Mental & Emotional Health

I have two job interviews today … one in the fancy schmany area of Portland for reception work in a real estate office and one in Vancouver for a translating service (maybe I’ll put my German degree to use?). I’m not nervous about either interview, but I decided to let Kevin Donlin help me Prepare for the Interviews. I put my own comments in bold because I’m just like that.

“The best way to ace your next job interview is to prepare for it. This may sound obvious, but it’s not. Too many applicants walk into an interview without knowing as much as they should about the industry, the company and its problems.

1. Know the company. Find out as much as you can about the position, the company and its needs, so you can show how your background meets those needs. Telephone the receptionist and ask for copies of company brochures. Be friendly and professional on the phone and when you go pick up those brochures. (A receptionist who takes a liking to you can be one of your most important allies in getting a job.) Whenever possible, get a copy of the company’s annual report. Research the company at your local library and on the Internet. Unless you have a lot of time, this is often hard. Most employers, I’ve noticed, want you in to interview immediately and I haven’t had much time outside the Internet to research companies.

2. Know yourself. Mentally review the skills and character traits you have that will help the company’s bottom line. Think in terms of the value you can add to the position and the company.

3. Know your job history. Mentally review your past achievements and be prepared to describe your work experience in detail. Gather letters of reference and samples of your work to present to the interviewer as proof of your past accomplishments. Practice describing your experience in terms of your responsibilities and accomplishments at each job. Can’t you just see me in front of the mirror? LOL

4. Know the questions. You can almost bet on being asked: “Tell me about yourself.” Approach this from the employer’s point of view. Ask yourself, “If I were hiring someone for this position, what would I want to know?” Then answer those questions. And be ready for tough ones, too. Think of the worst questions you could be asked about your experience and abilities, then prepare positive responses. Why would you think of NEGATIVE responses, though? Duh! : P

5. Prepare questions of your own. Employers are as interested in your questions as they are in your answers. And they’ll react favorably if you ask intelligent questions about the position, the company and the industry. I normally ask the interviewer ‘What is your favorite part of working for ‘InsertCompanyNameHere’?” as well as ‘What is your least favorite part of working for ‘InsertCompanyNameHere’?” to see what they say. This has seemed to impress people becuase I have questions for them! LOL

6. Get the big picture. Visualize the entire interview, from start to finish. See yourself as performing with style and confidence. How will the interview end? Will you get a job offer or be called back for a second interview? How much salary do you want? What kind of benefits? The research you did in step 1 will give you an idea of what to expect. Be ready for any eventuality.

Make a Good First Impression
The outcome of the interview will depend largely on the impression you make during the first five minutes. To succeed, you must project a professional, competent and enthusiastic image. Your aim is to convince the interviewer that you would be an asset to the company. Keep the following in mind:

7. Punctuality. Do whatever it takes to arrive a few minutes early. If necessary, drive to the company the night before and time yourself. Allow extra time for traffic, parking and slow elevators. I am driving 14 miles North on the busiest road in Oregon/Washington and so I’ve allowed for PLENTY of time today between interviews! LOL

8. Dress. Your clothing should be appropriate for the position you’re seeking. Attire must fit well within the office and be immaculate. If you don’t know what the typical attire at the company is, call and ask! Shoes should be polished; pants/skirts and shirts pressed. Nah, I’ll show up in jeans and an emo-t-shirt. ; )

9. Grooming. Clean hair and fingernails are essential. Hair should be styled conservatively. Avoid excessive make-up, jewelry or cologne.

10. Handshake. A firm handshake is appropriate and projects confidence. Make eye contact when you shake. But don’t shake the hand as though you’re trying to strangle people. I am always wigged out by interviewers who shake my hand like that!

11. Body language. Send the right message by standing straight, moving confidently, and sitting slightly forward in your chair.

Conduct the Interview
Have your own agenda and know where the interview should be heading. This will give you confidence and help you move from one area of questioning to the next. Remember: Most interviewers are as uncomfortable as you are. They just want the position to be filled as fast as possible. If you can put the interviewer at ease by helping things move smoothly, you’ll improve your chances of being hired.

12. Enthusiasm and eye contact. Show your enthusiasm by making eye contact and keeping an interested expression. Nod and gesture in moderation; excessive body movement can distract and annoy the interviewer.

13. Listening skills. Listen carefully and ask questions to probe deeper into what the interviewer is telling you. Most interviewers are delightfully surprised by a question such as, “How could I help you solve the problem you’ve just described?”

14. Communication skills. Good grammar and articulate speech are essential. If this is an area where you’re weak, work on it. Practice on your family, practice in front of a mirror, record your voice, take classes — do whatever it takes to become a more effective communicator.

15. Negative statements about previous jobs or employers. NEVER make them. Instead, be diplomatic. No matter how bad your last job or boss was, there’s probably something good you learned from the experience. Emphasize the positive — with a smile. “My previous boss was a nasty nasty woman. I hated her, she treated me poorly and tried to get me fired. Instead of letting her fire me because she’s that nasty, I gave my 2-weeks notice and now you can have me!” Uhm, yeah, I’ll pass on saying that.

Follow Through
This is a crucial and often-overlooked final step in the interviewing process.

16. It’s essential that you write a thank-you note to every person you met at the company. Your most important letter(s) should go to the interviewer(s). In your letter, be sure to summarize your conversation and re-emphasize the skills you would bring to the position. Thank them for their time and ask if it’s all right to call later in the week to see how their search for a candidate is going. That candidate may well be you! I always do this! It’s what got me my previous job, actually!

mental and emotional health, job search, interview tips