First myth: The interviewer is prepared
The interviewer is overworked and stressed because he must hire someone and he might have just looked at your resume without thinking about your qualifications.
What you have to do: Think of a job that has many problems and you are the solution. Before attending the interview, identify the problems referred to in the job ad – if there isn't one, probe into the company and industry--and find solutions. If the company's job requirement is to draft press releases, you bring forth a story about the results your press releases have achieved.
Second myth: The hiring manager will ask the right questions
Many interviewers just ask you to tell about you. Maybe, you are being interviewed by HR rep or a high level manager who doesn't have any information on the responsibilities of the job.
What you have to do: Rehearse many examples that highlight your successes and skills. Examples should be short and easy to remember and they shouldn't be a detailed. For example tell him you were the company's sales manager for six or eight months.
Depend on reference letters. Quote your former director who had praised you for your diligent work and offer to leave a copy of that reference letter when leaving the interview. Your quote should go something like this: Company's senior director called me the most efficient and diligent project manager he had ever come across and I am proud of my ability to solve any problem.
Third myth: The most qualified gets the job
None believes this myth any more. More outgoing though less qualified candidates may get the attention of the interviewer and land the job.
What you have to do: If you are an introvert, know the ropes of interview techniques before hand; that gets you the success. Practice your interview answers with the help of your friend or a relative till you master them. Don't end up with monosyllable answers. Prepare elaborate explanations and examples to be discussed.
Research the interviewer. Take the assistance of LinkedIn or find the recent news about the company to have a glimpse of the interviewer's profile. Set the tone for a friendly interaction by finding a reason to compliment him for his professional achievement or his company's success. All the while keep a smile on your face and look into the eyes of the interviewer.
When all is said and done, you should be well dressed to impress the hiring manager. If you don't know how to dress yourself for the interview, ask someone who is well versed with such things—for instance a HR friend. Or go to the About Us page on the company's Web to know their work environs. If the Web carries a picture of the management team in black suits and neckties, you can go for formal dress. If you find the CEO in a T-shirt, you can wear business-casual clothes, but don't be more casual than that.
