- THERE IS A STRATEGY TO SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS
AND IT NEEDS TO START AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE
AN INVITATION TO INTERVIEW.
WHEN YOU ARE INVITED TO INTERVIEW,
FIND OUT WITH WHOM YOU WILL BE INTERVIEWING.
TRY TO IDENTIFY HOW MUCH TIME THE COMPANY HAS SCHEDULED
FOR THE INTERVIEW, SO YOU WILL BE MORE PREPARED.
IF YOU ARE GIVEN A CHOICE OF TIMES TO INTERVIEW,
SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW IN THE MORNING.
IDEALLY, TRY TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO INTERVIEW.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR INTERVIEW,
BE WELL RESTED AND HAVE FOOD IN YOUR STOMACH
PRIOR TO LEAVING YOUR HOME.
IF YOU ARE WELL RESTED AND NOURISHED,
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO THINK CLEARER.
LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO CHECK YOUR APPEARANCE AND CLOTHING.
YOUR CLOTHES SHOULD FIT PROPERLY, BE CLEAN,
IRONED AND PROJECT A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE.
IF YOU ARE A SMOKER,
REFRAIN FROM SMOKING PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW.
PLAN TO ARRIVE AT YOUR DESTINATION 15 MINUTES EARLY,
SO THAT YOU HAVE TIME TO DEAL WITH UNFORESEEN TRAFFIC
OR PARKING ISSUES AND TO FRESHEN UP IN THE RESTROOM.
ENTER THE INTERVIEW LOCATION 5 MINUTES PRIOR
TO YOUR SCHEDULED INTERVIEW.
THIS IS WHERE YOUR INTERVIEW UNOFFICIALLY BEGINS.
- IMMEDIATELY UPON ENTERING THE INTERVIEW LOCATION,
INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE RECEPTIONIST, OFFER A SMILE
AND A HANDSHAKE AND THEN CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME,
WHO YOU ARE THERE TO SEE, AT WHAT SCHEDULED TIME AND WHY.
IF THE RECEPTIONIST ASSISTED YOU IN MAKING THE APPOINTMENT,
BRIEFLY THANK HIM OR HER FOR THE ASSISTANCE.
KEEP IN MIND THE RECEPTIONIST HAS A JOB TO DO,
SO DO NOT SPEND TIME CHATTING WITH HIM OR HER.
BE AWARE THAT THE RECEPTIONIST MAY COMMUNICATE
YOUR PRE-INTERVIEW BEHAVIOR TO THE INTERVIEWER.
IF THE RECEPTIONIST INVITES YOU TO HAVE A SEAT
WHILE YOU ARE WAITING, DO SO.
WHILE WAITING TO BE CALLED IN FOR YOUR INTERVIEW,
MENTALLY REVIEW YOUR PERSONAL COMMERCIAL
AND USE POSITIVE SELF-TALK TO INCREASE YOUR CONFIDENCE.
WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, STAND UP AND APPROACH
THE INDIVIDUAL WHO CALLED YOUR NAME.
IF IT IS NOT THE RECEPTIONIST WHO CALLED YOU,
MAKE EYE CONTACT, EXTEND A SMILE AND A HANDSHAKE,
THEN CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME.
HE OR SHE WILL ESCORT YOU TO AN OFFICE OR CONFERENCE ROOM
WHERE THE INTERVIEW WILL TAKE PLACE.
IF YOU ENTER A ROOM AND THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE ROOM
THAT YOU HAVE NOT MET, AGAIN, EXTEND A SMILE
AND A HANDSHAKE AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
ONCE IN THE ROOM, WAIT FOR AN INVITATION BEFORE BEING SEATED.
IT IS BEST TO DECLINE ANY OFFERS OF FOOD OR DRINK
SO THERE IS NOTHING TO DISTRACT YOU FROM THE INTERVIEW.
AS SOON AS YOU ARE SEATED,
SET YOUR INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO ON YOUR LAP.
DURING THE INTERVIEW, PAY ATTENTION TO BODY LANGUAGE,
BOTH YOURS AND THAT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW.
SIT UP STRAIGHT, SIT BACK IN YOUR CHAIR AND TRY TO RELAX.
BE CALM BUT ALERT.
KEEP YOUR HANDS FOLDED IN YOUR LAP
OR READY TO TAKE NOTES,
DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION.
IF YOU ARE SEATED NEAR A DESK OR TABLE,
DO NOT LEAN ON THE FURNITURE.
REMEMBER TO MAKE EYE CONTACT,
BUT DO NOT STARE AT THE INTERVIEWER.
TRY TO OPEN YOUR INTERVIEW WITH YOUR PERSONAL COMMERCIAL.
WHEN ASKED A QUESTION,
PAUSE A MOMENT TO FORMULATE THAT ANSWER
THAT SELLS YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
BY INCLUDING A SPECIFIC BUT SHORT EXAMPLE.
KEEP YOUR ANSWERS CONCISE
BUT COMPLETE AND STATE THEM WITH CONFIDENCE.
AFTER THE INTERVIEWER
HAS COMPLETED HIS OR HER QUESTIONING,
YOU MAY BE ASKED IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
HAVING A QUESTION PREPARED FOR THE CLOSE OF YOUR INTERVIEW
ALLOWS YOU TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOUR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER
THAT YOU HAVE CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THE COMPANY.
DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS RELATING TO SALARY,
BENEFITS, OR WHAT THE COMPANY DOES.
AFTER THE INTERVIEWER ANSWERS YOUR GENERAL QUESTIONS,
REMEMBER TO RE-STATE YOUR DESIRE TO WORK FOR THE COMPANY
AND ASK FOR THE JOB.
PRIOR TO LEAVING THE INTERVIEW,
HAND THE INTERVIEWER YOUR PERSONAL BUSINESS CARD
AND ASK THE INTERVIEWER FOR A BUSINESS CARD AS WELL.
SHAKE HIS OR HER HAND USING A FIRM SHAKE.
THANK HIM OR HER FOR HIS OR HER TIME AND STATE
THAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM HIM OR HER SOON.
AFTER LEAVING THE INTERVIEW ROOM,
CONTINUE COMMUNICATING CONFIDENCE,
FRIENDLINESS AND PROFESSIONALISM TO EVERY COMPANY EMPLOYEE
YOU ENCOUNTER ON YOUR WAY OUT OF THE BUILDING.