Interview Techniques
 

I've got a job interview tomorrow. What should I do (or not do)?

I've never had a job interview before, and therefore wish to have at least some sort of knowledge so I don't panic and spend all night awake crapping my pants. (Not literally.)

Thank you.

Try to be yourself. If you can approach it as not just them checking you out but you having a look at them also, it can help with the nerves.

You're going to take a good look at this company to see if you really want to work for them... and they're probably going to want to ask you a few questions while you're there.

It's a two-way thing. You have to remember that.

When I interview someone....there are three things (generally) I look for:

1)Comfortable personality....relaxed, some humor, team oriented

2)Intellect....articulate, and thoughtful, capable of communicating thoughts well

3)Nerves....generally someone who is fidgety, or obviously nervous, is going to be a problem in the future


Above all....the individual needs to set an impression of confidence, or they go into the "Round" file

Absolutely ask questions of the interviewer, it's how you show you are interested - and NOT about salary and benefits... ask about the position, career path, etc.

Research the company and make sure you know what it is that they do... and ask questions about that.

There are a bunch of threads here already on job searching and interviewing techniques (I know I've replied to them) do a search and you should return a lot of h elpful info

Ditto what was said. Be calm and confident, but not cocky. Ask questions of the interviewer, it shows that you are interested and paying attention. Maybe take a few notes, but not so many that you aren't paying attention. And again, confidence. Look them in the eye, shake their hand firmly.

This thread has a ton of good advice in it...

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=55663


Heh -- reading back thru that thread - I had completely blocked my old friend Jymmi from my head..

Thank you and especially thanks for that link. :)

some tips... (may be some duplicates from the link)

1: Don't tell the story about the time you refused to follow a direct request from the boss, no matter how "in the right" you were to refuse. I just interviewed a candidate who told this great story so show his "customer service" attitude, but unfortunatly all the boss heard was..."blah blah blah - refused to obey - blah blah blah"

2: Confidence is good, cockiness not so much.

3: Try to use real work place examples to show your strengths.