I get lots of questions from readers asking for all kinds of job interview tips, and so thought it might be helpful to provide a handy-dandy guide to what I actually look for when I sit down and interview candidates for a job. Obviously each interviewer and industry is different, but I think these tips offer general interview advice that should work for most people.
So with that in mind, this is what I would be looking for if you walked into my office for an interview:
- Be yourself! I can’t say this often enough. I just read a popular work advice blog (to remain nameless) and I saw one of the first bits of advice for job interviews was to prepare a slick presentation of yourself and wow them with it. Ouch! While this might perhaps be useful if you are interviewing for a high-powered sales job or maybe an industry like entertainment or advertising (although even there they want to see who they’re really hiring), for most of you doing that will simply trigger a red flag, leaving the interviewer wondering if you’re all bluster and no substance. Now I’m not saying to be all shy and gawky either (see next section), but real and conversational trumps one-dimensional & slick any time. (Since most places do ask a version of tell me about yourself, it helps to think about your answer ahead of time. But when the time comes just tell it as naturally and 3-dimensional as possible.)
- Be confident in who you are and what you have to offer. Don’t spend time worrying if I think you’re right for the job and what I (the interviewer) am thinking at any given moment. Just know who you are and help me see that. Know that you are a good worker who is reliable and will go the extra mile when called on – or whatever your own strengths are. Everybody has their own unique strengths. I want to know what they are. So make sure you prepare yourself ahead of time to be able to talk about who you are and/or what you have to offer so that YOU believe it as much as you want them to. It shows.
- Look me in the eyes. Not saying stare at me…but when you answer my interview questions, I want to see you connect with me. I’d like to see when your eyes show real enthusiasm about something you’ve accomplished or sincerity about wanting to do a good job for me. Now of course I make room for nervousness, but if I see eyes skittering all about unable to focus on me, how can I be sure you’re being real with me?
- Tell me a good story. When I ask you about things you’ve done that you are proud of or obstacles you’ve overcome, I want you to have some stories to tell me. Did you ever take on a tough situation and turn it around? Did you ever come up with a new process that saved the company money? Did you ever encounter something you knew nothing about and make a point of becoming an expert? Like I said…tell me a good story. And make it real!
- Sit up straight. Slouching comes off as lazy or uninterested. You want to use your body language to show me you’re someone who is fully engaged and can handle any situation – even one that makes them nervous. Job interviews are tough for most people, but you’ll think clearer and come off as a more attractive candidate just by having good posture and looking alive and alert.
- Relax. I purposely listed this after my posture suggestion since some people go to extremes and sit like there’s a stick up their backside. When I interview people, I’m looking for someone who I want to work with on a daily basis. Too rigid would be a drag. Of course you don;t want to look like you’re ready for a nap either. Practice in front of a mirror to see how it feels when you sit up straight while also letting yourself relax a little.
- Practice practice practice. Spend time before the job interview doing mock interviews with friends or family. You can also record yourself to hear your voice (good for phone interviews too) and if your voice sounds kind of weak, practice speaking with strength and commitment. Talk about something you really care about to see how you sound when you are relaxed and fully engaged. If you have access to video equipment, even better.
- Know about the job and the company. So much is out there on the internet now, take time to do research beforehand – it will pay off. One sharp Work Coach Cafe reader wrote us that he learned about a recent merger the company was going through and used this information to his advantage. One warning from my own interview files: don’t get too personal! I went for an interview once and, in doing my research, learned the man taught at the same university I was consulting for. I thought it would break the ice to mention it, but he was NOT amused.
- Make sure you know your own resume! Nothing casts more doubt on your veracity than having to glance through your resume to answer questions. And worse than that is actually giving different information than the resume contains. So study it carefully well before you go in. And always remember to bring a clean extra copy with you.
- Show me you understand the job you’re interviewing for and have the skills. This sounds so basic, but I’ve had many people not even familiar with the terms in the job description. If there is anything you don’t know, look it up! And if there’s a skill you don’t have, research it a little so you can show how quickly you could pick it up.
- Listen! More than anything I’ve mentioned so far, listening is a skill that can make or break you. Really listen to the questions and whatever the interviewer is saying to you. Don’t be thinking ahead or about other things while the interviewer is talking. It really does show. Just be in the moment.
- Answer my questions. If I ask a question that you aren’t comfortable answering, it’s ok to answer briefly and maybe shift to a short story or related thought that leaves a good impression. But make sure you don’t just jump to something else trying to divert me from what I actually asked. It not only makes you look like you’re hiding something, but it leaves the impression that you might be slippery to work with. And don’t go on for too long with any one answer. No one wants to work with a wind bag!
