The INTERVIEW

Nothing is more satisfying than learning you have survived the phone screening and you have been selected for a face-to-face interview when you are a job seeker.  Unfortunately shortly once the happy endorphins settle in you realize that you're a little nervous now. Being nervous is actually a good thing if you can channel it into a productive phase of preparing for the interview.

Hopefully the HR or recruiting manager has confirmed with an e-mail and forwarded you the logistic details of your interview, but if they have not make sure you know where you're heading with plenty of lead time. Directions aren't something you should be hunting around for on the day of the interview.  For my fellow navigation system users I strongly recommend making a mock trip to anticipate the trip time, parking situation, and traffic patterns around the area.  Surprises are not good on an interview date.  The golden rule is to arrive 10-15 minutes early.

What to wear?

Now this is a tricky area, because being overdressed or underdressed can play a part of your first impression with your potential employer.  I'm old school and I find myself opting for a blue pants suit I feel very confident and professional when I wear.  You don't have to spend a great deal of money to look well.  Just make sure what you are wearing is clean, pressed, and professional for the setting you will be in during the interview.  For ladies I would recommend skipping perfume or using it very lightly. Less makeup is probably more in an interview setting. For the gentlemen I would recommend a clean shave or a tidy facial hair look.  I would also be careful with the cologne and would opt for a nice shirt and tie or at the very least a collared shirt.  For both sexes I would recommend learning what your employer's stance is on visible tattoos and piercing and take action accordingly.  By all means show up looking your best and COMPATIBLE to your potential work place.  Showing up dressed as if you may be showcased in the latest R&B music video may not be the best if you are interviewing at an attorney's office or a bank.  I think you get the message.  Dress as if you could be working there at that moment.

Well, now that you know what you are going to wear it's time to prepare for the actual interview.  Keep in mind that the phone screening was just a glimpse of what to expect during the interview.  The hiring manager is going to most likely be posing questions that will help them determine your technical skills for the job, your personality while working, and how your style and working personality will fit in with them and the group as a whole.  Some of these questions will be behavioral and will require you sharing experiences.  These questions can be difficult for you if you haven't prepared by thinking out examples that you can apply to the questions.  Most importantly is when you listen to the question is for you to quickly make a logical connection to what the employer is trying to learn from you as they ask the questions that they do.  

There are complete books on understanding behavioral questions and it's probably just better for you to understand a few categories and be prepared to be asked these types of questions.  Here's a link (copy and paste this URL into your browser) that gives you a crash course on behavioral questions. 

http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/questions/behavioral-questions.asp

I would recommend practicing with these questions and if you have a willing friend that will humor you, a mock interview would be a great way to get familiar with these types of questions and help you with your answers.

When showing up for the interview you really should have an understanding of what your future employer's company accomplishes and understand some of the current events in that industry.  I would make it a point to pick up a newspaper or go to your Google or Yahoo news and find out what's going on around you.  This will come in handy if the interviewer wants to chat with you about current events.  If the employer has a website please make sure you go through that website to understand any new developments within the company, news releases, or anything that could help you appear to be completely engaged with this company.  

First Contact:

Your first contact as you arrive to your interview will most likely be a customer service representative or the receptionist.  Make a note to say hello and let them know in a kind and courteous manner who you are here to see and ask them to please let them know you are here.  The interview begins as soon as you walk into the door.  It's not uncommon for the hiring manager to ask the front desk person for feedback on your exchange with them.  Let's hope it's an enjoyable and professional exchange.

Meeting your interviewer:

This is your time to shine, so take full advantage of it.  Shake their hand and make it a memorable experience.  Speak clearly, concisely, and confidently.  Make sure to make appropriate eye contact, and make the interview a positive experience.  This is your opportunity to share with the interviewer how you can make a contribution and improve their team with you joining it. Answer their questions and don't get carried away--if you do quickly get back on track.

After the interview:

Nothing is more charming than a legible, sincere, and positive thank you note.  Make sure to send out a thank you note.  I would recommend buying a pack of thank you cards and stamps, so you could send one out immediately after the interview.  A few sentences sharing your continued enthusiasm for the role, and a sentence or two on how your experience/skills can aid in your seamless transition in this role.

Pay attention to spelling.  No spelling errors allowed.  Tear it up and start over, but never send out a card with the person's name misspelled or with any errors in it.

An interview is an opportunity to make a great first impression, and to relay a message.  I can do this job, so pick me, and let's get this employment started!