How To Be More Successful in Job Interviews
 

What does it take to have a successful job interview?
08/06/2002 09:12 AM EDT


by William Fulton
Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com

A successful interview should include fundamental preparation, accomplishing specific objectives and effectively handling tough questions. In this two part article I will discuss preparation and objectives in the 1st and objectives and questions in the 2nd.

Fundamental suggestions that can have a major impact on the interview:

1. Wear dark suit: Navy, Gray, Black

2. Wear newly cleaned/ pressed clothes

3. Shine shoes

4. For women: Have an extra pair of stockings.

5. Minimize jewelry

6. Bring reading material

7. Avoid Monday/Friday appointments

8. Arrive 15 Minutes early

9. Decline refreshments during interview

10. Accept lunch invitations. (Part of your responsibility may include entertaining clients. The employer will definitely want to know how you represent.)

Some additional advice:

HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST
You must outshine the competition. The interview is your opportunity to show why and how you will make the greatest contribution to this organization. Present your strengths and assets clearly. You are the ideal candidate and you have to prove it. If you get the opportunity for a follow up interview, you must convey how well you fit into the organization.

INTEGRATE BODY LANGUAGE AND VERBAL RESPONSES
Your body language, the tone of your voice and how you say things should all convey the same message – you are the ideal candidate for the job. You belong to the same club. Everyone feels a bond or alliance to people in the same school, town, nationality, favorite team, etc. You must get the interviewer to see that you are in the same club. This provides a tremendous incentive to hire you.

ENTHUSIASM
You can do everything right, but if you lack enthusiasm and it appears you’re not interested, your interviewer will not be convinced that you could be an energetic contributor to his/her company. Your entusiasm also helps convey a certain level of excitment you have about the available position. You can show your enthusiasm by avoiding a monotone in your voice, sitting up straight in your chair and sharing short, but inciteful stories about your experience.

Fulton is author of “60 Minutes to Your Next Job”.

Re: How To Be More Successful in Job Interviews
 

Gotta disagree with these 2...

Number 1 is a given for men...save the lime green suits with matching gators for your Passah's Anniversary ;), but I think men can be a little more daring with their tie and or socks. It makes you stand out a bit. I also think it is o.k. for women to wear bolder suit colors, especially if the cut is conservative.

Sorry, if I am going to do a series of interviews (3 - 4 over several hours), I always say yes to water. A sister's tho'te (say it like I spelled it) gets dry!! :D I only drink between the interviews though.

Another suggestion...please, please research the company. I work for a small company that no one out side of our very small niche industry has heard of. If you go to our website, however, you can find a wealth of information about our company. It really galls me when people come to an interview and ask to tell me about the company! Dang, take 5 minutes to find out what the company does. What if I say we boil babies to make soap and that all employees have to use our product? Still wanna work here??

Rant from HR......:D