Interview Assistant - Do's and Don'ts |
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2. Some Do's and Don'ts in Interviewing
DO - Research the company and examine its ratings.
- Act naturally.
- Be prompt, neat, courteous and follow through on promises. Ask relevant questions.
- Allow employer to express him/herself.
- Evaluate objectively.
- Follow procedures.
- Make yourself understood.
- Listen to the other person.
- Present informative credentials.
- Think of your service and contribution to the organization.
| DON’T - Be late for your interview.
- Present an extreme appearance.
- Come unprepared.
- Criticize yourself.
- Become impatient, emotional, freeze or tense.
- Talk too much or too little.
- Oversell your case.
- Make elaborate promises.
- Try to be funny.
- Unduly emphasize starting salary.
- Linger over fringe benefits.
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3. Preparing for the Interview
When you get an invitation for an interview, there is a tendency to be awestruck. At his point it is important to stay cool and to be assertive and find out details about the process. You require a good preparation in order to assure a successful interview. Since employers are able to sense how prepared a candidate is, it is crucial that you commit sufficient time and energy to this process so you are able to articulate your best qualifications.
Who will make the travel arrangements?
Is it your responsibility to pay for the airline tickets, hotel, and then be reimbursed later? Request a written schedule in advance in order to be sure and if possible visit the site prior to the interview.
How will your time be scheduled?
Find out as much as you can about the open job position. Sometimes job descriptions in the advertisements are very poor of information. Some suggestions:
- Review and complement the research about the position and the hiring company you did when writing the resume and cover letter. Employers are very impressed by your initiative when you show in the interview some knowledge about the corporate personality, its benefits, services or products, clients, anticipated growth, accomplishments, subsidiaries, descriptions of operating divisions, organizational chart, names of top executives, financial review, or contributions to the industry or field. It is a good strategy to prepare questions to ask the interviewer that reflect your knowledge of the vacancy and company.
- Make a list of significant accomplishments you can point to with pride. Each listed achievement should start with “I” and contain an action verb (solved, improved, managed, created, invented, etc.). Use in first place the accomplishments presented in your resume and cover letter.
- as this gives you the opportunity to show interest in the position and the organization and to bring the interview under your control.
- where you can find average salaries from over 50 million jobs in the USA for free.
- It is highly recommendable to practice the job interview with a friend or family member in order to get more self-confidence. After practicing a few times you will feel much more confident and recognize that it isn’t that difficult to know the routine of an interview, to present yourself and to ask the right questions.
- Record the time and place of your appointment and the name of the interviewer. Obtain the exact direction, route and parking information. If possible, visit the site prior to the interview.
- Wear professional attire that is appropriate for the position. First impressions are extremely important.
- Have your papers like resume, references, transcripts, writing sample, etc. arranged in a portfolio for easy reference.
- You may be asked to give permission for a criminal background check. Be sure to have a list of your addresses from the previous five to seven years.
Next Section: How to Act during an Interview?