By: Nicole Hitch

You have been applying for jobs, networking, and trying your best to get your foot in the door for a new opportunity.  The phone rings and you hear the words you have been hoping to hear… “Hello Mr./Ms. _________ we are calling to schedule you for an interview with so and so at______________ company.”  You have your big toe in the door, you have secured an interview…  ok, now what…???  Here are some steps to help you prepare to knock the socks off whoever is interviewing you and have a better chance of making it to the next step in the interview process.

1. Dress to Impress!  You only get one chance to make a first impression.  Because everyone’s fashion sense is different I recommend that you wear a dark solid color suite with a clean and pressed white button up shirt for men and a white blouse or button up shirt for women.  Guys don’t wear a crazy tie, keep it simple, a solid color tie is best.  Your hair should be neat and clean, keep jewelry to a minimum, and your shoes need to be polished and clean.  Also, many people are sensitive to smells and an overwhelming smell can also leave a bad impression.    Keep perfume, cologne, scented lotions, body sprays and aftershave to a minimum, don’t smoke in your suite, and try not to sit in a coffee shop prior to your interview as you most likely will smell like a coffee bean when you walk in and shake hands.
2. Do your homework!  Check out the company website, any press releases, what do they do, are they involved in the community, if so how, have they acquired any companies recently… know about them and then prepare genuinely interesting questions to ask about the company and take notes on topics that you may want bring up during the interview to help you build rapport with the interviewer and show your interest in the company.  When you ask your questions, actively listen to the answers, be genuinely interested in the answers and where appropriate ask follow up questions.
3. Prepare for difficult questions!  There is a plethora of resources with practice interview questions online.  Take the time to practice answering these questions.  You don’t want your answers to sound “canned,” but you also don’t want to leave the interview thinking, “ I should have said this or that about…”  You can also look at my blog entry of practice interview questions to also get some to practice.
4. Prepare your elevator speech!  What is an elevator speech?  It is the reason why any company should hire you.  Come up with about a 30 second bit about your strengths or accomplishments that are tailored to the position you are interviewing for.  This goes along with #3 above, you may get the question, “What are 3-4 of your strengths or accomplishments?” or the statement “Tell me about yourself.”  This is where being prepared with what you bring to the table will enable you to answer these questions with ease.
5. Be confident.  If they are interviewing you, that means there is something in your background on your resume that has peaked their interest.  If you do the 4 above steps, you should be well prepared to answer any questions they throw your way, so be confident in the fact that you are well prepared and in the fact that they are already interested.   When they ask, tell them where you have excelled and what you bring to the table.  At this point it is your interview to either win or lose.  Always go in with a positive attitude and a smile on your face as well.  You’ll be surprised how far those two simple things can go!
6. Basic body language.  Smile! Show that not only are you there to learn about them, but you are friendly and easy to work with/speak to.  Sit up straight!  Sitting back in your chair can show a lack of interest in the interviewer, position and/or company.  Give a good firm handshake, let them know you are there and interested.  Look the interviewer(s) in the eye (this shows confidence)… if it is a panel interview; be sure to make eye contact with everyone when you answer questions to make sure they all feel included in the conversation.  Keep your hands in your lap!  This is for a couple reasons… first, crossed arms does not show interest or willingness, arms touching, crossed or folded in front of you (even on the table) often times comes across as a barrier between you and the interviewer.   The second reason for keeping your hands in your lap is if you fidget when you get nervous your hands are less noticeable and if your hands sweat when you are nervous, you have your pants or skirt to do a quick brush off when you get up at the end or your interview to shake hands so as not to extend a slimy wet handshake. J
7. Let them know you want the job!  At the end of the interview, be sure to reiterate that you are not only qualified for the position, but very interested in joining the team/company!  Managers want to extend offers to people who not only have what they are looking for, but also that they know want to work there.
8. A thank you goes a long way!  At the end of your interview, don’t forget to thank the interviewer for his/her time and then within 24 hours follow up with a thank you note.  Be sure to proof read your thank you note before sending it out!!!!!

Good luck in your next interview and if you have any questions or would like more information, please contact me at nhitch@bluewaveprofessionals.com.