My first interview as a professional Human Resources interviewer was a disaster. I was meeting with a young woman who had applied for a housekeeping position at a local college, and I was obviously as nervous as she was. We both sat in the conference room, wringing our hands and tapping our feet. I made the mistake of asking her closed questions, with yes and no answers, instead of open questions, which would have drawn her out more and given her the opportunity to tell me about herself. After seven agonizing minutes, the interview was over. I think she was as grateful as I was to get out of there.
Over the years, I’ve learned to refine my interviewing skills, including those that put a job candidate at ease. I’ve found that walking into a job interview is an extremely stressful process for the majority of people, and have discovered a few ideas that will make the process easier. One of the main concepts I emphasize to people is that the interview process is a two-way street. Not only is the interviewer trying to determine if you’re a good fit for their organization, but you are trying to determine if their organization is a good fit for you.
1. Relax. On my first “professional” job interview after college, the interviewer at IBM gave me some great advice – just take a deep breath and relax. The person who is interviewing you knows that almost everyone has some degree of nervousness during the process, and will not think you’re weird or hiding something if you’re fearful – it’s just a normal part of the process. Use all the relaxation techniques in your personal toolbox, including deep breathing, prayer, progressive muscle relaxation, or consciously calming your mind and body. Some people play music, spend time in nature, or go for a car ride before they walk into the interview. Find what works for you to enable you to relax.
Handy quotes to help you to relax: “A life lived in fear is a life half lived.” (Spanish proverb)
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (Mark Twain)
2. Be Prepared. Nothing can sabotage an interview like being under-prepared. Review your resume, especially if you haven’t read the entire document in a while. Make sure that your contact information and references are up to date. Bring paper and pen to take notes during your meeting.
3. Research. Find out about the organization on-line, at the library, or by asking other people. Learn what kind of products or services they offer, what type of “image” they have in your community, and what kind of people work there. Many interviewers are impressed when you take the initiative to learn more about their organization, possibly giving you an edge over other applicants.
4. Be honest. Yes, it’s OK to edit your resume to make it stand out. If you threw tacos together during high school, or worked the cash register in your college bookstore, it’s perfectly acceptable to label those positions “food service representative” and “retail salesperson. It’s not OK to list jobs you didn’t have, or describe responsibilities that were never yours. Give truthful verbal responses, also, even if you think the interviewer wants to hear something else. Being honest, however, does not mean you have to provide an answer that describes your entire life story. An interviewer will appreciate a thorough, honest, well-thought-out and to-the-point response.
5. Practical ways of Presenting Yourself. Dress well, as appropriate for the position you are applying for. Casual dress pants and a button-down shirt are fine for many positions, while others require a suit and tie. Ask someone you trust if your clothes are appropriate. Avoid slouching or leaning back in your chair – this gives the impression that you’re disinterested and not taking the interview seriously. Keep eye contact with the person you’re meeting with, but don’t stare at them. Greet them with a firm (not bone-crushing) handshake – three shakes is the number of pumps in a traditional handshake.
6. Be polite. Say hello, thank you, you’re welcome, and have a great day in all the appropriate spots. Check out Miss Manner’s column in the Washington Post if you question where any of those “appropriate spots” are found. I’m sure Miss Manners would suggest turning off your cell phone, showering that day, and that you don’t chew any gum.
7. Ask Questions. Remember that the interview is also your chance to “interview” the company. Be inquisitive (but not pushy) about work environment, benefits, hours, and pay. More sensitive issues, like benefits and pay, might be discussed during a second or third interview, depending on the position.
8. Questions and More Questions. Many interviewers ask standard questions – you might want to review them, come up with great answers, and practice them. Here are a few:
i. What are your goals for the next year? (Or five or ten years.)
ii. What is your proudest achievement?
iii. What do you think your co-workers (or teachers) would say about what kind of worker you are?
iv. Give me an example of a problem you had, and how you resolved it.
v. Tell me about yourself.
vi. Why do you want to work for this organization?
9. Follow Up. If the interviewer doesn’t tell you when they’ll contact you, ask them politely. “When do you think you’ll be getting back to people regarding this position?” will do. If you don’t hear from them, a telephone call or short note is acceptable. For some positions, a thank-you letter after the interview adds professionalism and style.
10. Celebrate. You made it! After the interview, congratulate yourself for living through it, even if you don’t think you did well. Almost everyone has given a bad interview, and successful people know that they can learn from the experience and do better next time. Go get an ice cream sundae, call your best friend, or take a walk in the park – just do something rewarding.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for people’s support while in a job search. Have them give you pep-talks, or pats on the back.
And always remember, take a deep breath and relax.
