- Offer to pay for your own meal. If your host insists on paying (as he should), accept graciously and thank him.
- Avoid liquor at meals. If your host insists and you feel like it, have a drink, but never more than one. If your host insists and you don't feel like it, politely decline and choose a non-alcoholic beverage. Don't be pressured into anything you don't really want to do. You needn't compromise your dignity merely because you're looking for a job.
- Avoid sloppy or hard-to-manage foods. Stay away from splashy sauces, multi-colored salads which can leave multi colored salad bits on your teeth. Avoid anything that requires a bib and any food that can easily result in stains on your clothing. No matter where your interview takes place.
- Smile easily and warmly.
- Use correct grammar.
- Feel free to use the interviewer's name in your conversation. This shows respect, and we all like to hear our own names. But don't use a person's first name unless he or she invites you to do so. Some people resent the presumed familiarity that goes with use of their first name.
- Never light up and smoke during an interview unless your interviewer is already smoking. Don't smoke a cigar unless your interviewer is already smoking one and invites you to join him. (Even a cigarette-smoking interviewer may take offense at your filling his office with cigar odor.) And leave your pipe at home. Pipe-smoking executives are sometimes perceived to be like college professors-too contemplative and not action-oriented.
- Avoid nervous habits such as pulling your ear lobe, rubbing your nose, straightening your tie, tugging your wristwatch or rubbing your chin.
- Never try to read documents on the interviewer's desk.
- Never pick up objects in the interviewer's office. This is offensive.
- Never talk while your interviewer is reading, especially when he's reading your resume.
- Always hold your temper in check, despite any provocation, which may be intentional as part of a "stress interview."
- Keep your ego under control. Never practice one-upmanship with your interviewer. You can only lose.
According to a poll conducted by executive search consultant and author Allan Cox, two-thirds of employers frown of dirty footwear. The only thing that will turn them off more is a woman who comes to an interview dressed in a see-through blouse. Other interesting findings:
- 40% of hiring executives reacted negatively to a bracelet or neck chain worn by a man.
- While 17% of middle managers frowned upon anyone wearing a beard, 22% of top executives took a dislike to those with beards. Mustaches turned off 7% of the top executives and 6% of middle managers.
- Being five minutes late for the interview upset about 60% of executives. Being 15 minutes early annoyed 12% but favorably impressed 45%.
- Drinking alcohol during lunch was frowned on by 25% of executives, but was viewed positively by 21%.
- Asking reflective questions about the company impressed more than 80% of all executives surveyed.
- Don't show your nervousness by talking too much. At least 90% of discharged managers seeking new jobs make the mistake of talking too much. Be concise. Say what you want and no more. Maximum time for each answer is two minutes. Rehearse your answers to anticipated questions in advance, and make them concise enough to fit into one- or two-minute segments. If your interviewer wants more information, he can ask after you finish your one-to two-minute summary.
- If you frequently use "verbal filler" in your sentences, try to break this annoying habit.
- Eliminate such phrases as wyc-u knows, "WUH" and WI mean." They are distracting to most people and unbearably grating to some.
- In describing your achievements, you don't want to seem like an egomaniac in taking credit for everything done in previous positions. However, you should generally give yourself ample credit. Forget the "we" in every description. Remember that you're no longer on the old team. Use "I" instead. Focus on the new firm and what you can do for it, not on where you used to work.
- Never say, "Well, I would rephrase that question and answer it this way." That is a not-too-hidden criticism of your interviewer's question.
- Try to modulate your voice and pacing according to your interviewer. If he speaks slowly and methodically, it's likely that he will not have rapport with somebody who gives rapid-fire answers. The reverse is also true. Notice how your interviewer speaks and try to present your thoughts in a similar manner. When you do speak, don't mumble. Try to avoid nervous gestures such as touching your face, lips or glasses. Keep your hands still. Don't twist your pen or rubber band and never glance at your watch or clock on the interviewer's desk, even if you think that he wouldn't see you.
- If there is a long pause in the conversation, you can always ask a question.
- Indeed, the best way to establish rapport with an interviewer is to ask intelligent questions. Almost all interviewers enjoy being asked about their companies, departments, or the position that's open and what is expected of the person who will be hired. Questions will not only tell you how to position your own qualifications but will also demonstrate your genuine interest and allow the interviewer to feel very comfortable with you. (More on intelligent questions later.)
- On Effective Listening
- Pay the interviewer the ultimate compliment by listening intently to his questions. Listen closely and think through your answer before replying to any question.
- The greatest and simplest secret of the most effective listeners: having a sincere interest in what the other person is saying. And you should have such an interest, because the more the interviewer talks, the more he is telling you what you should say in order to get yourself hired. Laymen think that the best salespeople are the best talkers. Not so. The number one secret of the greatest salespeople is that they are the best listeners because they let their prospects tell them everything they need to know to close the sale. Let your prospect talk -- indeed, use questions to encourage him to talk -- and he will pour forth the information you need to sell him, namely what he's looking for, what qualifications he most wants you to have, the problems he hopes you can help him solve, etc.
- Another excellent listening skill: after the interviewer makes an important statement, feedback your understanding of it in your own words, to be sure you understand and to show the interviewer how well you were listening. Example: "If I understand you correctly, your greatest concern in this area is."
- As part of demonstrating your attentiveness, be on your toes if your interview is interrupted. When telephone calls, urgent messages or other people in the office interrupt your interview, take note where you were in the interview. Often the interviewer will turn to you after the interruption and ask, "Where was I?" If you haven't a clue, it will seem as if you weren't even listening to him or her.
- Another way to demonstrate your sincerity in listening is to ask permission to take notes, and then on a small pad or an index card, jot down key words which will help you write a powerful follow-up letter about the interviewer's greatest concerns and key ideas. But perhaps the most important effect is to show the interviewer how interested you are in his thoughts. This enhances his self-esteem and shows what a good listener you are.
- Finally, on the importance of listening: remember that most people are starved for attention. Your interviewer may feel that his wife doesn't listen to him, his children don't listen to him, his customers don't listen to him, and even his dog doesn't listen to him. When you hang on his every word, it's extremely flattering. It establishes instant rapport and shows respect. And everyone in this world is desperately searching to have relationships with those who will give them respect and enhance their self-esteem. Rapt attention while listening is your most powerful tool for fulfilling these universal needs.
- Never interrupt your interviewer before he is finished asking his question. The last few words of his question may altogether change the meaning or carry a subtle hint as to how you should answer. Resist the temptation to jump the gun when your interviewer seems near the end of his thoughts. Allow him to finish completely, and even then allow a second or two to compose your own thoughts.
