Interviewing Tips

08-01-2008 09:03:08

• Be positive. Always frame your answers in a positive light – turn weaknesses into strengths and negatives into positives. In an interview, you are your own press agent.
• Be honest. Evasiveness and falsehoods do not help you in interviews.
• Be prepared. Know what the company does, their industry position, where your job would fit in the organization, what questions they're likely to ask, and what your answers will be.
• Be positive. Always frame your answers in a positive light – turn weaknesses into strengths and negatives into positives. In an interview, you are your own press agent.
• Be honest. Evasiveness and falsehoods do not help you in interviews.
• Be prepared. Know what the company does, their industry position, where your job would fit in the organization, what questions they're likely to ask, and what your answers will be.
• Know what you want to achieve. Be able to articulate what you want to do in your career and how those goals fit in with the company's mission.
• Ask the interviewer questions. Failing to ask questions demonstrates a lack of interest in the company and the position.
• Be able to explain why you've made the decisions you have – why you chose your school, why you chose your major, and why you left a previous position.
• Project a positive image. Poor non-verbal communication can really hurt your chances, so don't slouch, have a strong handshake, speak clearly, and don't fidget.