Interview Tips

Because interviews are such a critical part of your job search, you want to get the most out of each one. The following Do's and Don'ts are presented to help ensure that your interview is a success.

The "Do's" - How to have great interviews

• Display confidence through your posture, dress, walk, energy, and eye contact.
• Shake hands firmly but only if a hand is offered to you first.
• Let the interviewer start the dialogue.
• Listen carefully.
• Welcome all questions, even the difficult ones, with a smile.
• Develop answers in your head before you respond. If you don't understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or clarified. You don't have to rush, but you don't want to appear indecisive.
• Give honest, direct answers.

The "Don'ts" - Why people don’t get hired

There are many reasons why people fail to get hired:

• Poor personal appearance
• Application form or resume is incomplete or sloppy
• Overly aggressive behavior
• Lack of tact and courtesy
• Lack of maturity
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm
• Nervousness or lack of confidence and poise
• Failure to ask questions about the job
• Responding vaguely to questions
• No eye contact with the interviewer
• No genuine interest in the company or job
• Lack of planning for career; no purpose and no goals
• Over-emphasis on money
• Unwillingness to start at the bottom
• Negative attitude about past employers
• No sense of humor
• Arriving late for the interview
• Failure to express appreciation for interviewer's time

Plan what you are going to say

One of the most important things that you can do to prepare is to plan what you going to say. Try to have some stories about your work experience that illustrate your skills, experience, and education. These stories should relate to the skills that the employer is seeking, while emphasizing your:

• Strengths
• Leadership skills
• Ability to learn new things
• Contributions to the organizations in which you have worked or volunteered
• Creativity in solving problems and working with people

Another tip for preparing is to make a list of questions that you would like to ask during the interview. Pick questions that will demonstrate your interest in the job and the company and that illustrate your knowledge of the job.

Create a checklist

Plan a “things to do” list:

• Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep.
• Plan to dress in a manner appropriate to the job for which you are interviewing.
• Plan your schedule and route so that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment.
• Bring extra copies of your resumes.
• Gather together your letter(s) of recommendation, reference list and copies of licenses.

Interview Etiquette Before the Interview

• Your hair should be clean and combed.

• Nails should be clean and trimmed.

• Be conservative and err on the side of caution.  If the company does not have a dress code, remember that its better to overdress than underdress.

• Arrive at least 10 minutes before your interview.  The extra minutes will also give time to fill out any forms or applications that might be required.

• Turn off your cell phone or pager.

• Don't assume that whoever greets you is the receptionist.

Interview Etiquette During the Interview

• Make a positive and professional first impression by being assertive and giving a firm handshake to each interviewer and addressing each interviewer by name as he or she is introduced.

• Reinforce your professionalism and your ability to communicate effectively by speaking clearly and avoiding "uhs", "you knows", and slang.

• Use appropriate working.  You won't receive extra points for each work that has more than 10 letters.  Use technical terms only when appropriate to the question.  

Interview Etiquette After the Interview

• Shake each interviewer's hand and thank each interviewer by name.

• Ask for their business card.

• Send a thank you note as soon as possible after the interview is over.