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More Interview Tips

• Practice aloud
• Begin with your two-minute presentation. If possible, put it on tape. The best way to practice is orally, not in your head.

In an interview, you communicate on at least three levels:

• Non-verbal—body language, tone of voice.
• Messages—the message conveyed by your choice of words.
• Verbal—what you actually say.

Make sure you have everything!

• Extra copies of your resume, letters of recommendation and certifications
• A pen to complete additional paperwork
• The name and correct pronunciation of the interviewer
• Appropriate clothes and shined shoes
• Prepared answers to typical questions
• Transportation and directions
• Questions to ask the employer
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of last two employers

The following are recommendations for how to dress for an interview. Appropriate dress varies according to the organization. It is wise to dress one step above the position for which you are applying.

On the day of your interview, be prepared. Your clothes should be cleaned and pressed, your umbrella in good condition, and your shoes polished. For emergency situations, carry a needle and thread and an extra pair of hose.

Always be aware that regardless of dressing, poor grooming can kill a job opportunity.

• Suits should be conservative and well made. Quality is important—wool or a good wool blend is best. If alterations are needed, use a professional tailor.
• Shirts should be white or blue with button-down or straight collars.
• Ties should contrast with your suit. Avoid wearing a solid suit with a solid tie.
• For warehouse or stock work, a casual shirt and slacks are appropriate.
• Shoes and belts should be made of quality leather, match, and be simple in style. Both lace-up and loafers are appropriate.
• Socks should be high enough to cover your legs when you cross them or sit down.
• Jewelry should be kept simple.
• Grooming should be impeccable. If you have a beard or mustache, make sure it is neat and well-trimmed.
• Avoid using cologne.

• Suits should be conservative and of good quality.  Navy, brown, gray or black are the best colors.
• Blouses should have collars that complement your jacket lapel.  Cotton, silk, or "silk look alike" are good fabric choices.
• Shoes and belts should be made of leather and generally should match. A low heeled pump is the wise choice.
• Handbags and briefcases should be of high quality.  Avoid carrying both to an interview.
• Jewelry should be kept simple.
• Hosiery should be limited to neutral tones.  Avoid colored or textured hosiery.
• Grooming should be impeccable. Hair should be neatly styled.  Makeup should be lightly applied and appear natural.
• Avoid using perfume.

Do not discuss salary/benefits early in the interview.

If the question comes up, a good response would be, "What would you typically pay for someone of my experience and skill level?"  Don’t make the first offer; you do not want to sell yourself short or price yourself out of the picture.

If pressured to give an answer, some hard line negotiating may be what you need. Your response may be, "I’m flexible if we determine this to be a good fit.  I’m sure we can come to an agreement range."

If the interviewer still persist, then try this: "I’m trying to remain opened-minded; however, since you know the overall value of this position, tell me and then I can decide if we need to continue."

If the range is agreeable, then you can say, "I’m sure we can come to an agreement figure." Don’t sell yourself short.  Be confident and articulate yet relaxed.

Negotiations will be covered in more detail in the next section.

Reference Checks

Reference checks normally occur near the end of the hiring process. Employers usually check references only if they are seriously considering hiring you for the position.

Reference checks primarily are made to assure that you have told the truth about yourself and your job qualifications.  A reference check also allows an employer to gain information about how well you work with your co-workers and discover information not discussed in the interview.  Both positive (good) and negative (bad) information about you can be gained through reference checks.

For the best possible references, you need to prepare individuals you are giving as reference. Always ask permission to use a person’s name as a possible reference.  It also is a good idea to contact your former employers to let them know that you are looking for a new job and to ask if they may be contacted as a reference.

If you can secure letters of reference from former employers and professional associates, you may want to present these to the individual conducting the interview. This dramatically reduces the time it takes to conduct your reference check. This also indicates to the prospective employer that you are a well organized person.

During the past decade, employers have begun to conduct criminal record checks on prospective employees to determine if they have any felony convictions that might predict dishonesty or a poor risk.

If you have felony convictions, you should be prepared to provide an employer with a reasonable explanation and character references.  If you are completing an application that asks for any felony convictions, you should attach a letter of explanation to the application. An employer only can make an informed decision if all the facts are provided. Do not leave the question blank or write "will explain in the interview."  This probably will result in your application being rejected.

Increasingly, employers also are conducting financial background checks on prospective employees.  If you have filed bankruptcy during the past 10 years or had a recent credit history of late payments, you should provide the interviewer with a reasonable explanation if the topic is brought up.  You may want to obtain a copy of your credit report from one of the three major credit-reporting bureaus in the United States.  The report will allow you to intelligently discuss your credit history with employers who conduct financial background checks. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax (1-800-685-1111); Trans Union (1-800-851-2674); and TRW (1-800-682-7654). Each copy of your credit report will cost $8.00.

Remember, the most important thing is to never, never, never lie or misrepresent the facts in a reference background check.  This will doom your chances of landing the job.

It is illegal for employers to administer polygraph tests to prospective employees, unless you are applying for a position with a pharmaceuticals manufacturer or in the field of protective services.

The vast majority of employers throughout the United States now test prospective employees for illegal drug use.  Take the opportunity to let lab personnel know about any medications you currently are taking before you submit a sample.  Failure to do so might result in a positive drug test.

Employers are beginning to increase their usage of handwriting analysis to assist them in the interview process; this is legal at the present time.  At some point during the interview, you may be asked to provide a sample of your handwriting for analysis.

A variety of "honesty tests," i.e. personality inventory tests, are being used by employers as a part of the interview process.  It is legal for an employer to rely on personality inventories as long as they are not used to screen out minority groups.

At some point during the interview process, a prospective employer might ask you to take a skills-related test or aptitude test.  These tests are used to predict the future performance of an employee.

Click here for an After The Interview form that you can use to keep track of what occurs during your interviews

1. Call the interviewer or the person to whom you gave your application.
2. Call on the day and at the time you said you would.
3. State that you are calling to see if the employer has made a hiring decision.
4. Using your own words, say something like the following:
5. "(Mr. or Mrs. Interviewer) this is (your name).  I was in to see you last week on (the day you were there), and we agreed I would check back with you today. Have you made a decision regarding the position we discussed?"
6. If you do not reach the employer the first time, keep trying until you do. If the receptionist is making it very difficult for you to get through to the interviewer, tell him/her very politely that your call is expected.
7. Be persistent but courteous.

1. Remember to write the interviewer a thank-you letter, and be sure to spell the name correctly.  If you completed an application and someone took time away from his/her schedule to meet with you, write a thank-you letter.
2. Use nice stationery that matches your resume paper, if possible.
3. You may want to include any key information you forgot to bring to the employer’s attention during the interview.
4. Mail your thank-you letter the same day as your interview.  This puts your name in front of an employer several times—on your application, on your resume, during the interview, and with your thank-you letter.  The employer should remember you and be impressed with your interest in the job.
5. Even if there was no position available, send a thank-you letter. You may be referred to someone else for an interview.

Click here to see a sample thank you letter

Click here to proceed to salary negotiation tips

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