10 JOB INTERVIEWING DOs & DONTs

1. DO BRING A COPY OF YOUR CV- bring a file folder with a few copies of your CV and few blank pieces of paper to take notes on. Bring a pen with you as well.
2. DO BE PUNCTUAL- Give yourself plenty of time. Plan on arriving 20 minutes early for your interview. This will give you time if you should get lost, run into traffic, or something else. If you get to your interview early wait outside in your car or another location till 5 minutes before your interview time.  Enter the building a few minutes early to meet the receptionist and get signed in. This should put you EXACTLY on time when the receptionist calls your interviewer to let them know you are there.
3. DO BE WELL GROOMED- Shower and shave the morning of the interview. DON’T wear any cologne or after shave. (some people are allergic to these odors.) Get a hair cut the day before if needed.
4. DON’T OVERDRESS- You should dress like you would be going to work, on your best day. Your interviewer will be dressed in everyday clothes that they wear on the job. You should not overdress as you will not look like you fit in. You want to fit in.
5. DON’T UNDERDRESS- Again, dress like you are going to work at that company. Do not wear sneakers. Business casual should be fine. I like to buy new slacks and a shirt when I want to look good. I hate ironing so this way I know I will look good. Shine your shoes if they need it.
6. DO REVIEW- Review the company history, products and people on their website the night before. You should feel pretty comfortable with this so that if you are asked something about the company’s business you will be prepared. Remember that they want someone who wants to work for THEM and not just a job.
7. DO BE PREPARED- Be prepared to ask a few questions about the company and the work that you would be doing.
8. DON’T ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT SALARY- Your interview is not the time to talk about money. Once they WANT YOU, then we can negotiate your salary.
9. DO BE CHARMING- You want to be enthusiastic, interested in the company and the position. Dale Carnegie, the author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” wrote in his work that to be charming is to get the other person to talk about themselves. This is a simple principle that works every time it’s tried. You can do this very easily by asking the interviewer a few questions about how they see their job or their history with the company. AND THEN LISTEN. Let them talk as much as they like.
10. DO SMILE- Try to not be so tense or ridged as to not smile. Relax. If you are feeling tense, that would be a good time to ask a question of the interviewer about themselves.