Critical Interviewing Tips: Key Job Interview Advice -- #4

Q-Tips: Critical Interviewing Tips
Key Job Interview Advice -- #4

These job interviewing related tips -- preparing for job interviews, tips for handling tricky interview questions, and more -- have been gathered from numerous sources throughout Quintessential Careers and organized here for your convenience.

At a second interview, remember these three words: Fit, Fit, and Fit. A major reason for the second interview is so the employer can see how well you fit in with the company culture. Put yourself inside the employer's head and realize that the interviewers at your second interview want to learn how well you will get along with other team members with whom you'll be interacting with every day. Deploy your very best interpersonal communication skills. Keep in mind the idea of showing your fit -- but remember that it's OK not to fit. If you aren't a good fit with the employer, you probably wouldn't be happy working there anyway. And remember, that this interview is also your opportunity to determine whether the company is a good fit for you. Think about whether you would accept if the employer extended an offer. Read more about fit with company culture in our article, Uncovering a Company's Corporate Culture is a Critical Task for Job-Seekers. And learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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Don't blow it! Sometimes, interviews tank. Perhaps the interviewer thinks you are too good looking for the job, or that red ties should be worn only on Tuesdays. There's very little you can do to salvage an interview under these conditions. However, arriving late, having a huge run in your stockings, and calling the employer by the wrong name are all recoverable errors. Stay calm, don't panic, declares Maureen Crawford Hentz in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control.

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Poor handshake: The three-second handshake that starts the interview is your first opportunity to create a great impression. But all too often an interview is blown right from the start by an ineffective handshake. Once you've delivered a poor handshake, it's nearly impossible to recover your efforts to build rapport. Here are some examples:

The Limp Hand (or "dead fish"): Gives the impression of disinterest or weakness
The Tips of the Fingers: Shows lack of ability to engage.
The Arm Pump: Sincerity is questionable, much like an overly aggressive salesman.

Even if you're a seasoned professional, don't assume you have avoided these pitfalls. Your handshake may be telling more about you than you know. Ask for honest critiques from several friends who aren't afraid to tell you the truth.

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It's not unusual for a company to invite a potential employee back for a second interview, writes Chandra Prasad in her article for QuintCareers, Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times. Managers often request second interviews to clarify information on a candidate or to introduce him or her to other members of a department. Says a human resources manager at an information technology company headquartered in California: "At my company, usually there is a team of people interviewing. Some interviewers are [looking] for technical expertise, others for personality and fit. The second interview might be someone following up on a particular question. Or it might be someone on the team who wants to make a connection, to see if the candidate would fit in." Another reason for a second interview might be that the company wants to ask more in-depth questions or to provide more insight into its needs.

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When preparing for a second interview, take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview -- or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur leading up to a job interview, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: Can't remember the name of the person you are meeting.

Control: Crawl around on the company's Web site. Try the staff directory and see if your memory is jogged by what you see.

Control: Call ahead and throw yourself upon the receptionist's mercy. Explain who you are, that you are coming in for an interview for the Director of Student Life position and that you were so excited about the job that you forgot to write down the name of the person you are meeting. Generally speaking, this will work, but be careful -- receptionists and hiring managers do talk to each other!

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Talking too much: In my recruiting days, I abhorred over-talkative candidates. So did most of my client employers. Over-talking takes a couple of forms:

Taking too long to answer direct questions. The impression: This candidate just can't get to the point.
Nervous talkers. The impression: This candidate is covering up something or is outright lying.

To avoid either of these forms of over-talking, practice answering questions in a direct manner. Avoid nervous talking by preparing for your interview with role-play.

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Some candidates, in an effort to appear confident, actually overdo the role and appear egocentric instead, writes Chandra Prasad in her article for QuintCareers, Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times. Susan Cheng, a manager at a major media entertainment company, says that she has encountered this type of interviewee. "There's a thin line between being confident and being prideful," she explains. "For example, there was one gentleman who had all the right qualifications. There was a moment in the interview when we asked, 'If you were in this position, what would be the first three things you would do?' The guy basically said, 'I would change everything.' He was trying to be very confident in his approach, but that came across the wrong way." What could this candidate have done to prevent himself from appearing arrogant? He should have worked on his delivery, using more diplomacy and tactfulness, Cheng says. "Word choice is important," she stresses. On a callback interview, make sure not to overstep the boundary into arrogance. It's one thing to be sure of your abilities, but quite another to question the abilities of those around you.

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When preparing for a second interview, pat yourself on the back for being called for a second interview. While some career experts say your chances are 1 in 4 to get the job at this point, others say you have as much as a 50 percent chance. Even with the field narrowing, it's important to distinguish yourself and ensure that you stand out above your competition. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur leading up to a job interview, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: Can't pronounce the interviewer's name

Control: Ask the secretary/receptionist.

