Critical Interviewing Tips: Key Job Interview Advice -- #5

Q-Tips: Critical Interviewing Tips
Key Job Interview Advice -- #5

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.

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 spill something.

Control: Good manners prevail here. Apologize, clean up (the interviewer as host should really offer to do it for you) and move on.

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

Not enough/too much eye contact: Either situation can create a negative effect. Avoid eye contact and you'll seem shifty, untruthful, or disnterested; offer too much eye contact, and you'll wear the interviewer out. If you sometimes have trouble with eye-contact balance, work this issue out ahead of time in an interview practice session with a friend.

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At a second interview, be aware of business dining etiquette if you are asked to dine with representatives of the prospective employer. Check out our Job-Hunting & Business Etiquette Resources. And 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 flub an answer.

Control: Start again. Say "Well, that wasn't a good answer at all. What I should have said/meant to say was..."

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

Failure to match communication styles: It's almost impossible to make a good first impression if you can't communicate effectively with an interviewer. But you can easily change that situation by mirroring the way the interviewer treats you. For instance:

If the interviewer seems all business, don't attempt to loosen him/her up with a joke or story. Be succinct and businesslike
If the interviewer is personable, try discussing his/her interests. Often the items on display in the office can offer a clue.
If asked a direct question, answer directly. Then follow up by asking if more information is needed.

Allowing the interviewer to set the tone of conversation can vastly improve your chances of making a favorable impression. You can put the interviewer at ease -- and make yourself seem more like him or her -- by mirroring his or her communication style.

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To prepare for a second interview, get a good night's sleep the night before this potentially grueling day. Also look for opportunities to refresh yourself during the interview day. If there's a break in the action, splash some water on your face or take a brisk walk to rejuvenate. You might want to take along a pocket- or purse-sized snack in case there is no lunch break. Breath spray or a mini-bottle of mouthwash is also not a bad idea. Be careful not to run out of steam toward the end of the day. Maintain your energy, confidence, and enthusiasm. 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: It becomes clear that you are totally unqualified for the job

Control: Answer the questions to the best of your ability. Although possible, it is rare that a completely unqualified person is called into an interview. The interview team may have seen something in your application that was intriguing. Don't waste your time with negative self-talk. Concentrate on selling your skills and experience. If you're convinced after the interview that the job is not a good fit, mention in your thank-you letter that you'd like to be considered for other positions.

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Just as a strong resume wins you an opportunity to interview, strong interview skills will win you consideration for the job, writes Deb Walker in her article for QuintCareers, Avoid These 10 Interview Bloopers. You already know that you won't earn an interview unless your resume sets you apart as a candidate of choice. Similarly, you should know that polishing your interview skills can mean the difference between getting the job offer -- and being a runner-up.

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To prepare for a second interview, don't slack off with your interview attire. A second interview generally doesn't denote a more casual interview. The former Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) had a protocol for the three on-campus interviews it conducted with college students that called for skirted suits for women for the first two interviews. Female candidates were permitted to wear pantsuits to the third interview. Check with company insiders to see what attire is expected for each interview. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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Asking "When do I start?" is about as aggressive as you can get at the close of the interview, notes interview expert Carole Martin in her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview. It may knock the interviewer for a loop, and might appear to be overly aggressive, but some people think of it as "closing the sale." And for some people it has worked. For others, this approach may not be comfortable or have a negative same effect. Whether you are aggressive, passive and polite, or somewhere in between, will depend on your personality, the interview situation, and the job for which you are applying.

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At a second interview, don't neglect to talk to other people beyond those you are interviewing with. Chatting up -- not too excessively -- the receptionist and prospective co-workers serves the dual purpose of giving you a better feel for how much you'd like to be part of this workplace culture, as well as making a positive impression on as many people as possible. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview, interview expert Carole Martin offers this tip for closing the interview:

Leave your interviewer with the right picture of you. Think of at least five skills or traits you want remembered after the interview. Choose something "concrete." When you answer with, "I have great communication skills, and I am a hard worker," you will not stand out.

Example: "I have two skills that are distinctly different but that define my personality. I am a very good pianist and an excellent 'computer guy.' I'm known for my love of keyboards."

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At a second interview, expect to be asked some of the same questions you were asked in the first interview, but some new ones as well. Second-interview questions may delve more into your personality, or they may be more targeted toward specific technical skills -- or both. Plan to keep your responses fresh yet consistent for each person you meet with during the second-interview, and don't worry about repeating yourself since you will likely have a different audience every time you give roughly the same response. If you've followed the advice above to obtain the full list of interviewers, a good way to keep your answers fresh is to try to find out something about each interviewer and tailor your response specifically to that person. You can also vary your delivery to freshen your responses. Interviewing expert Carole Martin suggests that a good way for the interviewer to get to know about your personality is through the quotes of others; for example, tell the interviewer what your boss would say about you if asked. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview, interview expert Carole Martin offers this tip for closing the interview

Ask if there is anything else you can provide. Examples include references, transcripts, background information, and samples.

Example: "Is there any other information that I can provide that would convince you that I am the right person for this job?"

