Quintessential Careers Press:
The Quintessential Guide to Job Interview Preparation
Chapter 9: Arriving at the Interview
The interview begins before you even meet the interviewer. All about arriving, waiting, and interacting with gatekeepers
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Be aware that you are being scrutinized before you ever walk into the interviewer’s office. Career expert Donald Asher tells the story of a candidate he once interviewed whom he happened to see taking a little siesta on his motorcycle in the parking lot. Asher instantly made up his mind not to hire the motorcycle napper.
Realize that those secretaries, receptionists, and administrative assistants that you might consider unimportant often play a significant role in the interviewing process. When you enter the reception area or outer office, these gatekeepers who greet you are often asked later by the interviewer to sum up their impressions of you. Learn the gatekeeper’s name. We all like to be called by our names, and unless we’re frantically busy, we like to be schmoozed. Make friendly conversation with the gatekeepers. You might even ask their advice about the interview. Thank them profusely. Make them feel important – after all, they are.
Even the period when you’re sitting waiting for the interviewer can be part of the interview scrutiny. Employers have been known to test candidates by observing what magazines they pick up – a gossip rag or something more cerebral? Others might assess how rattled you get by being kept waiting. Wait patiently without complaint unless the wait is truly unreasonable or you have another pressing engagement. If you’ve waited an hour, it would be reasonable to ask the gatekeeper if you can reschedule.
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