Office Description

The Office of Professional Development blog is your resource for up to the minute news, advice, and information relating to your career and professional development.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Interviewing Tips: Dos and Don’ts


The OPD staff receives a number of questions throughout the year about appropriate behavior during an interview. Consider the following chart as a quick review before you begin your next interview.

 

Dos and Don’ts

What should you do during the interview?
What shouldn’t you do during the interview?
·         Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact with the interviewer; your expression should be friendly.
·         Establish a rapport with the interviewer and show your enthusiasm and interest in the position during the first three to five minutes of the interview.
·         Be conversational in nature and not purely question and answer session.
·         Laugh when appropriate and smile.
·         Maintain eye contact.
·         Be yourself yet maintain a professional demeanor.
·         Pause and gather your thoughts assuring that your response is sincere and honest, and answers the question.
·         Be pleasant to anyone that greets you.
·         Smile sincerely!
·         Address with Mr. or Ms., unless you are given permission to use their first name. 
·         Ask for business cards.
·         Keep your answers brief (between 30 to 90 seconds) except when answering a behavior-based question.
·         Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question.
·         Take notes about information you want to retain or ask additional questions about later in the interview.
·         Ask meaningful questions to demonstrate your interest in the position.
·         Leave your phone on or check your phone for messages during the interview.
·         Interrupt the interviewer.
·         Speak too loudly, softly or quickly.
·         Use clichés, slang or improper English such as "uumms" and "Ya know what I mean" statements.
·         Fidget.
·         Play with hair, jewelry, or clothing.
·         Bite your nails.
·         Take control of the interview.
·         Overuse hand and nervous gestures.
·         Go off on tangents.
·         Chew gum.
·         Come unprepared.
·         Act cocky.
·         Ask about salary.
·         BE LATE!
·         Avoid eye contact or appear disengaged from the discussion.
·         Bad mouth past employers or experiences.
·         Exaggerate your experience or connections.
·         Neglect to ask any questions, especially when prompted by the interviewer at the end of the meeting.

No comments:

Post a Comment