Let's start with a few assumptions on how you got there. First, you have written the interviewer and sent a copy of your PD sheet. He has asked for the interview and now you are "on."
There are a number of the inevitable dos and don'ts to remember and often to do something about.
- Be on time. If it's a far distance from you, make a trial run if it's by car in order to be sure you can be on time. Get parked and seated and composed when you are called.
- You will probably be a little nervous or very nervous. That's natural and you should worry only if you are not. Many speakers of national fame will go to the men's room just before speaking and do several pushups or deep knee bends in order to get the un-needed adrenalin into some other muscles than their throat or hands or knees. It's not a bad idea before an important interview to plan how you will handle your nervousness and get rid of the unwelcome adrenalin before you get to the interview.
- You should have already written down the basic questions you will want answered and have an extra copy of your PD sheet with you just in case yours has been misplaced.
- Before you get to the interview you will have already had to decide what to wear. On this point, it is obvious you will want to give a clean, neat appearance, but many students are now up-tight about hair length and dress style. Remember your hair, dress, shoes, everything, should only emphasize you and should never be flashier than you are yourself. Next, avoid extremes either way, unless of course you are an entertainer or in a similar field. Lastly, and by far most important, take into consideration who is interviewing you, where you are being interviewed, and for what type of position. If it's public relations in San Francisco then "Let it all hang out." If it is with a mortuary in Omaha then dig for the scissors and blue suit. If possible, dress for the occasion in something you will be comfortable in and not something that is overbearing.
Some of my former students have not had a tie on in four years of college yet are going to apply for a tie-and-coat type of job. I have often suggested they get a little practice wearing both for a few weeks before they start interviewing so they won't have that "in a straight jacket" kind of feeling or start brushing aside nonexistent excess hair. Habits are much harder to break than most of us like to admit.
- On this next one I don't want to be rude to you but honestly I have seen so many examples of poor manners sinking an otherwise very seaworthy applicant. I feel I would be cheating if I didn't mention it. Take a simple thing like getting on and off elevators. All too often I see people come piling on an elevator before they let people get off. Things like this can pile up negative brownie points against you terribly fast. Or the applicant who shows nervousness by yawning and forgets to cover his mouth while doing so. Or the prospect who chews gum right up to the last minute and then pops the gum on the arm of the chair. Or those who never rise when ladies enter the room, or the nonchalant burper. Among your peer group these all may be signs of "cool" but to many others it is simply a sign of poor training, poor taste and thoughtlessness to others. The interviewers often could really care less about the degree of your "cool." So if you are in doubt about any of these things, and if there is a possibility of being taken to lunch or dinner, be prepared to be more civil than cool.
- While waiting for your interviews try to avoid excessive fidgeting, primping, and bugging the secretary to death. Now this doesn't mean not to talk to her, particularly if she is not busy. It simply means if she is obviously busy don't take out your nervousness on her. If your calm will permit, try to get a feel of the place while you are sitting there. What type of reading material is available? Pictures? General decoration? Does it seem busy, chaotic, slow? Is it an act or for real, whatever it is?
- O.K., now for the big scene. You are told you can go in-you are on your feet heading for the door. Don't run or, on the other hand, don't slouch in as if caving in on the family sofa. Just walk in.
- Next, the often-talked-about handshake-if you have to practice this one, do it. And you may want to ask some friends who will level with you on "How is your normal handshake?" You know, most people don't know. If possible you want it somewhere between a human vise and a wet dishrag-basically firm without pain and, if you are the clammy type, a quick wipe on the pants as you get up will take care of the moisture. Along with the handshake, try to look the interviewer right in the eye as you shake hands.
- Don't plop down immediately. Many interviewers prefer for the interviewee to sit in a particular place, so let them signal where they want you to sit.
- Normally, but not always, let the interviewer decide how much time will be spent on small talk and the like. Basically, remember he or she is in charge of the interview so don't try to take over-unless you run into one of the exceptions who are actually baiting you to see how and when you will take over or are just too stupid to know what to do anyway. But usually restraint is better than coming on too hard, too fast.
