Tips for how to conduct yourself during an interview can be found in many places. Here are some tips that I created based on my own experiences as a corporate recruiter and based on feedback I have received from hiring managers.
Let’s start by considering the ABCs of interviewing. The A should stand for Answer Questions Thoroughly. Oftentimes managers complain about having a hard time getting the candidate to give detailed and thorough answers about their experience. Prepare your answers beforehand. The B should stand for Be Yourself. Incorporate your own individual personality into your interview; however you should maintain a professional demeanor at all times. And the C should stand for Collect Data. Hiring managers always appreciate when a candidate has researched the company before they meet.
Whenever you are communicating in a work setting, including an interview, you should be mindful of your grammar. Managers are always looking for people who they feel comfortable allowing to communicate with different levels within their organization. As a rule of thumb it is a good idea to cater your message and style to your audience to ensure your message is understood and accepted.
Always bring a few copies of your resume. Oftentimes candidates assume that the manager has already printed a copy of their resume from their application. However managers sometimes forget or don’t have enough time before the interview to print the resume. More often I have seen candidates “think green” by bringing in their iPad or other computerized tablet to pull up the resume and allow the manager to review it, instead of printing several copies. The main goal is to ensure that the manager has it in front of them one way or another.
Dress professional for interviews. Lately I have noticed that candidates are starting to dress business casual for interviews. Perhaps I am “old school” but I still believe that the most appropriate attire for interviews is a business suit. It is also helpful to ensure that your attire and person are neatly groomed.
Previously I advised that you give thorough answers. I stand behind this advice, however oftentimes I find that candidates talk too much during interviews. This may seem strange to you but it is possible to talk too much during an interview. Give thorough but precise answers and try not to veer to unrelated topics. If you believe that you can add some information that will help you sell yourself to the manager feel free to do so but remain focused on answering the question for the majority of the interview.
Stay away from “bad-mouthing” your current or previous employers. Since no job is perfect managers will assume that, soon, you will be talking about them the same way.
It is a good idea to take notes when you are interviewing. This shows that you are paying attention and interested in learning what the manager is looking for in this role.
Follow up your interviews with a “Thank You” email. Place something specific to the conversation that you had with the manager. An example of this is “Dear hiring manager, I appreciated the time you spent discussing the opportunity you have. I am excited about the possibility of working with you in the near future to help resolve your billing issues”.
Finally, the best advice I can give you is to be prepared to answer tough questions about yourself such as Why you have been out of work for a while? or What are your weaknesses? Find a way to show that you have learned/grown from every positive and negative experience you have had.
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Coach Kenya 