Wear a suit:
It is not 1999. Back then suits in the lobby meant VC money was coming down the
hall. Not any more. Wear a suit - it is better to be overdressed any day.
For Interview's sake, get a grip!
The first impression is how you dress and how you grip. Shake hands with the
same strength it takes to twist off a bottle cap. If you shake hands with
someone and they think they are holding a dead fish, your interview too, could
be floating upside down in the water.
Sure, I had bad breath, sweaty palms a weak handshake and a wandering eye...
but why didn't I get the job?
These are all things that portray a lack of confidence yet all are things that
can be somewhat controlled. If you have some of these challenges, you won't get
the job if there is someone equally qualified. So, always have a mint - never
gum. Keep a new tissue in each pocket, it will help dry those sweaty palms (but
don't keep your hands in your pockets! Practice looking and speaking with
a friend to look them in the eye. If you don't have a friend, use the mirror.
Be concise, don't just keep uncontrollably talking without ever really saying
anything more than what you said in the first place...I mean be concise:
Most people talk too much because they are afraid of silence or they get
nervous. They answer the question, they get no response from the interviewer, so
they proceed to answer the question again in another way and proceed to talk
themselves out of the job. Try instead to make the meeting more conversational.
If you feel a nervous pause after answering a question qualify you were
responding correctly or ask the interviewer the same question in relation to his
experience. For instance
Interviewer: Where are you from?
You: A little town called Macon, Georgia.
You - thinking: This is an uncomfortable silence, like that bad date in high
school, how can I stop this, should I tell them about Macon, should I tell them
about my dog Skip? - instead...
You: How about you?
Know the answers to common questions they may ask:
What are your strengths, weaknesses?
Why should we hire you?
What are your leadership qualities?
What are your goals?
Why did you leave your jobs?
What job did you like most and why?
What can you do for us others can't?
What are the best things about your last boss?
What salary are you looking for?
If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?
Do you know the answers? Write them down for yourself, memorize them, this is at
least half of the interview. It will help you get the job.
Sell, don't tell:
When discussing your technical background, don't just tell...sell. First, find
out what skills in your background the interviewer is interested in and then be
excited about your experiences and let the enthusiasm show. If you were bored
during your experiences, why would the interviewer think you would be excited
about their job. Explain that you have the experience and lead the interviewer
to the job on your resume where that experience was gained. Finally, if you
aren't excited about these experiences, don't interview for this job.
I don't know the answer but I'm going to make something up - it'll show my
creativity... What?
So you went in, they asked you a question you didn't know the answer to and you
made up something that made you look like a fool. Why would you do that? This
isn't the SAT's. It's not multiple choice. If you don't know the answer, say, "I
don't know." Don't make it so hard. Follow up with, "I know I could find the
answer to this in such and such a location." This will show resourcefulness.
Being resourceful is better than making up answers - it will make you look
better too.
Ask for the kiss or at least another date:
So it's the end of the interview and the manager has not given you any
indication of the way he feels. So ask! Why not. If he hates you, you'll know
why which will help you on your next job interview. If he loves you, you'll know
why. Better yet than either of these, if he is unsure about you, you can find
out where and continue to give him the reasons he should talk to you. So, you
could say, "Do you think I'm a fit technically for this position?" Maybe he was
confused on a portion of your background you could clear up for him. If you
don't ask now, you'll never really know how you could improve and he may never
call again.
Take notes, look interested, you'll do great. Good luck!.
