INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES THAT WORK

Interviewing is pure sales, and you’re the product that is being sold and you’re the one doing the selling. Most people plan their weekends better than they plan for an interview. Usually you only have up to 45 minutes to convince the interviewer that you’re the right person for the job. REMEMBER the objective of the 1st interview is to get the 2nd interview. That’s a pretty clear objective.

Always dress one level above the job you're interviewing for. By that I mean if it’s a non-exempt job then wear slacks and a nice sweater or shirt with shined shoes. If it’s an exempt job then wear a suit that you would wear on Sunday for church and not the sport jacket you wear every day to work. Women should wear a nice skirt or slacks and sweater or shirt for a non-exempt position and Sunday wear if an exempt position. Men should not wear earrings and women should not wear earrings other than on their ears.

Always do some research on the company and industry that they’re in before the interview so you can ask some intelligent questions. Try to find out as much about the job that you’re interviewing for before the interview so you can know which hot buttons to push when explaining your background to the interviewer.

Sometimes you’ll be asked the question," Tell me about yourself?" Don’t assume you know what the interviewer's priorities are so ask them where they would like you to start, with your childhood or work history.

We have had people talk themselves into a job and talk themselves right out of it because they didn’t know when to shut up. On the other hand we have had people who weren’t asked back for the 2nd interview because they never asked questions and the interviewer felt they weren’t interested in the job. So be prepared for the interview by researching the company and keep your answers short and to the point.