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Interviewing 101: Tips and Strategies for a Successful Interview

2).Set up a mock interview..BE VIDEO-TAPED! Analyze your speech patterns for ..um, well, like, you know STOP! Think of the weak areas in your resume and develop concise responses ex: If your background does not completely match the job description ex: Gaps in the time line Prepare for sample questions; ie: what do you think an interviewer might want to know about you

3). Prepare an interview wardrobe: 1-2 outfits that are clean, classic and appropriate Look after the details: small snags, loose threads, pressed clothes, non-scuffed shoes Women: Carry an additional pair of stockings, do not wear perfume, wear conservative make-up and jewelry

Men: Tie is neatly done and not too long or short, belt matches the rest of attire, no cologne BUT: Do not hide your personality. If you traditionally would not wear a somber blue suit you do not have to wear one during an interview. You can be fashionable, show your own style and still be well dressed.

At the Interview: 1). Arrival: If interviewing in an unfamiliar location, be certain to get directions in advance Pace yourself. You may arrive too early, too late, or find that there will be a delay in the scheduled interview time. Be prepared to wait, and not get bored or nervous.

Remember: Your actions in the waiting room, in front of a receptionist or secretary, could be mentioned to the interview team Bring your portfolio of materials with you to the interview: additional resumes, copies of transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing samples, etc. 2). Introductions: Speak clearly, shake hands firmly, and look the people you are being introduced to directly in the eye. Repeat the name of the person, to ensure you remember. Respond to the If handed a business card or company literature, leave it in front of you during the interview 3). Responding to Questions: Take a moment to think about what you have been asked. You do not have to respond instantaneously! Maintain eye contact - look at the interviewer(s) as you respond Answer in a decisive manner. Ask for clarification if you do not understand the question Never answer with a yes or nosell yourself with each response. But be careful not to ramble Do not use slang or colloquialisms in your response Near the end of the interview, ask a few of the questions you have prepared, or new ones that have come up during the interview. Remember that these questions are a way of demonstrating both your knowledge of the organization, as well as your interest in the position The end of the interview is also a time to ask for clarification on the position, the next steps in the process, etc. Do not initiate a discussion on salary or benefits. If the interviewer starts this topic, then you may continue with the discussion. Remember the old rule, The first person who mentions a salary loses! Thank the interviewer(s) for the opportunity to meet and discuss the position. If you want this job, be honest and clearly tell them. Theyll appreciate the enthusiasm.

Post-Interview: 1). Personal Assessment Congratulate yourself on what you did accomplish, rather than berating yourself for what you should have said. Its too late to redo the interview, but you can certainly use this personal assessment to prepare for future interviews - either with the same organization or new ones! Make a list of the questions you were asked that you had difficulty answering - to prepare for the next time Did the interviewer(s) raise any areas of concern regarding your resume? Or did they offer any suggestions? If so, seriously consider their comments, and make these changes - if you feel comfortable with the changes 2). Follow-up: Send a thank you letter, within a week, to each individual who interviewed you If you were asked during the interview to submit additional materials, do so immediately If you were told that that a decision would be made by a certain date, and that date has gone by and you have not heard from the organization, either call or send a letter asking about your status

What to Avoid When Interviewing

Some of the things you should avoid doing in any interview include the following:

1. Try to avoid arriving too early for an interview. This makes people seem over anxious and too available. Arriving 15 minutes early is sufficient and appropriate. 2. Never be late. If you arent sure of the location or transportation means, allocate extra time. 3. If you are kept waiting for 30 minutes, then ask for another appointment and excuse yourself. 4. Dont fumble with a heavy coat or packages. Ask if you may put it in a closet. 5. Avoid smoking or chewing gum. 6. Dont volunteer your resume until it is requested 7. Never apologize for any of your liabilities. 8. At lunch, dont select sloppy or hard to manage foods. Take a cue on drinks from the interviewer. Let him/her pick up the tab. 9. Be careful about posing a threat to your prospective bosss position. People will say that they want to hire people who are better than themselves-but most of the time, they dont mean it. 10. Never read the mail on your interviewers desk; nervously drum your fingers; look at your watch; or exhibit other signs of nervousness or boredom. 11. You should generally avoid discussions on your pet peeves about your last boss, job or organization, race, religion, or politics. These topics only invite trouble. 12. Apart from projecting confidence, you should never imply you can do everything or that you are a miracle worker. People wont believe you. 13. Dont be a Yes-person, dont interrupt. Dont lose your temper. 14. When you are selling yourself, dont brag. Dont name-drop unless you can be extremely smooth about it. Name-dropping usually backfires. 15. In general, try to avoid naming your references until the very end. If you give your references out too often, youll find they will be less effective when you need them. 16. Dont permit yourself to get flustered by the presence of unusual dcor, strange lighting, uncomfortable chairs, and interviewers nervous tapping, or some phone interruptions. 17. Check ahead to find out if the interviewer would like a writing sample or other samples of your work. Never give out confidential or proprietary information about your past employer. 18. Avoid being too critical of your past organization or specific people. Someday you might want to return or get other assistance from their executives. 19. Dont permit your time to be arbitrarily wasted by people who have the time to interview you but who dont have a position available. Try to make sure that they either have a job available or that you are being interviewed by a person with the authority to create a position.