Tactics for a Successful Job Interview

home > essays > essay 18
Tactics for a Successful Job Interview
By Jennette Siebens, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

In this brief essay, I will summarize some key approaches agreed on by many vocational professionals for how best to prepare for and be successful in the job interview. This set of recommendations is neither exhaustive nor necessarily appropriate for every possible interviewing situation, but it should be enough to get you started, and if you follow the recommendations it should help you in most job interviews.

In Advance of the Interview

Prepare for the interview. In particular, learn about your prospective employer. Study their website to learn about the public image they wish to present to the world. If you can locate it, review their mission. Review news reports about the organization and its leaders. Along with educating yourself on the details of the job listing, take note of the variety of services the company offers. In advance of the interview, write down questions you wish to ask; you may even wish to email the questions to your interviewer in advance. It pays to show that you have "done your homework."

Well in advance of any interview, and probably even before your job search begins, should also review what information about you is readily available through the internet. Search Google and other search engines for information about youself; many employers will do this and more. At least be aware what information is out there about you. And if you have potentially damaging information about you on your own website or blog or the social-networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace, try to remove it. Better yet, do not put it there in the first place.

You should also clarify your understanding of your employment goals, strengths, and weaknesses in the job setting, and what your personal contributions to the organization might be. What makes you unique and sets you apart from other potential candidates? Print several copies of your polished resume and reference listing (keeping your reference page separate from your resume) even if they may already have a copy on file. It is often helpful to review your resume and what you have accomplished in previous jobs. Having these concepts and information fresh in your memory will assist you in effectively answering questions about your work history or future job expectations. Finally, be sure to get plenty of rest.

The Morning of the Interview

After waking up, allow yourself some time to do general morning activities. If at all possible, do not rush out of the house and speed to an interview. Eat a moderate and balanced breakfast that yields a high nutritional value. Avoid an overconsumption of sugar and balance the carbohydrates with some protein. Spiking your blood sugar or over filling your stomach can only create more obstacles to concentration once in the interview session. Having your blood sugar plunge mid-interview may only heighten your feelings of anxiety and poor concentration. In general, strive to eliminate hunger that may distract you during the interview.

In most occupations, clean people get jobs! A long shower is often both relaxing and therapeutic in relaxing the body, gathering your thoughts, and quelling the pre-interview nerves. This is a helpful to build your confidence and visualize yourself interviewing successfully.

Choose your clothes with care. In general, dress conservatively, although you should also try to learn what dress would be expected through your advance study of the organization. Don't neglect to double check your buttons, examine your zippers, and cover any visible tattoos. If you are tempted to moisturize, be careful with the amount applied to the palms of your hands. They will, of course, moisturize themselves as the scheduled interview time approaches.

Allow a comfortable amount of time to review your "prep" material. Such a review will help solidify your knowledge of the company and allow you to set the tone of confidence for your arrival at the interview.

Do not bring much into the interview. Usually a folder including the extra copies of your resume, reference pages, your list of questions, any crib notes for background information on the company, and a small spiral notebook and pen will be sufficient. Do not bring your cell phone, and if you must, turn it off or put it on "vibrate" mode. Do not bring a pile of belongings or a suitcase unless you must leave directly from the interview for the airport.

Upon Arrival at the Interview

Arrive 15 minutes early, and if you need to find parking or walk a ways to the interview you should plan to arrive to the general location substantially earlier; but in any case, do not arrive at the actual site of the interview more than 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

Although it is not wise to run behind for any reason, it is not necessarily the end of the world if you do, at least if the causes are outside of your control (e.g., the train falls behind schedule, unexpected bad weather slowing down traffic). If you believe you may be late, try to phone ahead to note that you appear to be running late and why, and try to do this no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled interview.

Once you have safely arrived at your destination, use the restroom available in building (outside of the office); the goal is to avoid subsequent distractions. Again, if you forgot to leave your cell phone in your care turn it off. If you chew gum, but sure to dispose of it. Once you enter the office corridor, introduce yourself to the receptionist, smile, and cordially follow directions given. Receptionists are very important; be very considerate to them.

Upon introduction to the interviewer or panel of interviewers, greet each person individually by name with a smile. If possible, write down the names of those with whom you meet. Some organizations may be considerate enough to provide you with a schedule and a list of names and titles of those with whom you will interview, but this will not always be the case. A firm and confident handshake with brief, yet deliberate eye contact is advisable. A strong handshake is often seen as a measure of strong character. Be aware of the impact of your handshake, as there is a delicate balance between what is too strong and too weak in a formal business handshake. Extend a brief gesture of "pleasure to meet you" as the handshake is exchanged. Wait to be seated as directed.

