Job Interview Pointers from an Insider

Looking for a job? In this economy many people are and the competition is tight. Many people are applying for jobs to which they are completely over qualified. Many companies will hire them, seeing them as a great opportunity.

This Hub was created by an Admin. One that walks the candidate through the interview.

I will greet you at the beginning of the day and walk you out the door at the end. However, I’m also acting as a spy. I'm gathering information about you, seeing how you handle changes and delays during the interview, seeing how you interact with others and especially with me.

See, my department sees me as very valuable. I’m their go-to person. If anything breaks, I get it fixed. They need something NOW, I get it NOW. They need their schedule rearranged, I do it. They depend on me because they can. I know my job and know how to change direction quickly. I’m a very valuable asset to them and to the company. They want my opinion on any candidate coming in, and sometimes, my opinion changes who will be hired.

Basically, I’m saying, treat the admin or whoever is escorting you around for the interview with respect. Do not talk down to me, do not treat me like I’m inferior. I will not have any of it and the team hiring will hear it. I will be honest with them and they know they can count on me for it.

Most important, be on time. If you don’t know the area, drive there the night before. Give yourself more than enough time to get there in the morning. If you have extra time, great, get a cup of tea or coffee. But being late, is pretty much a deal breaker.

Do research on the company before hand. Be able to discuss the company with anyone who interviews you. Know their products or services, state what you like about them. The more knowledge you show, the better.

Show up in clean clothes that are neatly pressed. Make sure the clothes fit you. Women, do not show up in a skirt that is so short you cannot bend over. Unless you are applying at Hooters, this will not do in a professional company. Men, the 1980's Don Johnson Miami Vice suits worn with t-shirts are not appropriate either. Best thing to do is this, put your interview suit on before hand and see yourself in front of a full length mirror. See yourself from all sides. Then sit down in a chair and see how you look.

With jewelry, keep it simple. Nothing overboard and no nose rings or facial piercing....unless you are apply for a tattoo or piercing place of business.

Some cologne or perfume is good, but again, not overboard. If in question, leave it off. Someone may be allergic. We had on candidate that wore cologne like he bathed in it, we had to keep the doors open when interviewing and the interview was cut short.

Teeth brushed and fresh breathe....and relax. Take a deep breathe and let it out slowly.

When being greeted by the admin., give a nice smile, not forced, a nice soft smile and greet with an extended hand, firm handshake and look the person in the eye. Keep that smile. Make small chit chat...the weather, the building, landscaping, the travel, whatever it is, make it a positive interaction.

What you don't ever want to do is interrogate the admin. Don't ask how many have applied, or what the job pays, if there is relocation package, how many have interviewed for the position. I will not answer those questions and I really can't. Many of those questions about pay and relocation is something the hiring manager will inform you about.

Do ask the admin questions about how long they have been there, what they like about the company, what they like about the group or what they like about the area. The admin is a wealth of information, I will tell you about casual Fridays, or fundraising the company does, or how we just opened a fitness center, or about the annual company picnic, and who is the straight shooter in the interview. If you need to relocate, I will give you tips on where to look and where not.

Don't be upset or surprised if they interview schedule changed. Sometimes people call in sick or have to attend another meeting. Do not take this personally. This is life, change is constant. We had one candidate when upon hearing that the hiring manager was no longer available due to illness, yelled at the admin demanding to speak to the hiring manager about the situation immediately! Guess who didn't get the job. Having the positive attitude of 'things happen' will go far during the interview. Just brush it off, smile and say, 'that is fine, things do come up'. If it was someone important you were to interview with, make sure at the end of the day you follow up with the admin about rescheduling that portion.

You want to be confident but not arrogant. Yes, you need to sell yourself, but don't go over board and appear as if you are putting others down. Give examples of what you have done, how you have solved problems, how you handled a crisis. A company's priorities can and will change at a moments notice. You should show how well you adapt to change.

Be assertive but not aggressive. We had one person in who was aggressive during her interview, so much so that they sat in their chair as if they were ready to lunge at the person interviewing them. This person was very intense, very focused on their self, no smiling, and pretty much stressed out. Another interview that did not go well.

Be aware of any nervous ticks you have. Tapping feet, or drumming fingers, maybe chewing on your lower lip, if you aren't aware of any, ask your friends.

Practice your responses to usual questions asked in interviews. But be wary of sounding too canned in your responses. Be sincere in your responses, make them your responses, don't make them sounds like you were told to say it. Make sure you answer the question, if you are unsure, or need clarification on what they are asking, say so. Dancing around the question is not good. If you don't have any background in the area that they are questioning you about, say so, but give evidence and support to something similar you have done.

Do not bad mouth your former or current company, or bad mouth your former boss. For one, someone may know them or the company. Reasons for leaving that are good are: no growth opportunities, company unstable, you have read up and heard how great this company is and wanted to apply.

Don't stare at the person interviewing you. Do make eye contact here and there but no staring, you will come off as threatening.

If they are doing the dreaded lunch interview, each something simple. Salad, sandwich, soup, avoid messy food like spaghetti, and no alcohol, well, unless you live in Europe and that is standard then.

Always, always, have questions to ask the interviewer. Always. This shows interest. Ask how do they see the company growing, what changes do they see for the company or themselves within, ask what they like about the company, follow up with anything you were unclear of in the interview. Ask for their business card so you can send them a thank you email or note.

Being yourself is a big part of the interview. They want someone that not only can do the job, but also will fit in personality wise with the rest of the group.

Remember, you are interviewing them also. Make sure it is a good fit for yourself also. Don't take a job that might set yourself up for failure or one that you will be settling for.

At the end of the day, thank the person for escorting you around, shake their hand and smile again.

Most importantly, do NOT pee behind the building near the dumpster, people in their offices will see this and will report it. This is a deal breaker believe it or not.