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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
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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. |
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Be early. Be about five minutes early for every
interview. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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