About Career Blog

Interview Skills: Showing Confidence Without Looking Arrogant.

All of your hard work has finally paid off-- you got the call back for an interview! Your resume has made an impression and a potential employer thinks that YOU might be the right person for the job. This is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, but what do you do now? Get through the interview with class, confidence, and most importantly, prove to your potential employer that you are a competent worker and the perfect person for the job. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure that you make the most out of your interview, but the key is to utilize all of them.

Come prepared--Do your research!
It is much easier to have confidence when you actually know what you are talking about. Find as much information as you can on the company you are interviewing for. This can help you to cater your answers to that companies wants and needs. You can easily determine the skills you possess that can add to the productivity of the company. You can use the information you’ve found to show your interest in the company. It can never hinder you to go into the interview fully briefed on the company and it’s policies. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your resume with you to the interview. If your potential employer doesn’t already have a copy in front of them, then this will serve as a nice reminder of your talents and skills.

Dress to impress.
The right choice of clothing can give you that boost of confidence you may need on the day of the interview. Regardless of the companies’ dress code, it is always better to be overdressed for an interview than it is to wear clothes that may be considered too casual. Wear conservative, professional attire and make sure that your clothes fit you well—they aren’t too loose or too tight. Choosing clothing that is too colorful and ornate may be to your disadvantage, as it can detract attention from your qualifications. Your clothing should show that you are professional and are there for only one purpose: getting the job.

Don’t be late!
In fact, arrive a couple minutes early to the interview. This would give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork or time to just relax and collect your thoughts before going into the interview. Showing up to the interview late will do nothing but hurt you. To an employer, when you are late to an interview the chances are high that you will be late to other important meetings or deadlines in the future. To avoid any complications, know where you are going beforehand and make sure you give yourself enough time to get there—don’t forget to factor in traffic time!

Leave a lasting impression…
Turn OFF your cell phone before arriving for the interview. It would be unprofessional and embarrassing if your phone happened to go off during the interview. In order to save yourself from any embarrassment turn your cell phone completely off. When called into the interview greet your potential employer with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile. Make sure your smile is friendly and not creepy. Creepy smiles and penetrating eye contact could give your potential employer the wrong idea about you. Never feel too comfortable—always sit up straight and use proper language (NO SLANG!). Be sure to emphasize your strengths and call upon as many details of the company as you can. You must make sure that you don’t over do it with the facts, however. Remember that your potential employer already works for the company and already knows most of the details. Your main goal is to show how your strengths work with the company’s wants and needs. When the interview is over make sure you thank your interviewer by name and end the meeting with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile.

If you follow all of these steps it should be easy for you to walk into any interview with the confidence and charisma that could land you the job. Good luck!

Labels: , , ,

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/24/2008 11:44:00 AM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

Interview Blunders

You’ve scouted the job landscape, found an employer that interests you, and sent out your resume. Days, weeks, months of anxious waiting follow. Finally, you get the much anticipated call. Elated, you mark the date and time of your interview on your calendar. Congratulations, you’re halfway there!

Don’t crack out the champagne just yet – this is merely the eye of the storm. Interviews are often the toughest leg of the journey to employment, and if you take it lightly, you’re likely to find yourself waiting for that follow-up call indefinitely. Intimidated? That’s understandable. Keep your cool, I’m here to help.

I have plenty of resources available that will provide guidance when you’re in the hot seat. You’re probably familiar with what’s expected of you as a prospective employee (if not, fire up that search engine). It’s what not to do when you’re feeling the pressure that is seldom touched upon in any real depth. This is where I come in! Read on to learn about the five biggest interview blunders and how to best avoid them.

Blunder #1: Dressing to Impress (the Homeless)
Whether you’re interviewing to manage databases for IBM or fold jeans for Abercrombie, you’ll want to come in dressed as sharply as possible. Unless a relaxed interview dress code is explicitly mentioned in company literature or correspondence, sensible business attire is a must. In the vast majority of cases, if you can’t see your reflection in your shoes on the big day, you’re doing something wrong.

Blunder #2: Talking Trash about Former Employers, Co-Workers, and Past Work Environments
If you think that you can score points with your hopeful-to-be employer by providing a compare and contrast of your loathsome ex-boss, think again. This tactic is always ill-advised. At best, you’ll come off as obnoxious and immature. At worst, you’ve just offended your interviewer’s friend/colleague/mother. If called upon to evaluate a previous employer’s performance or explain why you left your old job, keep things simple with a positive perspective. Your fellow employees weren’t “morons,” they were “individuals with whom (you) did not share the same goals.” Your ex-boss wasn’t a “miserable battle axe,” she was “someone whose managerial style was not always suited to (you).” Get the picture?

Blunder #3: Money Talk
There’s a time for salary negotiation, and the interview is not it. If possible, try to avoid discussing money, vacation time, bonuses, and the like altogether. Employers want someone who is interested in the position not just their paycheck. When it comes to numbers, patience is definitely a virtue. Remember, you can always turn down an inadequate offer after the fact.

Blunder #4: Sir, Are Your Pants Vibrating?
During an interview, few things scream indifference more than a ringing cell phone. Make sure your phone is off, not just in silent mode, prior to meeting your interviewer. Should your cell spring to life for any reason, apologize and silence it as quickly as possible. Other electronic distractions, such as PDAs, should not under any circumstances be acknowledged during the interview, unless they’re leaking battery acid or threatening to self-destruct in five seconds.

Blunder #5: Smelling Like a Bowling Alley
Some people smoke to alleviate tension. While it’s normal to be nervous before a big interview, don’t reach for those cowboy killers quite yet! Many people find the smell of tobacco smoke offensive, and your interviewer may just be one of them. Smoking is also a contentious issue that you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of when your job is on the line. If you must, indulge with a smoke after you’re out of the office.

Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Research the position you’ve applied for thoroughly and see which of these tips you need to pay particular attention to. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep it classy. Good luck!

Labels: , , ,

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 11/07/2008 01:10:00 PM
| | Comments (2) | Permalink