10 Tips to Ace Your Interview (Part 2)
Interview preparation is not what it used to be!
This article is the continuation of our two-parter covering quick and dirty tips for acing your interview. You’ll want to be sure to read part one on Interviewing Job Tips before you read this one.
Interviewing Tip #6: Smile
Remaining upbeat and happy can be big hurdle for job seekers. This may sound strange, but research by social psychologist, Robert Zajonc, showed that smiling for at least 30 seconds brings about physiological changes that reliably lift your mood. It’s the opposite of what you’d think, the act of smiling makes you feel better, it’s not necessarily that you feel good and then smile.
So, find a photo that makes you smile. Put it on your desktop, put it on your phone, print it and put it in your wallet. Use your “happy photo” to smile for a few times a day. You’ll feel better. Really.
For a few years now, I have been using an adorable shot of my twins. Just thinking about the picture makes me feel good.
Use your “happy photo” during phone interviews and while you’re waiting in the lobby for an in-person interview. Maybe even use it along with a mirror and re-record your voice message so that it’s upbeat too. You may be surprised at how much this can really help.
Interviewing Tip #7: Be Prepared for the Tough Questions
Most interviews start with “Tell me about yourself” or “Walk me through your resume.” This traditional question is meant to be an easy icebreaker, but many people struggle with it. Your response should be no longer than three minutes and should include your “ex” factors. That’s “e-x” for experience, expertise, and excellence.
First, you provide a high-level summary of your most relevant work history and education. Then give a summary of specific past achievements that are related to the needs of this organization. And finally, wrap up by describing skills or traits that make you who you are.
Here’s a brief example, “I’ve been a help desk manager for five years and I’m also a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. I have a strong track record of retaining top quality employees and in fact, I reduced turnover by 10% in my last two positions. I thrive in the fast pace of the help desk environment and enjoy the challenge of effectively communicating to both non-technical and technical people.”
Notice how the “ex” factors, (again that’s your experience, expertise, and excellence) together make up your unique selling proposition and that’s great way to start or end your interview.
Interviewing Tip #8: Tell Me About a Time When…
In addition to traditional questions, you might hear questions like: “Tell me about a time you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone,” or “Give me a specific example of how you deal with conflict.” The premise behind behavioral questions is that past performance is the best predictor of future performance.
The response to this type of question requires you to describe three things: a specific situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. The more detailed, specific and honest you are, the more successful you’ll be.
It would be very difficult to prepare for every possibility. Instead, review the job description for desired characteristics or also think about characteristics that would be desirable for that organization or for that position in general. Then from your experience, prepare and practice example stories that could be adapted to several different characteristics. Finally, it’s important to practice telling the stories concisely. That’s where many people go wrong.
Interviewing Tip #9: Make a Good First Impression
Let’s face it, we are all judged by our appearance. Critical first impressions are formed quickly (some say in the blink of an eye, while others say in the first few seconds or minutes). Of course, interview first impressions are critical and by the way, are very difficult to reverse.
Before your interview have a trusted colleague give you honest feedback on your handshake. If you’ve never been trained, there’s a pretty good chance you’re doing it wrong (and no one has ever told you).
In the US, to convey confidence and professionalism your handshake needs to be firm (but not crushing) and full-handed. Different countries have slightly different standards so if you are not interviewing in your home country be sure you get honest feedback from a native.
At the interview, wear well-fitting, wrinkle-free, professional attire. It’s a safe bet to wear something somewhat dressier than what the employees wear to work. Be sure you have excellent posture and your smile is genuine. Wait a moment and let the interviewer initiate the shake. Pay close attention to his or her name. Finally, your first words should be respectful and thankful. Something like, “Maria, thanks for scheduling this interview.”
Interviewing Tip #10: Show Confidence
Your body language impacts how others perceive you. When you walk down the hallway keep your shoulders back, your chest out and your stomach in. Oh, and walk a little faster. Good posture and slightly faster walking communicates self-confidence.
Once you sit down, don’t forget the advice from you grandmother when she told you to sit up straight, this communicates confidence too. Direct eye contact shows interest in someone and also communicates trustworthiness. Crossed arms, foot tapping, fidgeting, or doodling on paper should be avoided because they communicate boredom. Of course, remember to smile and be you, after all, everyone else is already taken.
That’s it, ten quick and dirty tips to help you ace your job interview. Good luck and be sure to tell us how it went.
Next week, we’ll put some of these tips to work by discussing how to navigate a job fair.
If you have a question, send email to publicspeaker@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. For information about keynote speeches or workshops visit lisabmarshall.com.
Interview image courtesy of Shutterstock
If you want to learn more about effectively answering interview questions, along with a process that will guarantee you success in the interview, I recommend picking up a copy of Ace Your Interview. This interview book is like no other. This is the best investment you can make in your career. You can listen to an audio sample here.
About the Author
Lisa B. Marshall Lisa holds masters with duel degrees in interpersonal/intercultural communication and organizational communication. She’s the author of Smart Talk: The Public Speaker’s Guide to Success in Every Situation, as well as Ace Your Interview, Powerful Presenter, and Expert Presenter. Her work has been featured in CBS Money Watch, Ragan.com, Woman’s Day, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and many others. Her institutional clients include Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard University, NY Academy of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Genentech, and Roche.
