Interview Tips

Winning at the interview

DON'TS

• Don't limit time you have for the job interview. You should be prepared if the interviewer ask you to stay and start the job immediately. For example, if you have children, leave them with a babysitter. If you have a ride waiting, ask the person to stay in the car. If you have someone along for moral support, leave them at the entrance to the building where you are being interviewed.

• Don't be late. Arrive a few minutes early because being late may be viewed as an indication of your bad work habits. Many employers eliminate applicants because they arrive late for an interview.

• Don't smoke. Even id it is offered. Some employers like to use this as a test.

• Don't bring everything to the interview! Bring only the paperwork needed to support you during this first interview, unless of course, you were asked to provide additional material.

• Don't smile to much. It may look like you are not taking the interview seriously.

• Don't be a name dropper. What happens if the name that you drop is a person not admired by the interviewer? In fact, if the person whose name you are using to 'influence' the interviewer is disliked by the interviewer for some reason, you may lost the job.

• Don't tell jokes or comment on people in the office. You don't know the interviewer's background or social, religious or political beliefs and you could easily cause some very uncomfortable feelings by making off-color jokes or comments as an attempt to break the ice. Keep to safe topics, such as the weather or sports.

• Don't use negative body language. Crossing your arms or legs, glancing around the room or sliding down in the chair tells the interviewer that you are not interested in the subject - the job. This may result in the interviewer loosing interest in you.

• Don't break the silence. The silent treatment is used by some interviewers to draw out information without actually asking any question. In many cases, this technique is used when the interviewer is collecting negative information. It is advisable to answer a question to the best of your ability and then stop talking and leave it up to the interviewer to continue.

• Don't ask questions that are not directly relevant to the job for which you are applying. Questions such as the color of paint in the office, the length of the coffee breaks and the size of the work station should not be asked during the first interview. These kind of questions may indicate to the interviewer that you are more concerned with the 'benefits' of the job rather actually working for the company.

• Don't be nervous. This is easy to say, but sometimes difficult to achieve. Don't worry if you do get nervous, everyone gets nervous sometimes - even the interviewer. A good interviewer will understand it and will put you at ease.

Check also the job interview do's in job interview tips.

Job Interview Tips

If you received an invitation to a job interview, you may look at a typical job interview questions, techniques and other job skills.

Find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

On an international job interview page you will find useful info on how to behave on and dress for an interview in many countries.

Follow up the job interview with a thank you letter. Employers regard this as an indication of your final interest in the position.

Good luck with interview tips.