Interview hints from a recruiter

Each interview is special and you don't get a second chance at their first impression. Doing it right the first time is spot on essential. Whether it’s your first-ever job interview or your millionth (seems like), here are some suggestions to set up that positive vibe and maybe land your dream job.

Before the Interview

Prepare and research. Understand the company's needs and expectations by researching their history, administrator’s names and titles (especially of whom you are interviewing with), main products and even their competitors. You will be able to hold your own in an interview conversation with this information. You don’t want your interview to be a one way street, you can ask questions if the timing seems right.

Prepare a résumé that sells you and actually says what you think it does. Your interviewer is asking herself these basic things: Can this person do the job, will they understand the company atmosphere and will they stay?

Practice answering interview questions with a friend (or in front of a mirror). Anticipate and practice answering questions until you comfortable talking about your skills and expectations and past employment. Never be shy about this in an interview. Memorize some tidbits to add to each job description you list on your resume. The interviewer will be listening avidly. They want to know how you added value for each past employer. Never, ever bad talk a past employer or colleague at an interview. If you really don’t know why, then call me.

The interview

Because ‘Successful and Positive’ is your name...

You plan right and arrive early. Phone if you might be late (don't be).

You arrive at the interview office alone. If you get a ride, have them leave you at the entrance and wait somewhere else.

You introduce yourself, state who you are interviewing with, the open job title and your appointment time.

You are friendly and patient while you wait. Read a magazine or go over your resume again. (please no cell phone conversations, music or games – put cell on silent before you enter the office)

You know that the interviewer may come out personally to greet you. They will form a first impression. Shake hands firmly, greet him/her by name and introduce yourself. Remain standing until you're invited to sit.

You are positive and enthusiastic. Remember, send out good vibes. Maintain confident eye contact without staring.

You have prepared and have brought extra copies of your resume, personal work samples or portfolio if appropriate, an extra pen and your personal and professional reference list.

Good to know, but I hate the negativity of every 'DON’T do this' list made. You already knew all this, right?

Don't fidget with your clothes, hair or jewelry. Confidence matters.
Don't smoke or chew gum even if invited to do so. You don’t yet know the work atmosphere.
Don't argue or tell the employer your troubles. TMI.
Don't stress your need for the job repeatedly. Desperate never sells at an interview.
Don't use slang or profanity. Really, no one ever told you this?
Don't place your handbag or briefcase on the employer's desk. Respect the space.
Don't gossip or tell jokes. They are looking for a good fit employee not a new friend.
Don't sell yourself out of a job by saying negative things about yourself, peers or past employers. Do unto others, etc.
Don't focus on wages, benefits or vacation. We all have the need to know but it will work into the conversation later in the interview or in subsequent interviews.
Don't mention personal or financial problems (health, family, etc.). Unless you need an EEOC accommodation and you think the employers needs to know that immediately. BTW, an employer cannot legally ask you many personal questions but it is fair game if you volunteer the info.
Don't be afraid to smile! Less stress and more confidence!
Avoid refreshments during the interview. Nervousness and shakily clammy hands are the norm, do you really want to remember your table manners right now too?

And, now you are ready for the actual interview. This is one sample of The Grilling to expect:

So, why don't you tell me about yourself?
Remember that volunteered too personal information can be used against you in the interview stage. Stick to professional alignments.

Tell me about an objective in your last job that you failed to meet and why.
Tricky and nicely done. Instead tell about how you met deadlines, overcame odds etc.

What has been your most significant accomplishment in your career? Talk about the career high point you are most proud of.

Think back to your last review. What did your supervisor say needed improvement? Wow, hate this question. To be candid or not? Not, I think. They are going to run a background check anyway and get all the dirt from your past employers, let them do the work don’t volunteer anything detrimental.

Why are you seeking a position with our company? Resist the urge to say “because I need to work?” Remember your research about the company and state a logical reason you want to work for this particular company.

Why do you want to leave your current job? (Why did you leave your last job?) Honesty is best, remember they are going to do an employment history check if they haven’t already done so. Just don’t elaborate, save time for answering better questions.

Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen) years from now? S
uch a popular question at interviews. Be honest, unless you see yourself retired and then sort of don’t mention that.

What do you like the most/least about your current (previous) job? Focus on the positive whenever you can.

How do you define success? They are not asking for the Merriam-Webster definition. They want to know what your goals are and if you think the job is a priority and if you are well balanced in your personal and business life.

Now it’s your turn to ask questions, but only if you feel the timing and the interviewer’s attitude toward you is right.

·        Why did the person in this position leave?
·        What would you like done differently by me if I get the job?
·        How would you describe the work atmosphere here?
·        What is the most important things you would want me to accomplish?
·        How many candidates are being interviewed for this job?
·        What are the company’s goals for the next few years?
·        When are you looking to hire?
·        I've really enjoyed our meeting. I am very interested in this position. What is the next step for me?

Afterwards, analyze the whole interview for yourself, do a self-evaluation.

How was your interview performance? Note what went right and think about the areas that need improvement.

Send a thank you card, letter or email. This is an expected vehicle to express your appreciation for the interview and to re-emphasize your qualifications and interest for the position. Remember, top of mind.

Follow up with the employer in a few days to see if the job is still open. They will probably not communicate with everyone who interviewed that the position has been filled.

Continue your job search until you get a firm job offer.

You might not ace the job interview because of your red hair?!

Job hunting tips.

Are redheads less desirable as job candidates than dark or fair hair applicants? We all know that first impressions are important in every job interview. That's why we polish our resume until it shines like the beckoning bright star we are, and put on our best bib and tucker to impress HR.
I am a carrot top myself and subconsciously always credited my "room presence" to stature, red hair and confidence. There is absolutely no way I go unnoticed anywhere, ever. That's a good thing, right?
It has always worked for me, but here are a few quoted sources that seem to say differently:

• "Its latest report shows that, per head of population, redheads suffer more discrimination than ethnic minorities. Only disabled people suffer more." http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/features/article1006495.ece
• "...Sadly redheads also receive a great deal of abuse. The Centre for Equality Policy Research think tank recently claimed that redheads suffer more discrimination per head of population than ethnic minorities. Having carried out an experiment they said, “A job applicant with ginger hair is seven times more likely to be rejected than a dark-haired applicant, and eight times more likely than a fair-haired applicant.”
  http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Could-Irelands-cloudy-weather-be-the-reason-for-the-stereotypical-red-hair-178077221.html#axzz2BkJgG0pd#3

Let's step back and look at this. The first quote is from a British source and the second from an Irish website, last year, where it appears to describe an ongoing form of discrimination. Is the situation different here in the USA? In fact 2-6% of our population has red hair, which gives the US the largest population of redheads in the world!
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair)

An interviewer at a traditional type business in the US is more likely to reject an applicant because of  dramatic false hair color more than any color of a natural appearing shade. So, is your hair color holding you back if you are a redhead? Probably not.

If you can't honestly blame the failed job interviews on your red hair, or black/brown/blonde hair then take another look at your resume, or have a friend look over it for you. Pick your interview clothes carefully, be sure they are business-like and make the desired impression. Know more about the company you are interviewing with so you can visualize yourself fitting into its corporate culture.

We seldom get the first job we interview for, or sometimes not even the 12th. Consider having a quiet time of introspection after each interview to critique what you might do better, or differently , in the next interview. And don't be too hard on yourself. A job interview is always a mix of both interviewee and interviewer. 

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