Interview

The Scoop on Interviews

Interviews are perhaps the most intimidating part of the job search.  Even though it is  a hopeful step forward from handing in your resumé, many see an interview as a blatant invitation to be judged.  To the contrary, interviewers are simply looking to get a good vision of who you are, what you want, and how well you fit with the company.  It is not a test so much as an informative get-to-know-you session.  But in many ways, this still does not make the process any less stressful.  So for the interview-bound folk, here is a selection of interview tips to keep in your pocket when the time comes.

Confidence

Personal confidence is the most important item on this list. How you feel about yourself at any moment is probably more transparent than you may anticipate.  If you genuinely believe that you should have this job, that you are qualified for this job, that you can do it better than anyone else, it will be infinitely easier to convince your interviewer of the same thing. 

• To be confident, prepare your material.  Research the company and ask yourself honest questions that an interviewer would ask.
• Have a friend try a mock interview with you. You will be much more comfortable if you have heard the same questions before. Here are some practice interview questions from Virginia Tech.
• Most importantly, remember that the interviewer is just a regular person. They want to be liked just as much as you do. The best thing you can do is to befriend the recruiter. Smile, laugh, and for goodness' sake, just relax.

Plan

Plan everything in advance, from the outfit you will wear to the route you will take to the office.  Minimizing stress in the morning lessens the things distracting and straining you, and you will arrive calm and prepared.  No employer wants a scattered and stressed employee.

• Fill your coffee maker the night before. This may seem mundane, but having everything set to go will give you less to do or distract you besides the task at hand.
• Pick out your clothes and try them on the night before. For ideas on appropriate interview wear, click here.
• Quiz yourself on potential questions before bed. Also, have questions for the interviewer prepared.
• Leave extra early. It's better to wait in the parking lot for 15 minutes than it is to be two minutes late.

In the Interview

Be attentive and courteous.

• Don't do all the talking; answer the questions with only the information asked for.  When we are nervous, sometimes we have the tendency to talk on and on, beyond what's reasonable to listen to.
• Be honest.  Interviewers are probably better at seeing through attempts to cover up what you don't know than you think.  If you do not know the answer to a question, say "I don't know," and then give it your best shot.  An employer will appreciate your honesty.
• Ask questions back.  Curiosity about the company is about as impressive as your qualifications.  An employer wants you to want to work for him before he hires you.  Inquisition will display this interest.

For more interviewing "Do's," go here.