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Interviewing
Do's and Don'ts
Do's
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Late attendance is never excusable.
- Clarify questions. Be sure you answered the questions the employer
really asked.
- Get the interviewer to describe the position and responsibilities
early in the conversation so you can relate your skills and background
to the position throughout the interview.
- Give your qualifications. Stress the accomplishments that are most
pertinent to the job.
- Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of what your body language
is saying. Smile, make eye contact, don’t slouch and maintain composure.
- Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance so you can turn apparent
weaknesses into strengths.
- Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one.
- Ask questions throughout the interview. An interview should be a mutual
exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.
- Listen. This is probably the most important ability of all. By concentrating
not only on the employer’s words, but also on the tone of voice and
body language, you will be able to pick up on the employer’s style.
Once you understand how a hiring authority thinks, pattern your answers
accordingly and you will be able to better relate to him or her.
Don’ts
- Don’t answer vague questions. Rather than answering questions you
think you hear, get the employer to be more specific and then respond.
- Never interrupt the employer. If you don’t have time to listen, neither
does the employer.
- Don’t smoke, chew gum or place anything on the employer’s desk.
- Don’t be overly familiar, even if the employer is doing all of these
things.
- Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne.
- Don’t ramble. Long answers often make the speaker sound apologetic
or indecisive.
- On the other hand, don’t answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no."
Explain whenever possible.
- Do not lie. Answer questions as truthfully as possible.
- Do not make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers
or companies.
Closing the interview
Too many people second-guess themselves after an interview. By closing strongly
and asking the right questions, you can eliminate the post-interview doubts
that tend to plague most interviewees.
If you feel that the interview went well and you would like to take the
next step, express your interest to the hiring authority and turn the tables
a bit. Try something like the following:
"After hearing more about your company, the position and the
responsibilities at hand, I am certain that I possess the qualities that
you are looking for in the (title) position. Based on our conversation
and my qualifications, are there any issues or concerns that you have
that would lead you to believe otherwise?"
You have a right to be assertive. This is a great closing question because
it opens the door for the hiring authority to be honest with you about his
or her feelings. If concerns do exist, this is a great opportunity to overcome
them. You have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths
and end the interview on positive note.
A few things to remember during the closing process:
- Don’t be discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary
discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with the
office first, or interview other applicants, before making a decision.
- Make sure you answer the following two questions: "Why are you interested
in the company?" and "What can you offer?"
- Express thanks for the interviewer’s time and consideration.
- Ask for the interviewers business card so you can write a thank you
letter as soon as possible.
Follow-up
When you get in your car, immediately write down key issues uncovered in
the interview. Think of the qualifications the employer is looking for and
match your strengths to them. Call your recruiter! Follow-up now is critical.
A "thank you" letter should be written no later than 24 hours after the
interview.
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