- Come prepared with a few really good questions of your own to ask the interviewer. This is interviewing 101, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t have questions – or ask really lame ones like “”what’s the salary?” – especially when the salary was listed in the ad. (Not that it can’t be negotiated later on in the process.) It’s best to save questions like salary talk for the last interview (unless you only get one of course.) A great question shows you’re thinking about the work process or some of the interactions with other areas or what your typical day might be or something about the business/industry or anything that shows you are really thinking about more than just surface details. Try to come up with a question an average person wouldn’t ask. Best of all, I love it when someone asks a question that shows they were listening to me. Helps me see this is a person who can think on his or her feet.
- Don’t forget to smile. I don’t mean to send you out looking like dazed idiots who just sit there smiling. But you are selling yourself and want the interviewer to know you’d be a pleasant person to work with. Many times I call people in who all could do the job. I’m looking to see if there’s a good fit and if we’d actually enjoy working with the person. Since you have no way of knowing what the place is really like, all you can be is yourself. It really is your best shot at getting to the next round and beyond.
- When the job interview is over…stand up, smile, thank them, and shake hands if it feels appropriate. Then try to walk out without shaking too badly or falling.
You made it!
Hope that helps even a little. Good luck! Oh…and feel free to share your interview stories and questions with us here at the cafe.
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More job interview articles I hope will help:
Job Interviews: What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
Job Interviews: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
Job Interview Questions: How To Handle Tell Me About Yourself
How to Answer Why You Left Your Last Job When You Actually Quit
Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace that Interview
The Single Most Important Thing in Any Job Interview
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job
How Do I Ace My Phone Interview?
How Do You Interview If Interviewer Doesn’t Know as Much as You Do?
These are excellent tips! I especially agree about the knowing about the company ahead of time. It amazes me when an applicant says “nothing” when I ask what they know about the company. Come on: Google, people!
Amen! You took the words right out of my mouth.
Thanks, GG!
Ronnie Ann
great tips! w/r/t posture, I’ve found that wearing a (slim and tasteful) belt around the waist with a nice business or business casual outfit is very helpful in the posture department, as it is uncomfortable to slouch. It looks sleek and fashion forward but still business oriented. It can also make attire look well thought out and help convey your attention to detail.
Thanks aud! Love your suggestion. It’s exactly that kind of small detail that can help leave a positive impression. That and a great interview of course.
Great Advice – but I must add one more.
Don’t even go to an interview unless you know what problems you can solve for your prospective employers and are prepared to show how you have solved those same problems in the past. Come armed to the teeth with honest, to the point accounts of how you have tackled difficult challenges in the past and weave them into your answers to show that you can walk as well as talk.
Ah! Nice addition Duff. Good stories that show what you bring to the table are key. And yes…how do you handle problems or challenges are always fave job interview questions. Thanks.
This is great advice, especially for new grads seeking their first position.
I usually tell people who are headed to an interview to bring a small notebook and a pen with them to jot down any questions that come to mind during the interview, as those can be some of the most relevant to ask at the end. Also, it helps to write down a note or two to help you remember the interviewer’s questions, especially if they are multi-part.
Thank you!
Thanks Kelly!
Interesting suggestion about pen and notebook. Just want to add a thought or two.
I think earlier in your career you can probably get away with and maybe even benefit from it – as long as the notes are taken quickly and the vast majority of your time you listen carefully and meet the interviewers eyes. Some people spend their time looking down at the paper as the interviewer speaks and that could work against them. Your main goal after all is to connect!
But later on in your career, it probably presents a stronger picture to go in without pen and paper. Just a thought. Might also depend on the type of job I guess. Still the impression created by pen and paper (especially for women) might not be a plus since it is not necessarily an image of power.
As for remembering a multi-part question…it’s ok to answer what you remember and then ask for the rest of the question (with a smile and not kicking yourself). But if it provides security, a small professional-looking pad and pen are probably ok – just try not to use it too often and be totally present in the interview. That’s really what I look for.
Would love other thoughts on this! Interesting topic. Thanks for bringing it up!
Great article. I am doing a project on reshaping education system in Management schools to meet organisational demands. I would appreciate if you could help me a little on this.
If you find appropriate please drop in your response at archishagarg26 at gmail.com.
Thanks.
Thanks for the kind words, Archisha! As for your question, I’ll contact you and see what you’re looking for and whether I am able to help.
~ Ronnie Ann
I like how you mention to “be yourself.” Wouldn’t “Do not Oversell” be more fitting given the description you provide following that? When I read “be yourself”, I interpreted it in a different way.
Thanks Ian for stopping by. The rest of the paragraph was just a related riff that I hope people find useful (maybe one day when I edit I’ll tweak it a bit), but the lead story is indeed “be yourself” and hopefully that speaks for itself. In fact, tomorrow’s post will be all about how “be yourself” got one of my readers a job.
~ Ronnie Ann
EXCELLENT! I can’t wait to read it!
