When your hard work has paid off and you have landed an interview, it is critical not to be cocky or overconfident, because you still have to be interviewed. While your resume and cover letter met the minimum standards, your interpersonal skills will be scrutinized during the interview. Everything you say and do during the interview will be examined. The key to interviewing well is (1) preparation, (2) practice, (3) answering the questions asked, (4) proper “interview etiquette,” (5) knowing how to turn around a tough interview, and (6) leaving the interview in a meaningful way.
1. Preparation
Research the company and the interviewer. At the very least, review the company’s website and speak with people in your network about the company and the interviewer. Learn about the company’s competitors and gain a clear sense of the work the company does. Prepare a list of several questions you can and should ask during the interview. If you do not ask questions about the potential employer and the position, the interviewer may think you are not interested in the position. Your questions should be direct and relevant.
Sample questions include: What are the short- and long-term goals of the position? How is work assigned? What types of training and supervision are available? How and when is feedback provided? How and when are performance reviews conducted? What type of work do you, the interviewer, perform? What is the timeline for filling this position? Note that you should never ask about salary or benefits during an initial interview.
2. Practice
Practice your interview skills by conducting mock interviews with a professional career counselor (such as Susan B. Silverman Consulting), a professor, family member, friend, or colleague. It is better to practice answering questions than to be unprepared in an interview.
3. Answer the Question
Listen carefully and answer the question asked. Try to give clear, concise, and definitive responses. Answering questions this way will convey confidence to the interviewer. Avoid long or rambling answers to demonstrate decisiveness and the ability to “think on your feet.”
4. Interview Etiquette
Wear clean, pressed business attire. Do not chew gum. Turn off your cell phone and arrive on time. When meeting the interviewer, smile, say “hello (insert name),” make eye contact, and shake hands firmly. An ineffective handshake makes it harder to build rapport during the interview. Examples of a poor handshake include: a limp hand, which conveys a lack of personality, disinterest, or weakness; using only the tips of your fingers, which suggests an inability to engage or timidity; and intentionally pumping the hands up and down for an extended period, which shows insecurity and nervousness. A well-executed handshake conveys self-confidence, trust, and genuine interest in the other party. In a proper handshake, both parties’ hands should be straight up-and-down. The web of your hand (skin running between the forefinger and the thumb) should meet the web of theirs. The handshake should last 1-3 seconds. While you should maintain eye contact throughout the meeting, it should feel natural, and it is acceptable to look away when you are thinking about what to tell the interviewer. Also, be careful not to look at someone too long without a break. Otherwise, it becomes a stare or an intense, intrusive gaze.
5. Turn Around a Tough Interview
Even if you are thoroughly prepared, mistakes can still happen in an interview. A mistake does not necessarily mean you no longer have a chance to get the job. However, once you realize the error, you must take steps to turn a bad situation into a neutral or favorable one. The first and most important thing to remember is NOT to panic, as there is likely something you can do to remedy the situation and get the interview back on track. In fact, demonstrating that you can own up to a mistake and respond professionally may show how you handle pressure. The following are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind if you make a mistake during a job interview.
The Problem: You are inarticulate.
The Solution: If you find yourself rambling while answering a question, stop talking and take a breath. Then ask the interviewer if you may begin again. Take a moment to collect your thoughts before responding. This will show the interviewer that you can maintain your composure under pressure.
The Problem: You draw a blank on a question.
The Solution: After the interviewer asks a question and you are completely stumped, take a deep breath and ask the interviewer to repeat the question or say that it was a very good question. Then, answer the question to the best of your ability.
The Problem: You’re late.
The Solution: If you are late to your interview, the interviewer will likely form a negative impression of you, concluding that you are irresponsible and/or disorganized. If you will be more than 10 minutes late, call your interviewer immediately to explain the situation. Offer sincere apologies. Respect the interviewer’s schedule and ask whether they would still like to meet with you or if you should reschedule for another time.
The Problem: There is a stain on your clothing.
The Solution: Instead of the interviewer staring at the stain and concluding you are a slob, point it out and laugh it off. You could say, “As you can see, I lost the fight with my coffee cup,” or “Murphy’s Law has confirmed its existence.” By making light of the mistake, you convey an easygoing personality and a good sense of humor.
The Problem: You mispronounced the interviewer’s name.
The Solution: Turn that mistake into light conversation by saying, “I can’t believe I mispronounced your name. Where is your family from?” If you’re unsure how to pronounce someone’s name, politely ask how it’s pronounced.
The Problem: Your cell phone rings.
The Solution: Even though you thought you turned off your phone, it still rings. Do NOT answer the phone or check who called. Immediately turn your phone off, sincerely apologize for the interruption, and continue the conversation. If your phone rings during the interview, you could say, “I’m so sorry. I thought I silenced it. Please excuse the interruption. You were saying?”
The Problem: The interviewer calls you by the wrong name during your interview.
The Solution: Even if you think the interview is going well, don’t ignore the fact that the interviewer used the wrong name. If the interviewer mistakenly calls you by the wrong name, let them finish their thought, then answer their question and politely say, “Just to let you know, my name is Jane. I know you are interviewing other people, and it must be hard to keep track of everyone’s name.” If you don’t correct the mistake, the interviewer may not remember meeting you.
6. Leave the Interview in a Meaningful Way
The end of the interview is important because the last impression lasts. A good ending can make what preceded it even better. Think of a restaurant where the food was not satisfactory, but the manager apologized for the dish you ordered and offered a complimentary dessert. That gesture made you feel appreciated and willing to try the restaurant again. Likewise, as your interview concludes, be sure to leave a good last impression: shake hands, smile at the other person, and act as if you are very pleased with how things went. At the end of the interview, make brief, sincere remarks to your interviewer, such as, “I know you are very busy. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.”
If you made any blunders, try not to dwell on your interview mistakes. Think of them as opportunities to demonstrate that you can maintain a calm, professional demeanor under challenging circumstances. With these interview tips, you should have successful interviews. Good luck on your career path! If you would like further information about this subject, please visit susanbsilvermanconsulting.com and/or contact me at susan@susanbsilvermanconsulting.com.The article titled “Interviewing 101” was published in the Spring 2013 issue of the Chicago Bar Association’s “YLS Careers Update” newsletter.
