The Dreaded Interview

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The Dreaded Interview

The interview is where you really shine, or stumble all over yourself.
Remember that first impression is the one that is going to last and last
and last. This is where the potential boss is scrutinizing for a “glitch” to
base your character, work ethic, and social skills. We all have them. This is
the time to practice until you can project a personality that will win anyone
over.

1. ARRIVE AHEAD OF YOUR INTERVIEW TIME.

A. Arriving 15-30 minutes ahead of the scheduled

interview

will be

interpreted in the following ways:

           1.·      Shows that you are interested and enthusiastic.

           2.·      Shows that you are in the habit of getting to
                     appointments and work on time or early.

           3.·      Can catch the interviewer off guard and create a situation
                      by which he/she will apologize for having you wait. This
                      will allow you to forgive and both of you to start a
                      more friendly but business conversation.

2. BE READY WITH TOOLS.

A. Bring Daily Planner, mechanical pencil, black ink pen, and

employer

information or contact sheet so you can:

           1.·        Document next appointment or starting time.

           2.        You can use documented information to fill out
                       employment application.

           3.·       You should have names, addresses, and telephone
                       numbers in the contact list of your scheduler.

            4.        Complete important notes of meeting while fresh

3. INTERVIEWS TAKE TIME.

A. Always allow enough time for the

interview

. Include travel time to

and

back or to next interview.

                1.·        TIME VALUE – Interviews can last from 45 minutes to an
                          hour, sometimes longer. Do not schedule more than 3
                          interviews a day, but, if traveling by public transportation,
                         don’t plan on more than two.

There could be a waiting period before

and paperwork after the

interview

. Possibly a

tour of the facility. Years ago this usually

meant that

you had the job. Today, it depends

on the list of possible employees and

all that

are chosen to be are

interviewed

before

those of interest are

chosen for a second

interview

, or hired. All of this may take more

than an

hour.

NEVER BRING ANYONE WITH YOU TO AN

INTERVIEW

! -

Back when I was

being

interviewed

for work, we knew the best way

to not get a job was to

bring someone with us to the

interview

. If

you

must have someone to drive

you, have them wait in the car, or

come back to pick you up. With today’s

cell phones, a call for the

driver to return is not impossible. Or, just ask the

receptionist to

allow a phone call.

PARKING – Parking should be somewhere other than at a

meter, tow-

away zones, or (never) in an illegal parking zone.

Sometimes when you are

called for an

interview

, the receptionist

will allow you to park in the garage

or parking lot for the building.

You will get a ticket, but the company

representative will sign it and

the time will be free. You may inquire when

you are called for the

interview

· BE PREPARED FOR A GROUP INTERVIEW

I have gone for what I thought was going to be an individual
interview and it turned out to be a group interview with everyone,
including the janitor.

Never let on that this is a surprise to you.

Document all names, if possible, and call each one in
response respectfully. You may also ask for their business cards at
the end of the interview.

Your courteous attitude should begin the moment you step
from your transportation, even if the business is several blocks
away. You never know who you will run into on the way. I have
actually run into the interviewer and got to know them quite well
before I even entered the office to be interviewed.

Primary Eye Contact: When you find yourself in a group
interview, exercise eye contact with all participants. But, submit
your primary focus on the one currently asking questions.

Be Aware of Hand Language: Control your hand language and
don’t give in to the temptation to emphasis everything with hand
gestures.

Interview Theme: From your list of soft skills, pick three of your
best to use to best describe your abilities to handle the position of
interest to you.

4. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

· HANDSHAKE: Use your instincts. If you are a hand shaker and it is
natural for you, do it. If you need a lead, let them instigate it.

· TAKING A SEAT: Do not sit unless invited. Always thank
interviewer for seat if given.

· HANGING UP YOUR COAT: Remove coat after notice of arrival.
Hang over arm. Do not drape over chair or hang up until directed.
Then, thank interviewer for privilege.

· EYE CONTACT: Maintain reasonable eye contact. Do not
make interviewer think you are staring, or let eyes wonder where
they should not! Your eyes should relate your attention and not be
unnatural or disconnected. However, if you do have eye muscle
problems, you may mention this to the interviewer and apologize
in advance. This will allow for unintentional wandering.

· CONFIDENT SPEECH: Try to keep a relaxed confident speech
that is normal for you. Don’t pretend to use words that you do not
ordinarily use just to make an impression. On the other hand,
“street slang” is very inappropriate and unimpressive. Try not to use
double negatives and try to keep subjects with appropriate verbs.

· POSTURE AND BODY LANGUAGE: My mother always told me
to “sit up straight!” This definitely applies here. Don’t act stiff as
military full attention. At the same time hold yourself up and keep
your hands as close to your sides or lap as possible. Over
demonstrating a point or dramatising with the hands and arms is
very unimpressive.

· DEFINITE LISTENING: Try to keep everything other than the
interview out of your head. Instead listen intently to everything that
is said to you and how it is said. Sometimes things are said in an
interview one way and are meant another later on. Make sure that
you understand from the beginning. Ask questions if anything is
unclear. Listen to the questions asked of you. If needed, take a
moment and a deep breath before answering. Consider the
question thoroughly as you meditate your answer. But, do not take
a very long time for the answer.

EG: Self-Starter, Highly Motivated, Loyal

· SOFT SKILL THEME: In your resume you should have focused
your soft skills into whatever job you are applying for. Always have
notes ready on that theme when you make the interview
appointment. You may have your notes with you, but be practiced
as to suggested questions and answers according to that theme. E.
g.: Self-Starter, Highly Motivated, Loyal

           1.       Subsections: For self-starter: Punctual, intuitive,
                      independent. For highly motivated: Creative knowledge,
                      interactive, develops pathways. For loyal: respect, positive,
                      attractive to company or product.

· REMEMBER THAT NAME! Always carry paper and pen and/or
paper where ever you go. If you have problems with names, as I do,
make sure as you are introduced, you write the names of your
interviewers. You may also suggest business cards. Only if
directed, you may use first names. Always use titles with last
names: Ms. Mr. Mrs. Thank the interviewer for all courtesies.

· RESEARCH: Study the company that is interviewing you as
soon as you have an appointment. This can be done at the library
or on-line. If there are attributes they are especially looking for, you
can be armed with the information to point out that attribute in you.

· NO EATING OR SMOKING!: Even if you see the interviewer
smoking or eating and you do both, don’t do it during the interview.
After the interview and the job is set, follow the rules of the site.
Also, try not to eat right before the interview without going to a
mirror and checking teeth for food particles.

· PERFUMES AND COLOGNES: you may not want to even wear
these items. After shower or bath, make sure you have deodorant
on. Do not overpower the senses of the interviewer as it may
mean they will not want to work around you.

When the Holy Spirit interviews you, He cleans out all the bad stuff and
accentuates the good.