Interview Tips

GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW
The interview is the most critical element of the career transition process. It’s where “the rubber meets the
road.” A successful interview is defined as “getting the end result that you want.” Here are some general
guidelines that can greatly enhance your interview success.
Understanding your Interview Objectives
While interviewing for any position you have the same two interview objectives:
Objective 1: To convince the employer that you can be successful within this position.
Objective 2: To find out if you want this position with this company.
Both of these objectives cannot be accomplished in a single meeting. Although you ultimately will decide whether or not
to accept any job offer, the employer has to make you an offer first. Your initial emphasis must be placed on objective #1.
If you go in prepared to present your credentials as they apply to this opening, you will win the employer’s interest. The
successful interviewer sells hard initially, builds interest with the employer, and gets the offer. Then the tables turn; they
will try to convince you to join their organization. Now you are perfectly positioned to have your questions answered and
to accomplish objective #2.
A. Preparing for a Conventional Interview
The candidate who interviews best usually gets the job. You should always arrive prepared for the interview in order to
perform your best. Let’s break down your preparation into several areas:
1. Physical Preparation - Look and act the part.
As a general rule, maintain your professional appearance and demeanor throughout the entire process. Don’t be fooled by
relaxed appearances. If they ask you to take your jacket off, loosen your tie, or have a cup of coffee, gracefully decline;
never forget that you are the one under the microscope.
Here are some rules most companies expect you to follow as they relate to the interview process:
• Bring a notebook portfolio/binder (not a briefcase).
• Walk into the appointment five minutes in advance, but don’t ever be late. If you are delayed, call from your cell
phone if you are using a hands-free device and it is safe to do so.
• Leave outerwear in the lobby. If you need to visit the restroom, ask the receptionist to wait until you are back
before announcing your arrival.
• Many companies require all candidates regardless of the level of the position to fill out required application
paperwork. Be neat and fill the forms out completely (do not write “SEE RESUME” across sections).
• Remember to ask for a business card from everyone you meet. You’ll need correct names/titles for your follow-
up letters.
2. Technical Preparation - Study for the test.
In advance of the interview, gather as much information as possible about the company, the industry, and the position
itself. Get on the internet and visit the company website; gather product information, annual reports (if available), etc.
Try completing a written exercise to help you prepare. Here is an example: On a blank sheet of paper, list all of the
relevant elements of the position on the left side of the page. Include industry, company, and position components.
Guidelines for a Successful Interview 1

Opposite each one on the right side of the page, list every single bit of your relevant experience with that particular
element and be as specific as possible. Condense your writing into an outline titled “Why I can be successful in this
position.” This is now your “presentation” for the interview - know it and know it well. This will show the employer just
how interested you are in the position and may give you the inside track that will separate you from the other candidates
who are vying for the same position.
3. Mental Preparation - If you’ve prepared you can relax and enjoy the interview.
Once you do a thorough job with your technical preparation, you’ll be self-assured and relaxed. Then you can concentrate
on building chemistry with the interviewer. Poor communication and interpersonal skills are an automatic disqualifier.
Understand that your conduct during the interview process will be perceived as your conduct on the job. If you are
prepared for the interview, you will be perceived as an organized individual and will make a positive impression on the
interviewer.
Here are some behavioral tips that many individuals take for granted during an interview:
• Smile: It’s a simple yet powerful expression.
• Maintain eye contact: Lock on, both when speaking and listening.
• Lean forward: This indicates that you are interested in the exchange and ready to receive information (also
maintain good posture; sit erect, but not rigidly).
• Nod your head: This simply indicates that you are listening and not thinking about anything else.
• Be enthusiastic: Express your interest in and enthusiasm towards the position and the company.
B. Preparing for an Unconventional Interview
1. Over-the-Phone Interview Preparation - Success is just a call away.
A plausible substitute to traditional in-person interviewing is over-the-phone interviewing. This process is often
performed in favor of both the candidate (in situations where traveling time and costs would be hefty) and the company
(when scheduling does not permit coordinating a meeting time). The length of this type of interview depends upon how
far along the hiring process is and how many interviewers are present, but they usually last between 20 and 30 minutes.
Many companies will first use over-the-phone interviews in order to decide if a candidate will qualify for an in-person
interview. Fewer and fewer households still use a landline telephone, but they offer a more reliable connection than a cell
phone. Using a landline for an interview might just save you from poor cell connection or even a dropped call.
In addition to the previous guidelines, here are some tips to specifically aid your over-the-phone interview success:
• Be ready for the call: Give yourself a generous amount of time to conduct the interview. Find an enclosed, quiet
space and wait for the call. Never let it ring or send them to voicemail. If you are not in a quiet area to speak
when you receive the call, answer the phone and explain that you will call them back momentarily.
• Smile: Do not think because you are not face-to-face that this doesn’t matter. Interviewers can sense your smile
over the phone; they can hear your enthusiasm through your smile!
• Stand up: Sitting down and slouching compresses your chest and diaphragm and affects your voice, stand up so
that you sound clear and confident throughout the interview.
• Charge your device: Make sure your cell phone is ready for a call that is twice as long as what you are expecting.
• Make a ‘cheat sheet’: Write down specifics, talking points, questions, and anything else that will aid your
interview success and keep the interview fluid and engaging. Interviewers can tell when you’re reading from a
script, so don’t overdo it.
2. Virtual Interview Preparation - The interview of tomorrow.
Another reasonable alternative to in-person interviewing is virtual interviewing. Similar to the other types of interviews,
there can be any number of interviewers taking part. Many companies will require a candidate to communicate with them
via internet video chatting software such as Skype, Oovoo, or other applications that can be downloaded on computers,
laptops, electronic tablets, and smartphones. These details should be explicitly defined by the company beforehand.

