Interview tips: 10 tips to improve interview performance

Do you know how to make your case to an interviewer?

Follow these 10 interview tips to boost your chances of landing the job.

Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer

The day has come: You found an awesome job on Monster, applied, and got a call from a real-live human being who wants to meet with you. Congrats! But your work has only just begun. 

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for their job interview. Why, you ask? Interview skills are learned, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. These 10 interview tips will teach you how to answer interview questions and convince the hiring manager that you are the one for the job. 

Practice good nonverbal communication

It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning—or quick ending—to your interview.

Dress for the job or company

Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to know what to wear to an interview and to be well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.

Listen

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

Don't talk too much

Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

Don't be too familiar

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

Use appropriate language

It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation—these topics could send you out the door very quickly.

Don't be cocky

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

Take care to answer the questions

When interviewers ask for an example of a time when you did something, they are asking behavioral interview questions, which are designed to elicit a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

Ask questions

When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

Don't appear desperate

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Reflect the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm and confidence. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

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INTERVIEW DOS AND DON'TS

INTERVIEW DOS AND DON'TS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

KNOW as much about your future industry, company, and future positions as much as possible.

KNOW about yourself, your present and past work as well as accomplishments. Prepare and take any supporting documents of your achievements to the interview.

KNOW how to pass "Screening Interviews" that are usually conducted over the phone. Talk clearly and confidently.

DRESS YOUR BEST:

Women should wear suits or dresses. For employers who allow business casual, you can wear a pants suit and blouse with pumps. 

Men should preferably wear dark suits with white or medium blue shirts, and ties.  For employers who allow business casual, wear slacks, shirts and sports jackets.

THE INTERVIEW DAY:

Be on time. If circumstances prevent you from arriving on time, call your interviewer on a cell phone.

Greet everyone in the company with respect. From the receptionist to the secretary, smile warmly and give a firm handshake to them.

Greet the interviewer with a smile and firm handshake. Begin trying to establish rapport with him/her.

Talk about yourself and work history. Emphasize your accomplishments. Let the employer know that you can do for them what was done for past employers.

Show knowledge about the company. What is the company's mission, products or services, profits or losses, new direction, etc.? 

When in doubt, stress and reiterate your accomplishments or achievements.

Make the interview a two-way street! Today, an interview is a conversation. Don't passively sit by and let the interviewer do all the talking.

Focus on the job and not the money or benefits. 

AFTER THE INTERVIEW:

Send a "thank you note" to the interviewer. Outline what you discussed and further emphasize your possible contributions to the company.   

When you get an offer, skillfully negotiate your salary. Go up on the Internet and see what people in your field are earning in certain positions. 

The Dos Ø      Do be on time Ø      Do dress appropriately Ø      Do think about removing body piercing / "read" the industry you are approaching Ø      Do turn off your cell phone Ø      Do keep your personal life/problems to yourself Ø      Do give firm handshakes Ø      Do arrive prepared – know names of who you are interviewing with and information about the company Ø      Do keep your cool, but don't act too cool either. i.e. Don't have the cool-factor going, don't act like you know everything The Don'ts Ø      Don't talk about why you didn't get along at your last job Ø      Don't swear Ø      Don't come in and give conditions and restrictions Ø      Don't' wear too much perfume/cologne Ø      Don't use slang words Ø      Don't have body odor, bad breath, cigarette smoke Ø      Don't flirt Ø      Don't chew bubble gum