Here’s the post:
Interview Feedback: Top Reason Ebony Got That Job Offer Call So Quickly!
TO MY WONDERFUL READERS:
I’m starting a blogging break today. But couldn’t leave without letting you know how much I appreciate your visits. See you in November!
And if you’re wondering why the break:
Blogging Overload: Do You Give Yourself a Break?
~ Ronnie Ann
I tried my hardest for an Job I thought would be perfect for me. I was interviewed and fell in all the old traps, not listening, answering to fast, Now I just feel a looser and a failure. How do I pick myself up?
Its some what pretty good,but i think you guys can do much better
Good tips. As you point out, these are definitely the basics in terms of interviewing 101. I would add to the comment around listening and responding – Never interrupt the hiring manager, always wait 5-10 seconds before responding to show you’re thinking about the question, and your response should be focused and not ramble – 2-3 minutes is a good guideline [max] for most responses.
Best of luck – I’ve seen too many very qualified people blow the interview, and wish I was allowed by HR to coach them afterwards
Russell
Thanks Russell for adding to the conversation. So true about not rambling and about taking a few seconds to think before answering (ten may be too much for most interview situations); by thinking later it lets you stay focused and in the moment. Don’t worry about what your showing the interviewer (that removes you one level from the interview.) The main thing is to stay natural – and come prepared so you have appropriate stories at your fingertips.
I just had an interview. Some things went great while others were not so good. The whole interview was a little strange though, one interviewer did most of the talking and asked very little questions. The most senior person seemed cool towards me from the start and never asked me a single question or spoke at all. I was thrown off . Then I had to make a presentation and could kick myself for not practicing properly. Although I practiced everything in my mind, had I rehearsed out loud I would have sounded better. I am so angry with myself and I keep obsessing over it. . I can’t stop going through every detail, I am driving myself crazy. This is torture and I don’t know how to stop obsessing. The thing is, I think I picked up on the bad vibe from the start and if this guy had already made up his mind that he didn’t like me, then it doesn’t matter what I did or didn’t do.
Hi Myriam!
I know how maddening that can be, but there’s no way to go back and redo it now. So please…stop going over it again and again. It will only make you nuts. Very often people do better than they think…and even a stone-faced interviewer can bring good news.
Just in case this doesn’t turn into an offer, next time don’t let anyone like that throw you off your game. In fact, get an “oh yeah?!” mindset, channel your most charming & determined self, and show him how right you are for the job. Some people choose to do that to see how you react. Oh…and also maybe follow your own advice and practice.
Even after all you told us, there is still a chance. I’ve seen it happen before. But of course, also keep looking.
And in the meantime, a couple articles to help:
I Got the Post Interview Temporary OCD Blues
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
Good luck finding a great job, Myriam!
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Wow, you are amazing. Thanks so much for your support. But guess what, they called me back for a second interview. Apparently Mr. Stoneface would now like to ask me a few questions. Best advice? How can I prepare?
Congratulations, Myriam. Just goes to show you can’t always interpret what’s really going on in an interview!
This blog has lots of articles with interview tips. You might want to spend some time scrolling through them and see if any help:
http://www.workcoachcafe.com/category/job-interviews/interview-tips/ Job Interview Tips
Most of all at this point…don’t try to read them. Just be yourself and show with your work stories and with your answers how well you match the job and that you are a person they can rely on and would like to have working for them on a daily basis. You already know they see something in you they like.
So now, just do your best to listen carefully to Mr. Stoneface (it would help now to change his name in your mind
) rather than trying to think ahead, and answer the best you can knowing inside you that you would be a great addition to their team.
Good luck! Please let us know how it goes.
Hi Ronnie Ann
Well, I just had my “second interview” with Mr. Stoneface who actually cracked a smile, so I guees I’ll have to call him Ed now. Went well, I think. Followed your advice, was my natural self and ditched the nerves. Asked a lot of pertinent questions and made a couple of suggestions he actually agreed with. He even invited me to his office to review samples of the work that needs to be done, we discussed his top priorities, which I responded with “I can do that” without sounding too cocky. The weird thing is HR has been nearly absent in this process. No weird behavioural interview. He mentioned he still has two candidates to consider, but the next step is the offer and they strangely have not mentioned compensation yet. I did mention it to Ed today and he was surprised that we should get “to this point” without HR mentioning a range in the preliminary interview. He’s looking into it (this is a LARGE company) and I wonder how HR could have messed this step up (they already mixed up the first interview times with me)
Well I hope wthatever they get back to my is not insulting, because I can totally rock this job and the opportunity looks amazing. We’ll see, stay tuned….(sorry for the rant)
No apologies necessary, Myriam.
I love your update! Sounds like you rocked the interview. I know there are still other candidates, but I am so hoping you get this job.
Good luck!! Please let us know.