  Putting together your outfit and practicing wearing it to make sure there are no wardrobe malfunctions.

• Do pay attention to personal hygiene. Make sure your fingernails are neat and clean (no chipped nail polish). Polished shoes, clean hair, clean well pressed clothes and fresh breath are a must. (I know I'm stating the obvious but when you've interviewed as many people as I have you know that people sometimes need to be reminded.) And speaking of fresh breath...

• Don't go into the company's office smelling of cigarette smoke. Most smokers don't realize they give off the smell of smoke. Make sure your clothes and hands are free of this odor.

  If you must smoke to relax before the interview do so in a well ventilated area. Then make sure to wash your hands and freshen your breath afterward.

• Do arrive on time. Some experts recommend arriving 15 minutes early. I agree that it makes sense to insure you're not late. If you are early take that time to visit the facilities and check your appearance.

  Having said that, don't arrive too early. Busy hiring managers schedule their time pretty closely. You don't want to wait an extended period of time.

• Do treat everyone you come into contact with at the company pleasantly and respectfully. At my staffing firm the front desk person had input on every potential new hire. Being rude or short with anyone is self defeating.

• Do turn off your mobile phone or put it on a silent vibrate setting before entering the office.

• Don't answer your phone during the interview. Doing so is disrespectful and exhibits poor manners. Most damaging of all this behavior sends the message that the call is more important to you than winning the job.

• Do shake hands firmly (but not crushingly) and with a smile.

• Do be aware of your body language. Give the impression of relaxed confidence by sitting back in the chair with good posture. Crossed arms are interpreted as defensiveness as are legs crossed at the knees.

  Keeping your hands as still as possible will give more weight to your words. If you're one of those people who talks with her hands hold a pen or some other small (appropriate) object. This may help you remember to keep hand movements to a minimum.

• Do exhibit positive non-verbal clues. These include:

  A high smile rate

  A high level of eye contact.

  Crossing your legs at the ankles (as opposed to the knees).

  Leaning slightly forward.

• Do take at least two clean copies of your resume (on good quality paper);a copy of the job description; something to write on / with; a separate sheet of paper with your employment references and your list of possible questions to ask. If you don't have a professional looking pad holder use a file folder to hold these things.

• Do deliver your career profile at the first opportunity during the meeting and again at the close. The career profile is a great response to the often asked but weak question, "Tell me about yourself."

• Don't bring up the Pay Rate subject. You should have determined whether the hiring range was within your acceptable limits before getting to this meeting. The party that raises the question of pay first from that point on is in the weakest negotiating position.

• Don't ask about vacation time or other benefits in this first meeting. This information may be offered but don't ask if it isn't.

• Do exhibit good communication skills by listening closely and asking clarifying questions when appropriate.

• Don't interrupt or argue with the hiring authority. Sometimes interviewers will deliberately try to get a rise out of you to see how you handle yourself. This is more common in interviews for positions dealing with the company's customers than in other situations.

  If you find yourself in this situation let the other person finish speaking; smile (to relax); and acknowledge the hiring authority's point of view. ("I understand why you might think that.") Then respond pleasantly with your take on the situation.

• Don't leave the meeting until you:

  Have once again delivered your career profile as an example of how well you match the position requirements.

  Have thanked the interviewer for taking the time to see you; expressed your pleasure at meeting her; and expressed your interest in the position (if appropriate).

  Know what happens next in the hiring process, when it's likely to happen and who will be involved in making it happen.

  Have obtained the interviewer's business card or telephone number and email address. You want to be in a position to send a thank you letter. (You also must be able to follow-up). If you aren't able to get this information from the hiring authority ask the receptionist or front desk person for it.

You may ultimately decide the position or company is not right for you. As soon as you make that decision bow out of the hiring process gracefully. Until that happens leave all your options open.

By paying attention to these guidelines you will be able to project an image of relaxed confidence. Your level of confidence will influence the hiring authority's confidence in your abilities.

Adopting a "whatever it takes" attitude will help you...Win the Job!