Control: Take advantage of voicemail technology. Call the company directory and see if the names are listed verbally. You can also call the person directly (outside of business hours, of course) to check if she speaks her first and last name in the voicemail greeting.

Control: Give it a shot and then ask, "Am I pronouncing your name correctly?"

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Talking negatively about current or past employers/managers: The fastest way to talk yourself out of a new job is to say negative things. Even if your last boss was Attila the Hun, never, never state your ill feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable your complaints, you will come out the loser if you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly trash him or her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.

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A candidate may be called in for multiple interviews because the various interviewers can't reach a consensus, notes Chandra Prasad in her article for QuintCareers, Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times. Susan Cheng, a manager at a major media entertainment company, says, "The person might come in and interview with six people. Ideally, [the interviewers] could decide [the candidate's suitability] at that point. But if one out of six interviewers says, 'No, it's not a good fit,' it's not a majority-win situation. So another interview might be required to get more data points on the candidate." The HR manager at an information technology company underscores this point. "I've seen people stumble because they might have had great interviews in the beginning, but they are now overconfident and under-prepared," he says. "They might think they now have a rubberstamp of approval, but that's never the case. One interviewer could definitely veto the process, because they're already on the team and they carry a lot of weight." There isn't necessarily a simple cure for conflicting reports, since you may never know which of your interviewers -- if any -- is barring your entrance into the company. The best you can do is to treat each interviewer with civility and consideration. Be yourself, be prepared, and if your best effort isn't enough to earn a job offer, take solace in the fact you'll eventually find an employer that is a better fit.

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When preparing for a second interview, remember these three words: More, More, More. Compared to the first interview, a second interview will likely involve more preparation, more people, more questions, more intensity, and more pressure -- in addition to more likelihood that you will land the job. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur as a job interview is in progress, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: The interviewer is mispronouncing your name

Control: Correct, but gently. "My name is actually pronounced A-roar-ah"

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Showing up late or too early: One of the first lessons in job-search etiquette is to show up on time for interviews. Many job-seekers don't realize, however, that showing up too early often creates a poor first impression as well. Arriving more than 10 minutes early for an interview is a dead giveaway that the job seeker has too much time on his or her hands, much like the last one picked for the softball team. Don't diminish your candidate desirability by appearing desperate. Act as if your time were as valuable as the interviewer's. Always arrive on time, but never more than 10 minutes early.

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A candidate might be called back for multiple interviews if he or she were second in line for the job, but the No. 1 person didn't come through, notes Chandra Prasad in her article for QuintCareers, Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times. A hiring manager for an accounting firm in New York City says, "In this situation, we call people back in order to evaluate them as the preferred candidate rather than as a possibility." As each interview represents a fresh beginning, it would be unwise to coast on the success of a previous interview. If you were previously second in line, you will have to prove that you are indeed the best of the remaining candidates, which means you should research and prepare not just for the first interview, but also for each subsequent callback.

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When preparing for a second interview, don't neglect to review your performance from your first interview. Note any questions or situations that caused you difficulty and plan how you will handle those aspects better in the second interview. Derive confidence from knowing that if you hadn't performed well in the first interview, you wouldn't have landed the second. Think about what made you shine in the first interview, and plan to do more of the same. Further, brainstorm new information you can bring into the second interview -- new accomplishments, new examples, new evidence of how much you know about the employer. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur leading up to a job interview, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: Running late

Control: Call as soon as you know you will be late. If you are going to be under seven minutes late, let the employer know when you will be there. If it looks like more than 10 minutes late, ask if you should reschedule or come in. Make sure you express respect for the interviewing schedule and reiterate your commitment to the position.

If you are in a major newsworthy traffic snafu, blame the traffic. With any other form of transportation problem, blame yourself. You can try something like "I'm so sorry. I underestimated the morning (evening, afternoon, 10 a.m.) traffic. I'm never late to anything and am really embarrassed."

Always apologize again once you arrive, and then let it go. Understand that your interview may be truncated or rushed.

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Treating the receptionist rudely: Since the first person you meet on an interview is usually a receptionist, this encounter represents the first impression you'll make. Don't mistake low rank for low input. Often that receptionist's job is to usher you into your interview. The receptionist has the power to pave your way positively or negatively before you even set eyes on the interviewer. The interviewer may also solicit the receptionist's opinion of you after you leave.

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A hiring manager for a market-research company says that he would call back a candidate if he or another interviewer had concerns about one aspect of that candidate's qualifications, reports Chandra Prasad in her article for QuintCareers, Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times. "In one instance, we needed a person who had both extensive programming skills and market-research capabilities," he explains. "We called back several candidates, but each one seemed to have either strong programming skills or strong market-research skills. When we finally found someone who possessed both, we were concerned that although he had some programming skills, these weren't extensive enough. And in fact, after three or four interviews, we decided against making an offer to this candidate." If you suspect that your interviewer has a concern about you, it's best to follow the advice of David Wittenberg, a manager of technology planning, and to be upfront about the situation. Ask your interviewer what concerns, if any, he or she has about you, Wittenberg suggests. That way, you can address these issues directly during the interview process, rather than speculate about them after the fact.

