Top 10 Interview Do's & Don'ts
Quick tips to rock any job interview.
DO - Prepare.
Review the job description. Research the company’s website. Be well-versed on their products/services, finances, challenges they’re facing, etc. Visit LinkedIn and Glassdoor.com to see what current/former employees are saying.
DON’T - Wing it.
Think of your interview as an on-stage play and the prep leading up to it as your dress rehearsal. If actors didn’t practice their lines ahead of time and decided to just wing it, they’d very likely bomb the showtime performance.
DO - Dress like you care.
You don’t need to wear a 3-piece suit, but you should look professional and presentable. You’ll never go wrong with a nice pair of slacks or skirt and a button-down shirt. Your choice of clothing impacts the first impression, so opt wisely.
DON’T - Wear your weekend clothes.
T-shirts, torn or tattered clothing, sweatpants, dirty attire, etc.
DO - Be punctual.
Arrive (or log-on) 5-10 minutes ahead of time. If you have an on-site interview, give yourself enough time to get to where you’re going and be aware of potential delays. If you have a video interview, test your audio/camera, ensure you have a strong internet connection, and confirm your video software is updated.
DON’T - Arrive late.
We get it - life happens, and sometimes unforeseen things pop up. If you know you are going to be late, notify the recruiter or hiring manager right away.
DO - Discuss your relevant skills, qualifications, and achievements.
Your goal is to draw a connection between your skills/experience/achievements and the employer’s needs.
If you want to learn more about this, check out our article: How to Pitch Your Value to Potential Employers
DON’T - Talk about things that are unrelated or unimportant to the job.
Omit anything that does not relate to the role. The interviewer will disengage from the discussion if you do.
DO - Convey confident and positive body language.
Sit up straight. Make eye contact. Place your hands on your lap or the table.
DON’T - Appear disengaged, not confident, or ill at ease.
No distracting fidgeting, slouching, or avoiding of eye contact.
DO - Speak calmy, clearly, and at a reasonable volume.
Practice out loud prior to the interview. Record yourself or rehearse with a friend. Do this until you are comfortable and confident.
DON’T - Mumble, ramble, speak too softly or fast.
You want the interviewer to understand you and not have to ask you to repeat yourself… repeatedly.
DO - Allow the interviewer to finish speaking before you chime in.
If you feel your nerves are getting the best of you, relax into your breathing and remain in the moment.
DON’T - Interrupt or talk over people.
Think of someone you know who is notorious for overtaking conversations and interrupting others. How do you feel when they do that? Not great, right?
DO - Provide honest, clear, and succinct answers.
Keep your answers to 60 seconds, if possible. If the interviewer wants to know more, they will ask you - and if you are unsure, ask them if the information you provided answered their question.
DON’T - Ramble on, go off topic, or exaggerate facts.
Never, ever, ever be dishonest. Sooner or later the truth will come out.
DO - Remain professional and positive.
Always keep the conversation positive and moving forward.
DON’T - Speak negatively of or assign blame on current or former employers/colleagues.
Refrain from any/all of the above. Just trust us on this one.
DO - Ask smart and thoughtful questions.
Ask questions that will give you the answers you need to make an informed decision about whether this job and company are a right fit for you.
DON’T - Do not ask any questions of the employer.
If you don’t come prepared with questions, you will look disinterested and/or disengaged to the interviewer.
This week’s #hirethishuman is Steven Bieber!
Check out his career slide deck here: Featured Job Seeker: Steven Bieber
Words to ponder:
Thoughts have power; thoughts are energy. And you can make your world or break it by your own thinking. ~ Susan L. Taylor
What do you to prepare for interviews?