It seems obvious that you should try to do well in interviews but, in fact, most people don't do well at all. For example, surveys of employers have found that as many as 80 percent of all applicants do not do a good job presenting the skills they have to do the jobs they say they want. Other surveys indicate that as many as 90 percent of all applicants do not provide adequate answers to problem questions. An interview is a complex exchange, and I could write a book on that topic alone. (In fact, I have.) But here are a few simple things you can do to improve your interview performance enormously:

The First Impression May Be the ONLY Impression You Make
If you make a negative first impression, you won't get a second chance to make a good one.

Quick Tips for Creating a Good Impression

	Dress and groom like the interviewer is likely to be dressed—but cleaner! Dress for success! If necessary, get help selecting an interview outfit from someone who dresses well. Pay close attention to your grooming, too. Little things count.
	Be early. Be about five minutes early for every interview.
	Treat the receptionist with respect. Assume that anything you say will be reported to the interviewer. Treating a receptionist badly is often a quick way to get screened out.
	Make all correspondence neat and error-free. Be sure your resume, letters, thank-you notes, and other correspondence are neat and error-free. This creates an impression, too.
	Make small talk. The first few minutes of an interview are often informal. This is when the interviewer can judge your ability to socialize. This is a good time to comment positively on something you notice in the interviewer's office. My brother once commented enthusiastically on a painting in an interviewer's office. It turned out that the interviewer was the painter, and my brother got the offer.
	Do your homework. Read up on the job you are applying for and the industry before you go in. And find out something about the organization before you go in.

[NEXT]