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Just like with a resume, while it’s ultimately what’s on your resume that will get you hired, the success of your interview will be what separates you from the dozens of other equally qualified candidates all vying for the same position (duh). Well, here are some very useful things to remember when heading into your next interview:

1. Do your Research! Research as much as you can (and then research some more) about the company you are applying for. Look online, in newspapers, trade publications, newsletters, and of course, your library’s reference desk. The more you know about what they do and how they operate, the better prepared you’ll seem. But don’t just know it, use it. When there is a lull in the conversation, you can say something like this: “So, I read that you guys have just merged with Innotech, how has that affected things around here?”
2. Dress comfortably and conservatively – always appear one step dressier than your would-be co-workers. For men, they recommend you wear a dark gray or blue suit with a white shirt, plain tie, dark socks and shoes. If the job you are applying for doesn’t require a suit, wear dark, solid colored pants or slacks with a sport shirt in a solid color or with subtle stripes. Never wear jeans or athletic shoes to an interview (even if you would be able to once you worked there). For women: no flashy jewelry or heavy makeup. Wear a medium to dark color suit, or a dress with a jacket, or a jacket and skirt together. Choose a light colored blouse — preferably white or ivory.
3. Treat everyone you come in contact with at the company as if they have the authority to hire you. The fact is that they might just have that authority and you just don’t know it yet. It isn’t rare for the person doing the hiring to ask the receptionist/secretary friendly the potential employee was while waiting for the interview, etc.
4. Make and maintain good eye contact. This really should be a given but sadly, it often isn’t. On the other hand,
5. If you are nervous, feel free to say so. But do it with some class; say something like: “Sorry, I’m a little nervous because I’m really interested in your organization.” Research shows that acknowledging your nervousness and anxiety often reduces it faster, and interviewers are usually very understanding. Remember, it’s a known fact that people hire people who they feel comfortable with. So, make yourself as comfortable as possible and they’ll return the favor.
6. Ask questions, don’t just sit there waiting to be interrogated. Remember, you are there to do some interviewing yourself; you have just as much right to find out everything about the company as they have finding out about you. Active participation and discussion (not just a customary Q&A) leaves as good an impression as anything else.
7. Make sure you indicate that you want the job! Studies of top executives have shown that one of the top reasons why a person doesn’t get hired is the lack of enthusiasm and interest in both the company and the particular position.
8. Make sure that you have several copies of your résumé with you in case the interviewer asks for it again, and in case a panel of people will interview you. Also, have copies of your four to five professional references (listed on a separate sheet of paper) with you as well. When the interviewer asks about your references, voila, you will have them right there to present to him/her. Having your references ready and with you for the interview shows a degree of preparedness & professionalism. I once forgot to take my references with me on an interview and sure enough – the woman interviewing me asked for them. I had to awkwardly suggest that I email them to her that afternoon; it was very embarrassing and could easily have been avoided.
9. Follow up the interview — IMMEDIATELY — with a thank-you letter. About 95% of job candidates ignore this essential step but it is one that could easily make or break your interview. If you want to stand out from your competition and leave a final, positive impression with the person who interviewed you, you need to send a thank-you letter. Use quality stationery whether you handwrite it or type it. Include your appreciation of the interviewing person’s time and mention again that you hope you are being considered for the job, because you are very interested in it. End the note by saying that you look forward to talking to him/her in the near future. On more than one occasion I was told I had made it to the next step in a hiring process (once when I was hired for an actual job in high school, and once when I was offered a job after college) because I sent a thank-you note. If you’ve taken anything from this list, I hope it’s the importance of saying Thank You.

What have you tried in an interview? did it work? Hurt? Share your wisdom in the comments!

(image by jtcrichton)

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