Job interview tomorrow: any tips?

Remove all ads!

I've been working the same job, and moved up the ladder quite a bit for almost 8 years now. I'm in the process of moving, and the commute is just too much.

Anyway, I'm confident in the impressive résumé I've got, I'm just nervous as I haven't actually gone on an interview in quite some time (one that mattered anyway, I got a few side jobs over the years). Does anybody have any good last minute tips for me?

BTW, if it matters at all, the person interviewing me is a male.

 

1.Bathe.
2.Don't wear cologne of any kind! Unscented workplaces are the norm nowadays.

3.Dress semi-dressy (collared shirt, slacks, nice shoes) even if you won't wear those clothes on the job.

4.Review your resume or carry a copy with you!

5.Try to turn you 'good' qualities into 'drawbacks'. Example: If you are eager and get to appointments early (15 minutes ahead of time), tell the interviewer (in a sort of bummed out voice) that getting to places early is your 'drawback'. You can't help yourself. You just have to be there before the scheduled time.

 

He's male ? Well, wear a miniskirt then.

 

Smile. But not too much.

Edit: And shake hands. Don't

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

kuemper: I work in a hospital and do not wear cologne. Patients could be allergic. I plan on wearing a casual suit, and my drawbacks include being a perfectionist.

LOL @Pac

SL: I'm already into firm handshakes and looking people in the eye.

I got this interview by applying for it online, which is unusual in my line of work (I don't work at a desk, and don't have a PC). One thing that makes me think I'm already favored is that they called me at all after an online application, and they sounded very enthusiastic about meeting me.

 

I've been interviewing job applicants for the last few months now and am still looking for the right person. Most people I've met have been useless in interviews (or I'm just a tough interviewer). My tips:

Ask what he's looking for in a potential employee.

Make sure you know some stuff about the company.

Make sure you talk specifically about how your skills will help in this job - instead of randomly waffling about potentially irrelevant strengths (e.g. the ever popular "I'm a good team player but I also work well on my own". Aaaargh!)

 

HB, are you interviewing Klorox?

 

@kuemper
It can be good practice for Klorox

 

A former navy man?

I don't have a lot of first-hand experience to rely on... but I think I could come up with a couple of ideas. A suit is good if you need to wear one for work often enough or if most people in the building wear one. It's a bad idea if the reviewer won't likely be wearing one himself (a Friday might be tough to make out because he could be wearing jeans and expecting you to wear a suit, but since you're putting on a suit anyway...). Try not to overdress. A relatively casual one from a reasonably good brand would be a good idea. Grey or broken with grey or whatever works well with your silhouette and complexion without making you too charming. Socks same colour as shirt unless white, then socks black. Shoes are important. Tie should be calm and not too extravagant, although it still has some potential to show your individuality. Avoid putting anything in your shirt pocket. If the reviewer is male, I would avoid going too alpha or too metrosexual. Find a golden middle, which isn't alpha and metrosexual.

I suggest not letting him forget why they reacted so enthusiastically to your application. Show him that you value his time and spare him excessive digressions, but show him also that you value yourself and your time, as well, and take time to formulate your thoughts. Don't speak too fast, either. Don't hesitate to correct him or respectfully disagree and don't be a yes guy (that makes people look desperate and/or spineless). If you need to go a bit personal or tell about your history or hobbies (they can ask all sorts of questions), don't be too apologetic for all the boredom induced or he could think you consider yourself a boring person. I suggest not exaggerating your enthusiasm and willingness to submerge yourself in your work or the employer could take it too seriously later on... Mentioning such advantages as low expectations or flexibility is a bad idea (although "reasonable expectations" aren't a bad idea; better to give the idea that you're reasonable and ready to talk about everything than ready to accept everything as it comes) and if your wage is agreed upon individually with you, I believe it's good to start from a comfortably exaggerated wage because they will start arguing it anyway. Nothing like "N bucks per hour or I go home", but more like showing them that you value yourself. Perhaps wearing good shoes and watch (such accessories as pens, wallets, organisers etc) could help give the interviewer the impression that someone valued your work enough to pay well for it and that you aren't desperate. Gives more credibility when arguing the wage, as well, I reckon. Nothing out of touch with your typical pay, though... Gifts from rich uncles etc may have the same effect as overdressing, so no.

