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Know what your skills and personal qualities are. Even if you
have never held a paid job before, you still have valuable
skills. Know what those are and how you can apply them to the
needs of the employer. Are you a great organizer? A great
people person?
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Learn as much as you can beforehand about the organization you are
going to apply to (or interview with). This not only helps you
ask the right questions, the interviewer doesn't have to waste their
time telling you what the company does. It also shows that you
have an interest in the job. |
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Be on time for your interview. (15 minutes early at the latest). If
you must be a few minutes late, be sure to call the interviewer and
let them know. In most cases, this shows up to your credit since
most people realize that situations can cause disruptions in even the
most important plans. However, the very fact that you called
shows that you are conscientious and considerate of others.
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Make a good appearance. Be neat, wear clean, appropriate clothes. Do
NOT overdress or wear showy or tasteless attire. If you are not
sure how the company dresses, it may benefit you to stop in and take a
look around a few days in advance. You don't have to introduce
yourself, just walk in look around at other employees and then
leave.
If this isn't possible, talk to the receptionist and get
their opinion. Tell them that you will be interviewing and that
you want to make a great impression. She will probably be very
happy to give you some hints and tips on the employer and be very
pleased that someone actually asked for her opinion.
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The employer wants to talk to YOU. DO NOT take anyone with you into
the interview. Don't even take them and plan to leave them in the
lobby. The employer wants to know that you can show up to work
and the fact that you cannot show up to the interview alone suggests
that you have other obligations that come first.
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Watch your posture and "body language"! Do not slouch,
yawn or show that you are nervous, disinterested or bored. Even
if there isn't a conscious recognition that you are doing so, an
interviewer will probably have a less than great opinion of you
personally.
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Under no circumstances use language that would be considered
colorful or even worse in any situation. The interviewer may use
such language but stay away from it anyway. It won't help you
and can only hurt you.
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Answer all questions accurately, honestly, frankly and succinctly.
Don't brag or overstate a point.
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Listen! Show that you are interested in the job and the
organization.
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To paraphrase JFK, "ask not what the company can do for you,
but what you can do for the company." This must be applied
especially early in the interview.
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When asked, point out the value of your past training and experience
that will carry over to the job you are seeking. Keep it succinct
and relevant though. Your experience will only stretch so far.
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If asked, be able to give the names of three references. It is
proper etiquette to check with these people in advance and will also
give them the time to think of really great things to say about you.
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Speak with a feeling of confidence and enthusiasm. Do not bluff or
exaggerate. Use good English, speak clearly, but be careful you don't
talk too much. Remember that subject- matter that is dear to us is NOT
necessarily dear to the listener. But DO talk about any awards,
special recognition or achievements you may have.
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Do NOT get into an argument with a prospective employer (or
interviewer), even if you think they are out of line. You
probably will not have to work directly with the interviewer and even
if you do, you don't have to take the job. You aren't going to
argue anyone into a more favorable impression of you.
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Do NOT criticize others. It's tempting and you may think that
it's okay to criticize their competitors under the theory that they
will be hiring a team player who doesn't like the other guys. It
isn't! Always be positive and if you are asked to comment on the
other company, don't glow over them but make nice generic but
uninformed statements like, "I really don't know much about them
but I'm sure that they make a fairly decent product."
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Do NOT talk about your private life, your family or financial
problems. They don't know you and they really don't care other
than perhaps from a pure human standpoint. Whining about your
problems may also sound like you are playing the pity card and nobody
wants to be manipulate that way.
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Show respect for the person interviewing you.
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Do not become discouraged if during your first interview you become
nervous and do not present yourself in the best light. Take heart and
learn from the experience. You will improve next time.
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Be sure you like and can do the work for which you are applying. Many
people will apply for a job thinking that the
interviewing company will not find what they are
looking for and be willing to take second best, or
that "I can fake it until I can make
it". What you generally do is shoot
yourself in the foot. Most people can tell when
you are faking it and the fact that you did might just
be the thing that cost you the job. |
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Strongly
related to the above... Under promise and over
deliver. You will have to live with your boss
and it is far better that when you walk past your
boss, the thoughts are "We were lucky!" than
"Boy, we'll never make that mistake again." |
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Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration, then send
a short one page thank you note which will afford you an opportunity
to briefly cover items that you may have overlooked and to clarify
others.
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DON'T pin all your hopes on one interview. Remember that to get the
job you must be their number ONE choice over any others (except for
those that may have declined an offer). You MUST maintain a POSITIVE
image during the interview. And don't be the one to end the interview;
let the interviewer conclude everything. |
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