Job Interviewing - Do's and Dont's - Before, During and After an Interview
By Pat Andrew
Almost all job seekers recognize the importance of preparing for a job
interview. And that means more than just showing up with your resume in hand
and a smile on your face. You probably know at least some of the things you
should do to get ready. However, have you also thought about what you should
not do - before, during and after an interview? We've compiled a "Top 10-12"
list of Do's and Dont's for the before, during and after stages of any job
interview. Follow these and you can be assured you'll be ready to make a
success of that interview - and confidently and quickly move to the top of
the Hiring Manager's "hiring" list.
Before the job interview - before you arrive at the company
Do research the company (and the interviewers, if possible) to learn as much
as you can. Don't act cocky during the interview to show off your research
Do realize that there are different types of job interviews and find out
which type you will be having. Don't walk into a surprise!
Do review possible interview questions and prepare your responses. Don't
memorize your answers or over rehearse so you won't sound rehearsed at the
interview.
Do role-play if possible with a family member or friend and ask for feedback
on your presentation. Don't ask someone who can't be objective, however.
Do take a practice run to the interview location to be sure you know exactly
where it is and how long it may take you to arrive. Don't get lost (and if
for some crazy reason you do get lost on the way, don't say that to the
interviewer).
Do plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Don't arrive any earlier or you may
appear desperate. And if you unexpectedly are running late, Do call the
interviewer or other company representative to let them know your expected
arrival time.
Do understand that your interview begins way before you greet the
interviewer(s). It actually begins the moment you begin the trip to that
interview. Be alert and courteous at all times. You never know who you may
interact with as you head to the interview. Don't lose your cool. Be alert
and courteous to everyone!
Do ask what a company's dress code is and dress the part. Don't assume you
automatically know even if the company is similar to a previous employer.
Do focus on hygiene. Brush your teeth prior to the interview. Use a
mouthwash or have a breath mint. Don't smoke before - or during - the
interview, even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette, etc.
Do turn off your cell phone or pager (or put it in silent vibration) and
don't turn it back on until the interview is completed.
During the interview - from the moment you arrive until you leave
Do greet the receptionist with respect. Here is where you can make a great
first impression. Don't assume they won't be asked for their input after you
leave.
Do complete a job application without comment, if you are given one. Don't
balk and say your resume has everything on it.
Do bring additional resumes and or job skills "sales brochures" and offer to
all interviewers. Don't expect everyone to already have a copy.
Do greet interviewer(s) by title; e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., and last name.
Don't assume you know the pronunciation of a last name. If the least unsure,
ask the receptionist before going into the interview.
Do shake hands with anyone who offers their hand. Shake their hand firmly.
Don't have a limp or clammy handshake; and wait until you are offered a seat
before sitting down. And remember that body language often speaks louder
than words. Sit upright; be alert and look interested at all times. Make
good eye contact with the interview. Don't slouch, fidget, become distracted
or stare at the interviewer.
Do demonstrate enthusiasm for the company and job; and a high level of
energy and confidence. Don't be soft-spoken, overly assertive or appear
anxious or desperate to get the job (or just any job to become employed),
however.
Do sell yourself. Make certain that your accomplishments come across to the
interviewer(s) in a way that sincerely speaks directly to their company's
needs. Show how you can benefit their company. Don't expect your application
or resume to do the sales job for you, and don't offer any negative
information about yourself.
Do take advantage of your time with the interviewer to evaluate them and
their company as a potential employer and your mutual "fit". Don't overlook
an opportunity to ask questions as you may appear as though you are not
interested.
Do answer questions completely. Answer truthfully and succinctly but no
"yes" or "no" answers. Offer examples, explanations; showcase your talents,
skills, and accomplishments. Don't over-answer, however. Know when to stop.
Do be ready for the unexpected questions. To give yourself time to think,
repeat the question or ask the interviewer to repeat it. A brief 1-2 second
pause is OK. Don't however, fall back on long, uncomfortable pauses or
statements such as, "Wow, that's a good one!" which make you appear
unprepared.
Do attempt to delay any discussion about salary, vacations, bonuses, etc.,
until after you have an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary
requirements with a generic response. If you know the salary range the
company is offering and it is acceptable to you say, "I'm sure we can find
agreement within your salary range." Don't initiate the discussion.