Rehearse. Practice in front a mirror or your parents. Now that you've made it this far, you want to ensure your best chances for a successful job interview. Be punctual. It's better to arrive early than to arrive late. Take traffic and parking into consideration and be sure to leave yourself lots of extra time. First impressions are very important Consider the position when deciding what to wear. If you are unsure, dress professionally. Make sure not to wear strong perfumes or colognes as some people find these offensive. Arrive to a job interview alone. If you are coming with someone, have that person wait in the car. Do not let them come in with you. Relax. Don't be stressed. Act like you are comfortable even if you're not. Breathe well and consider your responses before speaking. Be confident. Don't be shy about your achievement and skills. At the same time, be sure not to sound conceited. Consider ahead of time some possible questions that could be asked. Consider your strengths and weaknesses, and your strongest accomplishments. Think about why you should be hired over someone else. Come prepared with an extra copy of your resume and your references. Offer a solid handshake firm and dry (no sweaty palms!). Do not get thrown off by odd questions. Some companies may ask you a question like, "If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?" Always consider the possible significance and answer as honestly as possible. If the question is unclear, don't be afraid to clarify. You don't want to waste your time and the employer's time answering a question that you aren't clear on. Understand the job description before the interview. Know what will be expected of you so that you can relate examples and skills specifically to the position. Look the interviewer in the eye. Eyes can often say as much as words, if not more. If you look at the floor, you may look like you have something to hide. Avoiding eye contact also shows a lack of confidence. Be aware of your body language. Remember to smile. Consider how you are sitting or standing. Avoid crossing your arms. Answer questions as accurately and efficiently as possible. Remember not to ramble and answer only the question that is being asked with the most thorough answer possible. Be professional. Do not address the interviewer by their first name unless you are instructed to do so. Always shake hands with the interviewer at the beginning and the end of the interview. Remember to keep the content of your answers professional. Be honest. Do not lie about your experiences or misrepresent yourself. Be prepared to relate your personal experience to the position. Consider ahead of time your previous experiences and how they may relate to the position you are applying for. Listen. Take notes if it helps. Be polite. Do not interrupt the interviewer and do not chew gum. Make sure the interviewer feels he or she is in control. Do not start directing the interview yourself by asking questions too early or going off topic. At the same time, if the interviewer is not driving the interview forward, take some initiative and help move the interview along. Do not talk negatively about your current employer. This comes across as very unprofessional. Be ready to ask questions if necessary. Many employers will end by asking if you have any questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the position or the company. Find out when a response is expected. Do not be afraid to ask about the next step. You can also ask that they call even if you do not get the position. If it is a phone interview, remember the interviewer can't see you, so your tone of voice is extremely important. Try to smile because this, as corny as it may seem, will make your voice sound happier. Be sure to send out a thank you letter within a couple of days. Ask the interviewer for a business card in order to get his/her address. What TO DO During the Interview Play Detective: If the client does not begin by describing the scope of the project or responsibilities of the assignment and what skills and attributes he or she is looking for, ask! Make sure you understand what is important to the interviewer about the position before you begin discussing your background, skills, and experience. Ask the Right Questions: Come with prepared questions, and take notes during the interview. Most interviewers will give you an opportunity to ask questions. Asking informed, open-ended questions shows your interest in the company and in the assignment. Here are several suggestions: Can you tell me more about the projects this department has worked on over the past year? What is your vision for your team/department? What challenges do you face in the next three to six months? What is your management style? Sell Your Skills: Match your skills to the client’s problems and concerns. Pay close attention. Present a logical, concise description of your experience that matches the client’s need. Describe your functional duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Discuss hardware and software environments. It’s All in the Attitude: Managers want to work with people who are interested in working at their companies and on their projects—people who have a positive and upbeat attitude and who ask good questions. Keep Responses to the Point: Be a good listener and be interested. Stay on track, and be direct and concise with each answer. Then stop. Most interviewers have a number of pre-set questions they wish to cover in a limited amount of time. Don’t over-explain. Gain Agreement: Answer the client’s questions openly and honestly, being positive about yourself and your skills. Translate experiences you have had into benefits the client will gain if he or she selects you for the position. Ensure you have communicated well with the client and that you are able to fulfill the client’s expectations by saying, “Based on the description of the opportunity and what’s required to be a success, I am very excited about this opportunity and feel I am very qualified to assist you. How do you feel?” You might also ask: ”How do you view my role on this team?” What NOT to Do During the Interview Don’t Ask the Wrong Questions: Don’t ask about vacation or sick time. Don’t ask about benefits. This information will be provided to you later and is not appropriate during the first interview. Asking these questions gives the impression that those issues are the most important to you. Don’t Discuss Compensation During an Interview: Don’t get into specifics about compensation—there are many variables involved in achieving compensation that’s fair to you and your employer. The proper and appropriate way to answer the question about money is to say, “Mr./Ms. [Interviewer Name], I am currently making [your present compensation]; however, what is most important to me is the opportunity and the company. Based on what you have shared with me so far, I am really interested in this opportunity. If you are interested in me, I would like to entertain your strongest offer.” If they insist on discussing it, provide a range, not a specific number. Avoid Negative Comments: If you have any negative feelings or concerns, discuss them with your MATRIX Associate after the interview. Keep an open mind during the interview, and wait until after the visit to make a decision about the opportunity.