For all I've seen or heard, former soldiers or sportsmen get brownie points, so maybe a little mention of some such past, if you have any, wouldn't hurt. Then again, employers are different in different places. Non-profit organisations, apolitical social activism and volunteer work in the CV tends to help pretty much everywhere, though.

Well, and most of all, relax. I doubt many reviewers like laid-backs, but relaxing and minimising the stress should help you deal with it and make an instinct, unforced good impression.

Ufff... hope this helps. If I get something wrong, HB will be able to correct me.

 

In the case of being a former soldier, the above statement is true sometimes. My husband, an ex-soldier, found that when he was looking for civilian work it was not always benificial to disclose his soldier background. It very much depended on the type of work and the disposition of the employer. Some people do not favor military because they stereotype them into a particular personality.

My advice for a good interview is get lots of sleep the night before. Drink lots of water a couple hours before the interview but be sure to empty your bladder at least an hour before the interview. (Water does a lot for calming nerves and it is good to be hydrated.)Before you go to sleep go through your resume and reherse your answers. First thing when you get up go through your resume and reherse your answers.

And remember, most important of all, your deserve this job and can be great in it. You just have to show the interviewer that you are the one.

 

Possibly. I do have an interview with someone tomorrow morning.

My really simple advice would be to try and put yourself in the position of the interviewer. He's probably really bored of doing interviews and just wants to find someone who can do the job and fit in with the rest of the team.

 

Unless "North Harbour" is in New Jersey, I don't think I'll be meeting HB tomorrow.

Besides, my interview isn't until 1:30 in the afternoon.

 

No poetry that begins with "There once was a man from Nantucket..."

This kind of applies for AFTER the interview, but...send a thank you letter. Nothing fancy, just a simple "I enjoyed meeting you, I appreciate the opportunity to interview for this position, and look forward to hearing from you." You'd be surprised how impressed employers can be that you went to the extra effort for such a small - yet professionally courteous - gesture. It's a good way to distinguish yourself, since it's proper etiquette and NOBODY does it. If for no other reason than they'll be reminded of you.

 

I'm going to be obvious Klorox and give you the most difficult to understand

1. Be yourself - nothing fancy just true to your own nature
2. count to 2 before answering a question, longer than 2 looks like hesitation, answerring quickly can seem to be unthinking.
3. If you're unsure of a question rephrase it back to them so they have to answer first to give you more time.
4. Remember to put him at ease as well it's a tense situation for him.
5. Listen with your whole body - i.e. keep your eyes focussed on them while they speak, your body turned towards them, but not facing them, youe legs uncrossed, your hands loose and in your lap visible at all times. (unthreatening body language)
6. If you're an animated person when talking keep it to small non-invasive movements rather then grand gestures.

 

Oh, and dont forget that flattery goes a long way. Few are immune to it when done skillfully.

 

Be confident but not arrogant. You deserve the job because you are skilled enough to do it, but you are not entitled to it. Confidence got me my job -- my principal (employer) told me as much years after the initial interview.

[ December 01, 2005, 20:27: Message edited by: LKD ]

 

Check your zipper. Twice.

 

Relax; millions of people have gone through the same before you and millions have failed. One more in the list will not matter.

 

Don't pannic.

 

Thanks for everything guys, I think I did pretty good. I don't have a liscence to work in New Jersey, and the fact that I can't start until near the end of January works against me, but I still think I've got a damn good shot at this job. And the job really intrigues me as well... it would be doing the same stuff I'm doing now, just much more intense, exciting and advanced!