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.