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At a second interview, expect behavioral questions, which are commonly asked in second interviews, even if they haven't been in asked in the first job interview. See our article, Behavioral Interviewing Strategies. Watch out also for off-the-wall questions. Prepare for those with our article, Don't Get Stumped by Off-the-Wall Job Interview Questions. The second interview is also a likely venue for case questions, especially in consulting firms. See our article, Mastering the Case Interview for how to handle this genre. And learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview, interview expert Carole Martin offers this tip for closing the job interview:

State your interest in the position. Sound interested and tell what added value you can bring to the job.

Example: "From what you have been telling me about this position, and from what I know about your company, I know that I have the right mix of experience and education to bring value to this position. Based on past experiences I can 'ramp up' quickly and be on board with projects within the first few weeks."

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At a second interview, listen for clues that get at the heart of what the employer seeks in the person hired for this position and key into the needs, concerns, issues, and problems that you would be expected to handle. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview, interview expert Carole Martin offers this tip for closing the interview:

Ask about the next step in the process. It's important for you to know the next step for follow up. Ask for the decision date, if possible.

Example: "I'm interested in knowing what the next step in the process is and when you will be making a decision so I can follow up."

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In getting ready for a second interview, prepare for as many kinds of questions as possible. You've already interviewed with this employer, but it wouldn't hurt to do a mock interview with a friend, family member, or career counselor/coach to prepare for the second interview. You may also want to prep with our Practice Interviews.

Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview, interview expert Carole Martin offers this tip for closing the interview:

Find out how to contact the interviewer. If you don't hear back, you will need to know whom to contact and whether the employer will accept calls to check the status.

Example: "I'd like to stay in touch and follow up with you in a week or two to see how the process is going and where I stand. How do you prefer that I communicate with you -- email or phone?"

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At a second interview, don't be shocked if some of the people you meet with aren't very competent interviewers. While managers trained in interviewing often conduct first interviewers, the array of people who might talk with you during the second-interview experience may include people lacking skills and training in how to conduct an interview. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In a second interview, ask about the next step in the process if you don't receive an offer. How soon will a decision be made, and how will they let you know? Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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At a second interview, be prepared with lots of questions to ask. You will likely have more opportunity to ask questions in the second interview and will be expected to make more sophisticated inquiries than you did in the first interview. Although these questions are designed for informational interviews, many of them also work in a second-interview situation in which you are attempting to make a personal connection. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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The Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD, cites four parts to a successful interview:

First, research on the company and type of interview style expected. The more you can learn about the company and what to expect in the interview, the better prepared you will be -- which should make you appear more relaxed and confident. Don't memorize your responses, but do be prepared to showcase your accomplishments.

Second, the dress and non-verbals. First impressions are critical in interviews, and you must appear dressed to fit the part, along with a warm smile, firm handshake, and good eye contact. Posture is also important, as is all your body language. And remember that impressions also matter with receptionists and support staff, so always be polite and appreciative of everyone you come into contact.

Third, the interview itself. You must be prepared with stories (answers) for all the common interview questions -- and you must have questions prepared for the interviewer. You must also ALWAYS keep in mind that a job interview is a sales call, where you are doing your best to convince the employer you are the ONLY candidate for the job. It's this area where you definitely seem to be having problems. There is a fine line at times, but you must be aggressive in a job interview; being passive is often (mis)interpreted as disinterest. Always close an interview asking about next steps -- and the timing of those next steps. And I recommend, if the interview went extremely well, to even ask for the job. Read more in this article published on Quintessential Careers: Closing the Interview.

Fourth, follow-up. Your job is not done as you walk out of the interview. You still need to write a thank you note and you need to follow-up with the employer to show your continued interest in the job. Again, there is a line between not calling enough and calling too often. Use your judgment. If you choose to not do these things, again, the employer may decide you are no longer interested in the position.

And don't forget that we have a vast number of interviewing resources in this section of Quintessential Careers: Guide to Job Interviewing Resources

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In preparing for a second interview, get a feel for what second interviews are like. The University of Kent in the UK offers write-ups that describe second and subsequent interviews at numerous major, international companies. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In a second interview, don't be caught off guard if an interviewer raises the subject of salary and benefits. Be prepared to negotiate. Arm yourself by visiting our Salary Negotiation and Job Offer Tools and Resources, especially our Salary Negotiation and Job Offer Tutorial. You may also be asked about your willingness to travel and relocate, so be ready with your responses. Learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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In a second interview, remember that most of the guidelines that apply to first interviews also relate to second interviews. Consult our Guide to Job Interviewing Resources. And learn more in our article, Do's and Don'ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews.

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Closing the sale is important, notes interview expert Carole Martin in her article for QuintCareers, Closing the Job Interview, but your closing should be tailored to the position; your personality and interviewing style, and the interviewer. Keeping these things in mind will help you determine which closing is appropriate for you and the situation.

Find even more job interviewing tips in Critical Interviewing Tips: Key Job Interview Advice -- #6.

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

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Q-Tips: Critical Interviewing Tips Key Job Interview Advice -- #5

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 -- #5