Interview Dos & Don’ts
Here are the keys to successful job interviewing. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this important phase of job-hunting.
Dos
- Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early. If you are running late, do inform the company.
- Read the day’s newspaper
- Visit the website of the company
- Dress formally for the interview and take utmost care of your personal hygiene
- Greet everyone including the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This is where you make your first impression.
- Ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Don't ever not ask any questions - it shows a lack of interest.
- Close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process
- Try and get business cards from each person you interviewed with or at least the correct spelling of their first and last names.
- Do immediately take down notes after the interview concludes so you don't forget crucial details.
- Write thank you letters within 24 hours to each person who interviewed you.
- If presented with a job application, do fill it out neatly, completely, and accurately.
- Take extra resumes to the interview.
- Greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation.
- Shake hands firmly. Don't have a limp or clammy handshake! Make good eye contact with your interviewer(s) and show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
- 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.
- Avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh," and "um"), controversial topics etc.
- Have a high confidence and energy level, but don't be overly aggressive.
- Make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
- Stress your achievements. And don't offer any negative information about yourself.
- Show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions.
- Show what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.
Don’ts
- Smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. And don't smoke beforehand so that you smell like smoke.
- Bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.
- 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.
- Act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
- Ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don't over-answer questions.
- Say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
- Respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, "boy, that's a good question." A short pause before responding is okay.
- Inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you've received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer.
- Answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager.
- Answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give examples.