Interview Tips #2

Here is the second part of our interview tips. We hope that we were able to provide useful information for tips and tricks to do before an interview. We will now provide our guide book to success for what to do during the interview. Enjoy!

During the Interview:

Timing

Arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Salutations

Stick with last names unless you are told to use first names.

Control

Let the prospective employer dictate the pace of the interview. Many people in management do a lot of interviewing and they are used to being “in control” of the process. They have trouble letting go of the control when they are on the opposite side of the desk. If you are one of those people be careful. Good interviewers expect people to know which side of the desk they are sitting on.

What do you do if the person interviewing you is totally unprepared or totally inept? Carefully take control of the interview but be alert to give control back to the interviewer if they come to life. How do you “carefully take control”? This is where your interview preparation and mock interviews come into play. Explain how you made a difference at your most recent employers. Why you did things and how you feel you can contribute to this company. Tell them how your earlier training and background have prepared you for this position. Sometimes the interviewer will come to life and want to re-take control. Let them. If they don’t you will have given them the critical information they need to make a decision on your candidacy.

What do you do if the interview comes to an end before you have a chance to ask your questions, or they do ask assuming they can answer your questions in five minutes or less? Simply indicate that before you could make a decision on the position you would need a few questions answered, and then just give them a couple of the questions you have prepared. They probably will not have time to answer them right then, but they will see that you have come prepared and that you have some solid, intelligent questions that indicate that you have really thought about the position. That will leave them with a favorable impression. Always thank them for taking the time to interview you and express your interest in their company. (Even if you wouldn’t go to work for them for all the money in the world.)

After the Interview:

Thanks

Send a brief thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. (This is also the perfect time to submit any interview expenses you incurred.) A hand-written note is always best, but it is also acceptable to send a thank-you note via email. Be sure to complete any follow-up steps they asked you to take, or submit additional information requested.

By using these simple strategies we have been able to place candidates within various industries. These are just simple tips and tricks to use to show that you are a professional, and that you will not be a burden to your new employer, but a success.

The truth of the matter is that your qualifications, your experience, and your education do make a difference. However, these things don’t help you during your interview, they simply get you in the door. Every hiring manager is looking for someone that they like as a person, perhaps someone that exemplifies the same work ethic, attitude, and personality that they themselves have.

To be successful during an interview, you have to get the hiring manager to LIKE you. That is the biggest factor, your skills and experience show through your resume and your previous accomplishments.