 |
Arrive 15 minutes
early. Late attendance is never
excusable. |
|
Clarify questions.
Be sure you answered the
questions the employer really
asked. |
|
Get the interviewer
to describe the position and
responsibilities early in the
conversation so you can relate
your skills and your background
to the position throughout the
interview. |
|
Discuss your
qualifications. Stress the
accomplishments that are most
pertinent to the job. |
|
Conduct yourself
professionally. Be aware of what
your body language is saying.
Smile, make eye contact,
don’t slouch, and maintain
your composure. |
|
Anticipate difficult
questions, and prepare in advance
so you can turn apparent
weaknesses into strengths. |
|
Dress appropriately.
Make your first impression a
professional one. |
|
Ask questions
throughout the interview. An
interview should be a mutual
exchange of information, not a
one-sided conversation. |
|
Listen. This is
probably the most important skill
of all. By concentrating not only
on the employer’s words, but
also on the tone of his or her
voice and body language, you will
be able to pick up on the
employer’s style. Once you
understand how a hiring authority
thinks, pattern your answers
accordingly. You will be able to
relate better to him or to her. |
|
|
Don't answer vague
questions. Rather than answering
questions you think you hear, get
the employer to be more specific
and then respond. |
|
Never interrupt the
employer. If you don't have time
to listen, neither does he/she. |
|
Don't smoke, chew
gum or place anything on the
employers desk. |
|
Don't be overly
familiar, even if the employer is
doing all of these things. |
|
Don't wear heavy
perfume or cologne. |
|
Don't ramble. Long
answers often make the speaker
sound apologetic or indecisive. |
|
On the other hand,
don't answer questions with a
simple "yes" or "no."
Explain whenever possible. |
|
Don't lie. Answer
questions as truthfully as
possible. |
|
Do not make
derogatory remarks about your
present or former employers or
companies. |
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