Interview Tips

Some like it hot and some like it cold, and some like the details and others just want the highlights.  Well, this is one for those of you that just like the highlights.  It's our list of 21 interview tips that gives you just enough to understand what you need to do when trying to land that job.

Preparing Emotionally

Our first interview tip has to do with preparing yourself emotionally.  If you're in the right mood emotionally, then the chances are you will be more relaxed during the job interview and your true self will shine through more clearly.  Do whatever you need to do to prepare.  Take a long walk by yourself to think through some ideas, meditate or just think about a time when you felt really good about yourself.

Know Your Value

We're not talking about monetary value; we're talking about what you bring to the table for any company.  Make a list of your skills and traits that would make you a valued employee and try to match these to the employer's requirements.

Sell Yourself

Interviewing is all about selling yourself; as a matter of fact it's a great forum for used car salesmen.  Keep in mind that you're selling a service to the company and that service is your skills.  Emphasize what you bring to the table and how you can add value to the company.  You need to convince the interviewer that your services are better than all the rest.

Being Nervous

This particular interview tip is easier said then done because everyone gets nervous on an interview, that's a natural reaction to the circumstances you find yourself in.  The worst thing that can happen is that you're not offered the job.  If that happens, it's probably for the best anyway.  The important tip here is the learn each time your on an interview and not repeat mistakes.

Phone Screens

Screening candidates via telephone interviews is very common today.  This conversation usually last from 10 to 30 minutes.  Make sure you're always prepared for a telephone interview by understanding how you will respond to tough questions like - Why did you leave your last job?

Arrive on Time

Make sure you arrive early for an interview.  If you mess up on this particular interview tip, then you might throw off the entire tone of the meeting.  Ideally, you want to get there 30 minutes ahead of schedule - this leaves you enough time for unexpected traffic jams.  Don't go inside the building about 15 minutes before the scheduled start.  Getting there too early can actually put the interviewer in a bad mood by throwing off their schedule.

Eye Contact

Eye contact is important during a job interview.  If you have trouble looking straight into the interviewer's eyes than pick a spot right above and between their eyes to look at.

Mirror the Interviewer

We're not talking about being an exact mirror in terms of posture and style, we're talking about things like pace of conversation.  Listen and repeat back points that are not clear to you.  Ask questions that demonstrate you are listening to the information the interviewer is providing you.

Stay Focused

One of the most common mistakes made during an interview is talking too much.  You need to listen to the question and answer what's asked - nothing else.  Try to keep your response to two to three minutes.  If you start to see the interviewer glaze over or fidget, it's time to finish up and move on.

Be Concise

You should try to be concise when answering interview questions.  If you're asked a question that seems to require a lot of detail, check back with the interview team after a couple of minutes and ask a question back such as - "Now that you've heard about my role in solving this problem, would you like to understand more of the detail?"

Illegal Questions

If you're asked a question that your feel is illegal, you're much better off responding in a professional manner than directly confronting the hiring manager about breaking the law.  In other words, answer the question as if it was asked correctly.  So if the interviewer asks you about your age, you can simply talk about what you've learned throughout your working career.

An illegal interview question might also signal the possibility of a hostile work environment.  Companies should know what's appropriate to ask a candidate.  If they don't then chances are they might be allowing other forms of inappropriate behavior in the workplace.

Why Did You Leave?

This interview tip has to do with perhaps one of the most difficult questions you could be asked - explaining why you left a company.  Keep your response short and to the point - unless asked to expand upon the explanation.  Talk briefly about your performance and what you learned about the experience.

Talking about Weaknesses

It is appropriate to talk about weaknesses if asked by the hiring manger.  In fact, you can use this question to demonstrate what you know and your willingness to learn.  For example, "I know that I need to work on my team building skills.  I've worked in a lot of team settings, but I've never had the opportunity to act as team lead before."

Be a Quick Learner

If you're asked a question about a skill that you don't already have, make sure you put a positive spin on your answer.  Give the interviewer an example of a situation you were put in where you didn't have an important skill and describe what you learned and how you succeeded.

Interrogations

You should think of an interview as a meeting, where you and the hiring manager are learning about each other.  If you simply respond to each question with an answer, then the interview turns into more of an interrogation.  Make sure you ask clarifying questions when you're uncertain if you've answered the question accurately.

Power Questions

Many times the interviewer will ask a candidate if they have any questions.  Make sure you've got a power question or two up you sleeve including:

• What are some of the first priorities for this position?
• What are you looking for in the person you're going to hire?
• Based on what I've told you and the job requirements you've outlined, I feel good about my qualifications for the job.  Do you have any concerns?

Talking Salary

When talking salary, there is one simple rule of thumb, let them bring up the subject first.  If you're asked about your salary expectations early in the interview process, simply state that you don't feel comfortable talking about salary until you understand the responsibilities a little better.

Job References

If you plan on using someone as a job reference, then make sure you get their permission first and ask them how they'd like to be contacted.  Make sure all your references have seen a recent copy of your resume, so they know what you're selling.  Keep your list up to date with three to five persons that can accurately assess your talents.

Finally, these last three interview tips really have to do with what happens after your job interview.

Thank You Letters

If you're wondering whether or not to address your interview thank you letter starting with Dear Ms. Smith or Dear Margaret, here's a good rule of thumb.  If the hiring company is conservative or the hiring manager is at a much higher level than the one you're interviewing for, then use a formal address.  If the work environment is more relaxed or the hiring manager is a peer, you can probably get away with an informal salutation.

Handling Rejection

Before you land the right job, there's a good chance you're going to be rejected more than once.  If you're really interested in working for the company, then write the hiring manager a professionally constructed letter outlining your disappointment and the value you feel you could have brought to their organizations.  Make sure they realize you're still interested in working for their company if something should change.

Interview Feedback

If you don't get a job that you think you should have based on your qualifications, ask the interviewer for feedback on the interview itself.  Don't be defensive, just listen and take notes.  Thank the interviewer for the feedback and compare these notes to others and see if there is a pattern.  Learn from failures and your chance of future success increases.

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