Interview Hints
Be prepared for your interview. Companies will typically interview several people for even an entry-level position. A company may interview 20 or many people for a senior position. Simply, the best interview will secure the opportunity. Therefore, you must develop exceptional interview skills.
Nearly every candidate who is selected for interview offers sufficient credentials to do the job through the cover letter and résumé. The person whose communications talents demonstrate the greatest interest in the company and enthusiasm for the position nearly always earns the job offer.
- Research the company. Access to Internet web sites makes this much easier than it ever was in the past. To be competitive in interviewing you must have access to Internet delivered information. Otherwise your competition will have an insurmountable advantage.
- Bring three copies of your professionally prepared resume, and list of four to six references on letterhead matching your resume and cover letter.
- You are being interviewed as soon as you walk in the reception area of the office. The receptionist and other office staff are making judgments about your suitability for the job. Their opinions count.
- Dress for success. Project a professional and conservative impression. Now is not the time to demonstrate your maverick nature. Get a haircut; trim your fingernails; shine your shoes!
- Use body language to make an impression. Be impressive to others. Walk into the room with deliberation and a pleasant demeanor.
- Look every person in the eye when you shake his hand. Smile and shake hands firmly.
- Maintain continuous eye contact with the interviewer. Note: if you find it personally difficult to look at someone directly into the eye, then focus on the bridge of his or her nose.
- Speak in a firm, confident voice and always present a positive attitude.
- Relax and be yourself. Do not pretend to be someone you are not.
- Prepare, memorize, and use your sixty-second sales pitch.
- Ask the interviewer to describe the position and its responsibilities early in the interview. Then you can apply your accomplishments specifically to that position.
- Ask a relevant question whenever the opportunity presents itself. The candidate who asks the most relevant questions will typically get an offer. You demonstrate interest and you encourage the interviewer to talk.
Question and answer give-and-take resembles a conversation rather than an interrogation. - The meeting should be a two-way communication – it’s important to develop a rapport with the interviewer.
- Understand that nervousness is normal, so prepare for it and maintain a calm appearance. You typically appear less nervous then you feel.
- Don’t badmouth your present or former employers or co-workers.
- Let the interviewer bring up salary first. A candidate who talks about salary first will lose.
- Importantly, get business cards or write down people’s names.
- Send a thank-you follow-up letter to every person you met. A well hand-written note can be even more impressive.
“There are two types of people - those who come into a room and say, ‘well, here I am,’ and those who say, ‘Ah, there you are.’ ” - Frederic Collins
Call Michael Curry (865) 389-0488 to secure a free list of 50 interview questions likely for an employer to ask of professional career candidates.
