Seven Secrets to Interview Success

1. Seven secrets to interview success
by Eric Snyder
You’re getting ready so you can land your first big job. All roads that lead to that
pot of gold begin with an interview. Knowing what you’re up against is a good
start.
It’s been said many times that an interviewer can make a hiring decision based
on first impressions. Studies concluded that when two people meet for the first
time, the first 30 seconds make or break the connection. That’s not much time at
all. That’s just about as much time as you’ve spent reading this article.
But, think about that for another second. All of the skills, job or internship
experience and your GPA may not be as important as when you first meet. What
can you do to make the most of your first impression? There are seven secrets
you might want to consider:
1. Your clothes are not your resume
What you wear says a lot, sometimes too much. You want them to remember
what you said not what you wore.
If there’s a time to be simple, this is it. Nix the trendiest look, you can wear that
later. Clothes, like art, are in the eyes of the beholder. That tie you like so much
might look like an eye sore to someone else. That outfit you like to wear to the
best new club in town is best left for a night out.
Wear a suit. It can be in navy or gray. A white shirt or blouse is best. For guys, a
simple design on a tie in a complementary color can complete the look. All of
your clothes must be clean and pressed. That tie with the soup stain on it is not a
good choice. Last, but not least, your shoes also look best if they’re polished.
2. A handshake can be an insight into your strengths
I do mean your character strengths. Yes, you shake someone’s hand all the time.
Now, that handshake forms one of those critical first impressions.
When you meet your interviewer, look them in the eyes, say, “it’s good to meet
you and shake their hand firmly, but not in a death grip. If you’re not sure,
practice with a few friends. Ask them for feedback. Is it too strong, sweaty or too
weak? Adjust as necessary.
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2. 3. Keep your eyes on the road or in this case, the person in front of you
You engage people when you make eye contact. If you look away or not at them,
people begin to wonder what’s going on. They begin to follow where your eyes
go. You want to engage with the interviewer.
Maintain eye contact at all times when you speak. And stay focused when
they’re speaking as well. If you have to look away, keep it short. It never hurts to
nod as the interviewer is speaking. It lets them know you’re hearing what they’re
saying.
If you’re not good at eye contact, practice with a mirror. I know it sounds weird,
but carry on a conversation in front of the mirror and see how long you can keep
eye contact. The mirror will not lie. It will help you become comfortable staying
focused while speaking.
4. Don’t bad-mouth anyone
Six degrees of separation can haunt you in an interview. If you’re asked about
your least favorite professor or your least favorite boss, talk about them in the
third person.
By all means, never, ever say their names. That person sitting across from you
may be the neighbor of the sister-in-law of the cousin of the person you mention.
You would hate to trash someone who may have a connection (no matter how
far removed) to your interviewer.
5. Pause on purpose
When you’re asked a really tough question or one that you’ve never been asked,
pause for a brief second. Or, you can pause and say, “That’s a question I haven’t
been asked.” That short amount of time will give you some time to think and
help you answer the question.
These are better things to do than to do merely not say anything at all. You’re
just buying some time here, not a lot of time, just enough to get your brain going.
6. Practice can make perfect if you do it
Practicing is the best thing you can do before the interview. There are books out
there full of commonly asked interview questions and appropriate-type answers.
Buy one of them and read it. Get yourself used to the language and the style with
which to respond to interview questions. The interview conversation is not your
everyday conversation and it takes practice to prepare for the dialogue.
Copyright © 2011, ES Resources, Inc.

3. Take one of the books and as if your practicing for an on-stage production, have
a friend ask you questions and you practice your answers. I know it sounds
scripted. But, remember you’re getting prepared for a talk you don’t have every
day. Better to be prepared than not.
I hate to use the old sports analogy here, but it fits. Football players getting ready
for the Super Bowl don’t just go out on the field and play. They practice, they
study videotape after videotape and they practice some more. You need to
practice as if that interview is your Super Bowl.
7. Formal vs. casual
No matter how comfortable you may get in an interview, don’t get casual. Even
if the interviewer acts casually (by sitting in a cushy, upholstered chair or sitting
back leisurely), it’s your job to stay poised and professional.
Picture this: you and the interviewer strike a good rapport and you sense a good
connection. The conversation is easy, your answers seem on target and the
interviewer appears to loosen up a bit. The conversation becomes more
conversational. What do you do? This is not the time to mirror what’s in front of
you. Be polite, engaging and stay focused. Don’t get stiff, but maintain your
interview face no matter how casual your interviewer might get.
This thinking extends to your voice mail message. The message that sounds good
to your friends may not be so good for the person calling to set up an interview
with you. It might be time to change that outgoing message. No hip-hop in the
background or funny jokes. Listen to it and ask yourself, “Does this sound
professional?” Or, does my message make a good first impression? It can be as
simple as, “Hi, this is Bob, please leave me a message.”
There you have it…seven secrets that are really seven tips to a successful
interview. Now that wasn't so bad, was it? Makes sense, right? But, they only
work if you follow them, all of them.
YOU can make that first impression in an interview a positive one.
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Eric Snyder is a professional interview coach. He helps college graduates just
embarking into the work world to gain confidence and better understand how to
succeed at job interviews. He launched College to Career,
www.college-2-career.com, to help young people make a successful transition
from graduation.
What sets him apart from other resources available to new graduates are
experience and trust. His many years of experience as a recruiter, interviewer,
Copyright © 2011, ES Resources, Inc.

4. trainer, and coach provide a valuable perspective from the "other side of the
desk" about common interviewing pitfalls and how to overcome them. Eric
spends one-on-one time with each graduate to create a customized experience.
If you are preparing for a job interview, or you've been interviewing without the
results you hoped for, or even if you just need help figuring out what field you
wish to enter, Eric is ready and eager to help you realize your full potential.
To learn more, visit www.college-2-career.com or call 415.793.5292 now to
schedule a free consultation to get started right away.
Copyright © 2011, ES Resources, Inc.