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When you've been invited for a second interview, prepare -- even more than you did for the first interview. Presumably you researched the company before the first interview. Now it's time to delve even deeper into that research using our Guide to Researching Companies, Industries, and Countries. Some experts suggest that talking with company insiders is one of the most productive ways to prepare for a second interview. Before your second interview, consider conducting informational interviews with company folks who aren't the ones who'll be interviewing you. Consult our Informational Interviewing Tutorial to learn more. If you are a college student, particularly seek out alumni from your school or sorority/fraternity who work for the employer. Also be sure you're up to date on developments in your field or industry by reviewing trade publications. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur as a job interview is in progress, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: You have a run in your stocking or a spot on your tie

Control: First, try to stop and hide the run (carry clear nail polish in your purse just for such an emergency) or get the spot out.

Control: Acknowledge it briefly to the interviewer if it will make you feel better. Something like "Of all days to spill coffee on my tie on the way over...." Everyone's been there, and acknowledging it is a better strategy than leaving the interviewer with the impression that you didn't know you were wearing spaghetti sauce.

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Asking about benefits, vacation time or salary: What if a car salesman asked to see your credit report before allowing you to test drive the cars? That would be ridiculous, and you'd walk away in disgust. The effect is about the same when a job-seeker asks about benefits or other employee perks during the first interview. Wait until you've won the employer over before beginning that discussion.

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In her article for QuintCareers, Interview Callbacks: Why an Employer May Invite You Back Multiple Times Chandra Prasad quotes Susan Cheng, a manager at a major media entertainment company, on a possible reason for calling a job-seeker back for additional interviewing: "... The candidate was applying for one position, but we liked that person and his qualifications and thought he would fit another," Cheng says. In other words, your interviewer might prefer to place you in a position other than the one you are interviewing for.

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When preparing for a second interview, don't be surprised if the second interview is actually a series of interviews -- in both individual and group/panel formats -- making for a long day. You may interview with managers, senior executives, department heads, and prospective team members. You may also get a tour of the workplace and be taken out to eat. For college students, this second-interview day may represent the first time the student has been interviewed in the employer's workplace. Plan to bring ample copies of your resume for all the people you may be meeting with. Read our article, Mastering the On-Site Interview: A Guide to Company Visits. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur as a job interview is in progress, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: You realize the guy you honked at for cutting you off is your interviewer.

Control: Don't say a word. Pretend it never happened. No good can come from acknowledging this one.

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When preparing for a second interview, try to find out in advance exactly what the agenda will be and whom you can expect to interview with. If you aren't given this information when the interview is set up, contact the assistant of the main person with whom you'll be meeting to see what you can find out. If you see that a workplace tour is not included on the agenda, ask if someone can show you around as time permits. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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Offering tips for fixing problems that occur as a job interview is in progress, Maureen Crawford Hentz has this advice in her article for QuintCareers, Job Interview Damage Control:

Damage: The interviewer seems to hate you (doesn't smile or nod).

Control: Stay calm. Many interviewers like to see how people react under pressure. Is this the best way to test interviewees? Probably not -- but it happens. Ask questions and answer them fully. The most important thing to do is to smile and project confidence. Many times, we unconsciously mirror the facial and nonverbal expressions of the interviewer. It's important to counteract this natural tendency.

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One of the 10 Interview Bloopers that Deb Walker writes about on QuintCareers is:

Verbal ticks: An ill-at-ease candidate seldom makes a good impression. The first signs of nervousness are verbal ticks. We all have them from time to time -- "umm," "like," "you know." Ignore the butterflies in your stomach and put up a front of calm confidence by avoiding verbal ticks. You can also sometimes avoid verbal ticks by pausing for a few seconds to gather your thoughts before each response.

At a second interview, don't forget the cardinal rule of panel interviews: As you respond to a question, maintain eye contact with everyone on the panel -- not just the panelist who asked the question. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

Find even more job interviewing tips in Critical Interviewing Tips: Key Job Interview Advice -- #5.

Check out all of our Quick and Quintessential Job-Search Interviewing Tips.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Tips to Guide Your Job Search and Work Life.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

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Q-Tips: Critical Interviewing Tips Key Job Interview Advice -- #4

These job interviewing related tips -- preparing for job interviews, tips for handling tricky interview questions, and more -- have been gathered from numerous sources throughout Quintessential Careers and organized here for your convenience.

Check out all of our Quick and Quintessential Job-Search Interviewing Tips.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Tips to Guide Your Job Search and Work Life.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

Q-Tips: Critical Interviewing Tips
Key Job Interview Advice -- #4