Job Interview Hints

I have interviewed hundreds of prospective job seekers. Most of their applications end up in the “not selected” file. There are a few high schools and collages that teach interview skills, most do not, but from my experience it should be taught. I have listed some items that will help you toward obtaining any job, whether you’re applying for a job as a Janitor or a Manager these hints apply.

• Do arrive on time
• Do dress appropriately for the job that you are interviewing for
• Do know as much as you can about the company and the job
• Do be ready to tell all the good stuff about yourself
• Do carry a copy of your resume with you, if you have one
• When entering the office for the interview, stand until you’ve been invited to sit
• Extend your hand to shake hands with each person in the interview, if they are standing to greet you. If they are already seated, take your seat when invited to do so.
• As the interviewer starts the interview, look at the interviewer…not at the floor, ceiling or someplace else
• If there is more than one person doing the interviewing, look at the person who is asking the question, and continue to look at that person as you give your answer
• If the pay is not stated, you will be asked what salary you require…have an answer ready
• Never use slang
• Never try to be funny

During the interview you most likely will be asked why you should be hired rather than some other applicant. Have a good answer ready. If you don’t know why you should be hired, don’t expect the interviewer to know why you should be hired either. I always ask each person to tell me about their past work experiences that would relate to the job they’ve applied for. If you know you will be very nervous and may forget to mention something important, carry a 3×5 cheat card and tell the interviewer why you have it. I’ve had several people who did this. I would rather have them refer to their cheat card, rather than have them go through the “ah and the let me see” that many applicants go through.

There are two other questions that will almost always be asked. The first one is, “If you are chosen, when can you start working?” The perfect answer is, “I can start today.” If you start telling the interviewer about babysitting problems, or transportation problems, forget it, you have just placed your application in the trash can. The other question will be, “What hours are you available for work?” Unless you applied for specific days or hours, your answer should be, “any hours, any days.” Employers love flexibility. If you applied for specific days and/or hours, say so! Above all else, be truthful.

I remember interviewing for a cashier supervisory position. All of the applicants had years and years of experience in handling money. They all told me how accurate they were, and how observant they were so I decided to see exactly how observant they really were, so I asked them to tell me, “Whose picture is on a penny and whose picture is on a nickel?” They were speechless and most didn’t know the answer.

At the end of the interview you should be asked if you have any questions, or the interview may end by the interviewer standing and telling you that you will be notified if selected for the job. If you have questions, this is the appropriate time for you to ask your question. You may say, “Thank you so much for the interview but before I leave I have a question.” Make the question relevant. If something was discussed and you didn’t quite understand, say so.

To sum it up: be on time, dress appropriately, be prepared, look at the interviewer, and be honest.