Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts

InterviewingDo’s and Don’ts By, Ms. Bentivegna WBL Coordinator

Do’s and Don’ts of Interviewing There are general tips you should follow when job interviewing. These vary depending on the actual interview. There are different interviews you should be aware of: • Face to Face interviews • Phone Interviews • Informational Interviews • After the job interview….

Do take a practice run to the location whereyou are having the interview --or be sure you know exactly where it is and howlong it takes to get there. Do your research and know the type of job interview you will be encountering. And do prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorize or over-rehearse your answers. Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry. Do plan to arrive about 10 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. If you are running late, do phone the company. Do greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This is where you make your first impression. Face to Face Interviews DO’S

Do bring extra resumes to the interview. Do greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you're not sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview. Do shake hands firmly. Don't have a limp or clammy handshake! Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. Don't fidget or slouch. Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s). Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company. Do ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Interviews DO’S continued

Don't chew gum during the interview. Don't rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you will need to sell yourself to the interviewer. Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence Don't tell jokes during the interview. Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. And don't smoke beforehand so that you smell like smoke. And do brush your teeth, use mouthwash, or have a breath mint before the interview. Face to Face Interviews DON’TS

Don't ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions. Don't say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers. Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment. Don't bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems. Don't answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager. Don't burn any bridges if you do not get a job offer. And do try and turn the situation into a positive by bringing the interviewer(s) into your network, possibly even asking them for referrals to other contacts. Interviews DON’TS continued

The Do’s of Ending the Interview • Do close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process. (Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for the job.) • Do try and get business cards from each person you interviewed with -- or at least the correct spelling of their first and last names. And don't make assumptions about simple names -- was it Jon or John -- get the spelling. • Do immediately take down notes after the interview concludes so you don't forget crucial details. • Do write thank you letters within 24 hours to each person who interviewed you.

Do give accurate and detailed contact information in your cover letter so your interviewers can easily connect with you. Do ensure that household members understand the importance of phone Do know what job you are interviewing for Do consider keeping an outline in front of you to remind yourself of key points you want to cover with the interviewer. Do practice, if possible Do ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard. Do consider standing when being interviewed on the phone. Some experts say you’ll sound more professional than if you’re slouching in an easy chair. Do create a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions. Do alert your references Do follow-up Phone Interviewing Do's

When in job-hunting mode, don't have a disproportionately silly or long greeting on your answering machine or voicemail. Don't feel you have to fill in the silences. If you’ve completed a response, but the interviewer hasn’t asked his or her next question, don’t start babbling just to fill in airtime. Instead, ask a question of your own related to your last response. Don't panic if you have special needs. If you are hearing-impaired, for example, phone interviews are still possible. Don't snuffle, sneeze or cough. If you can’t avoid these behaviors, say “excuse me.” Don't chew gum or food, or drink anything noisy. Phone Interviewing Don'ts

Do ask at the end of the interview when the employer expects to make the hiring decision. Do be proactive and consider follow-up a strategic part of your job search process. Do write individual thank you notes or letters to each person who interviewed you -- within two business days. Each letter can be essentially the same, but try to vary each a bit in case recipients compare notes. Don’t ever fail to send a thank you -- even if you are sure the job is not for you. And do write thank you notes after every interview. Don't stop job-hunting. Do be patient. Do follow-up with a telephone call to the employer within a week to ten days Interview follow-up

Common Interview Questions • The website listed below provides a huge online database of common interview questions. Take the remainder of the class to answer some of these questions. • www.quintcareers.com/interview_question_database/

Online Interviewing Tutorial • Go to the website address below to take an online Interviewing Tutorial. This site will help you be better prepared to interview. • www.quintcareers.com/job_interviews/

Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts