| Interview questions and answers are only part of the | | | | interview. Capitalize on their enthusiasm. |
| overall preparation for the interview. The interview is | | | | Show up 10 minutes early. Wear appropriate clothing. If |
| the big event. All of your time spent completing job | | | | the standard is business dress, dress accordingly with |
| applications, submitting resumes, tailoring cover letters | | | | polished shoes, cuff links and a power tie for men. For |
| and responding to job advertisements have led you to | | | | women, business suit or other appropriate business |
| this. Over the next several posts, I am blogging on | | | | attire is required. For a casual environment, a |
| information that will provide you with key steps to | | | | button-down shirt and sport coat may be suitable for |
| perform at your best and put you in the optimal | | | | men, while slacks, skirt or dress and nice blouse will be |
| position for a job offer. | | | | fitting for women. |
| Step 1: Knowing the audience interviewing (as well as | | | | Is sounds simplistic, but two things that can make or |
| the company) always helps your interview questions | | | | break you are not using an iron and dressing like you |
| and answers preparation. What type of interview will | | | | are going out on the town instead of out to an |
| you be in? Will it be conducted by a panel or an | | | | interview. Beware of being too casual as well as too |
| individual? If it is a panel, how large a panel and what is | | | | much skin; heal height and jewelry and make-up |
| the makeup? Are you being interviewed by the HR | | | | volume. Next to your interview questions and answers |
| department or the person who will be supervising you, | | | | how you present yourself is next in line of importance. |
| or maybe future colleagues? | | | | Think f how frequently people are judged on their |
| What kind of company is it? Is it privately held or | | | | appearance, before they ever even open their mouths. |
| publicly traded? How long have they been in business? | | | | Many coaches believe you can never overdress. I |
| Who is their target market? Are they the industry | | | | don't agree. Dressing out of alignment to the job or |
| leader or a strong competitor? Where are their | | | | your audience risks giving the wrong impression; |
| corporate headquarters located? Do your research | | | | resulting in a need to double your during the interview. |
| and make notes on your discoveries. Gather annual | | | | In bigger cities with traditional expectations, this is less |
| reports, trade/industry news, review their website, | | | | of an issue. In my community, we have a population of |
| investigate them on Hoovers, if possible talk to current | | | | 400,000 and wearing a suit in a business casual |
| past employees, etc. The more you know of the | | | | environment is a quick way to get labeled "too stuffy", |
| company's history, niche, competitors and business and | | | | which makes for a negative first impression. Aside |
| growth plans, the more prepared you'll be to discuss | | | | from dress, be confident, smile, offer firm handshakes |
| their needs and how you are the person to fit their | | | | to everyone you meet (yes, that means women too), |
| culture and address their issues. | | | | good posture and eye contact. And, of course, |
| Step 2: Anticipate and respond to their interview | | | | remember your manners. |
| questions and answers. The typical interview lasts a | | | | Step 5: Communicate effectively. Nonverbal |
| good 60 minutes. During the first few minutes, the | | | | communication accounts for 93% all messages (38% |
| interviewer will usually set the tone by providing | | | | tone and 55% body language). Leaving less than 7% |
| information on the company and the position. They will | | | | of communication being the result of the actual words |
| then refer to your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and | | | | we say. To truly communicate effectively, your |
| any other information you provided, and begin asking | | | | non-verbal communication has to be in agreement with |
| you questions. | | | | what you are saying. Nod your head during the |
| Be prepared to engage with the standard interview | | | | interview questions to communicate that you follow. |
| questions and answers. Some of these interview | | | | Maintain eye contact. Sit facing your audience. Keep |
| questions may be uncomfortable for you. There is no | | | | your arms and hands pointed toward your audience. |
| excuse for showing your discomfort because you | | | | Smile often and show enthusiasm to win them over. |
| know they are coming your way. Practice your | | | | Also, be mindful of your audience's body language. Are |
| responses. Consider role playing with an objective | | | | they interested in you? Have you engaged them |
| person to help you smooth out your answers. | | | | effectively? Specifically ask an insightful question to |
| Step 3: Prepare penetrating interview questions for | | | | those you have not yet won over to connect |
| your audience. If it is a panel, make sure you have | | | | specifically with them. Providing effective interview |
| enough copies of your resume, cover letter, portfolio, | | | | questions and answers requires congruence in your |
| etc, for each person. My standard rule of thumb is to | | | | body language, tone, specific language. Practice if |
| have 20 questions ready to go. During the | | | | necessary. |
| conversation, many of your questions will get covered, | | | | Step 6: Follow up is critical. Make sure you collect |
| so by having 20, you are bound to have a few | | | | business cards from everyone in the interview as well |
| remaining to demonstrate your interest and critical | | | | as everyone you interacted with along the way. This |
| thinking skills. The questions you ask during the | | | | includes the person scheduling the interview, the |
| interview are just as significant as the answers you | | | | receptionist you spoke with on the phone, etc. |
| give. It is acceptable to have a notepad of your | | | | Everyone gets a hand written thank you note. Make |
| prepared interview questions with you. You can not | | | | sure all names and titles are spelled correctly and get |
| possibly remember all of them; nor are not expected | | | | the notes mailed within 24 hours. In the message, add |
| to. However, make certain what you bring in is not | | | | something compelling in the message to confirm your |
| ratty or looks like a grade schooler's homework. | | | | personal skills and desire for the position. |
| Remember presently yourself polished and | | | | In order to earn the job offer, you have to interview |
| professionally is imperative. | | | | effectively! Although the interview questions and |
| Step 4: First impressions: Again, preparing for interview | | | | answers component can create some anxiety for |
| questions and answers is only part of the equation. | | | | you, the more you practice and prepare, the more |
| You have a single shot at making a dynamite first | | | | confident you become and the better you perform. |
| impression. Your audience is obviously eager to meet | | | | Good luck with preparing your interview questions and |
| with you or else they would not have scheduled the | | | | answers and happy interviewing! |