Interview Guidelines to Make a Lasting Impression

May 21st, 2010

Whether you’re interviewing with a recruiter or a company, it’s always important to make a lasting impression. Here are some interview guidelines that will get you one step closer to a job offer:

Arrive early. You’ve heard it time and time again. Why rush through the doors, sweaty and disheveled, with only a few minutes to spare when arriving 15 minutes earlier affords you the time sit and soak in the ambiance-calm, cool, and collected? Remember that employers expect you to put your best foot forward so arriving late for an interview can say a lot about your punctuality in the future.
Be prepared. Get on the internet and do some research on the company. Make sure you’re up to speed on what they do. Search deeper than just the home page. Uncover the vision of the company and get an idea of the company culture. Keep in mind, employers are looking for more than just qualifications; they want someone who fits in.
Ask questions. Successful job seekers ask as many questions as they can. This opportunity will often come at the end of the interview so be prepared with questions that probe for an understanding of the employer’s needs. This will set you up with chance to reinforce how you fit those needs.
Be relevant. Highlight aspects of your previous work experience that are relevant. When talking about your work history, make sure to stick to the points that relate to the job description. Keep in mind the company culture and demonstrate that you are the type of employee that would not only get the job done, but also fit in.
Tell a story. The best way to demonstrate your understanding of a subject matter, tool, or methodology is to tell a story about it-one that involves you. Stories are specific, detailed, have a beginning and an end, and (most critically) a point. Remember the PAR Principle? Problem-Action-Result. Identify a problem you were faced with, explain what you did to fix the problem, and emphasize the benefits that came as a result.
Remember where you are. Avoid any behaviour that might indicate to the interviewer that you may not have the stamina for the job at hand. For example, avoid lacing your hands behind your head or leaning forward to rest your face on your hand in front of you. Remember that you’re in an audition. The spotlight is on you so look sharp!
TMI. Sharing too much information is a classic mistake. When it comes to your social life, share no more than a light-touch conversation starter. You’re there to show how you are qualified and attempting to get too familiar can distract from the “main event”.
Name-dropping. Be prepared to engage in some casual back-and-forth at the beginning of the interview. Perhaps you’ve worked with some of the interviewer’s colleagues before. Don’t be afraid to mention a name or two but avoid playing the “who-knows-who” game before you’ve established that you and the job are a good fit.
Avoid trashing your former employer. Steer clear of any boss-bashing no matter how much rapport you’ve built with the employer. Stay positive. When highlighting improvements you’ve made in previous roles, position them more as accomplishments and added benefit to the company instead of as though you fixed something that was broken. Stay positive!
Follow-up. Do more than just send a quick thank-you note. Type out a lengthier business style email and thank the interviewer for an explanation that was given. Bring up two or three topics that were discussed and try to include a new idea or thought. This will confirm your interest in the company and show that you’ve already put yourself in the position.