Lights, Camera, Interview

So you have the interview. Now what? There are literally thousand of books and websites covering resumes and cover letters. The interview, the most important part in the job seeking process tends to be more hit or miss. However, it shouldn't be.

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers often make is not researching the company before the interview. Recently I spoke with a friend who had been contacted by an employer. The employer wanted him to submit ten questions about the company. He didn't know what to do. He wanted me to write the questions for him. I was reminded of something I had heard from an Human Resource Director. Do some homework.

Thorough research will reveal not only what positions are available and what type of employee the company wants, but important information about the company itself. Today with the internet researching even the smallest company is a matter of a few key stokes on a search engine. Also, helpful, and often more personal, is contacting professional organizations the company is associated with, and speaking with current or former employees you know who work at the company about their experience. No matter what method you use, research is vital both during your initial job search and prior to interviewing.

Sometimes because of the necessity for money, bills and other obligations job seekers end up with positions for which their personalities are not best suited. This can be very frustrating particularly if you have passed up other opportunities. Why does this happen?

Many job seekers know their skills and experience, but are hampered by an inability to articulate their specific needs and desires. Companies are hiring because they either need to solve problems or have opportunities that require more employees, which is why the best applicants are those who can articulate how their experience is best for the particular position. Here again is a benefit of research. Write a list of the things you liked (and disliked) about previous positions. Use this list to both "screen" classifieds and potential employers during the interview process.

Being unprofessional in the interview is the most common mistake I encountered as a manager. Applicants often committed faux pas that could be excused among friends but that made them less desirable as potential employees. Some of these behaviors are obvious, others are less subtle, but as detrimental.

Examples of unprofessional actions include: arriving late, inappropriate dress, chewing gum, bringing food to an interview, sharing personal information not relative to the job, and speaking ill of a former employer. Some other things to remember: always bring a hard copy of your resume and other supporting documents, schedule enough time so that you aren't rushed, use the 50/50 2minute rule (listening/talking answering question in 2 minutes or less). Also, make sure you are rested. Interviews can last anywhere from 15-20 minutes to over an hour. You don't want to seem disinterested or tired, so get a good nights sleep.

Finally, I was always shocked that after a good interview, with the exception of one applicant (whom I hired) no one every asked me for the job. Remember you answered an ad, submitted a resume, and had a great interview. The final step-Ask for the Job.