The Interview

Nonverbal impressions

The first five minutes are the most important - initial impressions are seldom changed during the course of an interview.  Therefore, be sure that everything that happens in those first five minutes conveys the fact that you are a professional.  This includes:

• Being on time, preferably 5 - 15 early
• Dressing appropriately and professionally.  It's better to be a little more formally dressed than the position calls for than to be underdressed.
• Starting right out with a firm handshake, a smile, and good eye contact.
• Being conservative with things like perfume, hairstyle and other means of "self-expression".  There's plenty of time for those after you get the job offer.
• Do not smoke - even if invited - or chew gum (If you smoke, it would pay to keep your interview suit in a place that won't pick up the smoke).
• Bring extra copies of your resume with you.
• Be aware of the effects of body language as far as eye contact, crossing your arms and legs, how comfortable you are in the outfit you are wearing, etc.  A mock interview with an Experiential Learning Center (ELC) staff person will help you pinpoint areas where your body language is saying something different than what your are saying verbally.  To schedule a mock interview, just call the ELC Office at ext. 4259.

Types of Interviews

Although you should be told up front what to expect, in many cases you may be in the dark until you begin your interview.  Be prepared for any of the following types of interviews:

• Pre-screening - quicker and less intense than the other types, yet in many ways it's the most important type since it determines whether you'll be invited to continue in the process.
• One person - done by the hiring authority such as the company president, department supervisor, school principal, etc.  This can last anywhere form 30 minutes to a few hours.
• Group - you'll meet with several people during the course of the interview, which could last up to a day.  This might mean you'll be interviewing with several people at once, or that you'll have several one-on-one interviews.
• Several candidates at the same time - the company may have several people interviewing at the same time.  You may have some sessions together and some separate.

Some General Tips

• Every person you meet during the course of the day is a potential evaluator.  Be personable to everyone, and don't relax so much that your professional demeanor slips.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, interest and confidence.
• Don't use the words "think", "guess", or "feel", which sound indecisive.  Avoid vague phrases such as "pretty good" or "fairly well".  Use positive words to describe your skills.
• Be prepared with specific examples of how you've demonstrated your skills.
• Listen effectively, paraphrase to clarify and confirm the interviewers question, and answer what is asked.
• Make an effort to talk more deliberately and articulately than usual.  Most people tend to speed up their speech when they are nervous.
• Maintain reasonable eye contact; don't ever look down at the floor while your are contemplating an answer, or out the window when the employer is speaking to you.

Watch Out...Common Pitfalls

• Avoid constant use of filler words like "you know", "right", "like", etc.
• Don't apologize for shortcomings and avoid any comment that can be construed negatively.  Negative information is weighed more heavily than positive.
• Don't answer questions with just a yes or no.  Use relevant examples.
• Don't ask yes or no questions; open-ended questions will get more information from the employer and will allow him or her the chance to talk.
• Be responsive.  Interviewers hate to feel as if they're dragging information out of you.
• Don't stretch the truth - a routine reference check is almost certain to happen.  Along those same lines, remember that if something appears on your resume it is fair game to be discussed in the interview.  Keep yourself current.
• Don't mumble; articulate your words and say "yes" instead of "yeah".
• What happens if the employer asks a difficult question that you were not prepared for?  Rather that give a poor answer, ask for a minute to think about it, then give a quality response.
• Don't ask what the salary/benefits are (although you should be prepared to give a reasonable range if asked for one).  This type of conversation is more appropriate after the organization is in the final stages of the hiring process, and you have a good idea of what you are worth to them.
• Don't trail off at the end of your sentences, or raise your voice so that your answer sounds like a question.

Source: Interview to Win. Planning Job Choices, 1996, 54-60

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