Interviewing 101

According to a recent poll by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, many executives said they form an opinion about hiring a candidate within 10 minutes, despite spending nearly an hour in the interview itself.

Experts recommend the following tips to make the best impression during the opening minutes of a job interview.

Before the Interview

1. Ask someone close to you to assess you for body language, appearance and overall demeanor, Maybe you don't realize that you twirl your hair on your finger when you're nervous or that you lick your lips or forget to smile.
2. Dress the way the boss or interviewer would dress. Any dressier makes you look like you're trying too hard or are out of sync with that workplace's culture. To find out what the boss wears, simply ask the person who contacted you to schedule your interview.
3. Get to the interview location early. Sit in your car and mentally visualize or 'rehearse' how you'll greet the interviewer. Envision yourself making a good impression, and chances are you will.
4. Do your homework. Research the company, and learn about its products and services. Read the job description very carefully and know specifically what you have to offer. Interviewers will quickly write off a candidate as lazy when they don't have basic and easily available information.

During the Interview

1. Convey enthusiasm. If the interviewer asks how you are, reply, “I'm doing well and really looking forward to learning about the job and the company.” Never tell the interviewer you feel nervous.
2. Ask a wise question early in the interview. That shows your intelligence and self-confidence in being willing to ask questions early. It also essentially gives you the answer to the test -- it tells you what to stress in the rest of the interview.
3. Tell a problem-solution story. Look for an opportunity in the first few minutes to tell a three-part story – discuss a problem you faced, how you approached it, and the positive resolution.
4. Stick to basic etiquette rules, like sit up straight, don't fidget, smile politely, and speak when spoken to.  Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking that just because the interviewer is informal, you can follow suit. Remember that they're in their own environment, and you are a guest.

After the Interview

ALWAYS send a thank you note. Thank you letters are often an untapped resource for selling yourself to a potential employer. After getting home, you synthesized what you learned into a further evolution of your argument for why they should hire you. Your ability to hear, understand, and integrate what you were told at the interview into more ideas for why YOU are the right candidate for the job is evidence in action.