TIPS DURING AN INTERVIEW

1.The Most Important Aspect of Interviewing What can you do to set yourself apart in your interview? The most important aspect of successful interviewing is not your experience, your degree or your resume. Thats what got you the interview. The key to successful interviewing can be summed up in one word: passion. Its your passion for the job that will set you apart from the crowd.

2.The Second Most Important Aspect of Interviewing Why is attitude so important? Because most companies already have their full share of multitalented superstars,who care about no one but themselves.

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

3.Dressing for Interview Success Men and Women -First impression -Formal shirt -Tidiness -Tools and briefcase

Men * Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern * Dark shoes * Dark socks * Get a haircut * Fresh shave * No beards * No rings other than wedding ring or college ring * No earrings

Women * Wear a suit with a jacket and skirt or slacks; no dresses * Shoes with conservative heels * No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead * If you wear nail polish, use clear or a conservative color * Keep your makeup simple and natural * No more than one ring on each hand * One set of earrings only

Campus fashions & work fashions are two different worlds.

4.All Eyes Are on You Your choice of eyewear can also be considered a part of your interview dress. Glasses or contacts? For those of you who have this choice available, consider it wisely. If you have the option of wearing contacts versus glasses, use the following as the guideline for which to wear: 1. Contacts: people positions (consulting,sales, advertising, customer service, etc.) 2. Glasses: data/things positions (accounting, information systems, engineering, etc.)

5.Winning the Body Language Game Everyone uses body language during the Interview, but very few think about it in advance and modify their body language to produce the most positive effect.

typical interpretations of body language cues: Openness and warmth open-lipped smiling, open hands with palms visible, unbuttoning coat upon being seated Confidence leaning forward in chair, chin up, putting fingertips of one hand against fingertips of the other hand in praying, or steepling position, hands joined behind back when standing Nervousness smoking, whistling, pinching skin, fidgeting, jiggling pocket contents, running tongue along front of teeth, clearing throat, hands touching the face or covering part of the face, pulling at skin or ear, running fingers through hair, wringing hands, biting on pens or other objects, twiddling thumbs, biting fingernails (action itself or evidence of), tongue clicking Untrustworthy/Defensive frowning, squinting eyes, tight-lipped grin, arms crossed in front of chest, pulling away, chin down, touching nose or face, darting eyes, looking down when speaking, clenched hands, gestures with fist, pointing with fingers, chopping one hand into the open palm of the other, rubbing back of neck, clasping hands behind head while leaning back in the chair

Your words tell me a story, but your body tells me the whole story.

5.The Most Important Interview Nonverbals Many interviews fail because of lack of proper communication. But communication is more than just what you say.

Following are the top five nonverbals: Eye Contact

Facial Expressions

Posture

Gestures & space

What you say is NOT nearly as important as how you say it.

6.Being Sincerely Honest A person who uses such qualifiers is implying by their usage that they typically are not being honest. If you are being honest all the time (which you should be), there is no need to use these kinds of qualifiers.

7.The Show-and-Tell Technique If appropriate feel free to bring samples or copies of your work to the interview as concrete examples of your capabilities. Use reports, projects, photos, programs, or whatever it is that provides a tangible example of what you have done.

Following are a few examples that have been used successfully: Programs and system design specs by an Information Systems major Complex financial analysis done by a Finance major Working product prototype developed by a Mechanical Engineering major Samples of your best lesson plan for an Education major

Telling me what you have done is NOT nearly as impressive as showing me what you have done.

8.Whom Would You Believe? Before you can possibly convince me as the interviewer that you are right for the job, you have to believe it yourself. Its amazing how many candidates seem tentative and reluctant to express confidence in their own abilities. Remember, you are all alone once the interview starts. No one will sell you if you dont sell yourself.

How can I believe in you if you dont believe in you? I am not here to sell you on our company until after you sell me. Once you have sold me on you, I will sell you on the position and the company, but not until then. So dont expect the interviewer to tell you why you are right for the job. That is your job. Professor Peter Smith, President of the International Association for Cross-Culture Psychology.

Your job is to sell me on you.

9.The Visualization Technique The use of mental visualization can be extremely helpful in preparing for your interview. You can, by visualization, experience your coming interview, including a rehearsal of how you would react in specific situations.

Share your vision with me. If I am unable to see it, lend me your eyes so that I may also see. It is your vision, but you must give it away for others to see it and help you achieve it.

Take the time to fully prepare yourself for interview success. -GOOD LUCK-