Here are some tips to aid your virtual interview success:
• Dress appropriately: Dress exactly as if you were coming in for a face-to-face interview.
• Look into the camera: You may subconsciously focus your eyes on yourself or your interviewer(s) on the screen.
Try to keep your vision directly focused on the camera.
• Eliminate distractions: Give yourself ample time to conduct the interview without other engagements affecting
your timeframe. Turn other nearby electronics off and make sure you are the only living thing in the room in
which you are interviewing.
• Set up appropriate lighting: Find a good balance by experimenting with different types of lighting before the
interview so that the interview gets the clearest possible picture of you.
• Account for lag: It is common that a delay of up to several seconds may take place on either side of
communication as a result of geographical distance and network strength. Speak clearly and slowly and wait a
few seconds before responding to avoid talking over anyone.
• Plug in: Make sure your device’s battery does not die during the interview.
• Be candid: Don’t leave your interviewer(s) guessing. If you would like to take notes during the interview let it be
known beforehand or at the start of the interview.
• Don’t use your smartphone: Using your iPhone, Android, or any other computing cellphone for a virtual
interview is considered unprofessional. Only use this method if you do not have access to any other electronic
means, and make sure you explain your situation to the interviewer.
3. Meal Interview Preparation - Remember what Mom taught you.
An employer may want to conduct an interview during a meal at an establishment such as a restaurant, café, or maybe
even a bar. Many companies will use this type of interview to convey their friendly, wholesome image or try to impress a
prospective employee. Many times a restaurant interview is conducted as an assessment of a candidate’s ability to
maintain themselves under pressure and scrutiny while a café or bar interview is conducted as a measure to gauge how
well a candidate fits a company’s informal culture.
Here are some tips to aid your meal interview success in a restaurant, café, or bar setting:
• Research the restaurant: Look up the location and understand the directions. Look up the menu and get a gist for
your ordering options beforehand. Make sure you understand the proper way to eat what you pick.
• Arrive early: Get to the establishment 10-15 minutes early. Simply put, try to make sure you are waiting for the
interviewers and that it isn’t the other way around.
• Use proper etiquette: Napkin on lap, sit up straight, no elbows on the table... If you need a refresher do some
research. Don’t be afraid to take a single misstep, just act professional and use your best judgment.
• Treat your server well: Saying “please” and “thank you” and making eye contact send a powerful message.
• Order reasonably: Ask the host if they’ve eaten here before and what they recommend before ordering. Do not
order the most expensive or least expensive dining option.
• Alcohol: Depending on your situation, politely decline if offered or follow the host’s lead.
• Use caution: Avoid gestures that may create negative perceptions of your personality. An example of this is
seasoning your food before you’ve tasted it. Doing so makes it look like you blindly make assumptions.
Be yourself, use common sense, and when in doubt follow the host’s lead.
C. Interview Questions
Answering Questions -
You can certainly anticipate normal interview questions that are commonly asked (see ‘F. Appendix’) and formulate
responses that are relevant to this employer. See how your responses sound out loud by practicing with someone before
the interview.
Asking Questions -

