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Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts

Your Best Impression: Interview to Get the Job

When you are up against someone with similar credentials and background, or when the qualifications for the job have more to do with interpersonal skills and chemistry than with technical qualifications, how you present yourself is of the utmost importance. This is your interview, however, the better prepared that you are the better your chances of getting a job offer.

Do’s

  • Do the research. Make yourself familiar with the company, their history and the product. Check out their web site.
  • Check out their competition in the market, as well as information about your interviewers.
  • Network your contacts in the industry.
  • Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one.
  • Be on time! Do you have the address of the office and do you know how to get there? Make sure you leave early enough to be 10 minutes early, even if there is heavy traffic or some other unforeseen delay.
  • Turn off your cell phone and pager and remember that you may be evaluated in the waiting area as much as the interview. Be courteous and friendly to the receptionist and staff.
  • Be professional. Smile, make eye contact and maintain good posture. These are simple but important things that are easy to forget to do during an interview.
  • Review the "hot buttons" of the employer and the job description.
  • Prepare 15 to 20 business related questions in order to establish chemistry through dialogue rather than monologue. To help you make a better informed decision, be an active participant in the interview. This is your chance to find out as much as you can about the company, the job and the hiring authority.
  • Pay attention and absorb what the interviewer is saying. This is a very underrated skill.
  • Be sure you are clear on your own career goals. Be prepared to explain why you want the job and why you think you are a good fit.
  • Review anticipated "Red Flags" like gaps in the resume and lack of specific qualifications. Come to the interview prepared to explain any weaknesses in your job history, responding in an honest and direct way.
  • The question of salary. Be honest about your current compensation, but let your account executive do the negotiating.
  • In closing, tell the interviewer "thank you" and that you have enjoyed meeting him/her. Tell him/her that you are very interested in their opportunity. (If you are!)
  • Ask the interviewer, "What is the next step?"
  • Ask for the job

Don’ts

  • Don’t answer vague questions. Ask the interviewer to clarify fuzzy questions.
  • Don’t interrupt the interviewer. If you don’t listen, the interviewer won’t either.
  • Don’t be overly familiar, even if the interviewer is.
  • Don’t ramble. Long answers may make you sound apologetic or indecisive.
  • Don’t lie. Answer questions truthfully.
  • Don’t express resentment. Avoid derogatory remarks about present or former employers.
  • Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne. The interviewer may not share your tastes.

Follow up

A "thank you" letter or email should be written no later than 24 hours after the interview. (Check your spelling and grammar.)

Contact your recruiter, immediately after the interview.

Some questions your recruiter will be asking you:

  1. Do you want the job and why?
  2. What impressed you about the job?
  3. Do you think you can work for the hiring authority?
  4. What questions were asked?
  5. Any "red flags"?