More often than not, the job doesn't go to the person who does the job best, but to the person who does the best job interview. Here, a step-by-step guide for before, during and after the interview process that will have you opening new doors and walking right on through!
Preparation
1. Know where you're going.
- Review directions to the interview site the day before. Be clear as to how you'll get there and how long it will take.
- Clearly write out the interviewer's name, title, phone number and office location. Keep it easily accessible. (If you're not sure about this info, call the reception desk-in advance-and ask.)
2. Dress for success.
- Decide what you will wear (including accessories and shoes).
- Check that all clothing is clean and wrinkle-free (even if casual attire is expected).
- Shoes should be polished.
- Your look should be professional, but still your own style, so you're comfortable.
- Don't carry shopping bags or unwieldy totes to the interview.
3. Research the company.
- Look it up online. Corporate Web sites provide a wealth of information. Also, look at their competitor's sites.
- Review press on the company. Look in the financial pages. Check for recent articles on the organization or its leaders.
- Talk to people who are familiar with the industry.
- During the interview, appropriately bring up your familiarity with the company to the interviewer. If possible, mention ways in which your background/abilities relate to the company's stated philosophy, direction, corporate culture, and so on.
4. Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements - and how they translate into benefits for the hiring organization.
- Make a list of your accomplishments/abilities in advance, and weave them into your replies (Be subtle, but clear and appropriate).
5. Prepare for potential problems. If you can foresee problems stemming from your past experience, training, etc.-or lack of-prepare for questions that bring up these issues.
- Be comfortable with your reasons for having left prior jobs, gaps in your industry knowledge, etc.
- Reframe the way you think about the past. If you are uncomfortable with your background or ability, the discomfort will be communicated to the interviewer. If you accept and treat them as past issues that happened for what were good reasons at the time, but reasons that are not applicable to the present position, you'll minimize the negative impact. Take the attitude that they are no longer problems, or can easily be resolved.
6. Expect to answer commonly asked questions.
- "Tell me about yourself." Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job for which you are applying.
- Also be prepared to answer, "What are your best and worst traits?" and "What did you like best--and least--about your last job?"
7. Role play.
- Role play before the interview, so you are comfortable with both the tone and content of your replies.
- Speak out loud - look in a mirror.
- Work with a partner.
THE INTERVIEW
8. Be on time. Arrive early so you have time to collect yourself, even if you wait in the building lobby, your car or a nearby coffee shop.
9. Think positive. Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. Quiet the negative self chatter in your head through positive self-talk, meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. Remember that this is a job interview, not the most critical event in your life. You can always get something out of the interview experience, even if it's not the job. Treat every interview as important. At the very least it's practice for the next interview.
10. Interview with the right attitude. Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Project confidence - not bravado. Show interest and enthusiasm, even if you're not sure the job is right for you. Whether or not the position is managerial, you'll want to project the ability to lead others and work independently. Maintain a positive attitude, demonstrate communication skills, and that you can fit in with co-workers as a valued member of the team.
11. Tell the truth. It's okay to focus on your accomplishments and talents; it's okay to minimize past difficulties and stress certain aspects of what you've done at other jobs. But if you lie about ability or experience, it will catch up with you (besides being a reason for dismissal). If you haven't done something the job requires, but believe you can, say why. Be creative - if someone asks if you know how to do 'X,' you can say, "I'm a quick learner, and I have experience doing 'Y' and 'Z,' which are similar."(Avoid using the word 'No' in an interview.)
When asked about current or past salary, you can quote your 'total package,' which would combine salary, bonuses and special benefits.
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