The Art of the Effective Interview

By Deborah O’Connor

 

 

 

We all know how critically important an interview is. It determines whether or not you get the job, and fortunately you have a great deal to do with the outcome.

 

10 basic tips to improve your interviewing skills:

• Arrive about 10-15 minutes early
• Dress appropriately for the job and the company. Be well-groomed, do not wear perfume or cologne, and have fresh breath
• Have 5 clean, neat copies of your resumè with you
• Listen carefully, don’t over talk, and don’t be too familiar with the interviewer
• Know everything you can about the company
• Use appropriate language
• Always have questions prepared to ask the interviewer
• Do not appear desperate but don’t be over-confidant or cocky
• Leave drinks, coats, and any extras in your car. Walk in with your portfolio
• Always send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Sending it the same day as the interview is classy and sets you apart

 

 

Most common interviewing mistakes:

• Having no knowledge of the company
• Not paying attention
• Badmouthing former employees
• Using your phone at any time. It should be turned off and in your purse or pocket.
• Asking how much you’ll make at the first interview. Save those questions for subsequent meetings
• When asked where you see yourself in 5 years, answering, “I’ll have your job” is definitely arrogant.
• Saying “I don’t know” when asked why they should hire you
• When asked about your last job, saying “Didn’t you read my resumè?”
• When asked what your weaknesses are, saying “I don’t have any”
• Showing up inappropriately dressed. Even if the company is casual, men should always wear a suit and tie and women should wear a suit. This shows respect for the interviewer and the company. It’s hard for interviewers to get past someone who is sloppily or inappropriately dressed.

 

 

 

Questions you may be asked:

• Do you understand the company and its purpose?
• Do you fit our corporate culture?
• Do you have the skills to do the job?
• Do you work well with others?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Do you really want the job?

 

 

Questions you may want to ask:

 

• Ask about the company’s future plans
• Ask if the company has a code of ethics
• Ask about areas of the company’s business that you found interesting in your research
• Ask what type of people succeed at the company
• Ask whether the position has potential for growth and where it may lead
• Ask if the company has a dress code
• Ask questions regarding the job description and about the specifics in relation to other departments

 

 

Behavioral Interviews are becoming more common. An employer has decided what skills are needed for the position and will ask questions to find out if the candidate has those skills. They want to know how the interviewee acted and behaved in specific situations.

 

 

Common questions in a behavioral interview:

 

• Tell me how you worked effectively under pressure
• Have you ever had to handle a difficult situation with a co-worker? How was it resolved?
• Tell me about a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled it
• How do you handle your schedule being interrupted? Give me an example
• Tell me about a situation when you used logic to solve a problem
• Have you ever had to make a team work on a project that was unpopular and how did you accomplish it?
• How do you handle mistakes?
• Have you ever had to deal with company policy you weren’t in agreement with and how did you handle it?
• Tell me about a goal you did not meet and how you dealt with it
• What do you do when you don’t agree with your boss?
• How do your handle stress on the job?
• How have you handled difficult situations with a client or vendor?

 

 

Being familiar with the company and its expectations can be invaluable. Just as they are evaluating you, you should be evaluating them. Were your questions answered to your satisfaction? It is your responsibility to determine if this is a company you could work for.

 

Interviewing can be stressful, so the better prepared you are the easier it will be. Practice, practice, practice cannot be stressed enough. Moving up the career ladder involves the constant improvement of your existing skills and the ability to learn new skills and put them into practice. Correct business etiquette will help move your career forward by demonstrating your professionalism and skills in working with and motivating others.

 

 

 

 

Please feel free to send questions to Deborah at: www.successfulimage.biz.

She will answer them in her weekly column.

 

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz