| Too often you don't have days or even hours to | | | | Come Prepared |
| prepare for an important interview. Considering there | | | | You should have copies of your resume and |
| are entire classes offered regarding interviewing skills, | | | | references or portfolio with you when you arrive at |
| it's a bit much to expect you to learn everything you | | | | the interview. Carry them in a leather folder in case the |
| could possibly need to know in a matter of an hour, but | | | | interviewer needs another copy. |
| you're in luck. You don't need to know everything | | | | Offer Thoughtful Responses |
| under the sun about interviewing; you just need to learn | | | | Hopefully you've had time to at least organize your |
| the basic interview skills as quickly as possible. | | | | thoughts about your past jobs and careers and what |
| Below are the most important job interview skills. To | | | | you'd like to do in the job you're interviewing for. You |
| learn them quickly, simply read the skill, practice it on | | | | should also be ready with strengths and weaknesses - |
| your own or with a friend and then move on to the | | | | especially weaknesses. When asked a question, don't |
| next. Go back through the list a few times in this | | | | blurt out an answer. Stop and think about the question |
| manner until you have all the skills learned in isolation. | | | | to help you frame your answer carefully. You want to |
| Then, with the help of a friend (real or imaginary), sit | | | | be sure to answer the question while shedding as |
| down for a mock interview to practice, putting all of | | | | much positive light on yourself as possible. |
| your new skills together. | | | | Ask For Clarification |
| The Firm Handshake | | | | The interviewer will not mind if you ask him to clarify a |
| The most important asset in business is a firm | | | | question or ask a question in return to his so as to give |
| handshake. To shake a hand properly, the web | | | | him the information he's looking for. It's far better to ask |
| between your thumb and hand should meet the web | | | | for clarification than to answer a question with an |
| of the other person's hand. When the two webs meet, | | | | off-the-wall answer simply because you don't |
| grasp the other hand firmly without trying any arm | | | | understand it. |
| wrestling moves or squeezing too tightly. Look in the | | | | Ask a Question |
| other person's eyes, smile pleasantly and offer a | | | | At the end of the interview, the interviewer will ask |
| genuine greeting. Then release. If the other person | | | | you if you have any questions. You should have one |
| offers you a weak handshake, follow through with | | | | ready. If one doesn't come to you naturally in the |
| your own firm one as this sets the tone for the entire | | | | course of the question and answer session, use a |
| interview. | | | | ready question suitable for any interview. An easy one |
| Sit Attentively | | | | is, "Where do you see my skill set fitting into your |
| You'll be asked to sit and when you do, sit comfortably | | | | company?" or "What qualifications are you looking for |
| with your feet on the floor and lean forward in your | | | | in the ideal candidate for this position?" |
| chair slightly to show you're interested in the | | | | Say Thank You |
| interviewing process. Avoid lounging in the chair and | | | | You should always end your interview by standing, |
| especially crossing your legs as these can be taken as | | | | saying thank you and shaking your interviewer's hand. |
| signs of disrespect to the professionalism of the | | | | Follow up a few days later by sending a thoughtful |
| interview and interviewer. | | | | thank you note via email or on a small card. This |
| Use Active Listening | | | | follow-up is a standard practice in business that has |
| When the interviewer is speaking, nod your head and | | | | fallen out of practice. Going through the motions to |
| make acknowledging sounds to show you are listening. | | | | follow the rules might very well set you apart from |
| Keep natural eye contact throughout the interview. | | | | other candidates. |