Interview Techniques

Have you ever gone to a job interview thinking that you have it all together? I mean really, how hard is it once you get your wardrobe together, your nerves under control & a killer resume right? Wrong! There is more to a job interview than you may anticipate. Whether it be an interview for a fast food restaurant or a position in corporate America, these tips are very important in landing the position that you want.

There are different types of interviews. Ah, maybe you didn’t know that. Perhaps you’ve only experienced an interview set between the employer and potential employee. There are informational, screening & selection interviews that are formatted via telephone or video, individual or group/committee.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying “Always make a good first impression” right? Well, did you know that during an interview, the first impression is made during the first four seconds? Yes, before you may have a chance to open your mouth, you’ve already made an impression. Eleven impressions are made in ten seconds. Impressions are based on personal appearance, grooming, eye contact, articulation, personality & handshake. It’s good to remember that you never have a second chance to make a first impression!

When preparing for the interview, there are a few steps below that one should follow:

Identify your strengths
Conduct research on the position and employer. (Always have background knowledge of the company you are interviewing for)
Tailor and review your resume (Be sure that all your information is up to date & correct)
Conduct a practice interview (listen to yourself, catch phrases & speech patterns)
Attend to your grooming and carefully select your wardrobe

Dress for success:
Women
Suit with knee length skirt and tailored blouse
Pantsuits are more acceptable now but save them for after you obtain the job
Keep accessories and make up simple

Men
Two-piece suit (solid colors vs. prints or patterns)
Wear polished shoes with knee length socks that avoid skin exposure
Tie pattern should be simple






Another good technique when interviewing is to know the different types of interview questions. They are below:

Open ended- “Tell me about yourself”
Hypothetical- “What would you do if”
Proven Success- GPA, leadership, initiatives taken, projects completed
Opinion- “What are your strengths?”
Behavioral- “Can you give me an example of when you successfully dealt with a difficult client?”

Now that you’ve read over these simple interview techniques, you are ready to go get the job that you’ve been waiting for!