Jeremy Johnson has a new guest blog post this week on interview do’s and don’ts.
Jeremy is a recruiter in Kansas City for EHD Technologies, a recruiting, staffing and managed services company serving the IT, Engineering and Automotive industries.
Interview Do’s and Don’ts
There’s no shortage of opinion when it comes to how to conduct yourself in a job interview. Everywhere, there are books and resources covering every possible situation, scenario and question that might come up. Do this. Don’t do that. May sure you say this. Never say that.
The tough part of giving interview advice is that you’re dealing with different people from different backgrounds with different personalities. The same answer to the same question might turn off one hiring manager but raise your stock in the eyes of another. And, let’s face it, not all managers with hiring responsibilities are good interviewers. They may be doing the job because they have to, not because they necessarily want to or are good at it. So, there’s always a bit of an x-factor. After all, you’re dealing with people.
However, there are a few universal do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind for any interview, with any type of hiring manager, in any industry. These are things you can control, and you should control them, because they’re also things that could derail an interview, and you may not even be aware of it.
DO make good eye contact – This seems like a no-brainer but for those people that just don’t do this, it’s mostly subconscious. But, if that’s so, you’d better make conscious effort to make good eye contact. This goes to first impressions, trust, perceived interest, and a general feeling of awkwardness over the whole meeting. Bottom line – this can absolutely ruin an interview. But, on the flip side, don’t sit there and bore a hole through the hiring manager’s head just because I suggested making good eye contact. The point is to show you’re engaged, not transfixed.
DON’T fidget – This goes along with good eye contact but I think it’s an even more unconscious habit. It happens out of nervousness, which I get. Interviewing is stressful. But become aware of any potential bad habits. Fidgeting hands, constant shifting in your seat, constantly adjusting your interview materials, clicking your pen non-stop (don’t laugh, I’ve seen it happen). At best, these things can be distracting; at worst, they’re off-putting. My suggestion is to practice interviewing with a friend or family member, and ask them to give honest feedback. They’re much more likely to pick up on any nervous habits than you are. And if they find one, thank them. Remember, you can’t fix it if you don’t know what’s broken.
DO dress appropriately – Notice that I didn’t say dress professionally. You audience and your industry should determine what you wear. If you’re in banking, a suit is pretty-much mandatory for interviewing; however, if you’re in graphic design, wearing a suit would probably make you stick out like a sore thumb. If you’re not sure, I would err on the side of dressing more conservatively than less, as it’s usually better to be a bit overdressed than underdressed, but still know your audience.
DON’T focus on money or perks early in the process – Though these are huge considerations when you’re interviewing for a job, if the interviewers get the feeling that these are your primary focus –and not wanting to do the job itself — you’re going to scare them off. They want to know that you want them, and want to do a good job for them, before being focused on what they can do for you. It’s all about perception: is your focus on the work itself or on what that company can give you? They want to know that your first interest is the opportunity.
DO your homework – You have to research the company. And definitely the worst thing you could ask in the interview is, “By the way, what does your company do?” You laugh, but it happens. Learning about the company gives you the opportunity to ask better questions and give more concrete reasons why you to work for that company specifically. Also, if you can find recent positive news on the company that you can mention, all the better. Hiring managers want people who show a targeted interest in them and want to join their team.
DON’T speak ill of former employers or coworkers – Even if you’ve had a bad experience with a former employer or coworker, resist the urge to bash them. This just comes off as unprofessional, and that person sitting across the table is wondering if you’ll be saying the same things about him if you’re hired. A manager doesn’t want negativity brought to the team. Don’t give her a reason to think that’s what you’ll do.
DO follow up with thank-you cards – Just because the interview is over doesn’t mean your work is done. As long as there’s time to do it (meaning there’s enough time before a hiring decision is made), always write a personalized hand-written thank-you card to everyone with whom you interviewed. If there just isn’t time, at least send a thank-you email. Will this get you the job on its own? No. But what it can do is tip things in your favor, especially if the competition for the job is close. If you can hand deliver the thank-you’s back to the front desk instead of mailing them, even better.
DON’T forget to ask questions – The worst thing that can happen when an interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” is for you to reply with, “Nope, I’m good.” Kiss of death. Always come to the interview prepared with good, thoughtful, relevant questions. If you don’t, it looks like you don’t really care or take the process seriously. And who wants to hire someone whose vibe they’re giving off says they’re apathetic and unserious? The internet is a good resource for this, but here are some examples: Why is the position open? What is the first project I’d tackle after I start? What skills made the last person in this job successful? (especially if the last person was promoted, but not if the last person was let go) What are the top three skills you think someone needs to succeed in this position? Do you have any concerns about my qualifications that would keep you from offering me the job? Why do you like working for this company? What is the anticipated or normal career path for someone in this position?
DO ask for the next step – At the end of the interview, make sure you’re asking about the next step. And if you’re interviewing for a more sales-oriented job, you HAVE to do this. If you can’t “ask for the business” to get the job, they’ll assume you won’t ask for the business when you’re doing the job. For non-sales oriented positions, though, this is still important. It shows you’re interested and eager to continue the process. This step isn’t about being over the top. You don’t have to ask, “So, will you hire me?” In fact, I don’t suggest that approach. But, what you can say is something like, “Thank you so much. I’m very excited about this opportunity. What’s the next step in the process?”
DON’T ignore the receptionist while you wait – Never take receptionists or office managers for granted or underestimate their influence. Though you may see this person as only administrative staff, she (or he) may very well be, informally, the Manager of First Impressions. How you treat that person could influence how others in the company view you as a potential coworker, especially if it’s a smaller company. When you arrive, be pleasant and courteous. Smile and make small talk. Ask how long they’ve been with the company. If you’ve done your homework like you should, ask their impressions on recent positive company news you’ve been able to find. Or, try a slightly humorous approach, like, “I’m interviewing with John. Any advice? Any pointers?” Mainly, follow the Golden Rule and remember that most interviewees will be so focused on the interview itself, that they’ll treat the receptionist like an afterthought. Don’t be that person. Be the person that makes a great first impression with the person at the front desk.
DO turn off your cell phone – Even worse than your cell phone going off in the middle of an interview is you actually taking the call. Don’t think it happens? Guess again. Don’t take the risk with this. Before you even walk in the front door, power it down. Just turn it off.
Remember, these are all things you can control. Also, remember that you’re not just competing for the job. More so, you’re trying to outcompete the other people you’re going up against. Do a better job than they do. Be more professional. Be more prepared. Be more engaging. Be more conscious of what you’re doing. If you do these things, you’ll help tip the scales more in your favor.