Tips

When you are called for an interview from your potential employer for your next job, here are some important DO’s and DON’Ts to remember during the interview process.

Do:

• Be in your best attire and make it appropriate for the industry. Look good and feel good.
• Know the exact time and where your interview location is as well as where to park if you are driving there.
• Be early for the interview.  Arrive at the location 15 minutes prior to the interview.
• Be courteous and respectful to every person you encounter at the interview location. Their opinion may be solicited in hiring process.
• Offer a handshake, make eye contact and have a friendly facial expression when you are greeted by the interviewer.
• Listen so you will clearly hear the interviewer’s name and the correct pronunciation.
• Be polite. Always call your interviewer by Miss or Mister and then their surname.  Ma’am or Sir are also acceptable.
• Maintain good eye contact with your interviewer.
• Sit still and erect.
• Be attentive. Respond with your answers and if possible, have a back up statement and specific examples.
• Ask for clarifications if you didn’t understand the question or statements.
• Answer with thoroughness and be concise with your words.
• Be honest and just be yourself.
• Treat the interview seriously one, that you are really interested to the opportunity.
• Explore positivity; act like you really want to work with them as soon as possible.
• Ask relevant intelligent questions with regards to the company or employment during the interview.
• Always expect that you will be treated appropriately. If you believe that you were treated inappropriately or asked questions that made you uncomfortable, discuss this with a career service advisor or the director.
• Know what action you are expected to take next after the interview.
• Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact to the interviewer after he concludes the interview.
• Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to interview for the position.
• Promptly write a thank you letter to your interviewer.

Don’t:

• Don’t make excuses. Be responsible enough to your every decisions and actions.
• Don’t make negative comments about your previous employer.
• Don’t provide false information on your application materials or give false answers to the interviewer’s questions.
• Don’t treat the interview as a casual event. This will be an insult to the interviewer.
• Don’t give the impression of interest because of the organization’s geographic location.
• Don’t ask about salary issues until it is brought up by the interviewer.
• Don’t act as you want any kind of job and looks like desperate for employment.
• Don’t make the interviewer look like a career advisor, and will try to guess what type of work you are interested.
• Don’t be unprepared for typical interview questions. Anticipate what the interviewer will ask and have answers ready.
• Don’t exhibit frustrations or any negative attitudes during interview.
• Don’t slouch and don’t sit rigidly on the edge of your chair. Sit comfortably and still.
• Don’t chew gum or smell like smoke.
• Don’t take a call during an interview, turn it off or in silent mode during the interview.

Now prepare yourself and give your best shot at your interview and have all the good vibes for your next job.