Doing Everything You Can to Get the Job You Want

In difficult economic times and high unemployment rates, landing the right job is of crucial importance to all of us. Having conducted and attended numerous interviews, it is obvious to me that there are substantially better and worse approaches. My own success ratio for job interviews suggests that I have incorporated the most effective of these approaches. Interviewing candidates on all spots along the qualification spectrum further illustrates what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior during an interview.

Preparation is key to the actual event, from a physical and a psychological standpoint. With respect to appearance, conservative is virtually always the best decision. Most of the interviews that require this level of attention will be for white collar positions. Corporate environments are not yet ready for severe hairstyles and jeans hanging below your waistline. If those fashion details are trademarks for you, you'll need to be quite selective about the corporate cultures in which they are acceptable.

Instead, the traditional corporate interview still requires a suit or jacket and tie for men and a dress or suit (skirt or slacks) for a woman. A good rule to follow is this: If you are not certain that your physical appearance is in good taste, do whatever is necessary to make it so. Many of the hiring authorities were raised in the old traditions of standing when they enter the room, understated appearance and respectful tone and posture. Again, if this sounds like too much work or not consistent with your image, you'll need to find other venues.

The psychological aspect of the interview is just as critical, if not more so. To begin, if this is not a job in which you are truly interested and for which you are clearly qualified, most interviewers are skilled enough to sense that ambivalence early in the process so don't bother. With the assumption that this is your "dream job," don't be afraid to say so. Sell your skills and background without being overbearing or narcissistic. State your case, answer questions that are asked and stop talking.

My rule is that less is always better with respect to supplying information. Interviewers don't want to know copious and tedious details about your family, your significant other, your hamster or your difficulties with calculus in college. Speak when you are asked to do so and under no circumstances should you direct the interview. Do your research about the company and the job itself. Interviewers are generally impressed if you have a well-presented resume, references and any other accomplishments that you can bring to show them.

Finally, don't break the ground rules. Don't yawn, chew gum, check your watch or bring coffee. By no means should you ask how much the job pays or how long the interview will last. And close on a positive note. Ask if there is anything else you can provide and what the next steps in the hiring process are. Above all, thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you want the interviewer to remember you on a positive basis after you walk out of his or her office, it should be because you're articulate, polite and respectful, not because you have an outrageous habit or giggled for a half hour. I can't promise that you'll land your job but you will make the impression that will give you the best chance to do so.