Interviewing Is Scary. Ten Tips To Help You Prepare. by Mark Ste. Marie

Often, just rereading and refreshing some basic interview guidelines can make you more confident and help you be at your best. Always remember that no matter what type of position for which you're interviewing, it is (whether you're in sales or not) a sales call.

You are in a sense "the product" and your future employer is "the buyer". Now, that may sound intimidating to non-sales candidates, but knowing a few interview "do's" will put you at ease.

As we all know, you only get one chance to make a first impression. I have been told many times by hiring managers that they don't generally make a decision to hire someone immediately but they often do make a decision to not hire someone almost immediately, perhaps within as little as 30 seconds to a minute. Having hired myself, I tend to agree. That first impression is critical. Here are 10 simple reminders to assist you: 1. Be on time!!!! There is no excuse in a manager's mind for being late to an interview. Ever. Plan ahead and make sure you are there early. Be ready and waiting 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. 2. Bring documentation. Always bring several copies of your resume. You never know who the manager may have you meet within his company if he likes you. Often that will happen in second interviews but it can happen on the initial interview too. Bring your addtional documentation as well which we deal with in detail in the premium member section. 3. Dress conservatively. In all my years in the employment industry, the old formulas have never changed. A good and conservative image always pays dividends in any type of company no matter what you have heard about the company's culture. For men: a dark business suit, navy or grey preferred; a white shirt (how old fashioned but it works); a tie (and not a garish one); shined shoes; and a good hair cut. For women: a business suit; understated makeup; no or very light perfume; minimal jewelry; and appropriate, closed-toe shoes, pumps being the best choice. It's also not a bad idea to have a backup set of clothes in the closet ready to go for that unexpected call from a company or recruiter who asks, "Can you be here today?" 4. xDress conservatively. Like humor, enthusiasm is contagious. This is a matter of presence. If the manager senses you're excited to be there and excited about what you bring to meet his/her needs and the company's, it will increase the chances of a good interview. When i send a candidate to a manager, I love hearing the candidate "lit up a room" or variations thereof. In that case, it is almost always true that the candidate did well. 5. Smile. Have you ever smiled at someone and not received a smile back? I bet the answer is no. A smile eases tension and breaks the ice. A good firm handshake and eye contact are also important (but staring like a maniac is a little distracting, so all things in moderation). 6. Display interest in the company. Do research before the interview. Know something about the company, their business and the position for which you are interviewing as this will help you formulate good questions and also solid answers to the questions asked of you. 7. Be a good listener. Concentrate on what the hiring manager is saying. Very often you will pick up information about him, his likes and dislikes, what factors are important in the people hired and not hired, the position, the company, etc., all of which is information that will help you formulate better answers that make you shine as a candidate. 8. Answer questions fully. However, don't ramble. Be concise, open, and honest but avoid over-answering. The employer will probe for additional information if required. One thing that also occurs in interviews is being asked a question that takes you by surprise. The tendency is to blurt out an answer. Use this pointer to your advantage: say, "That's a great question. Give me a minute to think about it". Formulate your answer and then deliver your response.

9. Close! Ask for a second interview (or whatever the next step in their process may be). You may not get a yes immediately and if you don't, it isn't always a bad sign nor should you be disheartened. They may or may not call you back to continue the process. However, if you don't ask, you'll almost guarantee you won't get the next step. If appropriate, ask for the job!!! 10. Follow up every time. Get the interviewer's business card and send a follow up letter immediately, either by mail or by email. Even if working through a recruiter, send a follow up letter and always call your recruiter with a detailed account of how the interview went. The recruiter is a valuable conduit to the manager and will assist you in the process as much as he can. These 10 simple steps by no means guarantee success, but they will increase your odds and give you confidence in the often scary and intimidating world of interviewing. Good luck!!!!

~~Mark Ste. Marie Copyright 2009

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