The Interview

You are being interviewed because the employer wants to hire people, not because he wants to trip you up or embarrass you. Through the interaction which will take place during the interview the employer will be searching out your strong and weak points, evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities, and the employer will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes, aptitudes, stability, motivation and maturity.

INTERVIEWING DO'S
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.

Greet the employer by his surname if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you are not, ask him to repeat his name. Give the appearance of energy as you walk. Shake their hand firmly. Be genuinely glad to meet the employer and the prospects are excellent you'll find them an interesting person. Look a prospective employer in the eye while you talk to them.

Be alert and interested at all times. Be professional and a good listener as well as a good speaker. Maintain good posture and be sure to sit upright in your chair. Smile.

Answer the employers questions as specifically as possible to ensure that your superior strengths get across in a factual, logical, sincere manner. Stress achievements that are exclusive to the job.

Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on an opportunity. It is better to be in a position where you can choose from a number of positions, rather than only one.

Ask questions. Remember an interview is a "two-way street" and should be a shared exchange of information between you and the employer.

Listen! Follow the employer's lead. Listen to the tone of their voice and watch their body language. This will help you in establishing a connection with the interviewer early on. Once you have this understanding of the interviewer you will be able to outline your answers properly so that you can relate your background, skills and accomplishments for the position.

INTERVIEWING DONT'S
Don’t smoke, even if the employer smokes and offers you a cigarette. Don’t chew gum.

Don’t answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Explain wherever possible. Tell those things about yourself which relate to the situation.

Don’t lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as "to the point" as possible.

Don’t ever make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.

Don’t "over answer" questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics. Since this is a ticklish situation it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say any more than is necessary.

Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, etc. during the initial interview. If asked as to your current salary or salary expectations, a proper response is, “The opportunity will dictate my decision not the money.”

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