THE INTERVIEW
MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
Dress appropriately. Know what is suitable for the work environment and dress slightly better. (Follow the general guideline below.)
- Men should wear a dark suit, white shirt (pressed) with a conservative tie, dark socks, black shoes (polished)
- Women should wear proper business attire, such as a conservative suit or dress
Neatness, grooming, and a professional look are the keys to success. Be friendly, warm, and enthusiastic to everyone you meet, from the secretary to the president. Be self-confident, a good listener, and avoid negative talk. Remember that not all communication is written or verbal and be aware of: eye contact (but don’t stare down the interviewer), vocal quality, body posture, your handshake, facial expressions, and don’t sit back in your chair and look too relaxed, lean slightly forward.
Your interviewer is looking for how well you will be able to do the job. Your resume has already indicated that your capabilities are a possible match. During the interview you must fill in the gaps that resumes by nature cannot cover, relating stories about your skills and past experiences and relating them to the job your are applying for.
Establish rapport with all the people you meet. People hire the people they like, so warm up to the people and establish a good chemistry between you and them. This is especially critical with the person you will be working directly for.
ATTITUDE
Attitude is one of the most important things an interviewer relies on. The more motivated worker will do the best job.
- Show your enthusiasm. Let them see your energy.
- Relate your previous experience to the job you're seeking.
- Talk about your goals and where you want to go in the future.
- Talk about what you like about the company, their goals, their operation, their services or products.
STAY COOL UNDER PRESSURE
You are literally on the "hot seat" when you enter an interview situation. The way you answer the hard and stressful questions in an interview can show how you handle stressful situations. Keeping your cool, being calm and answering after careful consideration will show you're reasonable and likely to do well in stressful situations.