An interview starts at the front door of the employer’s building. People will be noticing your demeanor, your tone of voice, your clothes and your smile once you are in the lobby. Remember to be positive and reassuring to the interviewer. Maintain positive body language. Do not cross your arms, fold your hands, have a crossed knee between you and the desk and do not have your hands on the interviewer’s desk. You should maintain eye contact and if you tend to speak with your hands remember to gesture with your palms up as this portrays someone open and honest.
As the interview opens, do not pull out paper and pen to start taking notes. The first moments are key to building rapport with the interviewer. Having someone stare at the top of your head as you jot down every word will not allow you to establish a connection. Additionally, if someone walks in the room to meet you, you want to be abler to stand and shake hands without fumbling with papers. If during the interview, the interviewer is giving you names to contact, ask whether he/she would mind if you jot down the names. Also if asked if you have any questions, you can say that you have a few written down and then ask if the interviewer would mind if you got your notes.
Remember, an interview is where you need to sell your value. It is very hard, at times, for people to talk about their accomplishments and successes on the job. However, you are the only one in the room that can speak for you and tell an interviewer what you have done. Avoid using “we” and use “I.” The employer is hiring you and needs to know what you bring to the position, not what a team can do.
If you remember these steps you will get your interview off on a great start!
Ricki Brodie has been with The Frontier Group since 1997, working with mid and senior level managers and C-level executives in Career Management, Career Transition, Outplacement Consulting, Executive Coaching, Career Coaching, Training, Interviewing Techniques and Strategies, Negotiations, Marketing and Presentations. Her diverse background includes law, education, recruiting and owning her own company.