In the Interviewing Session

By this point in the process, it is time to let your professional personality show. Be aware of your posture and positioning in relation to others in the room, body language says a lot about your confidence, openness, and willingness. Be expressive, professional, courteous, warm, and appropriately conversational. Offer a copy of your resume to each interviewer. Typically, the interviewer will control the agenda from start to finish, but it is customary for the interviewer to allow you to ask questions for at least some of the time. Remember that you are as interested as they are as to whether you are a proper and appropriate fit for their employment needs.

Eye contact is an integral part of relaying confidence and social aptitude in the interview process. However, there is a razor thin line between a healthy dose of eye contact and a piercing stare. Be aware of the dynamics in the room and how you are interacting with one another.

Skillful communication, clear diction, and accurately representing yourself is the most important objective of the interview. Be confident but do not OVERsell yourself. Do not lie, but at the same time think about the "question behind the question;" typically, a difficulty question whose direct and truthful response might hurt one's chances may mask an underlying question to which you can answer truthfully but in a way that helps your chances. In most situations, will be able to 'reframe' such a difficult question into the underlying, question behind the question, and then answer that to good effect.

Interviewers will often check your listening skills, cognitive capabilities, and attention to detail with a complex, multi-fold question. These are often the "million dollar questions" to look out for. Be certain to respond thoughtfully and specifically address each question, although for some questions you may be able to reframe them as discussed above. Speak deliberately and refrain from the usage of "um" and "like." Keep personal info at minimum unless specifically asked to clarify your history, hobbies, or personal stress management strategies.

In addition to responding effectively to questions about yourself and what you bring to the equation, your main goal in the initial interview is to learn about job requirements and work environment. Ask appropriate and thoughtful questions.

Never beg for a position or give an appeal to pity, it is important not to appear desperate. Moreover, remember that in the end the organization will need to sell itself to you, and not just the other way around.

Likewise, never disclose extraneous baggage and conversational material. Remember that employers often look to see if there is anything in the near future that will distract or take you away from work. In general, do not acknowledge health problems or disabilities during the interview that might be covered, say, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nor, unless it is strictly relevant to the job, do you need to disclose any other "protected" information during the interview, such as sex, race, ethnicity, or age. The degree to which some personal attributes such as sexual orientation may be protected varies by jurisdiction, so in general it is best to leave that out of the interview. To some degree, employers will be interested to uncover as much information as possible about you as they can, including information in such sensitive or protected areas, but it will not improve your chances to make this effort any easier for the prospective employer.

Finally, and unless specifically invited to do so, do not focus on salary or benefits. Premature introduction of such topics on your part may give the impression of greed, but perhaps as damaging it simply breaks the etiquette of the interview. By the time the prospective employer broaches such subjects, they generally like you, and it is a signal that the tables are starting to turn in your favor, and that it is now the employer's turn to try to "look good" for you.

Regarding the question of when to share your list of references with a potential employer, there are many opinions about this, but I think it is best to do so only after you feel that this is an employer with whom you would really care to work. Your references' time is a precious resource, and there is not sense in wasting that time on organizations that you are not really interested in working for after all.

Upon Departure from the Interview

As the interviewing session comes to a close, you express your interest in the position and eventually stand for departure, briefly thank each interviewer with a firm handshake, smile, and appropriate eye contact. Clearly mention that you look forward to hearing from them.

Post Interview Courtesy

Potential employers often appreciate a simple thank you note expressing gratitude for the interview and a continued interest in the position. An employer's prompt receipt of a thank you note may set you apart from other candidates. Although follow up calls often seem intrusive, pursue them as necessary to show continued interest. However, if you do not immediately hear back from a potential employer, you should not assume the worst. It often takes many steps to process the paperwork to extend a job offer.

Good luck in the interview!

Editor's Comment (Andrew D. Carson)

Jennette Siebens completed this essay as part of my career counseling class at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2006. I think she did an excellent job in distilling the conventional advice many professionals have provided for how to carry out a job interview. Not addressed in her essay are how best to handle a hiring process that includes multiple interviews, or one that includes only a very informal interviewing process. She also did not go into the more complex assessment center-type of interviewing approaches, that could involve behavioral samples during simulated work situations. But her advice will stand you in good stead in most job interviews.