FACE TO FACE
The Interview, What and What Not to Do
by Fred Coon

After months of sending out resumes, you finally land an interview. Excited doesn't begin to describe your mood. But wait, now you have to prepare for this interview. Where should you begin? How can you stand out from your competition once you are face-to-face with the employer?

Your resume provided the employer with sufficient background information to justify the interview. Now is the big event—the actual interview. The interview process is the ultimate gladiatorial event. You either win or lose; there is no second place.

A good interview is a matter of good preparation and follow-through before, during, and after the interview. If you have researched the company and the particular job, you are already well on your way to a great interview and, hopefully, a job. Remember, lack of preparation will leave you at a major disadvantage.

The best candidates present themselves as well informed and interested. Before you go in for the interview you should know the nature of the job, the company’s services and products, and any new developments that have taken place within the company recently.

The purpose of the traditional interview process is to justify why you should be hired instead of the many others contending for the same job. The other equally important purpose is to help you decide if this is a place where you would want to work.

Whenever you send correspondence and speak or interact with people, an impression of you is formed. Any material you send must be checked and rechecked for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, etc. Being nice to everyone you encounter is of equal importance. Stop and think about everything you say before you say it. All conversations must be friendly, yet professional. Displaying a positive attitude is one thing employers remember.

At the end of an interview you will usually be asked if you have any questions. Resist the urge to say no. This is your chance to learn more, as well as show the employer what you already know about the company. Asking questions shows the interviewer that you're interested.

Following are interviewing protocols.

Do:

1. Dress Appropriately.
2. Come Prepared.
3. Arrive Strategically.
4. Gather information about the company.
5. Keep your personal opinions to yourself.
6. Say thank you.
7. Use complete sentences and verbal expression.

Don't:

1. Leave your cell phone or pager on.
2. Shake the interviewer’s hand like your hand is a limp noodle.
3. Shake the interviewer’s hand so tightly that it hurts.
4. Wear perfume or cologne.
5. Act like a know-it-all.
6. Use inaudible or poor voice tone.
7. Use poor grammar and/or slang.
8. Act passive.
9. Show nervousness.
10. Talk about past failures.
11. Bad mouth a past employer.
12. Make excuses or be evasive.
13. Be late for the interview.
14. Appear focused on money and benefits.
15. Use bad manners.
16. Be cynical.
17. Show a condescending attitude.
18. Use sloppy handwriting.
19. Share too much information about yourself.
20. Act indecisive.
21. Smoke or chew gum.
22. Whine.
23. Slouch or use poor posture.

About the Author: Fred Coon