Quick Interview Tips

CHECK IN

Some of your best stories probably take time to detail, but your initial interview answers should be brief. Check in with the interviewer after two minutes and prompt an invitation to go on. Say something like, “Now that I’ve described the outcome of my work on that project, would you like to hear about my role in detail?”

ANSWER BRIEFLY

When it comes to talking during an interview, sometimes less is more. As a general rule, you should speak one-third of the time and definitely no more than half of the time. The best interviews have a give-and-take atmosphere. To do this, you need to ask questions and try to draw out your interviewer rather than talking about yourself nonstop. When it’s your turn to speak, don’t hesitate to tout yourself — just remember to stop talking after you do.

IT’S OK TO BE NERVOUS

Not only is it OK to be nervous about an interview, but it is essential for you to accept how you feel. Telling yourself you should feel differently than you do is unrealistic and just makes you feel bad about yourself. What’s the worst that can happen at an interview? For many, it would be not getting an offer. Did you ever think that maybe the job wasn’t right for you? Try to look at the process as a learning experience.

EMOTIONAL PREP

Preparing emotionally for the interview is as important as researching the company. The right mood helps you perform at your best. Try these suggestions for preparing emotionally: get moving — go for a walk, run, exercise, meditate, do yoga, stretch, dance, something — activity gets blood flowing to your brain; sing your favourite song while driving to the interview; repeat an inspirational phrase aloud that’s meaningful for you; or simply remember a time when you felt terrific.

EXPLAIN WHY YOU LEFT

Follow these guidelines when interviewers ask, “Why did you leave (or are you seeking to leave) your company?” Succinctly describe the reason for your departure, and don’t go into details unless asked. Provide references to support your reasons for leaving and job performance. Stay with the facts of what happened, what you did, how you felt and what you learned. Then describe how you will handle things differently in the future.

BRING UP A WEAKNESS

In an interview, bring up a weakness before you’re asked for one. For example, “The truth is, I really need to work on my leadership skills. I’m a good worker and totally competent, but sometimes I lack the confidence to stand up and take a leadership position.”
That candor builds chemistry, helps ensure you’re likely to succeed on the job and differentiates you from typical candidates who hype themselves. It can even land you the job.

FOLLOW THE INTERVIEWER

During the interview, your interviewer is giving you information that can guide you on how to behave during the meeting. Observe your interviewer’s style, and then pace and match it. Listen to what is being said, and let the interviewer know you’ve been listening by asking good questions and making insightful comments. Answer questions by providing the information asked for. Telling more than needed could be a mistake. Too much information, particularly personal information, should not be discussed during the interview.

LOOK THEM IN THE EYES

Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication and can make a significant difference in how you present yourself. If you look away when speaking to someone, you’re viewed as lacking confidence or interest. If you have a problem looking into your interviewer’s eyes, try looking at the “third eye” right above and between the eyes.

KNOW WHAT YOU OFFER

Prepare answers for open-ended questions, like, “Tell me about yourself,” by making a list of your skills and traits that match the employer’s requirements. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job. You should leave the interviewer with a clear picture of what you have to offer.

KEEPING TIME

Try to arrive early for the interview, but not too early. Get to the site 20 to 30 minutes early to allow for any surprise disasters. Don’t enter the building until 10 to 15 minutes before your interview. Arriving too early could throw the interviewer’s schedule off and start you off on the wrong foot. Use the time spent sitting in the lobby to get a good feeling for the environment.

PROVE WHAT YOU CAN DO

Always put a positive spin on your answers to difficult questions. If you lack a particular skill or don’t know a certain computer program, be sure to emphasize how quickly you learn. Give an example of a time when you were able to get up to speed in a similar situation. Companies are interested in people who can hit the ground running.

SELL YOURSELF

Interviewing is about selling.
The product you are selling is you. Give them reasons to buy.
Tell them what you can do for them. Emphasize what you can bring to the company, department and position.
Convince them that your product is better than the competition’s.

TALKING SALARY

Timing is everything in the interview. Let them bring up the subject of money. If you are asked what your salary expectations are too early in the process, just say you would rather postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position. Ask, “Could you tell me the range budgeted for the position?”

DON’T FORGET TO LISTEN

Most candidates are so nervous about answering interview questions correctly that they forget to listen. Listening is one of the most underused interview skills. Follow these tips:

• Listen through eye contact — stay with the person.
• Listen with nonverbal expressions — nod and appear interested.
• Listen until the speaker is finished — do not interrupt.

By focusing on what is being said, you can gather valuable information that will help you formulate better, more intelligent answers and questions of your own

ASK THE POWER QUESTIONS

Great questions to ask early in a job interview: “What are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?” and “What would be my first priorities on the job?” The earlier you can ask these questions, the sooner you can start tailoring your answers to the employer’s priorities. At the end of the interview, ask, “Based on what we’ve talked about today, I feel good about the position. Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?” Often, that gives you a chance to counter any objections.
What could you do today? -

Print out the above tip and put it in the briefcase, purse or folder you know you’ll bring to your job interview. While waiting for an interview, review the three questions to remind yourself to ask them.