Before the interview concludes the interviewer will open up the floor to you for any statements or questions you might
have. Coming to an interview prepared with thoughtful and relevant questions demonstrates intrigue and interest in the
position.
Questions about Salary and Benefits -
Always remember these two rules:
• You should never initiate a conversation about salary and benefits prior to an offer.
• You must be open and honest about your salary history.
If you are successful in earning the employer’s interest, you will have ample opportunity to investigate their benefit
package come offer time. Understand that very few items will be negotiable. Again, you must be open and honest about
your current salary and even your salary history. Companies need to understand your salary history in order to be fair
when developing your compensation package.
If the interviewer asks, “What is it going to take to get you to make the move to our company?” your response should be,
“My current compensation is $________ and if you think I’m the person for the job, I’m sure you’ll make me a fair
offer.” If they make you an acceptable offer on the spot and you’re ready to go, accept immediately. If they make you an
unacceptable offer on the spot, ask for some time to think about it and then call me immediately; just don’t turn it down.
D. Closing the Interview
Closing strongly after each interview will create a lasting positive impression reflecting your communicative abilities. A
great way to display your prowess for closing during the interview process is by asking a question along these lines:
• “Now that we’ve had an opportunity to meet and discuss my background, do you have any reservations regarding
my ability to be successful in this position?”
Recognizing and inquiring about your possible shortcomings demonstrates humility and dedication to your mission of
acquiring this position. Now that you’ve heard their opinion, drive it home with questions like these:
• “I am very interested in this opportunity, how do we get to the next step?”
• “When can I come back and meet with the rest of your team?”
• “When can I start?”
E. Following-up the Interview
Your fresh feedback will be important when your recruiter speaks to the client; make sure you call them immediately after
the interview. Companies are much less likely to hire a candidate if they don’t send a ‘follow-up message’ within 24
hours following an interview because they believe it shows a lack of follow-through and that they aren’t serious about the
job opportunity. A thank-you email will do the job, but sending a thank-you letter is always a beneficial option. The
content in each should be the same, but sending a hand-written card will give you an extra advantage that an email alone
will not. A thank-you letter will give you another chance to make a great impression.
There are many reasons to send a hand-written card vs. an email:
• It won't get lost or ignored in spam email folders or blocked by firewalls.
• Nothing says "personal touch" like a hand written note. It's a subtle form of flattery.
• A hand-written envelope is irresistible. It always gets opened first. It always gets read.
The content should be unique and memorable and should also convey your professionalism:
• During the interview, try to pick up on what the interviewer might like to see in the letter by discovering their
personal interests.
• Acknowledge the use of their time and thank them for their generosity. After all, they had to squeeze you in with
a full day of responsibilities and tasks.

• Make mention of something you learned in the interview, either something about the interviewer themselves or
the company’s current events or situation.
Either a thank-you email or thank-you letter, make sure you promptly send one!
Here is a sample thank-you letter:
“Dear (Hiring Manager’s Name),
Thank you for your time today to discuss the Director of Operations role. Both the interview and the tour of the plant
made for an exciting visit. I was impressed by the teamwork and positive spirit of the employees I met during the tour.
Your description of a “day in the life” of this critical position helped me gain a better understanding of the daily job
responsibilities and I appreciate your openness in sharing your key goals for the department. I’m excited about the
possibility of using my extensive background, specifically my expertise in process improvement and people management,
to help you achieve the department objectives. The interview reinforced my interest in becoming a part of your team.
Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for this critical role. Should you have any additional questions, I may
be reached at (222) 222-2222 or jdoe@myemail.com.”
F. Appendix
Sample Interview Questions:
Some common questions that you will want to be prepared to answer are:
• Tell me about yourself? (Be concise and brief)
• Why would you consider leaving your present employer? (Never be negative)
• Can you share a long-term personal and professional goal of yours with me?
• What interests you about this position?
• What do you know about us?
• What words would your subordinates use to describe you as a manager?
• Tell me about your self-improvement activity or your favorite author/trainer/guru.
Some questions you may want to ask regarding any position can include:
• What are the key responsibilities of the position?
• In your opinion what projects need to be addressed in the first months of the job?
• Can you describe the structure of the department/division/company I’ll be working in, including the reporting
relationships, peers, etc.?
• What is the biggest challenge that the new [position title] will face initially?
• From your perspective, why should I be interested in this position?
• What attracted you to this company?
• What differentiates your company from its competitors?
• What do you see as the most important challenge facing this company?
• If we are sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it’s been for me in this role, what did we
achieve together?
Some questions you may want to ask regarding an executive position can include:
• What is your competitive edge?
• What do you believe your chief competitor’s advantage is within your market?
• What competitive issues need to be immediately addressed? (i.e., pricing, product mix, market positioning, etc.)
• What have you identified as your biggest opportunity for reducing costs?
• Prior to an offer of employment, would you be willing to share the company’s financial information with me?
• What recent strategic initiatives can you share with me?

Company Contact:
Anthony P. Pivirotto, SPHR, CPC
Direct Phone: 401-808-8649
Email: apivirotto@msi1.com

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