Top 10 Job Interview Dos and Don’ts
Preparing for a job interview is crucial. Be prepared so that your knowledge and talent are allowed to shine. An interviewer will make an initial judgment about you within the first few moments of your meeting, so follow these tips to make sure you shine from the instant you meet your interview panel:
1. Map the location. It sounds silly, but please make sure you know exactly where you are interviewing. From the location of the building to the location where you will park your car. Be prepared.
2. Show up 10 to 15 minutes early. By arriving early you show that you’re prompt and considerate of other people’s time. It’s possible that you will have to fill out some paperwork before the interview so show up early just in case.
3. Relax. The job interview is a two way street. No matter what anyone says, the company you are interviewing for is just as often trying to impress you as you are with them.
4. Dress appropriately. Appearance does matter during a job interview. Be formal and professional – wear a suit, minimal jewelry, and a neat hairstyle. Go easy on the cologne and perfume.
5. Do Your Homework. The only thing that will make the job interview jitters go away is being prepared. Know the name of the CEO and become familiar with the company’s mission. Learn as much as possible before the interview as it makes you able to understand the company and ask the proper questions.
6. Treat the receptionist/greeter politely and professionally. Interviewers often ask their assistants how candidates presented themselves on the phone and in waiting areas. People often make the fatal mistake of treating corporate receptionists with disdain, and that can backfire dangerously.
7. Have references ready. You may be asked to fill out a job application, including a list of references, so be sure to have their contact details with you at the interview.
8. Avoid discussing special needs. During your first interview do not discuss any type of special needs. Only if the interviewer brings it up, a first interview is not the time for you to discuss wages, hours or special needs like flex time. Wait until they’ve established a strong interest in you. If you’re already talking about the hours or your desire to work from home in the first 20 minutes, you’re more focused on yourself and your needs than the needs of the employer. During that first meeting, you need to put them first, not you.
9. Do not bad-mouth former employers. Event though it might feel like loads of fun, it’s essential to resist the urge to spill the beans on what you really think of your old boss. The momentary pleasure you’d have venting just isn’t worth the long-term headache it’s likely to create. Remember, you never know who they might know. Rest assured that it’s natural to feel anger toward an unfair boss. What’s not OK is to burn bridges – with a long career awaiting you – based on those feelings. Recruiters see huge red flags when talking to candidates who harbor ill will toward former employers. Trust me, leave the baggage behind.
10. Actively listen. The old adage, “you have two ears and one mouth” has some value in the job interview. You can miss extremely valuable nuances in the conversation if you’re constantly thinking of what to say next.
By paying better attention to the hiring manager’s verbal as well as non-verbal cues (body language), you can not only validate what’s said – which is always appreciated – but you can better refine your pitch. Too many job candidates go into “sales auto mode,” and into unrelated tangents.
BONUS TIPS: Here are some rapid-fire job interview tips that should be common sense but we felt it necessary to mention them anyway.
- Turn off your cellphone ringer and do not answer any calls
- Do not chew gum
- Don’t smell like smoke (if you’re a smoker)
- Don’t seem desperate for a job
- Don’t treat the interview casually