Interviewing: Do's and Don'ts

So, you finally got called for an interview for a job and company you have long wanted to work for and you want to make sure you do all the right things to get the job, right? There are some very basic do’s and don’ts to remember about interviewing and I will outline them here.

Interview Do’s

• Most important, make sure you know about the company you’re interviewing with.  Do your research. Go to their website and read up on the company’s values and mission. Understand what product they sell or what service they provide. Find ways to tie your experience to those things that would be important to the company in terms of culture, mission and product. Be sure to look for recent news about the company, so you can demonstrate that you are current on the company and know something about them. This shows the interviewer that you are actually interested enough in the job and the company to spend time learning more about them.
• Know the job description well. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the job and what will be expected. Find ways to tie past experience or knowledge to those job requirements. This can be actual experience with a certain aspect or demonstrating a general knowledge of the subject. But remember, you’re trying to impress on the interviewer that you can fill the needs of the position in terms of experience and temperament. Your knowledge of the position and desired attributes allows you to tailor your answers to what is most important to them.
• Present your best self. You only get one chance to make a first impression and you want to make sure what they remember about you is positive and makes you stand out from all the rest. Be sure that you dress appropriately for the job you are applying for. Consider the culture of the company. Is it very conservative and professional? Is it a start-up company with a very casual culture? Is it somewhere in between? How you dress creates an important first impression. True story. Several years ago, I was interviewing for a position that I really wanted. It was an early morning interview, so in an effort not to wake my sleeping husband, I got dressed just by the light of the closet. I arrived at the interview 15 minutes early, greeted the person at the front desk enthusiastically, sat and waited for the interviewer to come in. I stood, presented a smile and a firm handshake. I thought the interview went very well. When the interview ended, I thanked him for his time and said I was looking forward to hearing from him. I walked out to the car feeling pretty good until I went to get into the car. It was at this point that I noticed my shoes. I had worn one blue shoe and one brown shoe, yup…that’s right. Needless to say, I did not get the job. I did all the right things, but that first impression sunk me. You can’t underestimate the importance of that first impression. So, the moral of the story? Don’t get dressed in the dark! Also, don’t wear too much perfume or cologne and remember your deodorant! If a woman, your makeup should be subtle and accentuate your best attributes. You are not going out for a night on the town, so look appropriate for the job you’re applying for.
• Ask good questions of the interviewer. This is very important because not only does it demonstrate your interest in the job, but it gives you an opportunity to interview the interviewer and make sure that the job is something you want. Remember, an interview isn’t a one way street. You want to make sure that the job and company culture is something you want to be a part of. There is nothing worse than being in a job that is just not the right fit for you. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions of the interviewer.  Use caution, you don’t want to dominate the interview, so be sure it truly is a two-way street.
• Be personable. Use the interviewer’s name. Call him or her Mr. or Ms. so and so. Don’t use their first name until they give you permission. Being too nervous and stiff will ruin an interview. This is your opportunity to really sell yourself. Show them that you’re professional, committed to doing a great job and would be enjoyable to work with.
• Write a follow-up letter to the interviewer. Remember, you are just one out of probably dozens of applicants.  Writing a personal note to the interviewer thanking them for their time and perhaps reminding them of what you feel is your biggest strength in a subtle way. This note should focus on the receiver, but there is nothing wrong with once again giving one last parting “shot” to bring you to mind for that position.

Interview Don’ts

• Don’t chew gum or look down at your phone while waiting for the interviewer to come. Better to show attentiveness from beginning to end of the interview, which starts from the moment you drive onto the lot.
• Don’t be rude to the receptionist or the person greeting you.  I promise you the interviewer will ask them what they thought of you. You should put your best foot forward in every interaction once you hit the property.
• Don’t come across as an egotist.  So, yes, this is the time to sell yourself. There is a fine line between expressing your strengths and sounding like an ego-maniac. Practice with a friend or family member you trust to give you honest feedback. Give them your pitch and have them give you ideas on how you might express the same confidence without giving the wrong impression.
• Don’t arrive late. Always make sure that you allow enough time for the whole morning or afternoon to go wrong. Allow for extra traffic, time for getting lost, time to find a place to park and time to check your shoes! Seriously though, arriving 15 minutes early for an interview shows that you are eager, punctual and reliable. All things that an interviewer wants to see in a potential employee.
• Don’t fidget or slouch. Remembering that the interview starts from the time you arrive on the lot, you need to appear poised and confident. Sit up in the chair in the reception area and look alert. When you’re in the interview, make sure to have your body language match your interest in the job. Lean forward, give non-verbal queues that show them that you are interested and interesting. Don’t fidget with a pen or the invisible thread on your pants or skirt. Keep eye contact and show an interest in what the interviewer is saying. Use active listening skills. Paraphrase a question if you don’t know the answer right away. You will demonstrate you were listening and it will give you time to think.
• Don’t ever talk badly about a past company, co-worker or boss. Yes, we’ve all had those co-workers, boss or company that was a horrible experience.  Rather than talk about what’s negative, turn it into a positive. Talk about what you have learned through your career and interactions. Give the impression that you know how to deal with difficult people and situations with grace and professionalism.
• Don’t give too much personal detail.  Keep your answers to questions about your personal life to “just enough”.  If there is something interesting about you that might relate to the job, by all means share it! For example, if you volunteer on your personal time or have an interesting or unique hobby, share a little about it if it seems appropriate. The interviewer doesn’t want to hear too much about your personal life, so keep it light and relevant.

Interviewing can be nerve wracking.  But, the more prepared you are, the less nervous you will be.  So, do your homework and be positive! If an interview doesn’t go well, chalk it up to a great learning experience and do better next time!

Good luck and happy job hunting!