Conducting your Job Search on the Internet

Conducting your Job Search on the Internet

I.                   Why the Internet?

A.   Provides a specific search for the preferred job.

B.    Less Messy

C.   More up to date than the newspaper

D.   Allows you to view the job posting date.

E.    The majority of postings will allow you to electronically respond to the advertisement immediately via email.

F.    Provides a variety of job search engines (different search sites), rather than one newspaper.

II.                List of Job Search Engines

A.   www.monster.com

B.    www.headhunter.net

C.   www.nettemps.com

D.   www.hotjobs.com

E.    www.dice.com

F.    www.bostonworks.com

G.   www.craigslist.com

H.   www.brassring.com

III.             Conducting a Internet Job Search

A.   Open your internet access site

B.    Choose the job search engine you would like to use

C.   Type the address of the search engine on the top of the page in the “address line” (i.e. www.monster.com)

D.   Double click on search jobs

E.    You will now be in the “Monster Job Search” page.

F.    You will see a window called  “Enter Key Words”

G.   Enter some of the skills you would like to use in your next position, or the position title you would like to have.  (For example:  If I were to do a job search for an administrative assistant, I might type the words “administrative, word, excel”)

H.   Next you will be asked to “Enter Location”,  here, is where you specify WHERE you would like to find a job.  There are a couple of cities listed in each state, so choose the city that is closest to the town you would like your job to be located.  (NOTE)  If you want to search for a job in more then one area or state, hold down the Control Key “Ctrl” and click each area you are interested in.  For example, if I was looking for a job within 25 miles of Woburn, I would click on “Massachusetts, Boston North, Boston, and Framingham/Worcester” .

I.       Next, you will be asked to select a “Job Category”, you have two choices here…  You may enter “select all” (this will list all the jobs that have the key words you have specified in the job description) OR you may select the types of jobs you are interested in.  HOWEVER, if you decide to select a specific occupation or occupations (just hold the control key down), the jobs in your occupation will only show up in your search if they contain your “buzz” words.  Sometimes it’s safe to just use “Select All”. If you have a numerous amount of Jobs come up in your search, then you can filter them down by selecting a Job Category.

J.      Next you will be asked how you would like the computer to “Sort Results By”.  You will be given the option of “Date” or “Key word Relevance”.  ALWAYS choose “Date”.  (this will list all the job postings in descending order from most recent to outdated)

K.   Your last step…  Double click Get Results.

A.  Now you have your list of Job Results.  (You will see that each job shows    you the DATE it was posted, the JOB TITLE, the COMPANY, and the LOCATION of the position.

B.    You may scan down your list of Job Postings and double click on each Job Title you are interested in.

C.   Each of the Job Titles will be Blue in color.

D.   Every time you click on a Job Title, a large description of the job will appear on the screen.  Read the job description.  If you are interested in the job, you may want to print it out for your keeping.  Also, keep a log of your own of all the jobs you are interested in, the names of the companies, and the contact information.

E.    This screen will also give you the option to Apply Now.  You may apply to the position by double clicking the “Apply Now” button and filling out the required information.  HOWEVER, you must be a member of Monster to Apply electronically.  (We will go over this at the end of the seminar).  But for now, just take the Company name, job title and Location, and start with that.  A phone number, fax number or email address may be included in the description and this will make your company contact a little easier, but if they are not included… Befriend your yellow pages, www.yellowpages.com, or 411 to find the phone number of your company.  When you call your company, ask for the name, number, and email address of the correct person to send resumes to for this position.

F.    Once you see the description of one of your jobs, and you wish to go back to your list of job positions, simply click the button at the top left hand of your computer screen < BACK

G.   At the bottom of the screen, you may see Page 1 –2 –ect….next, this simply means that there is more then one page of job listings to view, and once you have viewed all the listings on that particular page, click Next, this will bring you to the following list of jobs.

H.   When you are done looking at all your job postings, click the X  box at the top right hand of your computer screen.

I.       You have completed your job search, Congrats!

Facebook and Professional Networking

If you do decide to use the social networking sites for professional networking, here are some suggestions on how best to utilize it:

·         First, make a decision whether to keep Facebook social or expand your use.

·         If you decide to use Facebook for professional networking, take a close look at your Profile and decide what you want business contacts or prospective employers to see - and what you don't.

·         Create a simple profile (or clean up with your existing one) with minimal graphics and widgets.

·         Limit the photos you post.

·         Post content relevant to your job search or career.

·         Use Facebook email to build relationships with your Friends.

·         Choose your Friends wisely. Remember your Friends may be able to see information about your other Friends in your Profile.

Finally, "To be taken professionally, be very, very careful what you share with the world (remember 'The Emperor Has No Clothes' story). People seem to forget that everyone can see what you’re really not wearing."