Even with your preparation to rest upon, you can still expect nervous tension. You’re on the spot. It’s natural to feel a little uneasy. The employer knows that, having experienced the same thing himself. It doesn’t have to mess up your interview. Proceed, and as you do, keep these tips in mind.
First impressions count. Be on time and look sharp. The employer is already employed and has the luxury of being late. You don’t. Tardiness will be taken as a sure sign that you will always be late for work. Dress, at the least, as you would if you were on the job, and probably a step or two higher than that. It’s almost impossible to err on the conservative side and easy to go astray by being too casual. If you are a bit over-dressed, the worst that will happen is that the employer will assume you are trying to impress her. Is that bad?
Start strong. As stressed above, research proves that it’s important to begin on the most positive note possible. Be on the alert for that predictable open-ended, beginning question, “Tell me about yourself.” Don’t interpret it as an icebreaker. It’s the real thing. The interview has begun. Trot out your main strength and its proof. Get the flying start you want.
Send the right behavioural signals. Let’s not belabour what pop psychology has already beaten to death. To the greatest degree possible, relax and be yourself. Aim for a demeanour that is attentive but moderate. You don’t want to look like you’re ready for a nap, but you also don’t need military posture. If you normally use hand gestures, go ahead. Just don’t flap around like a seagull. Establish eye contact to show self-confidence.
Communicate carefully. Since we all know that interviews are all about us talking, we are quick to rush in and fill any silence with our words, whether or not we’ve decided what we want to say. Often, to the listener our words sound like gobbledygook. It figures. How can you be clear when you aren’t organized? Take your time. If you need clarification, ask for it. It’s okay to pause, reflect, and get your act together before you start talking.
If you know you speak with an accent that others sometimes find difficult to decipher, you’ll naturally want to do your very best to speak as clearly and intelligibly as you can. Be especially alert for speaking too softly or too rapidly. Adjust you pace and your volume accordingly. If necessary, ask if you were understood.
Appear enthusiastic. Projecting low energy or being flat in your voice or demeanour can be devastating. These impressions are drawn from your expression and your tone of voice more than the words you utter. If you know that you tend to have low affect or speak in a monotone, it’s advisable to use a little trick. Raise your eyebrows when talking. It may sound silly, but our voices tend to follow our expression and raised eyebrows put liveliness into your voice. Try it. A smile here and there is nice, too.
Participate, don’t dominate. Let the employer set the tempo. In most cases, that won’t be a problem. The interview will move briskly along and you’ll be surprised when it has ended. You can expect to do at least half of the talking. Some, though, may be torturously slow. The employer will plod and pause and hem and haw. Don’t let it rattle you. Your task remains the same. Make a good impression by settling in for a rather tedious pace. Perhaps the most difficult situation is the employer who converts the interview into a monologue. It’s awkward, but you need to occasionally find a way to interrupt the droning and make a few points of your own. Look for pauses and use “That reminds me…” beginnings for your own comments. Mostly, though, you can expect to do a lot of listening.
Ask questions. At some point in the interview, you’ll be asked if you have any questions. Count on it. You look disinterested if you don’t, so prepare specific questions for each interview. Some of these questions can be general but others should reflect the research you did on the company.
You can always begin a question with the line, “I noticed on your website…” or “Your annual report indicated that…” and then ask for an elaboration. The point won’t be missed.
Use the closing. The closing minutes of the interview are kind of a wrap-up. Don’t ask about salary. Never leave an interview with an uneasy “I wish I had said…” feeling. If there were omissions, get them in now. Likewise, never leave an interview without knowing when you can expect to hear from the employer. Most will make a point of telling you, but if they don’t, ask. The best way to end your interview is the same way you started it. While shaking hands, thank the employer for the interview, reiterate your interest in the position and cite your primary qualification as a reminder of how good an employee you would be. If you weren’t offered a business card, ask for one.