Do constantly act as if you are determined to get the job and never close
the door on an opportunity until you are positive it is not for you. Don't
shoot yourself in the foot if you want the opportunity by bringing us
personal issues, controversial topics, anything negative about former
colleagues and employers, telling jokes, using poor language, chewing gum
Closing the interview and afterwards - your work is not done just because
the interview is
Do close the interview by expressing your interest in the job. Ask what the
next steps are, and when the company will make a hiring decision. If
appropriate based on how the interview has gone, close the sale - ask for
the job. Don't jump the gun, however.
Do ask for business cards from each person you interviewed with. Don't make
assumptions about even simple names; get the spelling if you can't get the
card.
Do capture the highpoints of the interview immediately after. Don't forget
crucial details.
Do have an action plan in place based on a strong, well-thought out
interview follow-up strategy. This can give you a huge competitive advantage
over others who interviewed for the job and don't follow-up. Don't let this
be a haphazard activity with no structure; just a letter here, a call there.
There's no better way to lose an opportunity than to give follow-up little
importance. And there's no better tool to use to reinforce the benefits you
can bring a company than recognizing and using the real value of follow-up.
Do write thank you letters within 24 hours to each person who interviewed
you to continue to show your interest and enthusiasm for the company and
job, without sounding desperate. Don't fail to send a thank you, even if the
job is not a good fit for you.
Do focus on the content of the thank you letters, not so much on whether
it's hand-written or typed. Show appreciation for the company's interest in
you and remind those receiving your thank you letter why you are the
uniquely qualified candidate for the position. Don't send the thank you
letter through the incorrect medium, however; make sure you know the best
way to reach those interviewers - regular mail, email, fax, a phone call.,
etc. And don't have any errors in your thank you notes.
Do alert your references, if you haven't already, that they may receive a
call from your prospective employer. Don't forget to brief them on what was
said - by you and the interviewers - during the interview.
Do continue to follow-up, especially if requested by interviewer(s). Don't
go overboard however. There's a huge difference between a squeaky wheel
getting the oil, and an annoying pest getting the flyswatter.
Do be patient. You must work with the company's timeline. Don't however,
stop your job search - even if you're confident you'll get the job. Continue
to seek out other opportunities and interview. This can benefit you in at
least two ways: a. Should you get the job, you can leverage other offers in
your job offer negotiations b. Should you not get the job, you'll have other
opportunities to pursue
Do turn a negative situation (not getting the job) into a positive (getting
a referral). Add the interviewers to your job search network. Nurture this
budding relationship so that you can ask them to refer you to other
contacts. Don't, in other words, ever burn any of the bridges you build in
your job search. Always think of ways to use them - and to reciprocate.
Doing so, can benefit you now and in the future - for any other job search
needs as well as growing your career.
There you have it, the top Do's and Don'ts for acing your interview.
For more proven guidance on rel=nofollow [http://www.jobinterview-bestpractices.com/homepage.html]overcoming
job interview weaknesses, telephone interview questions...as well as other
powerful job interviewing topics, visit the Job Interview - Best Practices
website and put your job interviewing skills into overdrive!
Pat Andrew is a managing partner of Andrew-Hill LLC, the parent company of
[http://www.JobInterview-BestPractices.com]http://www.JobInterview-BestPractices.com.
Pat's strong business qualifications include more than 25 years of hands-on
experience in marketing, strategic planning, business and human resource
development, and project management, providing consulting services to
federal government agencies as well as Fortune 500 firms.
She also has a myriad of expertise with special emphasis on identifying and
analyzing human resource and business opportunities and problems and
effecting, testing and monitoring viable solutions.
Through professionalism, experience, and talent it is the goal of
Andrew-Hill LLC to assist you in building sustainable job search skills that
increase your job search and career success.
Our website is dedicated to helping you overcome weaknesses in your job
interviews so you win the job you want. Offerings include: free,
informative, and useful articles and videos as well as easy-to-follow
coaching systems and books to help you prepare to "WIN" your job interview.
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Job Interviewing - Do's and Dont's - Before, During and After an Interview
