- Be yourself. Sounds trite, but in interviewing, one of the most important pieces of advice is simply to be yourself and not try to be someone else. Giving yourself permission to be you takes some of the pressure off the interview and enables your natural strengths to come through.
- Be truthful. If you don't know how to answer a question, say so. If you're not sure of what the interviewer is driving at, don't be shy about asking him to clarify the question. Also be honest in your answers to questions. As Mark Twain once said, "Honesty will please most people and astonish everyone."
- Speak like a free agent, not a bench-warmer. In describing your achievements, generally speaking, don't fall into the "we" syndrome. "We did this, then we did that," etc. The interviewer wants to know what you contributed. He's not hiring your former team.
- Demonstrate integrity. Never divulge confidential information about your previous employers, even if pressed to do so, whether in a friendly or high-pressure manner, if only for your own self-interest.
If you eagerly serve up confidential information in your desire to please the interviewer, you will almost certainly be eliminated from consideration, and rightfully so.
- Never be negative about anything, including former Why the Best-Qualified Candidates Usually DON'T Get the Job Research indicates that about 65% of the time, the hired employee meets fewer than 50% of the job qualifications.
- How can this be? The reason is because job offers are given most frequently to those candidates who, regardless of formal qualifications, sell themselves best, intimidate least and listen to the most bosses, former companies or former employees.
- Never get into an argument with your interviewer, even if you strongly disagree with what he or she is saying. This is not to say that the interviewer is always right. You are free to state your own viewpoint enthusiastically and positively, without bickering. Just remember that if you get into an argument, you cannot win either the argument or the job.
- Always show loyalty to former employers. Your interviewer will assume that you are a loyal person, and this same loyalty will be given to his company in the future.
- Comport yourself as an equal, not a beggar. Look upon your interview as a meeting between equals. The company needs good executives like you as much as you need the company. Being subservient is just as damaging to your chances as being arrogant. Remember that the person who's interviewing you was impressed enough with your resume to invite you for the interview. This is a positive start and should be the basis for optimism.
- Be on your toes at all times, with every person you meet. You must assume that every question asked, and every remark made, is for a reason. Never be so casual at any point in the interview process that you're not thinking your answer through or giving it your best shot. Also assume that anyone you meet may have the power to derail your candidacy, including a secretary. Never let your guard down and assume that a given person is unimportant in the hiring decision.
- If you wish, take notes, but ask first. If you'd like to take notes, ask permission first. Accurate notes will help you write a dynamite follow-up letter. If you choose to go through the interview without taking notes, be sure to jot down the main problems, desires, goals, etc. of your interviewer immediately after the interview. These will form the basis of a powerful follow-up letter.
- Never give out too much information in the first phone call. Your goal is to gain an in-person interview, not a telephone interview. Initial telephone interviews have one purpose only -- to uncover a reason why you are not qualified. It's a screening out process. Therefore, your job is to give as little information as possible and instead, ask a few questions about the position and why it's open and then assumes the caller is desirous of setting up a personal interview.
- Don't let untalented, insecure or insensitive interviewers get you down. Try not to feel offended, intimidated or otherwise put off by anyone you may encounter during your job search. Take it all in stride and try to be yourself as best you can in each situation. Just bear in mind, it's a numbers game, and look forward to your next interview. The more leads you generate, and the more people you see, the more offers you will receive. That's making the law of averages work for you.
- Finally, don't ask the employer about salary until you're offered the position. To get into a salary discussion too early will handicap your negotiating ability. Make sure they want you first and then you will negotiate from strength.
