Successful Job Interviews

Congratulations! You've just received a notification that you were selected to come in for an interview for a prospective employer. If the interview goes well there is a high likelihood you will a job offer. Nailing this final stretch in the application process is crucial. A disastrous performance here virtually guarantees that you have blown your chances and will not be hired. Read on to ensure your interview is smooth sailing.

Make sure you dress professionally. As unfair as it may seem, appearance is the first thing people notice about you, especially in a corporate setting. How you present yourself is of the utmost importance because it shows how you will represent the company. Find out prior to your interview what the office dress code is. If you don't know for certain, it is always better to be too dressy than too casual. A long sleeved button-up shirt with a collar tucked into black pants, skirt and hose with a dressy sweater, or a nice dress with a blazer are usually safe options. Make sure your clothes are modest-- no revealing slits, hemlines no shorter than knee length, no cleavage and abdomen, and not too tight. All outfits should be cleaned and ironed with no visible rips. Wear nice shoes that are comfortable, this is not the time to teeter around in your stilettos.

Coming from a person who has performed countless interviews, trust me when I tell you that grooming matters. Take a shower so you look fresh and clean. Apply deodorant. Don't douse yourself in perfume or cologne. Keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh. Ladies, don't go overboard with makeup and gentlemen, make sure you are clean shaven.

I suggest that females wear their hair in an elegant bun or ponytail, or put half of it up and the rest of it hanging loose. Women of all ages have a tendency to play with their hair-- especially when nervous-- and a job interview is not the time for you to do this. I also notice when a woman has taken the time to get a manicure. To me that tells me that she's going the extra mile to look polished, but I would never think anything less of candidate who bites their nails.

Be on time. I cannot stress this enough. The old adage says: if you're not five minutes early, you're late. Arrive 5-10 minutes ahead of schedule in case you need to complete any paperwork. Before you leave the house know exactly where you are going and the quickest route to get there. If you are unfamiliar with the location and have to MapQuest it, consider finding the business the day before so there won't be any confusion when you're running on a deadline. Tardiness for a first interview is a universal deal breaker.

Come prepared. Bring a purse or briefcase with you that is large enough to contain a notebook, a hard copy of your resume, several pens, and anything else you were asked to have with you. Once you have settled into the waiting area, converse with the receptionist. Don't be overzealous and attempt to 'win them over,' but be friendly and start a dialogue. This demonstrates that you can talk easily with other employees. Gauge how busy they are and be mindful of their workload. Speaking too much can backfire.

Give a solid handshake and smile frequently. A firm handshake shows that you are confident. Apply a small amount of pressure and hold the handshake for a few seconds. If at all possible, initiate this gesture as you introduce yourself. When it comes to a pleasant expression, research shows that people gravitate towards those who are smiling. These individuals tend to have a pleasant demeanor-- something every workplace needs. Make sure you smile at appropriate times, though, and don't laugh excessively because that is just too over the top. Always stand up straight.

Speak formally. This is an interview for your employment, not dinner with your girlfriends. Avoid using slang. Refrain from 'like' and 'um.' Do not curse or use derogatory language. At the same time, be comfortable with your diction. It is better to speak in a straightforward manner then to attempt to impress people with big words you cannot use effectively.

Discuss your achievements freely. This is not to suggest that you should be arrogant or brag excessively, but this is an interview about you. Now is your time to tell them why you are qualified and your past experience that would benefit you in this capacity. If you do things such as volunteer work or recently graduated Magna Cum Laude, that's something important to share as well. Be prepared to answer some standard interview questions:

Why do you want to work for us?
[Say something along the lines of you think you could really use your skills to enhance the work environment and mention something you like about the work done by the office.]

What would you bring to this position?
[Briefly explain a few of your best qualities that relate to your job performance and then throw in a past experience where you had similar experience. Mention also that you are very enthusiastic and have a desire to succeed, nor just for you, but the company.]

What did you like most about your last job?
[Tell them honestly.]

What did you dislike most about your last job?
[You should be honest here too, but whatever you do, don't bad mouth a previous employer.]

How do you make the work environment a better place?
[Mention that you are punctual, self-motivated, a quick learner, and have a pleasant demeanor.]

Express a genuine interest in the company. Come prepared with background information about their work and current achievements that are newsworthy. Ask a few solid questions that show you've done your research. Candidates who have done their homework have a huge advantage over those who are uninformed. If you are unaware of the salary or benefits, this is a time where you can inquire about those. Contrary to what you may have heard, this is not tacky. You are a working individual-- an adult-- and you have every right to know what kind of income you'll be contributing to your family and if there is insurance associated with the position.

On a final note, do not talk about your personal life or anything that ventures too far away from business matters. It is OK to comment on a piece of artwork in the office. It is not OK to mention your recent summer vacation to Cabo. Steer clear of any 'controversial' topics such as religion, politics, or other hot issues of the moment. The purpose of the interview is to show why you are the ideal candidate for the position, not sell yourself as a person and share your beliefs. There will be plenty of time later to get to know your coworkers and form office relationships with them. Now is the time to be the consummate professional.

After you leave the interview, follow up with a brief email to the person who interviewed you. Tell them you enjoyed speaking with them, thank them for their time, and express your hope that you will hear back from them soon. This tells an employer that you are polite and appreciative.

With these tips you'll be sure to leave a lasting impression on a prospective employer. If you had an interview that you thought was a resounding success and did not get the position, don't let it derail you from your job search. Sometimes you give it your all and things just don't work out due to factors beyond your control. Keep applying these techniques and you'll be sure to get job offers in no time. Luckily for you I'm not charging for my words of wisdom...at least not yet!