*23 IMPORTANT INTERVIEW TIPS:*

*23 IMPORTANT INTERVIEW TIPS:*

   1. *Arrive a little early.* If you arrive about fifteen minutes before
   the scheduled interview time, you will have time to collect your thoughts,
   wipe the perspiration from your hands, and scan the lobby for current
   company information.  You will also show your interviewer that you value his
   or her time.
   2. *Do your homework.* Know the interviewer's name and how to pronounce
   it (including proper title: Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.). Know the company's major
   products or services, the organization of the company (divisions, parent
   company, etc.), current business news about the company and the company's
   major customers and competitors. You can learn most or all of this
   information from the company's website, annual report or company literature.

   3. *Bring a Spare Copy of Your Resume in a Briefcase or Folder.* This
   demonstrates that you are prepared. It also gives the interviewer something
   to take notes on.
   4. *Expect to Spend Some Time Developing Rapport.* Personal chemistry is
   a main ingredient in the hiring process. Try to relax and become comfortable
   with the interviewer.
   5. *Watch Your Non-Verbal Communication.* Maintain an open body posture
   and appropriate eye contact. Seat yourself at a reasonable distance from the
   other person. Smile.
   6. *Don't Be Embarrassed by Nervousness.* Interviewers are human, and
   they often become nervous, too. In fact, nervousness is a good sign - it
   shows that you are taking the interview seriously. Avoid nervous mannerisms
   such as tapping your fingers, feet, playing with pens, etc.
   7. *Body language is powerful! *Good eye contact, a warm, natural smile
   and a firm handshake can help you overcome nervousness, develop a personal
   rapport and present a confident image.
   8. *Don't Play Comedian or Try to Entertain the Interviewer.* It is
   important to be personable, but do not overdo it.
   9. *Don't Exaggerate or Lie.* You might be tempted to embellish your
   achievements in the interview, but it will come back to haunt you on the
   job!
   10. *Follow the Interviewer's Lead.* Don't try to take over the
   interview. Stick to the main subject at hand, but do not dwell too long on
   one point. It is better to deal with many questions rather than just one or
   two in-depth questions, unless that's where the interviewer leads you.
   11. *Be Prepared For Personal Questions, Even Some Inappropriate
Ones.* Anticipate
   how you will handle personal questions without blowing your cool. Some
   interviewers may not be aware of what they can and cannot legally ask you.
   Be sure you understand the question. It is okay to ask for clarification.
   12. *Emphasize the Positive. * Be frank and honest, but never apologize
   for lack of experience or weaknesses. You can be self-confident without
   being overconfident or flippant.  If you are new to the job market, your
   lack of experience has one very positive feature: you do not have to
   "unlearn" bad habits or different practices learned from previous employers.
   Many employers like the idea that you can be taught their individual company
   procedures without needing to get rid of other training first.
   13. *Wait for an Offer to Bring Up Salary.* Let the interviewer bring up
   this subject. Often salary and benefits are not discussed at all on the
   first interview.  Even though everyone knows that salary is important, you
   do not want to give the impression that it is the only consideration.  If it
   is, you can be easily lured away be a competitor offering a slightly higher
   salary.  The interviewer needs to see that you are interested in the other
   aspects of the job like the potential for growth, learning or the challenge
   of the position.
   14. *Don't be Afraid to Think Before You Speak*. Use silence and
   intentional pause to your advantage. Time is occasionally needed to think
   and to reflect. The interviewer will respect you for taking a questions
   seriously enough to give it a moment or two of consideration before
   answering.
   15. *Emphasize What You Can Do For The Organization.*  This means
   emphasizing your transferable skills. However, be careful not to reveal
   trade secrets from a previous employer. Employers are concerned most with
   what you can do for them. Focus on your ability to tackle new situations,
   your communication skills, interpersonal abilities, analytical thinking
   talents, and other skills developed while in college or in previous
   positions.
   16. *Don't give "Prepared Answers".*  Most employers know a these stock
   answers when they hear them.  This is a good reason to use interview
   question / answer
guide<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156414464X/centralvirginiab>as
just that - guides.  If your answers are not personalized to your
   situation, they will sound forced and unnatural. You might be surprised to
   learn how often interviewers hear the phrase, "I really like working with
   people."  The phrase is used so often that it has lost it's meaning!
   17. *NEVER Speak Badly about a Former Employer.*  If there were problems
   with previous experiences, try to put your answers in the positive rather
   than the negative. If you slight a former employer, the interviewer may
   assume that you will someday do the same to him or her.
   18. *Watch Your Grammar and Your Manners.*  Employers are interested in
   candidates who can express themselves properly. Even if you have to slow
   down to correct yourself -- do it! Use slang expressions very sparingly. If
   your knowledge of rules of etiquette are rusty, take a "refresher course"
   from a knowledgeable friend.
   19. *Be Prepared to Ask Questions.*  Almost all interviewers will ask if
   you have any questions. You should have some ready and should have at least
   one that is related to the conversation you have just completed.  This
   demonstrates that you are both prepared and interested. Your questions
   should be related to details about the company and should be based on the
   information you learned from the homework you have done (see Tip #2).  You
   should not ask questions like "How long to I have to wait before I can take
   a vacation?"  Save those what's-in-it-for-me questions for later.
   20. *Use Telephone Interviews.*  If you are applying for jobs in places
   in other states, you can suggest a short telephone interview. Even a
   preliminary telephone interview can help you assess whether or not it would
   be worth your time and expense to travel for a personal interview.
   21. *Don't Expect an Immediate Job Offer.*  Offers usually follow the
   interview, a few weeks later. If you are offered the position on the spot,
   it is appropriate for you to ask for one or two days to think about the
   offer before responding.
   22. *Be Careful With the Closing.*  Do not linger. End quickly and
   courteously. Thank your interviewer for the interview.  Smile.
   23. *Be Yourself!*  You do not want to get hired on the basis of
   something you are not. You want to be hired for who you are!

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