Interview Tips
  1. Dress for Success - While today's business climate may have moved to the casual, the interview hasn't. Your best bet is still a dark suit; tie for men, hose for woman, no matter the temperature!

    Easy on the atomizer! It's best not to wear cologne, after shave or perfume on an interview. Many offices have a "no perfume" policy to avoid the allergic reactions many perfume and colognes can cause.

  2. Interview Preparation - Do your homework. Research the company, check out their website on the Internet before your interview.

  3. Arrival Time - Arrive no more than 10 minutes before your interview time. Five minutes is best.

  4. In the Interview - Maintain strong eye-to-eye contact during the interview. If you find it difficult, look at the bridge of the nose.

    Politely REFUSE any offer to drink coffee or soda.

    Your goal is to get the interviewer talking more than you talk. Ask them about the duties of the job and let them explain to you the position. As they describe the job, you can sell yourself and your background by giving details of your experience as it relates to their need. Get them to paint a picture of the position, then verbally sketch yourself into it.

    The interview should be rapport building. If you are asked a question, answer it and ask a question back so that the interviewer is also giving information and keeps the conversation going.

    Concentrate on interviewing for THIS job, not the next promotion or the management position.

    Ask questions with YOU in the question, IE: "How much of my day will be...." "To whom will I report?" This lets them visualize you in the job.

    Practice your reasons for leaving your former employers. Make sure your reasons are realistic and positive, never speak negatively about a former employer.

  5. Be prepared to address questions relating to strengths, weaknesses and have examples of how each shows up in your background. (Practice this.)

  6. Never discuss salary, bonuses, benefits, vacations, etc. unless the interviewer brings it up first. If asked about salary, it's best to reply, "I have been interviewing for jobs in the ____ range, I am open to a fair offer in that range." Or, "In my last position I earned, _____, and I am open to a fair offer in the range of ___."

  7. The Negative Interview - Be prepared for the negative interview, many employers use this as a test to see how you will respond to a potentially negative situation.

  8. Asking for the Job - The most important part of the interview is how you leave it at the end. ASK FOR THE JOB. Mr./Ms. Employer, based on the description, I feel strongly that this is a logical next step for me and I am very interested, where do we go from here?", OR "What is the next step?" OR "Who do I meet next?" OR "What is the next step in your interview process?" OR "I love it here, when can I start?!"

  9. Entertaining an Offer - Never turn an interview down flat, if you are not interested, explain that you understood all offers were to go through your recruiter and we will turn it down on your behalf.

    If you are made an offer on the spot and feel good about it, go for it, but if you have questions, go back to your recruiter and we will get the information you need.

    Get back to your recruiter as soon as the interview is over.