For job seekers, the all-important interview with a potential employer can mean the difference between landing a position and still scanning the want ads. Preparing for everything from your appearance to knowing all you can about the company with which you’re interviewing is very important.
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Do your homework.
- Research both the company and the position for which you’re vying. Great sources include the company website, local newspaper archives, and industry associations.
- Read company literature, such as their annual report or marketing brochures.
- Check with your networking contacts to see what they know about the employer.
“When someone has done their homework and knows something about my organization, that impresses me the most,” says Gail DePriest, senior vice president at Lee Hecht Harrison. “It’s great when they have good questions that show they are interested in what we do and have even given some thought to how they might fit in. This type of research indicates they have prepared and are genuinely interested.”
Homework doesn’t stop at researching the company. Also research yourself. Determine your most marketable skills including technical and non-technical, and key character traits. According to Monster.com contributing writer Michael Neece, job applicants should take inventory of their experience, knowledge and skills – a “talent inventory.” This prepares you to discuss any part of your career background and helps you to remember experiences you would otherwise have forgotten during the interview.
Prepare yourself and any materials you’ll take with you to the interview.
- Rehearse. It goes without saying that your being hired depends primarily on how you answer the interviewer’s questions. Ask someone to conduct a mock interview with you to ensure you cover the points you want to make in a manner that makes the best impression. While you may not be sure what questions will be asked, chances are there will be typical questions such as “What are your strengths/weaknesses?” “Tell me about a problem you solved in your previous position,” etc. Have solid answers ready.
- Make notes. Having a “cheat sheet” or list of talking points at your disposal during your interview can be very beneficial. Don’t be afraid to refer to notes in order to get all your points across.
- Review your resume. Take well-written, clean copies with you and be able to talk about everything contained in the document.
- Prepare a list of questions for the employer. Remember that you are interviewing
the employer as well to see if they fit your expectations. Sample questions
could include “What are your top priorities for the position?”
“With whom would I be working?” “What do you like most about
working here?” Every interview concludes with the interviewer asking
if you have any questions. The worst thing you can say is that you have no
questions. It indicates you’re not prepared for or interested in the
position.
“This type of exchange can turn the interview into more of a conversation,” DePriest says. “It gives the interviewer a chance to see how the interviewee processes and thinks. It can create some chemistry, and even if the candidate does not get the job, he or she might be referred to someone else.”
Dress for success.
Dress in business attire. For women, a suit that consists of a blazer, long-sleeved white blouse, and a skirt below the knee or slacks is the way to go. For men, it’s a business suit with a long-sleeved dress shirt and a conservative tie with a tie clip. In both cases, suits should be navy or medium- to dark-gray. For someone interviewing for an industrial position, he or she should dress as though they are attending a plant meeting, DePriest says.
- In terms of hosiery, women should wear pantyhose that are flesh or lighter-toned (no runs or snags). Men look best with calf-length dress socks (no crew or tube socks) that match their suits.
- Shoes should be clean, polished and conservative in color (navy blue or black). Women should wear low heels. No sneakers or cowboy boots.
- If you wear pants with belt loops, make sure you wear a belt.
- Hair should be well groomed. If long, it’s preferable to wear the hair up or pulled back. Men with facial hair should have it neatly trimmed or shaved.
- Good grooming in general is a must. Fingernails must be clean and manicured (no brightly-colored polish or nail designs). Teeth should be brushed and breath freshened. No heavy makeup. And no body odor – in fact, even avoid cologne or perfume.
- Minimal jewelry should be worn – nothing big, garish or noisy. No body piercing beyond ear piercings (one per ear) for women.
- No gum, candy or tobacco products.
- Take all paperwork – namely your resume, reference letters and portfolio – in a matching briefcase. Women should avoid taking purses. Also, keep pockets empty or at least flat – no loose change, bulging wallets, keys or cigarette packs.
- No cell phones. A ringing cell phone is not appropriate for an interview. Turn it off before you enter the building.
For DePriest, there are several deal-breakers when it comes to interviews. “It could be one of several things – being late, being dressed in a sloppy manner as if the interview is not that important, being rude to the interviewer or other staff members, or being crude in speech or mannerisms,” she says.
After the interview
The task of making a good impression on a potential employer does not end once
you leave the interview. Follow-up is key.
- Write a thank-you note and mail it immediately after the interview. Email will work, but a well-written, handwritten thank you note is impressive.
- Send an enthusiastic message that indicates you’re excited about the opportunity and you genuinely want to work for them.
- If you have not heard from the employer in a few days, follow-up with a phone call that again emphasizes your interest in the job and asks when a decision will be made.
Being a well-prepared applicant won’t ensure you’ll land the job, but being unprepared all but guarantees you’ll leave without an offer. Doing the work before getting the work can put you a few steps ahead of the competition and top-of-mind with your potential employer.
Sources:
10-x Group, Monster.com, “Six Interview Mistakes,” Michael
Neece, 2006
Colorado State University Career Center, “Steps to Success in the Interviewing
Process.”
