It's important for you to know that the interviewer's decision about whether or not you'll be invited back for an additional interview will probably be influenced by your attitude and personality as much as by your qualifications. So although preparation is important, your performance during an interview can make an even greater difference. Generally, you should try to stress the following qualities in your choice of words, your tone of voice, and your body language:
- Capability
- Confidence
- Dependability
- Easygoing manner
- Enthusiasm
- Flexibility
- Resourcefulness
- Strong work ethic
Dressing for Success
How important is proper dress for a job interview? Although the final selection of a job candidate will rarely be determined by dress, first-round candidates are often eliminated because they've dressed inappropriately. This is not to say you should invest in a new wardrobe; just be sure that you're able to put together an adequate interview outfit. A good rule of thumb is to dress for a position just above the one you're applying for.
Men should wear a clean, conservative, two-piece suit, a white shirt, and a silk tie. Lace-up wing tips are your best bet for shoes. This is the basic corporate wardrobe; however, in some industries, a quality jacket, pants, shirt, and tie are fine. But if you're not sure what dress is appropriate at a certain firm, play it safe and opt for a two-piece suit. A man should always wear a jacket and tie to an interview-even if everyone else in the office is in shirtsleeves. Dressing this way shows that you're taking the interview seriously and treating the company with respect.
For women, a professional-looking dress or suit with low-heeled shoes makes the best impression. In more conservative industries, like law or banking, a suit's probably your best choice. However, some hiring managers in "creative" industries, like advertising or publishing, look for a more informal, stylish look that reflects the applicant's individuality. Use your best judgment and wear whatever is both professional and comfortable for you. However, be sure to avoid excess jewelry or makeup.
Impeccable personal grooming is even more important than finding the "perfect" outfit. Be sure that your clothes are clean, pressed, and well fitting, and that your shoes are polished. Hair should be neat and businesslike, and your nails should be clean and trimmed. Both men and women are advised to skip the cologne or perfume-you never know if the person interviewing you will be violently allergic to the cologne you're wearing.
Timing Is Everything
Although it may seem hard to believe, many job seekers arrive late for interviews. This is easy enough to do-you might simply take a little unplanned extra time to prepare for your interview, or underestimate how long it will take to get to the interview location. Don't let yourself make this fatal mistake!
Allow plenty of time to get ready for, and to travel to, your job interview. You shouldn't arrive at the interviewer's office more than ten minutes in advance. However, if you're driving across town, allowing yourself an extra ten minutes probably isn't enough. Try to get to the location at least thirty minutes early; you can then spend twenty minutes in a nearby coffee shop or take a walk around the building. Interviews are important enough to build in a little extra time. Here's another tip: if you've never been to the interview location, visit it the day before so you know exactly how to get there, how to access the building, and where to park.
Sometimes the interviewer will be running behind schedule. Don't be upset: be sympathetic. Interviewers are often pressured to see a lot of candidates and to fill a demanding position quickly. So be sure to come to your interview with good reading material to keep yourself occupied and relaxed.
What to Have on Hand
A briefcase or leather-bound folder, if you have one, will help complete the professional, polished look you want to achieve. Women should avoid carrying a purse if they plan on carrying a briefcase--it may detract from a professional image. And don't forget to wear a watch!
Before leaving for the interview be sure that you have good directions and the phone numbers and names of the people you'll be meeting with. You should also bring the following items with you to the interview:
- Several unfolded copies of your resume and cover letter
- A notepad and pen (for taking notes during the interview)
- A list of professional references
- Examples of your work, such as writing samples or clippings (taking care that these don't breach the confidentiality of previous employers)
Body Language
The first minutes of the interview are the most important. A recruiter begins sizing up your potential the instant you walk into the room. If you make a bad impression from the start, you may be ruled out immediately, and the interviewer may pay little attention to your performance during the rest of the interview. An excellent initial impression, on the other hand, will put a favorable glow on everything else you say during the rest of the interview-- and could well encourage the recruiter to ask less demanding questions.
How can you ensure that you make a terrific first impression? The easiest answer is to be sure you're dressed well. When the recruiter meets you, he or she will notice your clothes and grooming first. Nothing other than impeccable grooming is acceptable. Your attire must be professional and squeaky clean.
Your body language will also speak volumes, even before you and the interviewer exchange a word. Any recruiter will unconsciously pick up on and react to the subtle signals of body language. Here are some important things to think about:
- Do you smile when you meet?
- Do you make just enough eye contact without staring at the recruiter?
- Do you walk into the office with a self-assured and confident stride?
- Do you shake hands firmly?
- Are your briefcase, notepad, and coat in your left hand, or do you have to juggle them around in order to shake hands?
- Do your eyes travel naturally to and from the recruiter's face as you begin to talk?
- Do you remember the recruiter's name and pronounce it with confidence?
- Do you make small talk easily, or do you act formal and reserved, as though under attack?
It's human nature to judge people by that first impression, so make sure yours is a good one. But most of all, try to be yourself.
Overcoming Nervousness
As if formulating solid answers to interview questions isn't tough enough, you'll also have to overcome a quite natural, inevitable nervousness. Most employers won't think less of a job candidate for a bit of nervous behavior- but they will pay close attention to how you hold up under pressure. Displaying excessive nervousness can easily eliminate you from further consideration.
