Ten Critical Interview Tips
Regardless of how good your resume may be, and how much experience you have, it is unlikely that you will be able to move very far in your career if you are not able to perform well in job interviews. Unfortunately, even colleges with strong career-oriented programs often fail to teach students interviewing skills. Fortunately, you can learn to interview well. Here are a few tips that will help.
1. Know exactly what you said about yourself in your letter of interest and resume. Reiterate the high points if given the opportunity.
2. Bring copies of your resume and give one to everyone who interviews you. Be sure they are clean and crisp. An attractive, well prepared resume can help you make a good impression at the very beginning of the interview.
3. Wear conservative business attire even if the position for which you are applying does not require it.
4. Avoid slang. You want to sound as professional and articulate as possible.
5. Do not be critical of past employers, co-workers, or anyone else in your personal or professional life. Do talk about people who have helped and positively influenced you.
6. Make eye contact with your interviewer(s). Smile at appropriate times and nod in agreement at appropriate times.
7. Never walk into an interview cold. Do as much research on the organization, the interviewer(s) and the job for which you are applying as possible. If you can do so naturally, and without sounding cocky, throw in a fact or two to let the interviewer(s) know you have done some homework.
8. Practice answering the most common interview questions, especially the most difficult ones, and have friends and family critique you.
9. Whatever you do, do not be late.
10. Thank your interviewer at the conclusion of the interview, shake his/her hand, and follow up with a thank you note that reiterates your interest in the position in question.
Finally, here is the interview tip that surprises almost everyone. Give your interviewer as much opportunity to speak as possible. Research has found that the longer the interviewer speaks, the more likely the candidate is to be hired. That may be counter-intuitive, but it’s true.
Dan Rosenfield, a former university dean, is the President of The American Educational Guidance Center, which publishes websites on online degree options and accredited online college associate, bachelors, and graduate degree programs.