Tips for a Successful Interview

Things to know Know the mission statement of the company Know the job description Know the required qualifications Know some of the history of the company Know the growth of the company in the past few years Know the name of the interviewer or all on the panel Preparing for the Interview

Mens Interview Attire Clean, wrinkle-free suit, if possible, or slacks (solid color - navy or dark grey; preferably NOT khakis) Long sleeve button down shirt (white or coordinated with the suit) Belt Coordinate the necktie with the suit, but don't try matching the suit. Dark socks, professional shoes Limited jewelry (Wedding band and a watch) Neat, professional hairstyle Neatly trimmed, clean nails Portfolio or briefcase

Womens Interview Attire Solid color, conservative suit or slacks, if possible (navy, black or dark grey) The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably Coordinated blouse Conservative shoes Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets) Neat, Professional hairstyle Neutral pantyhose Light make-up and perfume Neatly, manicured clean nails Portfolio or briefcase

Things to Avoid Do not bring these items to an interview Gum Cell phone IPod Coffee or soda If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule) Cover tattoos when possible Do no apply too much scented lotion or perfume/cologne Keep your hands dry and free of lotions that may transfer to the other person while shaking hands.

Introduction Introduce yourself (to the entire panel) in a calm, confident voice Make eye-contact during your introduction Offer a firm handshake to each panel member Maintain a positive facial expression (be charming) Repeat their name (Example: It is nice to meet you, John.) Do not… Put your hand in your pockets Make off-topic small talk Attempt flattery Make a Good First Impression

Make eye-contact – Do not stare your interviewer down Grasp their hand firmly in yours – Do not crush their hand, but use a firm grip When your interviewer starts to pull away, let go Smile and project confidence A Professional Handshake

Enter the office or interview room If the panel / interviewer remains seated – Approach and offer your hand to them When asked to sit – Wait until all others are seated This is a sign of respect to the interviewer – Sit-up in the seat using good posture – Do not shift around and fidget Positioning

Listen to the whole question before you form an answer in you mind – Listening to the question the first time without answering in your minds eye will help you hear what is being asked If you are unsure of what you are being asked – Ask them to repeat the question Refrain from asking them to repeat every question Take a deep breath Gather your thoughts Answer the question honestly, to the best of your ability – You should be prepared for any question that they will ask Preparation is key to an interview (do your homework) – Having a note card and references is okay Do not shuffle these and do not read directly from the cards, only use them to help you keep on topic Answering Questions

You should know the position and the company you are interviewing for. – There may be some information unavailable to you before the interview – Having a list of questions for this missing information is good – Wait for the end of the interview or when prompted for questions to ask for this information Asking Questions

Do not be afraid to ask for the job in the interview – You should practice asking for the job in your interview preparation. – Do not leave the interview until you have asked for the position you have applied for. Asking for the Job

When the interview is over – Thank the interviewer – Shake hands – Check the area and make sure you did not leave anything behind Ending the Interview

Introduction – Introduce yourself and/or the panel – Ask the following question Tell me about yourself Look for what they have to bring to the job as they try to sell themselves to you Ask yourself what makes them right for this position based on there response Make a Good First Impression