The Vet2Work Job Procurement and
Advancement
Series
Istock
photo
What an Interviewer Wants and Sees
During the Interview
1. Early for the interview is on time. Show up 15-20 min early and park a short walk away, take some time in the car to review your resume, check your clothing, and walk in the door 5 minutes early. If you arrive 2 minutes early, the interviewer may have already begun to wonder if you forgot about the interview or are not going to show. If you walk through the door right on time or, even worse, late, you're not starting the interview on the right foot.
2.
Dress for success.
Dress "up” because it presents a more positive impression.
Dressing down or looking "scruffy" or un-groomed will most
always start the interview off on the wrong foot. Remember,
interviewers are evaluating job candidates from the moment they
see an applicant pull into the company’s parking space.
3.
The interview is “on”
from the initial contact until the job offer is signed.
This includes follow-up calls, thank you notes, and the
"pre-interview" chitchat before the interviewer begins asking
the "real" interview questions. The interviewer wants to put
together an accurate a picture of you, and must determine your
impetus, talents, and character in a relatively brief period of
time.
4. Nonverbal behaviors are also important. Firm but not crushing handshakes for both females and males are important and demonstrate self-belief. Look the interviewer in the eye. Be self assured but not arrogant. Don’t fidget. Nod your head slightly from time to demonstrate your attentiveness. And Smile!
5.
Ask questions.
Job candidates should seem interested in what the interviewer
does. Interviewers typically gauge that interest. Interviewers
don't want to hire someone who just wants a job – they want
people that match their organization’s mission.
6.
Remember that it's an
interview and not a timed debate. There's no penalty for
taking time to think about an answer, and many interviewers will
take it as a mark of maturity and judgment. If you don't
understand the question, ask the interviewer to rephrase it.
Be honest.
Most interviewers have been around long enough to know
when you're feeding them a line.
7.
Don't make the
interviewer drag information out of you.
Do your research ahead
of time to know what they are looking for. Review your resume
and experience and be ready with examples that pique the
interviewer’s interest.
8.
Don’t forget that you're
interviewing the company too.
Ask relevant questions
at the end of the interview to demonstrate your continued
interest in the company. Interviewers are prepared and like to
answer questions.
©
Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is
permitted without express permission.
