* Remember most of this information is clearly common sense but it never hurts to review it again. We go over this with every person no matter what level they are at in their career.
PART ONE: PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW
* Get familiar with the interviewing company’s background by visiting their web site at VERY LEAST a couple of nights before the interview.
* Make sure you have at least 2 copies of your resume with you with our company’s name written in the upper right hand corner with our phone number.
* On a note or legal pad write down a complete list of questions to ask that you want answered before you leave the interview. Be thorough. So when the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me,” that you aren’t staring off into space trying to think of some. Nothing makes you look more unprofessional than having nothing to ask. When it is your turn, turn the interview around and interview the hiring person.
Ask them stuff like:
- What is your (the interviewer’s) background?
- What made you (the interviewer) join the Client Company?
- Where do you (the interviewer) see yourself going?
- Where do you see the company / this position going, Company goals? Etc.
* It is important not to ask questions on ANY topic that’s already been addressed in your meeting unless you’re looking for clarification. Then simply state that “we spoke about (whatever) earlier and I was looking for a little more information about…”
* Remember to bring your note pad, resumes and questions into the interview with you.
PART TWO: THE INTERVIEW ITSELF
* For Men: Wear a professional, conservative business suit and tie (NO jacket and dress slacks) Please be clean shaven and go easy on the cologne if you use it, no earrings or other distracting jewelry.
* For Women: Wear a professional conservative business suit, or appropriate length skirt or dress (knee length or lower) or dress slacks and blouse…nothing exposing too much flesh. Use Conservative Make-Up and go easy on the perfume and no distracting jewelry.
* FIRST, remember there is no need to be nervous. You are simply two people talking and you are not there to beg. Remember, they need to sell you on being with their company as much as you need to sell them on hiring you.
* Be honest and truthful in the interview at all times. You won’t have any nervousness because you will always say the same thing. It also establishes what you would hope would be an honest relationship with the company. Have the attitude that if you are forthright and honest and then you do not get the job, it’s their loss.
* Be sure to arrive at least 15-20 Minutes early to fill out whatever paperwork/application the company has and fill it out completely, do not skip anything.
* NEVER write “see resume”. A company is looking to see if you can follow directions and not take unnecessary short-cuts. Many interviews have been blown right there.
* Establish the Tone with a FIRM Handshake. No dead fish, leper grip.
* To eliminate that terrible “Pit feeling” people get in their stomach, sit-up straight in the chair. Put your butt all the way to the back of the chair and make sure you can feel your shoulder blades on the back of the chair as well. This does 2 things.
1) The slouched seating position collapses the diaphragm, which makes it more difficult to breathe and to talk which is where you get nervous.
2) When you sit up straight it lifts your chest up which creates an image of confidence & someone who is in a “Position of Authority” In other words, this situation doesn’t intimidate you and neither will anything that is thrown at you in the course of your employment.
* Be very outgoing and personable. Remember to smile…people hire who they like and a smile will make people feel all warm and fuzzy.
* Make direct eye contact. Eyes darting all over the room gives interviewers the impression that you are lying… making things up or searching for something to say. You also come off looking weak and unsure of yourself.
* DO NOT INTERRUPT THE PERSON SPEAKING WITH YOU! Remember that’s why you brought the notepad in the first place. When someone is speaking and they say something that you want to ask about, write down some key words and come back to it at an appropriate time.
* Under NO circumstances should you ever make personal or NEGATIVE Comments about former employers. Interviewers feel like “what would they say about me?” It’s a super NO-NO!
* Be prepared for the difficult questions like, what is your area of weakness? What would you most like to improve on? Answering the question any way other than this kills your chances, as this is a knock-out question. “I consider myself to be a very good (whatever) but I am not perfect and I am sure over the course of my employment here you are going to find things that you want me to work on and I want to assure you that I am open to constructive criticism when it arrives.”
* AGAIN, always answer questions honestly and truthfully. If they ask you a question that you don’t know the answer to, do not try to make something up. Companies will often ask you something they already know the answer to and are trying to see if you will answer honestly or not. If you don’t know the answer, simply say “I DON’T KNOW.” Never leave that hanging alone though. Follow it up with either: “I only need to be shown things once…”or better yet, in your own words tell the interviewer how and what steps you will take to obtain and provide them the answer.
-OR-
“I will have that answer for you by (fill in the blank)” and then make sure you do!
* Close the Sale…When you are on an interview and you like what you are hearing, and only if you are ready to move forward, (this is EXCEPTIONALLY important for people on Sales job interviews) ask for the job. Tell the interviewer “I like what I am hearing here today and I know that I will be successful as an employee of (company name) how do I become a member of your team? Asking for the job can be the difference between getting hired and not. Nobody likes to ask someone to the prom when they don’t think they are going to get a yes. It also shows you can make decisions. You should also ask any subordinates or other interviewers during the process if their recommendation is going to be a positive one or not and if they are not sure how you can change that view. In other words what additional information do you need to make clear to that person and what will it take to get a positive recommendation moving forward.
* Remember also to let us do the negotiating for your salary. Never tell a company what money you want. Just tell them what you are currently earning in base and tell them they should make an offer through us. We have been doing this a long time and have handled a ton of these negotiations and because we are experts at this and will get you the most that the company can offer.
* Get their Business Card and make sure that their e-mail address is on it so you can send a proper and professional “Thank you” note. We will send you a template that you can use.
* REMEMBER, if you have any questions at all about this you can call me at 203-459-9969 x100