- Listen well. By that 1 mean show interest in what is being said. Keep your eyes on the person speaking, take some notes on what is being said, show an animated face, not half-opened eyes or looking generally bored.
- Ask intelligent questions which show that you have taken the time and trouble to look into and do some research on the problems of the company and the department where you are being interviewed.
- For heaven's sake don't start the conversation with questions about salary, fringe benefits, vacations, and retirement. This does not mean that if the job is eventually offered to you that you should not have spelled out in detail all of the ground rules including pay and all aspects of your proposed employment. But to put too much and too early emphasis on this will almost certainly give the wrong impression.
- If you continue to be very nervous, simply admit it. This will help you to relax and at the same time show that you are just like most of the rest of us, very human. The interviewer will often make an extra effort to try to put you at ease. Very few will think less of you for admitting nervousness in a most understandable situation.
- Observe the office and the person who is interviewing you. The office, the dress, and the manner of the person can often tell you a great deal about them which you can use to advantage in your questions, manner and speech.
Several years ago 1 was in an office in Chicago. On the wall was a stuffed duck and somehow that duck just didn't look quite right to me. After looking at it several times 1 decided (although I am not a duck expert) that it looked most like a cross between a Mallard and a Redhead. To be honest I wasn't at all sure and 1 didn't think they crossbred. Well anyway, 1 finally screwed up my courage and pointing to the duck asked if there was something wrong with it. "Wrong?" the owner shouted, making me feel I had really blown this one until I noticed he had a gleam in his eye. Whereupon he pulled open a desk drawer, pulled out a document from the Museum of Natural History in Washington congratulating him for having shot a cross between a Mallard and a Redhead which only happens in every umpteen million ducks. He then pointed out that it had been on the wall for ten years and I was only the second person to have noticed it. Our conversation warmed and eventually I got several substantial consulting contracts from his firm. Inside, I am quite sure the reason for the contracts was the breakthrough with the duck. Ever since that time I have tried hard to notice a man's office and have found by observation he is telling you a lot about himself. The problem is that most of us are so tied up with our own problems we fail to see all the hints lying around. On that point, don't light a cigarette until you have spotted an ash tray. A polite question about smoking is most in order (leave the stogies at home).
- If you are impressed with what the interviewer has said and with the job, don't forget to ask for the job before the interview is over. Many salesmen are poor salesmen because they will leave the office without asking for the order. The same is true with jobs; if you want it, ask for it. Or to put it another way, many executives have more decisions to make than they actually want and any they can avoid they will. So if you do not come right out and ask for the job they will often quite happily close the interview with no decision or the feeling that no decision needs to be made.
But if you get the "Don't call us, we'll call you" routine, start looking for another job. That is the most casual of brush-offs-not always, but usually.
Be sure and double check that you have your latest address and phone numbers on your PD sheet you are leaving with them so that you can be reached just in case they really do try to contact you.
It is also most appropriate to ask how long they estimate their decision will take, leaving them with the clear impression that you can't wait forever and, although you prefer them, they are not the only fish in the sea.
- The interviewer's moving away from his desk and starting to get up is a clear sign the interview is over. By all means also rise, thank him for his time, shake hands and leave.
- Don't forget to thank his secretary on the way out for her help.
- If it was a pleasant interview, even if it looks like nothing will come of it for now, take the time to sit down and write a short note of thanks to the interviewer. You would be surprised how long thoughtfulness is remembered and how often what is not available now becomes available later.
- If this was one of your first interviews, sit down and list the things you did that you felt were right and those you felt were wrong. Do this soon after the interview, while it's all fresh in your mind. These notes will help you on your next interview.
- If the job offer comes too quickly or easily, be careful. This may be a tipoff that all is not right within the company. Yes, I know you may be eager yourself to get started, but you will not do yourself any good by joining some fly-by-night organization who will take any body as long as it is warm.
- With regard to written vs. oral contracts of employment, you will have to make up your mind on the basis of how you feel about it and the particular situation. Let's look at two examples. I would never accept overseas employment which involved considerable travel and shipping expenses plus dislocation from your contacts without a written contract which spelled everything out in considerable detail.