One good way to overcome pre-interview jitters is to exercise positive thinking. If you're feeling nervous about an upcoming interview, imagine in detail what the experience will be like: think of what you'll say, the questions you'll be asked, and how you'll answer them. Picture yourself responding calmly, effectively, and in a controlled manner. This type of mental rehearsing won't guarantee success, but it should help you feel more optimistic and self-confident, which will undoubtedly enhance your final presentation.
Above all, you should practice interviewing as much as you can. You'll become more confident and your answers will become more polished with each interview you have.
Navigating the Dynamics of Interview Conversation
All your preparation should be evident when the conversation gets going. Make sure your tone remains conversational; don't let the interview turn into an interrogation. Start by thanking the interviewer for the opportunity to talk with him or her and explain up front why you're interested in the position. Be ready to answer and to ask questions, including occasionally asking the interviewer for his or her own perspective on a subject.
After small talk the interviewer may well begin by telling you about the company, the division, the department, or perhaps the position. Because of your detailed research, information about the company should be already familiar to you. The interviewer will probably like nothing better than to avoid this regurgitation of company history, so if you can do so tactfully, indicate that you're very familiar with the firm. If the interviewer seems determined to provide you with background information despite your hints, then listen attentively. If you can manage to initiate a brief, appropriate discussion of the company or industry at this point, that's great. It will help you to build rapport, underscore your interest, and increase your impact.
Soon the interviewer will begin to ask you questions. This period of the interview may be structured or unstructured, or somewhere in between. In a structured interview the interviewer asks a prescribed set of questions, seeking relatively brief answers. In the unstructured interview the interviewer asks more open-ended questions to prod you into giving longer responses and revealing as much as possible about yourself, your background, and your aspirations. Some interviewers will mix both styles, typically beginning with more objective questions and asking more open- ended questions as the interview progresses.
Try to determine as quickly as possible which direction the interviewer is going, and respond to the questions accordingly. As you answer the questions, watch for signals from the employer as to whether your responses are too short or too long. For example, if the employer is nodding or looking away, wrap up your answer as quickly as possible. Following the style the interviewer establishes will make the interview easier and more comfortable and will help you make a more favorable impression.
Once you begin to feel more confident about interviewing, you may wish to think strategically about each interview. One effective tactic is to adjust your speed of speech to match that of the interviewer's. People tend to talk at the speed at which they like to be spoken to. If you can adjust your speech rate to that of the recruiter without sounding unnatural, the recruiter will probably feel more comfortable (after all, interviewing others isn't much fun, either) and have a more favorable impression of you.
Another strategy is to adapt your answers to match the type of company for which you're interviewing. For example, if you're interviewing for a job at a large product-marketing company that emphasizes group decision making and spends much of its energy focused on battles for market share with its competitors, you might want to talk about how much you enjoy team sports-especially being part of a team and competing to win.
Concentrate on the themes you've developed in chapter 2 and be alert for opportunities to mention them. If applicable, draw parallels between your experience and the demands of the position as described by the interviewer. Talk about your past experience, emphasizing results and achievements and not merely recounting activities. If you listen carefully (listening is a very important part of the interviewing process), the interviewer might very well give you an idea of the skills needed for the position. Don't exaggerate. Be on the level about your abilities.
Try not to be negative about anything during the interview--especially about any past employer or previous job. Be cheerful. Everyone likes to work with someone who seems to be happy.
Don't let a tough question throw you off base. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so simply-don't apologize. Just smile. Nobody can answer every question-particularly some of the questions that are asked in job interviews.
Try not to cover too much ground during the first interview. This interview, in which many candidates are screened out, is often the toughest. If you're interviewing for a very competitive position, you'll have to make an impression that will last. Focus on a few of your greatest strengths that are relevant to the position. Develop these points carefully; state them again in different words then try to summarize them briefly at the end of the interview.
Above all else, keeps the conversation flowing. Don't talk too much or too little; watch the recruiter for signals. A job interview is a conversation between two people who are hoping to discover they have a common interest. Move around if you have to so that you don't appear stiff, but be careful not to fidget. Try to appear relaxed, enthusiastic, and determined- all at the same time!
Turning the Tables
Often the interviewer will pause toward the end and ask if you have any questions. Particularly in a structured interview, this might be the one chance to communicate your knowledge of, and interest in, the firm. Have a list prepared of specific questions that are of real interest to you. Let your questions subtly show your research and your knowledge of the firm's activities. It's wise to memorize an extensive list of questions, as several of them may be answered during the interview.
When asking the interviewer your questions, follow these guidelines:
- Don't let this opportunity turn into an interrogation. Don't bring your list of questions to the interview.
- Ask questions that you're fairly certain the interviewer can answer. (Remember how you feel when you can't answer a question during an interview.)
- If you're unable to determine the salary range beforehand, don't ask about it during the first interview. You can always ask about it later.
- Don't ask about fringe benefits until you've been offered a position. (Then be sure to get all the details.) You should be able to determine the company's policy on benefits relatively easily before the interview.
- If it looks as though your skills and background don't match the position your interviewer was hoping to fill, ask if there's another division or subsidiary that perhaps could profit from your talents.
A Final Note
Interviewing is like almost everything else--the more you do it, the better you become. Don't expect to give a perfect performance-especially in your first few interviews. Even experienced professionals who haven't interviewed in a while are bound to be rusty.
And if you have a terrible interview, don't let it shake your confidence! Remember that everyone has a bad interview experience sooner or later. Learn from it, work on your performance, and keep looking for other opportunities.
