Interviewing 101
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Lynn
Hazan & Associates, Inc. is an executive
recruitment and consulting firm in
Do:
1. Arrive on time.
2. Establish rapport to be called back for a second interview.
3. Demonstrate by word and deed your fit for the
position.
4. Project a professional image. Dress appropriately. In these more
conservative times, it's better to dress more conservatively, at least for the
first interview.
5. Go in prepared. Do your background research, including internet,
newspaper,
etc. about the company, products, services and the person you are meeting with.
6. Reflect on ways you could contribute to the company. Be concrete
and use
examples based on past history and contributions to current/previous company.
7. Be engaging. Let your enthusiasm and interest for the job shine
through.
Clients don't hire wooden boxes.
8. Use action verbs and appeal to the senses.
9. If you were part of a team effort, acknowledge the team's contribution. If
your achievement was your contribution, let the interviewer know (without
bragging).
10. Have fun and relax. If you are tense, you'll be seen as rigid and
uncomfortable. Breath deeply before you start the
interview and center yourself.
11. Debrief immediately with your recruiter (if you are being
represented).
Your thoughts and feedback will be helpful to the recruiter in his/her
communications with the client, and can help influence decisions.
12. Send a thank you letter within 24 hours. This demonstrates your
interest,
attention to detail and another opportunity to market yourself. Reference key
points covered during the interview and why you would be the perfect fit.
13. Be a role model for your profession.
Don't:
1. Oversell yourself. There's a time to sell
yourself
and your credentials, including presenting samples/portfolio. Watch for cues
and clues. The conversation should shift to then discussing the job opening and
its challenges/opportunities.
2. Undersell yourself. This is not the place to be modest. Make
sure you can
draw attention to specific accomplishments, and quantify and qualify them.
3. Go to an interview hungry. You will not be as alert. Make
sure you eat beforehand.
Likewise, eat “lite.” You don't want to appear
sluggish.
4. Ask to go to lunch or get a snack with your interviewer/hiring
manager. The
focus of the first interview is to get to know each other. The food and eating
can be a distraction. If the hiring manager asks the candidate to interview
over a meal, that projects a different, more informal message. Beware, however.
It's still an interview -- you are being watched and evaluated.
5. Use jest or humor to joke about your potential employer's products,
services
or employees. The hiring manager is an extension of the company's
brand. He/she
is proud to work for the company. Why take pot shots? In
addition, no swearing or off color jokes. You want to rise to the top,
not stoop to the lowest denominator.
6. Be arrogant or haughty.
7. Talk badly of previous employers, employees or companies. It will
come back
to haunt you.
8. Tell lies. Be honest. It's the best policy. If you have
something to hide,
the future employer will find out.
9. Interview in a monotone voice. It's boring and puts people to
sleep.
Modulate your voice, use inflection. Smiling helps too. Practice in front of a
mirror. Would you want interview yourself?
10. Take anything for granted or make assumptions. You have to earn
the trust
of the interviewer to be asked back.
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