Interview Skills

There are some easy steps that you can take that will increase your

chances of success at interviews.

First, remember that job interviews should be a process of two-way

communication. Not only are they a tool for employers to use to

evaluate you, but they are also an opportunity for you to assess the job,

the organization, and to see if there is a "fit."

The keys to a successful interview are preparation and practice. The following

suggestions will help you prepare for an interview:

Self-evaluation It is important for you to think about yourself and your past

experiences in order to be ready to articulate what you have to offer an employer.

Consider the following topics:

• How your present and past experience relate to the position

• Your current and future career goals

• What skills and expertise you have to offer

• The skills that you would like to develop or improve

• Location, salary, and lifestyle priorities

• Kinds of people and environments you prefer

• Past experiences you want to highlight such as volunteer

work, hobbies, travel

Before the Interview

begin. It usually gives you information on whether it is international or

domestic, what its revenues are, how many locations it has, and the

nature of its major products. Most companies are very proud of their

websites. Don't be surprised if one of the first questions interviewers

ask when you arrive is, "Have you have had a chance to look at our

website?"

Practice interviews - Write down a list of possible questions that you think may be

asked, then have a friend act as an interviewer and direct them to you in a practice
interview situation. Don't stop until you feel comfortable answering each question.

Practicing beforehand will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed during the

interview.

Dress Professionally - In today's environment, wearing a suit isn't

always necessary. Contact the HR Manager of the company or your

recruiter, and find out what the dress code is for the company at

which you are going to interview. Then dress one level above. For

instance, if it is business casual, men can wear dress pants, dress

shirt, and sport coat. Women can wear a pantsuit, dress, or a skirt and

blouse. Visual impressions are very important. Therefore, if in doubt,

always dress on the conservative side.

Arrival - Try to arrive at the interview location a little early. This

gives you time to determine where you need to go, and will give

you a few minutes to collect your thoughts. DO NOT arrive late. Nothing destroys your

chance at impressing an employer more than arriving late and offering no explanation.

If you learn at the last minute that you are going to be arriving late at the interview, call

and let the interviewer know. Interviewers understand that things can come up

suddenly. You are never considered late if you call and make them aware of the fact.

During the Interview

Establishing rapport, direct and sustained eye contact, a firm

handshake, a warm smile, good posture, and introducing yourself in

a confident manner are important ingredients. A well-groomed,

professional appearance is critical. Greet the interviewer with a firm

handshake, whether it is a woman or a man. (No one likes a weak

handshake.) Always maintain eye contact while shaking hands.

Smile - A smile denotes confidence in a candidate. Try to smile often. Also, don't be

afraid to use some hand animation while answering questions. This suggests

enthusiasm in a candidate.

Body Language - Use good posture, and look the interviewer right in the eye. Sit up

straight. Never slouch.

This indicates confidence.

Listen Before Answering - Allow the employer to begin the

interview, but be prepared with some opening statements or

questions such as, "I understand that this position involves…," or

"What are you looking for in a job candidate?" Make sure you

understand the question. If not, ask the interviewer to clarify it. Don't

be afraid to take some time to think before answering. Interviewers

are impressed with someone who thinks out an answer before

speaking.

Give Brief Answers - Make your answer concise and to the point. Rambling tends to

suggest that you really don't have the answer to the question(s) asked.

Previous Employers - Never, ever say anything negative about your present or

previous employers. No matter how much you may have disliked someone, find a way

to give your experiences a positive spin.

Be Truthful - Don't lie when asked about something you haven't done. The next

question will be "tell us about it."

Know Your Resume - Be prepared to talk about every fact that is on your resume.

Many people embellish their accomplishments on their resumes. Avoid this, since the

only point of reference an interviewer has about you is the resume you provide to

him/her beforehand.

Keep things at a professional level - Sometimes near the end of an interview, the two

parties start feeling comfortable with each other. Don't let this comfortable feeling lead

you to telling them something about yourself that they really shouldn't know. Always

keep things at a professional level.

Look for Something in Common - This is something that has given us

an edge in the past. Try to find a common bond between yourself

and your interviewer. If you are being interviewed in an office, look

at how the office is decorated. Look for something you can identify

with. Is his/her college diploma hanging on the wall? Did you

attend a nearby school, or perhaps one in the same Division? If so,

attended the University of Michigan. What a great football conference."

Interviewers sometimes feel more comfortable with people with whom they have

something in common. This approach has helped several candidates obtain a position

over other qualified candidates. Above all, be sincere.

After the Interview

decision.

Get Everyone's Business Card - Before you leave, be sure to get the business cards of

all of the people with whom you visited. If you cannot do that, ask a secretary for their

names and e-mail addresses.

Thank the Interviewer - Verbally thank the interviewer for taking the time

to interview you, before leaving. Within a day, send thank-you letters to

all of the interviewers with whom you spoke. This does not need to

consist of a written letter sent via snail mail; an e-mailed thank-you

works just as well.

Do not give up - Sometimes, within ten minutes of the start of an interview, you will

that the job is not one you want to pursue. If you begin to feel this way, don't give

up on the interview. Continue to interview as if the job was the most important thing in

the world. This provides you with practice for your next interview, which may be for

your dream job! Not all interviews will lead to offers of employment, but, if you

approach every interview as if it's the most important interview you ever had, you will come out a
winner.