Job Interview Tips
To make a good impression on interview day, use these tips: Get
there on time. Try to schedule several interviews within the same area
of town and time frame to avoid wasted time in excessive travel. Get
directions online or ask fro directions from the receptionist to be
sure you know how to get to the interview and how long traveling to
the interview will take. Allow plenty of time for traffic or other
problems and plan on arriving for the interview 5 to 10 minutes early.
Check your appearance. Arrive early enough to slip into a restroom and
correct any grooming problems your travel may have caused, such as
wind-blown hair. You should be surprised how many people go into the
interview with grooming problems such as messed-up hair or smudged
lipstick on their teeth. Use a breath mint or gum just to be on the
safe side. Do not spray on perfume, cologne, or hair spray right
before the interview because many people are sensitive to chemicals
and scents. Use appropriate waiting-room behavior. As you wait for
the interview to begin, keep in mind that it's important to relax and
to look relaxed. Occupy yourself with something businesslike. For
example, you could review your notes on questions you might like to
ask in the interview, key skills you want to present, or other
interview details. Bring a work-related magazine to read or pick one
up in the reception area. The waiting room may also have publications
from the organization itself that you may not have seen yet. You could
also use this time to update your daily schedule. Be prepared if the
interview is late. Hope that it happens. If you arrive promptly but
have to wait past the appointed time, that puts the interviewer in a
"Gee, I'm sorry, I owe you one" frame of mind. If the interview is 15
minutes late, approach the office manager or administrative assistant
and say something like: "I have an appointment to keep yet today. Do
you think it will be much longer before the interviewer will be free?"
Be nice, but don't act as though you can sit around all day, either.
If you have to wait more than 25 minutes beyond the scheduled time,
you may want to ask to reschedule the interview at a better time. Say
it is no problem for you and you understand things do come up.
Besides, you say, you want to be sure Mr. or Ms. So-and-So doesn't
feel rushed when he or she sees you. Set up the new time, accept any
apology with a smile, and be on your way. When you do come back for
your interview, the odds are that the interviewer will apologize - and
treat you very well indeed. Be particular about your dress and
appearance. How you dress and groom can create a big negative or
positive impression, especially during the first few seconds of an
interview. With so many options in styles, colors, and other factors,
determining the correct approach can get quite complex. To avoid the
complexity, follow this simple rule: Dress and groom like the
interviewer is likely to be dressed and groomed, but just a bit
better. Give a firm handshake and maintain good eye contact. If the
employer offers his or her hand, give a firm (but not to firm)
handshake as you smile. As ridiculous as it sounds, a little practice
helps. Avoid staring, but do look at the interview when either of you
is speaking. It will help you concentrate on what is being said and
indicate to the employer that you are listening closely and have good
social skills. Act interested. When you are sitting, lean slightly
forward in your chair and keep your head up, looking directly at the
interviewer. This stance helps you look interested and alert.
Eliminate annoying behaviors. Try to eliminate any distracting
movements or mannerisms. Listen to yourself and you may notice that
you say "aaahhh" or "ummmmm" frequently or say "you know what I mean?"
over and over again, or use other repetitive words or phrases. You may
hardly be aware of doing this, but do watch for it. Ask friends or
family for help pinpointing these behaviors. Pay attention to your
voice. If you are naturally soft-spoken, work on increasing your
volume slightly. Listen to news announcers and other professional
speakers who are good models for volume ,speed, and voice tone. I, for
example, have a fairly deep voice. I have learned to change my
intonation while doing presentations so that everyone doesn't go to
sleep. Your voice and delivery will improve as you gain experience and
conduct more interview. Use the interviewer's formal name as often
as possible. Do this particularly in the early part of the interview
and again when you are ending it. Do not call the interviewer by his
or her first name unless the interviewer suggests otherwise. Play
the chitchat game for awhile. Interviewers often comment on the
weather, ask if you had trouble getting there, or make some other
common opening. Be friendly and make a few appropriate comments. Do
not push your way into the business of your visit too early because
these informal openings are standard measures of your socialization
skills. Smile. It's nonverbal, and people will respond more favorably
to you if you smile at them. Comment on something personal in the
interviewer's office. "I love your office! Did you decorate it
yourself?" or "I noticed the sailboat. Do you sail?" or "Your office
manger is great! How long has he been here?" The idea here is to
express interest in something that interests the employer and
encourage her or him to speak about it. This kind of interest is a
compliment if your enthusiasm shows. This tactic can also provide you
the opportunity to share something you have in common, so try to pick
a topic you know something about. Ask some opening questions. As
soon as you have completed the necessary pleasant chitchat, be
prepared to guide the interview in the direction you wish it to go.
This process can happen within a minute of your first greeting, but is
more likely to take up to five minutes.
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