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At the Interview
Adrienne Thibodeau
At the Interview
The big day has finally arrived! You're prepared, you're confident, and you're ready to go knock their socks off. Here are some tips that will help you put your best foot forward at your next interview.
Common Scents
You already know that it's a good idea to pass on strong-smelling perfume, cologne and aftershave. It's also a good idea to avoid coffee, garlic, and strongly scented foods before a job interview. Avoid smoking immediately before the interview, too, as the residual smell of smoke may irritate your interviewer's allergies. Carry breath mints or gum to freshen your breath before the meeting, but be sure to discard gum before entering the building.
Timing
Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for the interview. Preparing for the unexpected by having your clothing laid out ahead of time, your paperwork and portfolio together and ready to go, and knowing the location of the office (as well as alternate routes to get there) will virtually ensure that you arrive on time. Just as you don't want to be late for an interview, you don't want to arrive too early; it can give the impression that you have nothing else to do. You definitely don't want your potential employers to think that that you are desperate for a job, or that your time is not valuable. If you reach the interview site more than 15 minutes early you may want to wait in the car or take a walk through a nearby shop to pass the extra time.
Frame of Mind
Think of the interview as your 'first date' with the company, for that is largely what it is. At this point, you're meeting to get to know more about each other, and to see if you're both interested in pursuing a relationship together. This is a chance to decide if this company would be a good place for you to work.
Remember that many interviewers are not fully trained in hiring, and that they are under pressure to find the right person for the job. The person interviewing you may be as nervous as you are. A friendly, respectful attitude can go a long way in putting you both at ease, so be sure to do your part!
Don't forget that you are being evaluated from the moment you arrive at the interview site. If you carry a cell phone, be sure to turn it off to avoid unnecessary distractions. Be sure to be pleasant and courteous to everyone that you meet; if you are hired, these people will be your coworkers, and many interviewers will ask other employees that you interact with for their opinions of you.
The Waiting Game
If you are asked to wait, choose a seat that is facing the hallway (or door) that you expect the interviewer to approach from. Greet anyone who comes through that door with eye contact and a smile, and you will be sure to start off on the right foot. Your goal is for the interviewer to perceive you as someone they would want to have representing their company.
First Impressions
Your appearance and mannerisms will say a lot about you before you even speak a word. Be confident and relax. Breathe deeply, and think over the key points that you want to address to help yourself stay focused while waiting.
Keep your portfolio and interview materials in your left hand so that your right will be free to shake hands with your interviewer without any needless shuffling. When these first few moments go smoothly it will go a long way towards setting your mind at ease.
You're On!
Let the interviewer take the lead, and try to meet them at their level in tone, tempo and pitch. If they seem very formal try to respond formally, and if they seem excited and energetic, try to answer in kind. At the same time, it is important to be yourself, so don't attempt to "fake" who you are, simply try to match their attitude within the bounds of your own personality.
What you say is important, but the interviewer will remember the overall impression that you made over the wording that you used. Most interviewers prefer a candidate who is comfortable with their vocabulary over one who is constantly struggling for a word that is just beyond their grasp. Avoid using "filler" words like "um" and "uh" whenever possible.
Body Language
Listen closely and show interest. You can do this by maintaining eye contact, leaning forward slightly. You may be nervous, but try to remain in control of the messages you send with your body language. Don't fold your arms across your chest, this is often viewed (subconsciously) as a defiant gesture. Don't fidget or bite your nails, and don't touch things on the interviewer's desk. Make regular eye contact, but don't stare.
Answering Questions
A positive attitude is important. Focus on your strengths, and if you are asked to discuss your weaknesses, be prepared to explain what you are doing to correct them. Remember that your goal is to show the interviewer why they should hire you. Never speak badly about a previous job, a former boss, or coworkers.
Never interrupt the interviewer or try to finish their sentences. If you do not understand a question, it is better to ask for clarification than to pretend that you understand.
Keep your answers brief and on topic, and the interviewer will ask for more information if they need it. Once you have finished answering a question, pause, and if the interviewer does not respond after a moment or seems to be waiting for something, don't talk just to fill the silence. It is usually better to ask the interviewer, "does that answer your question?" than to resume talking in hopes of getting it right.
Don't speak in generalities. Provide examples from specific situations whenever possible. This is often a good way to showcase some of your past achievements.
Be honest with yourself and your interviewer about your experience and your abilities. Dishonesty is often easy to detect with a basic background or reference check, and is a surefire way to disqualify yourself from consideration.
Watch the interviewer for clues that the interview is drawing to a close, and be prepared to ask about the next step. This can be as simple as asking when a hiring decision is expected to be made. Be sure to reiterate your interest in the position (if you are, in fact, still interested) and thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.
After the Interview
You may find it helpful to record your thoughts after an interview and to keep those notes in your job searching journal. Include how you felt before, during, and after the meeting, areas in which you felt confident, and areas that could use improvement. This can help you to refine your interviewing skills so that you are better prepared for future interviews.
It is also advisable to send a personal 'thank you' note to the person who interviewed you, thanking them for their time and reminding them of your interest in the position.
Copyright © 2007, Adrienne Thibodeau, All Rights Reserved
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