By Carrie Kreitner

December 2010

Follow these tips for a good first and last impression—and get the job.

Interviews Start in the Waiting Room

One of the biggest mistakes that job hunters make is thinking an interview starts behind the closed door. “You are being watched as soon as you step off the elevator,” says Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions. “It’s important to be engaging and friendly to anyone you meet, whether it’s the receptionist or the assistant who escorts you down the hallway.”

Have an Icebreaker
Start the conversation lightly to help the other person relax. But keep it professional and avoid getting too personal: Commenting on wall décor or a desk accessory is acceptable, but saying you like someone’s shoes may be stepping over the line, says Kerry Hannon, author of What’s Next? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job.

Do Your Homework
Come prepared with knowledge about the company. As soon as your interview is scheduled, set up a Google news alert to make sure you are aware of what’s happening, especially if it is a larger corporation. But be careful about how you present your knowledge: There’s a fine line between being full of information and being full of yourself. “You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard,” says Meredith Haberfeld, a business and career coach.

Make a Connection
An interview is as much about chemistry with the interviewer as it is about having the skills to do the job. “They are only going to interview people talented enough for the position, so you’re already in the cluster for consideration,” Oliver says. “It’s really about establishing a quick, emotional bond so that they like you better than the other candidates.”

Present Your Resume
Think of your resume as your host (or hostess) gift. By taking it out at the beginning of the interview, it becomes an asset, rather than an afterthought. “If there are areas or responsibilities that you want to emphasize or explain, the interview is your chance to draw attention to them,” says Hannon. “People think if something is on their resume, that it’s clear, but those bullet points don’t always speak for themselves.”

Decide if the Interviewer is a Listener or Talker
“It’s important to match the interviewer’s energy and talk at her pace,” says Haberfeld. Practice punchy and concise answers to potential questions so you sound confident and powerful, she says.

Ask for a Business Card
Even if you have already been communicating with the interviewer through email or phone calls, asking for a person’s contact information shows a definite interest in wanting to follow up and pursue the job. “You should always ask what the next step is, how they prefer to be contacted, and follow that exactly,” Oliver says.

Know Your Selling Points
It’s easy to get off topic in an interview, and writing down and practicing three main selling points about yourself beforehand can help you stay focused. “Towards the end of the interview, do a mental check to make sure you have discussed each of your topic points,” Hannon says. Politely saying that you wanted to make sure you mention X, Y, or Z is a good way to emphasize these points, she suggests.

Don’t Wait to Bring Up Big Topics
If the interview is nearing its end (most last 30 to 40 minutes), you don’t want to bring up anything that could be used against you, says Haberfeld. Rather than addressing issues like technological skills or an extended period of time out of work, switch the conversation to a lighter topic, like company culture, she suggests.

Salvage the Interview
Make a mental note to come back to any questions you stumbled on or didn’t answer well before you leave. If you still need more time, bring it up in your thank you letter, says Hannon. “This is your last correspondence with them before they make a decision, so this is your platform to wrap up and emphasize areas you may have struggled with.”

February 9, 2009

More than 11 million Americans are currently out of work. So as the job pool shrinks, many are dusting off those old resumes. It’s a good first step when seeking a job.

Of course, there’s often more than a sheet of paper standing between you and your next job. You’ve also got to impress your would-be employer in the interview.

“Your resume may get you through the door,” says Mitchell Feldman, president of the New York-based executive search firm A.E. Feldman and Associates, “but you’ve got to sell yourself if you’re going to get hired.”

Foot-In-Mouth and Other Foibles

Selling yourself sounds easy, but for anyone who’s sat across the table from an interviewer, finding your “hire me” voice can be pretty difficult.

“I had one client who spent so much time trying to craft perfect answers to each question, that his body language was completely off,” says Meredith Haberfeld, a professional life coach and president of Meredith Haberfeld Coaching. “He was so nervous that he wasn’t connecting with the people he was interviewing with.”

Though Haberfeld was able to work with her client and help him land the job, a lot of job seekers let their discomfort show and unknowingly ruin the interview. Others arrive at the interview too stressed to perform at their best, or even worse, show up late.

“You’ve got to give yourself time to relax,” says Haberfeld. “When you get to an interview late or in the nick of time, you’re going to look and feel rushed. That’s not the impression that you want to leave a potential employer with.”

Here’s How to Make Them Say “Wow”

If you’re looking to make a splash in your next interview, here is a short list of tips that can take you from unemployment to, “When can you start?”

1. Dress to blend in, not to impress. You may have a taste for expensive heels but, if you’re going into a business casual environment, dressing up to the nines may, in fact, put some distance between you and the interviewer. Do some research on the corporate culture and mirror it. Employers don’t want to know what’s in your closet, but they are looking for assurances that you’ll fit in.
2. When in doubt, smile. Nobody likes to be around a dour person and even fewer people want to work shoulder-to-shoulder with one. Show your interviewer that you’re a nice, polite, well-mannered person who’s pleased to be in the office by smiling. “You don’t have to go overboard,” says Haberfeld. “But interviewers are looking for a connection, and you can get that by smiling.”
3. Remember, the interviewer is a person too. You’re not the only person in a room with someone they haven’t met. The interviewer is not the executioner, they’re just trying to find out more about you. Be cordial and considerate. More importantly, do your best to make them comfortable. Not only will they appreciate it, but it may end up landing you the job.
4. Mirror your interviewer’s tone. Having the ability to empathize with others will serve you well in the interview and in life at the office. Pay attention to your interviewer’s body language and tone and do your best to match it. If they’re upbeat, you’re upbeat. If they’re not, rein your excitement in a little bit so that you don’t unnerve them.
5. Have a good time. Meeting someone for the first time can be stressful, but there is no reason that it has to be. Treat your interview experience like a party: Meet people, shake hands and enjoy the free coffee, tea or water. The interview will go a lot quicker and, even if you don’t get the job, at least you’ll be able to say that you had a good time.