Interview Guide I

Whether you're looking for your first job or your fifth, you're after an entry level sales position or top management spot, there are some universal rules to be successful.

Pre-Interview : Go to the library or use the Web and research the company. Find things to discuss during the interview. This impresses the interviewer.
Know the five year growth of the company and future direction.
Know the company's financial position, i.e. net worth, stock price etc.
Know the competitors.
Know the product line.
You should call on at least three possible customers to get their opinion of the company and the product. Let the interviewer know this. Tell the interviewer with whom and where you investigated their company.

Attire : Employers reject improperly dressed candidates. Accept the fact that many employers have an unwritten dress code and like to hire properly dressed candidates. Forget your own personal preference. You should dress according to the impression you want to create, i.e., successful, conservative, and business-like.
Men--Conservative blue or gray suit, white starched shirt, conservative tie with contrasting colors, shined shoes dark socks over calf, avoid aftershave.
Women--Skirted suit or tailored dress, dress feminine not sexy, avoid excessive make-up and perfumes.
Hairstyles for both men and women should be modest.
Men, Facial hair, if any, should be modest and neatly trimmed.
Your attire/appearance WON'T get the job, but it CAN certainly rob you of it.
No sports jacket for men.
No pantsuits for women.
Dress for your boss's job.
You can't be TOO conservative.

Timing : Get exact directions to the interview site at least one day ahead of time.
Be 15 minutes early.
Be courteous to the staff…especially the secretary. An employer is always influenced by opinions of other employees.

Resume : Take a resume with you even if the interviewer has one.
Do not fold it!
Offer the resume to the person in a new file folder.
References
Take your "that a boy" letters and offer them at the appropriate time.
When requested, provide a typed list of names, addresses, phone numbers, and letters of personal and professional references.

Introduction : Example: "Good morning, Larry. I am…"
Shake hands firmly and look the person in the interviewer eyes. Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
Maintain high energy level.
Sit up.
Back straight.
No coffee, (to spill).
No smoking.

The Site : Motel room: Position yourself for good eye contact, (Don't be afraid to move a chair; it shows positive traits. i.e., control.
Employer's office: If there is more than one chair, take the one closest to the side of the interviewers desk. The desk is the barrier!
Bar/Restaurant: Sit across from the person and wait for the interviewer to order drinks before you do. Do not feel compelled to drink if you normally don't drink.

Style : Eye contact! Look directly at the interviewer.
Listen! Give the person the opportunity to talk. Do not touch anything on the interviewer's desk. Do not fidget with anything you have, such as a pen, tie, etc.
Relax and be confident (do deep breathing to relax).
Be enthusiastic-use your eyes, hands, and voice inflection to show support.

Be Succinct - Keep your answers brief, concise, and to the point. Everyone gets nervous in an interview, but some try to disguise it by talking-excessively. The more nervous you get, the more you talk. The more you talk, the more you convince the interviewer that you are not right for the position. Avoid negatives by returning to a positive and stress that positive. As an example: "Well, Susan you have had three jobs in five years. Answer: Mary, I made a mistake on that Acme job by not checking their financial situation closely. I have been with U.S. Surgical for two years now and, as you can see, I've done a fine job. I'm seeking a career opportunity that offers greater stability and that's why I'm here."

Be Specific - If you're explaining your accomplishments, try to support your claims by citing figures or specific accomplishments. Ranked #2 out of 10 people in my region; I was $75,000 over quota last year; my W2 has increased x thousands of dollars over the last 2 years. If you're discussing skills or talents that you can bring to the job, give clear examples of how you've demonstrated these abilities in other relevant situations.

Sell Yourself - Now is not the time for humility. It is not bragging, and no one will find it offensive if you cite your achievements or awards or describe unique business programs that you have devised. It's an accepted and expected part of the interview process. Make sure that the interviewer knows about your accomplishments or special experiences. If the interviewer doesn't ask, find a way to bring them into the conversation. Be sure to mention any that aren't listed on your resume. No one else is going to sing your praises, and you usually don't get a second chance in these situations. Now is the time to bring out your ‘that a boy' file and show written rankings or letters.

Note: Translate your achievements, accomplishments, and personal qualities into benefits to the employer.

Maintain Credibility - and don't over inflate your responsibility. Don't try to make a low-level position sound as if you were actually the CEO's right-hand man or woman. Most interviewers have a good idea of the responsibilities that accompanied your previous job-especially if you're interviewing in the same industry. If you inflate your position, you'll undermine your entire credibility, and the interviewer will doubt all your other real achievements. Once you're considered deceptive, you won't have any chance at being hired. Always be honest.

Maintain Your Composure - Regardless of what happens in the interview keep calm, poised, and professional. If the interviewer seems to ignore you, don't get flustered. If the interviewer looks unimpressed, don't assume you have lost. If the individual contradicts something you say, explain your position but don't lose our temper or let the interviewer goad you into an argument. Don't become defensive if the interviewer seems to question certain responsibilities or achievements that you claim. It's all part of the game. Your composure may well be tested during the interview.

Pay Attention - Sometimes people are so "charged-up" that they try to anticipate where the interviewer is going. They just jump in with the answer before the interviewer has completed the question. Let the person finish the questions and make sure you know what is being asked. If you're not sure, ask the interviewer to clarify the question. The last thing you want to do is plunge headlong into a story that doesn't give the interviewer the information he's seeking. You'll come across as rattled and confused-not exactly the stuff employer's dreams are made of.