Interviewing

Happy Monday blog-world. I always like to say that mornings are a chance to make the day great. But Monday mornings are double special because not only do you get a new opportunity to make the day great, you get a fresh start at a new week! Use your Monday mornings to start off your week right and make this week even better than last week! Hard work and persistence reap great rewards.

So I wanted to use today’s blog to highlight some Do’s and Don’ts of interviewing. Any of us that have been out there looking for a job has sat through at least one interview. Some of us a lot more than that! But, how do you know what your interviewer is looking for when you walk through those doors? Whether it is a new job at McDonald’s or an Executive position downtown….interviews are the most important step to landing that job that you really want. After doing some extensive research as to what future employers are looking for and pulling from my own past experience, I have compiled a list of some important Do’s and Don’ts to follow the next time you get that big interview.

DON’T: Think that it is ok to show up late. The interviewer generally will not wait for you and if they do, they already have a preconceived assessment of how they think you will perform the job that is available. If you can’t show up on time for a simple interview, why would you show up on time to work every day?

DO:  Plan ahead. 9 times out of 10 you will run into either construction traffic, rush hour traffic, a detour, a wrong turn, no parking, ect. We’ve all had those times when we plan our drive down to the minute, knowing exactly where we are going and what time we will be walking through that front door for our interview, and then something unexpected happens. And it won’t happen on a day that we have nowhere to be and nothing to do. It will happen on a day when we have that very important first interview that could make or break our next big job opportunity.  You should always plan extra travel time “just in case” and make sure to give yourself plenty of time to park and focus before walking in the door. You should be walking in 5 minutes before your interview is to start and be ready to land that job!

DON’T:  Give little to no thought about how you dress. As a rule I have always heard to not dress for the position you are applying for, but dress for the position above that. Walking into an interview in jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt should never be an option, no matter what the job is. If you are interviewing for a job digging ditches, dress for the position that is ABOVE the guy digging ditches. And that guy probably wouldn’t wear flip-flops and shorts to an interview.

DO: “Dress for success” I know it sounds cliché. But trust me, interviewers are looking at you as you walk through the door and taking down mental notes. If you feel a bit over dressed, you are probably dressed appropriately. Now, don’t get me wrong, you CAN over dress. However, it is better to be over dressed than under. Never be afraid to put that extra touch on your interview outfit. A necktie might not always be needed where you are applying, but at least the employer will see that you are serious about the position you are applying for. Ladies, be careful not to go overboard on the makeup and hairspray. Also, limit the jewelry.  Yes, you want to look nice, but you don’t want to come across as trying TOO hard. You want to present yourself with confidence, not desperation.

DON’T: Stretch the truth. If there is one thing that will ensure that you do not get a call back, it is lying to an interviewer. If you feel the need to embellish on your skills or experience, just stop yourself. Though it may be true that you do not have the necessary experience for the job you are applying, lying about those skills will only make things worse should you get hired. Most employers do check up on your references and will find out if you are adding to the story of how experienced you are in a certain field. And if you do happen to squeak by, once you are at your new job and it becomes clear that you lied about your level of knowledge regarding something you have been assigned to do, don’t be surprised when the boss decides you “just aren’t working out”. Lying is never a good idea, especially when your future job depends on telling the truth.

DO: Be detailed about what experience you DO have. You don’t need to stretch the truth to make yourself look good. It goes a long way with interviewers if you can be clear and concise with your past work experience. And if you lack a certain amount of experience that they are looking for, they will let you know and you can move forward knowing what kind of training you need to get next. Lying might land you the job at first, but it will cost you the job when it is found out. Better to be able to come back to the table with more experience and skills than to be fired and not able to reapply at a later time.

DON’T: Forget to send a thank you note. After the interview is over and you’ve shook hands again and walked out to your car, take time to write down a reminder to yourself. “Hand written thank you note!” Sure you could send an email, make a phone call to check in, but nothing will grab your future employers attention like a hand written, personally addressed thank you note that comes in the mail. Be sure to send it out within 24 hours of having your interview. If the decision about the position is being made very quickly you may want to drop it back by the front desk and ask it to be sent to the person you interviewed with. If you have about a week before a decision will be made, drop it in the mail right away. Take the time to jot down a couple lines thanking the interviewer for their time and reminding them a little bit about your strengths. Sign and mail. Typed letters and emails seem much less personal and the interviewer will appreciate that you took the time to send them a note thanking them.

And lastly, DO be available! Answer your phone when they call, check emails often if they have indicated that is how you will be contacted, and be ready to start when you’ve told them you can. If they contact you to let you know that they have filled the position with someone else, be gracious and ask that they keep you in mind should something else open up. Thank them again for their time. Being rude or leaving a bad taste in their mouth will guarantee only that you do not get another interview or call should something else become available. Keep your chin up, something will come along!

Hopefully the tips I have provided can help in some way with your next interview. As always, I encourage any comments or questions you may have!
Once again, make today great!!
Casey Louks