Interviewing Tips

1. Prepare before the interview by researching the company, examining the job description, practicing potential interview questions and writing some of your own.  Ask about the style of interview (panel, one-on-one, etc.) and prepare yourself accordingly.

2. Know your route to the interview location.  Scout it out ahead of time, if necessary.  Plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes early for the interview.

3. Do not wear cologne or perfume.  Many people have sensitivities or allergies that are triggered by strong smells. 

4. Show sincere politeness to everyone you meet in the potential employer’s office.  You never know who has input in a hiring decision.

5. Learn what employers expect in response to ‘behavioural’ interview questions.  Most employers believe that past performance is a good predictor of future success.  Think about past experiences so that you can identify relevant examples during the interview.

6. Be conscious of, and avoid any nervous ‘tics’ or habits during an interview.

7. Try to ‘appear’ relaxed, smile occasionally, and make eye contact.

8. When answering questions, focus on achievements and results whenever possible.  Provide examples to back up your statements.

9. Ensure that all answers are relevant, and actually provide the interviewer with the information that he/she is looking for.  If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to rephrase.  Before answering, ask yourself ‘why is this question being asked?  What is the interviewer looking for?  What do they want to find out about me?  Thinking from an interviewer’s perspective will help you to provide complete, relevant answers, and enhances your ability to ‘connect’ with the interviewer.

10. Make only positive comments about past/present employers.  If there are negative aspects of your employment, phrase them positively, or don’t mention them at all.

11. Remember that the interviewer may be nervous too.  Many interviewers are inexperienced and uncomfortable in job interviews as well.  Do your part in establishing rapport; shake hands warmly, smile, engage in brief small talk to break the ice, if appropriate. 

12. Interviewers may not ask the questions that will provide you an opportunity to ‘sell’ yourself effectively.  Look for opportunities to highlight your skills, and give examples.  Take time at the end of the interview to give a brief synopsis of your skills, or mention relevant points that may have been missed in questioning.

13. Focus your answers on how you can meet the company needs, solve problems, and fit in with corporate goals.

14. Show enthusiasm and energy.  Allow the interviewer to get a picture of who you really are.

15. Don’t ask salary/benefit questions in the first interview.  If you are asked monetary questions at this point, it is best to keep it as open as possible; give a broad range if necessary.  If your salary expectations are negotiable, emphasize that.  Also, you might indicate that there is quite a bit more information that you would like to gather before you could evaluate relative pay.

16. Inquire about the recruiting process.  Ask when it would be appropriate for you to follow up.  If you commit to following up at a specific time, do so!!

17. Most importantly, be honest and sincere.  People can spot a fake.  ‘Market’ your skills, attributes and qualities to the best of your abilities.  Don’t exaggerate or lie to beef up your qualifications. 

18. Take cues from the interviewer.  Try to read body language and other non-verbal cues so that you will understand how to present yourself in the most positive light.

19. No matter how you feel the interview has gone, be polite, friendly and enthusiastic.  Even if there is a feeling that things did not go well, your perception is not necessarily reality.  Do not jump to conclusions!

20. Follow up your interview with a ‘thank you’ letter, and reinforce your interest in the position (if relevant).  Ask for correct spelling of interviewers’ name(s) and position title.