You have assimilated, everything, has prepared you for the moment of truth-the interview. Discovering or better defining: who you are, what you want, what you have to sell, who might be interested in buying, how to package yourself-these things had to be addressed to prepare you to interview with self-confidence. And that is the cornerstone of successful interviewing-self-confidence.
If you have done your homework, you are now ready to learn how to make "the big pitch." In sales, it's called a sales presentation. In a job search, it's called an interview. The result of a successful sales presentation is a sale. The result of a successful interview is also a sale, spelled job. When you have completed this chapter you should look forward to the challenge of clinching the sale. You have carefully and systematically prepared for this moment of triumph. It's time to get ready to savor the sweet taste of job search success.
Philosophy
What is an interview... an interrogation? No. Although some interviewers may try to grill you-don't let them. Grilling is for raw meat, not people. Neither should an interview be a monologue, by you or by the interviewer. Nor should it be two monologues, one following another.
An ideal interview takes the form of a dialogue or conversation.
It involves a business-like exchange of necessary information between two parties (and oftentimes more). It is a conversation with both parties asking and answering questions that are pertinent to the successful performance of the job at stake. And, of no less importance, it should be a mutual attempt to determine how happily you, your boss, and your employer might coexist in a prolonged relationship.
As experienced and as qualified as a candidate might be, in too many instances it is the candidate who gets along best with the interviewer that wins the job. This assumes, of course, that this candidate possesses enough qualifications to suggest he or she can handle the position.
Sometimes, all it takes is to uncover one item of common interest and the chances for success increase considerably. Many resume experts will tell you that hobbies or personal interests have no place on a resume. Not always true. Many times, a mutual or unusual hobby or interest can promote a dialogue between you and the interviewer. Consider how many people play golf, love sports, or travel. Discovering an item of mutual interest oftentimes helps to dissolve the invisible wall separating the two parties.
Interview Preparation
A successful interview begins with researching the company and the position you seek. If possible, talk to people who work at, or know about, the company.
We're going to be talking about interview questions later in this chapter. The pre-interview research you have conducted should prompt some intelligent questions you should be ready to ask the interviewer. Now, before you're under the gun, is the time to work on both the questions to be ready to answer and those to be ready to ask. Good questions go a long way toward promoting a dialogue.
Once you have the information you need and are ready to interview, be certain you know how to get to the interview location and how long it will take to get there. Be sure to allow for unexpected delays such as a traffic jam, a flat tire, or an unexpected detour. Look the location up on a map. Call the company and ask for specific directions. If it's not too far away, make a practice run just to be safe. Make sure you have the interviewer's telephone number when you leave the house that day. If something goes awry, be sure to call and explain your predicament.
Dress
Blue suits, gray suits, pant suits, "power" ties, vests, no vests. There are entire books written on this subject. If you are really that uncertain how to dress for an interview you might like to read one of them. But there's a quicker way to determine what dress would be appropriate for a particular interview.
If in doubt, call the company. Tell the receptionist you have an interview in the such-and-such department and ask how the people in that department dress. Still not sure? Follow this axiom: except in rare situations, it's safer to be conservatively rather than flamboyantly attired.
Appearance
Good personal hygiene and appearance is important, but if you don't know this by now you probably don't care. Hair and clothing must be clean, neat, and professional. When in doubt, go for a classic, conservative look.
A word of caution about perfumes, colognes or after-shave lotions. Go easy. Don't load up and overpower your interviewer.
Some people are actually allergic to certain scents. There's no way you will have a successful interview if all the interviewer wants to do is to get you and your perfume out of his or her office as quickly as possible.
Don't overload on jewelry. Shine your shoes, if they need it. Try to be honest with yourself when you look in the mirror. Would you like to work closely, every day, with the person you see there? Would you hire the person looking back at you?
