- Practice proper etiquette. If you're not sure what proper etiquette is, make that part of your homework before going to the interview. There are lots of books in the library that will clue you in to what's expected. Be friendly and polite to the receptionist or secretary, who could play a role in the ultimate hiring decision. A comment like "There's a very nice young woman waiting to see you about the programming analyst job" can be a big help in preparing the interviewer to like you. Conversely, I've had a receptionist tell me that an obnoxious person was waiting to be interviewed. That candidate's chances of getting the job added up to zero before the interview ever began.
Like a photograph, a smile is worth ten thousand words, so don't be reluctant to display a friendly, sincere smile to everyone you meet. Shake hands firmly but avoid being a "cruncher." Look people in the eye, but don't overdo it. When you are asked a question, it's a perfect time to move your focus of attention from the interviewer and to take a couple of seconds to think about the answer. Thoughtful people are viewed more positively that those who have a flippant answer.
- Be observant. Whenever I make a speech, I always look for things in the lobby of the auditorium or at the dais that I can work into my opening remarks. It gives those people listening to me a sense that I care about them and am not simply delivering a canned speech.
- Be enthusiastic. Hiring surveys we've conducted over the years indicate that as many as 90 percent of interviewers rate enthusiasm as an extremely important qualification for being hired. Be pleasant, warm, courteous, and responsive, and radiate energy and interest.
- Make sure the conversation is two-way. Don't interrupt a talkative interviewer, but find ways to get your points across in the limited time you have. And be a good listener. When DP management and top management were asked in one of our studies whether data processors are poor listeners, 45 percent of those who answered the question said DPers are poor listeners. If you are a success-oriented data-processing professional, sharpen up those listening skills.
- Ask for the job if you have come to the conclusion that you really want it and that your chances of being hired are pretty good. By asking for the job, I don't mean pleading for it. Prove that you want it by showing confidence in yourself and in your ability and willingness to do everything necessary to make the employer happy that he or she hired you. You might say, "Ms. Jones, I like the company, I like the job, and I would like working for you-and if I'm hired, I can assure you that I won't let you down."
- Volunteer. If there is a lingering question about some aspect of your experience or background, consider offering to do something without compensation in order to prove yourself. I don't recommend this for all jobs for which you are interviewed, but if one really appeals to you, don't be afraid to demonstrate the kind of interest and aggressiveness that companies like to see.
- End on an upbeat. Come away from every interview with something positive. If you are told by the interviewer that you just don't measure up in terms of qualifications, don't fail to ask the interviewer to recommend other executives in the field who might have openings that more appropriately fit your credentials. If the interview concludes with you feeling confident about your chances, state your enthusiasm and ask what the next step might be.
- Take some time to review as soon as possible after you've left the interview. There undoubtedly will have been questions that you could have answered more smoothly, and you should practice your responses to those questions before going to the next interview. Chances are they will come up again. Many interview questions have become standardized.
- Keep practicing. If you have gone through several interviews without landing a job, don't be discouraged and start tucking your head under your wing. Use the interview process to build your network of contacts, and recognize that being turned down for a job does not indicate a lack of worth on your part. Competition may have been very keen for the opening.
- Be organized. If you have kept good records of the jobs you've applied for and the interviews you've experienced, you will have a solid sense of the timetable of those events. Sometimes a company will hire someone and, after a month or so, realize that they made the wrong choice, or the person hired will leave because another job opening that had been unresolved has come through. For those companies and jobs that you keenly wanted, by all means drop a note to the person who interviewed you, or telephone, and show your continued interest in the company. They might be so impressed with that approach that they find another slot within the organization for you.
A job seeker is no different, especially where the interview is involved.
