You can fail at an interview if you mishandle just one area. According to leading U.S. companies, there are eight key areas in interviewing success. You can fail at an interview if you mishandle just one area.
Do wear appropriate clothes. You can never go wrong by wearing a suit to an interview.
Do be well groomed. Don’t overlook the obvious things like having clean hair, clothes, and fingernails for the interview.
Do give a firm handshake. You’ll have to shake hands twice in most interviews: first, before you sit down, and second, when you leave the interview. Limp handshakes turn most people off.
Do smile and show a sense of humor. Interviewers are looking for people who would be nice to work with, so don’t be so somber that you don’t smile. In fact, research shows that people who smile at interviews are perceived as more intelligent. So, smile!
Do be enthusiastic. Employers say they are “turned off” by lifeless, unenthusiastic job hunters who show no special interest in that company. The best way to show some enthusiasm for the employer’s operation is to find out about the business beforehand.
Do show you are flexible and adaptable. An employer is looking for someone who can contribute to his organization in a flexible, adaptable way. No matter what skills and training you have, employers know every new employee must go through initiation and training on the company’s turf. Certainly show pride in your past accomplishments in a specific, factual way (“I saved my last employer $50.00 a week by a new cost-cutting measure I developed”). But don’t come across as though there’s nothing about the job you couldn’t easily handle.
Do ask intelligent questions about the employer’s business. An employer is hiring someone because of certain business needs. Show interest in those needs. Asking questions to get a better idea of the employer’s needs will help you “stand out” from other candidates interviewing for the job.
Do “take charge” when the interviewer “falls down” on the job. Go into every interview knowing the three or four points about yourself you want the interviewer to remember. And be prepared to take an active part in leading the discussion if the interviewer’s “canned approach” does not permit you to display your “strong suit.” You can’t always depend on the interviewer’s asking you the “right” questions so you can stress your strengths and accomplishments.
An important “don’t”: Don’t ask questions about salary or benefits at the first interview.
Employers don’t take warmly to people who look at their organization as just a place to satisfy salary and benefit needs. Don’t risk making a negative impression by appearing greedy or self-serving. The place to discuss salary and benefits is normally at the second interview, and the employer will bring it up. Then you can ask questions without appearing excessively interested in what the organization can do for you.
