Interviewing for a prospective job can be a daunting task. There are always so many things to consider before heading out the door for that all important appointment.
• Am I wearing the right clothes?
• Do I have the right credentials?
• How many people will I have to interview with?
• What will I say if they ask about my last job?
• Will I have to take a personality test?
When you’re about to step into the “new job” arena, the questions and doubts seem almost endless. The anticipation of being grilled by a potential employer, along with the realization that you’re in competition with who knows how many other candidates, can really raise your stress level. But there are certain things you can do to reduce your stress and ensure that you are prepared for nearly everything that will come at you.
In my experience, having been on both sides of this coin…that is…interviewee and interviewer, I have gotten a good sense of what works best and what becomes a complete disaster. There is no doubt in my mind that many factors play a role in becoming the successful candidate that is awarded the position they seek. But, looking at it from the stand point of the interviewer, I have come to believe that there are 3 things you MUST DO to put yourself in the top of the running. Missing out on any one of these can weaken even the strongest candidate’s chances.
1. Do Your Home Work
One of the most important things you can do is to research the company you plan to join. Check out its history, its mission statement and the direction it’s heading. Look up the corporate officers and see what they’ve done in the past. Make sure you know about the company’s products or services. Get a good picture of their philosophy of doing business. Knowing how they view their clients, customers and employees, arms you with the all important question that will inevitably come: Do you have any questions? This is the question that can trip up so many candidates. Answering “no” here, or asking about salary, vacation or personal days can lead to disaster. But, if you are armed with the company’s background you can ask questions directly related to their products or services.
For example, if the company makes guitar strings, and you’re applying for a foreman’s job, your answer to: Do you have any questions – might go something like this: “Well, I see that you currently produce both acoustic and electric guitar strings. I was looking at your company website, and noticed that you were planning on expanding your manufacturing to include banjo and violin strings. If so, would these be separate departments, or would they fall under the department for which I’m applying?
Obviously, this is just an example…what to say depends on the company and situation. The important point is that you MUST be prepared to talk about the company, and have thorough background information to do so. Don’t make the mistake of focusing solely on your talents and credentials. Know the talents and credentials of the company.
2. Approach the Interview with a Relaxed but Professional Style
Try to speak conversationally. That is, try to make your discussions with your perspective employer sound more like a conversation with a friend. That is, try to be as relaxed and friendly as possible. But, don’t be too familiar. What you’re really trying to do is convince the interviewer that you’re confident in your abilities. When you ask or answer questions, try to speak TO the interviewer. All too often, because we get nervous, we tend to talk AT people. We speak too fast, and instead of becoming a conversation, it becomes a verbal machine-gun attack.
Relax your posture, sit back in your chair and look comfortable, but not lazy. Don’t slump, but take the same kind of posture you might adopt to entertain a new guest for the first time in your own home. It will go a long way to easing your nerves, and will also make the interviewer more relaxed and comfortable. Be serious in your facts and attitude, but be friendly and confident in your speech.
3. Dress Appropriately
Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard this one before. But there is nothing that can end an interview more quickly than showing up in inappropriate clothing. For men, no matter what job position you’re seeking, it can not hurt you to wear a suit and tie. For women – a modest dress or business suit. I don’t think I have to remind you that you’re interviewing, and not clubbing, but for the sake of completeness…ladies do not show up with excessive visible cleavage. That is not the first impression you want to give.
By dressing appropriately, the first thing you’re saying is that you respect the person who is interviewing you, and the company for which you want to work. It basically tells the interviewer that you have taken the time to see this as the professional encounter that You would be surprised how many times I’ve seen people show up for an interview for a professional position in clothing that you might expect to wear in the park.
Remember…be it the cliché that it is…it’s still true – “You Don’t Get To Make a Second FIRST Impression.”
If you follow the above rules when heading out to your interview, everything should go much smoother. Obviously, you must also possess the talent that the company or business is seeking. But – if you have the talent and the confidence in yourself, the three things I’ve mentioned will help keep you in the interviewer’s mind when he or she comes to the final choice of candidates.
© 2008 Thomas A. Bradley
Thomas A. Bradley
http://www.bradleywritingservices.com
Bradley Writing Services…offering the very best in wordsmithing, be it for copywritng, ghostwriting, medical, technical or scientific writing. A personal approach to your professional writing needs.
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