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Your best opportunity
for snagging a job offer comes through your interview.
Here are some things to keep in mind to make the
best possible impression.
- Make a
good impression before your interview.
When you get the call to set up an interview appointment, use
that opportunity to make a great first impression. Be polite,
pleasant and professional. If at all possible, tell the caller
a little about yourself and why you're interested in the job.
Your favorable impression on an assistant who called the candidates
may help sway the decision in your favor.
- For phone
interviews, be a clear communicator.
Often the first interview is by phone. If at all possible, have
this interview on a land line and not a cell phone for better
reception.
Don't treat this any differently than one where you go into the
office. Be prepared. Do your research before the call to find
out details about the company: new projects or acquisitions, product
and sales information, any news items about the company, etc.
Even though the interviewer can't see you, it's really important
to use the same body language you would in a face-to-face situation.
The energy comes through in your voice, so sit tall, lean forward
and project your voice into the receiver.
- Plan
your wardrobe for a face-to-face interview ahead of time.
Don't wear anything flashy. Conservative always works, even if
you're interviewing for an artsy job. You can always relax your
style once you're hired. It's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Conservative also means limited jewelry: a watch for men and a
watch or simple bracelet and small earrings for women. If you
have piercings, fewer adornments are better for the interview.
Planning ahead means that if your suit or dress needs to be cleaned,
you'll have time to either take it or make another choice. Have
polished, unscuffed shoes and carry a notepad for taking notes.
- Be on
time for your interview. That means being 10 minutes early!
If you don't know where you're going, see if you can have a dry
run to see where the building is, how long it takes to get there
and, if you need parking, where a convenient parking lot is. You
don't want to be rushing in at the last minute, out of breath.
Plan to arrive in time to visit the restroom to freshen up before
your meet your interviewer, then take a few minutes to sit quietly
and get a sense of the organization. It's amazing how much information
you can pick up just by sitting and listening to what's going
on around you.
- Have
a firm, but not bone-crushing, hand shake and offer your hand
as soon as you meet.
Take a cue from your interviewer. If s/he offers a weak shake,
mirror it back. You might be meeting someone with arthritis whose
hands hurt and won't want to be squeezed too firmly. You don't
want them to remember you because you gave them pain.
Smile and introduce yourself. If you have an unusual or difficult
name to pronounce, acknowledge that it might be difficult to remember
and repeat it.
- Be ready
to ask questions.
Many people who conduct interviews don't have much experience
hiring people. Be ready with some questions you want answered
about both the company and the job.
Think about what's important to you about the particular job and
then formulate some questions ahead of time. Write them down so
you can easily refer to them when you're having the interview.
You'll probably be a little nervous, so writing them down will
help you remember them. You'll also impress the interviewer when
you take out a piece of paper with questions already written down.
It shows you're prepared and done your homework.
- Practice
interviewing with a friend, colleague, career advisor, even your
cat.
If you're going on an interview for a job you really want, you
can't be too prepared. Practicing asking questions and giving
answers will go a long way to making you more relaxed. You'll
give a better impression if you're not too tense, and practice
helps take away some of the anxiety.
After your
interview, be sure to write a note to anyone you met, thanking
them for their time and interest - and ask for the job. This
is no time to be shy. If you want the job, ask for it - politely
of course. Also, this note should be hand written and sent through
the mail, not e-mail. This means you'll need to get the correct
spelling and address of everyone who interviewed you. This is easy
if you ask for their cards before you leave their offices.
Interviewing
is a skill that anyone can learn.
Make yourself different by knowing how to conduct
a good interview. And good luck!
© Copyright
2004 Dr. Jan Cannon. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt's Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now
What Do I Do? The Woman's Guide to a New Career, Find
a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding
a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional
Accomplishment, and a career professional for more than a decade. Visit her Website, CannonCareerCenter.com.
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