Candidate Interviewing Tips
From the beginning, be positive and pleasant with everyone you meet, including the receptionist.
Learn specific facts about the company and industry, what products they supply or services they provide (visit the website or do other research), and check for information about your interviewer.
Prepare to ask questions during the interview.
Be sure to know what the interviewer is looking for so you can highlight those skills in your background. Bring examples of your work if possible — a three ring binder with sample work and letters of reference.
Arrive ten minutes early to the interview.
Fill out the application neatly and completely. Do not write “see resume” in any of the categories.
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
Wait to be seated. Do not slouch.
Do not answer questions with a simple yes or no; add examples from your prior experience, but keep your answer to the question asked.
Do not make derogatory remarks about previous or current employers and/or managers.
Show interest in the industry you are interviewing in.
Make sure your long-term goals are compatible with the position or industry you are interviewing in; if they aren’t, then say you aren’t sure what your long-term goals are.
Think about your answers – for example, do not tell the interviewer that your long-term goal is to be the office manager if the interviewer IS the office manager.
Use plenty of examples. Instead of “I know PowerPoint,” say, “I have used PowerPoint extensively. For example, I have created presentations in PowerPoint that included pie charts and graphs at ABC Company.
Employers want a complete “package:” Useful skills with a positive personality; ask yourself—Do you want to work with this person?