1. Ten seconds to sell
Unless your resume catches the interviewer’s eye in 10 seconds, it’s over. You’re done. So the big question is: how do you catch the interviewer’s eye? Cater your resume to the job description! I can’t stress this point enough. It’s imperative that you cater your resume to each position you apply for. Seriously, take each line on the job description and write a line on your resume to reflect your experience with regard to that line.
Yes, it takes more time than sending the same resume to 100′s of jobs, but you’re far better off applying to a fraction of those jobs with a resume specifically written for each job. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. Their job is to hire the most qualified candidate. They’ve been given a set of qualifications to look for, aka: the job description. That’s exactly what they’re after, so give it to them!
2. Be on time
There is no excuse for not being on time to an interview. Your chances of being hired are reduced so drastically that you might as well not even show up. Leave extra early, do whatever it takes. Blaming it on traffic or anything else doesn’t matter (even if it’s true).
3. Turn off your cell phone
Obvious but easily forgotten, at least it has been with many of the people we’ve interviewed. Double and triple check to make sure your cell phone ringer is turned off.
4. Know the company, and have good reasons why you want to work there
Google the company you’re interviewing for. Learn as much as you can about the company’s mission, objectives, goals, and future plans. If you’re asked why you want to work for the company, you should answer something better then, “I like the company’s location.” Align your goals with the companies, envision yourself professionally evolving as a person underneath their umbrella.
5. Bring your resume, cover letter, and references
Your interviewer(s) will likely have a copy of your resume but bring a few spare copies. It shows you’re prepared and serious about getting the job.
6. Bring a notepad
Very few people bring a notepad with them to a job interview. It’s a very subtle thing that makes you stand out. Take notes when appropriate.
7. Dress in a clean and conservative manner
Make sure you go into a job interview having showered and wearing clean clothes. If you like wearing cologne or perfume, don’t wear any on the day of the interview. What’s subtle smelling to you may be overwhelming to your interviewer.
8. Social networking profiles should be private
If you don’t think interviewers Google you or look you up on Facebook or MySpace, you’re crazy. Hiring managers I’ve talked to all do this, as one put it, “to weed out people who wouldn’t be a good fit in the company’s culture.” Don’t give them ammo to not like you, set your profiles to private.
9. Don’t make jokes
Too many people think they are funny when in reality they’re not. A job interview isn’t the place to test your material. Be friendly and outgoing, save the jokes.
10. Don’t babble
When answering a question, answer the question. Don’t start out answering a question and then veer off to talk about something else. Make sure your answer directly reflects the question being asked.
11. Don’t badmouth your old boss
Bad mouthing a previous boss in a job interview is a huge negative. They may have been the worst boss in the world but expressing that in a job interview is a huge mistake.
12. Don’t flirt with the interviewer
Common sense but apparently needs to be stated.
13. Don’t play with your face/hair
Interviews can be a nervous experience but rubbing your chin, twirling your hair, or anything else along those lines makes you look like you’re lying or lacking confidence, both not good.
14. Less is more
Sometimes certain details of your life are better left unsaid.
15. Have good eye contact
Staring at the floor, ceiling, or wall when speaking or listening makes you appear disinterested. Again, simple and obvious but happens way more then you’d think.
16. Have goals
Maybe you don’t have any idea where you want to be in a few years professionally but figure out something to say. If you don’t and you’re asked, you appear un-ambitious, which leads an interviewer to think you’d be a lazy employee.
17. Have accomplishments
Be prepared to talk about something that you’re proud of accomplishing, whether professionally or personally (or a failure and what you learned from it).
18. Have passion
Be able to express why you want to work in that field/industry and what you do to further your knowledge (books, blogs you read). The more intelligent or informed you are the more impressive you’ll look.
19. Ask Questions
At the end of the job interview make sure you have some questions to ask. If the interviewer doesn’t offer you a chance, ask to ask. Again, it reinforces your strong interest in the job.
20. Send a thank you note
It’s easy to send an email but take the extra effort to mail your interviewer a hand written thank you note. It reinforces your interest in the job. It doesn’t need to be long, just make it sincere.
There you have it. The best job interview tips you’ll ever get. Stick to them and you’ll be on your way to getting hired!
