10 Steps to a Successful Interview

Remember you are selling an Overall Package: "Yourself". In order to be successful, you need to know "Who You Are," "What Skill Sets Are Important," and "Why a Company should hire you." Put together what we call a two-minute talk about yourself so it is fresh for the interview. You will want to relay this information to the Interviewer smoothly and concisely.

Step 1: Be Prepared

Interview preparation is one of the most important aspects of a successful job search. Before each interview, Terry L'Ange will provide you with coaching and detailed information on the company and the available position. However, you should also be prepared to:

• Conduct your own research on the company. Utilize the Internet, get the URL of the company and study them.

• Think over your accomplishments, skills and experience and how they will benefit the company. Write these down, make some notes, and know what you want to say.

• Be able to explain your past career moves and why you are interested in making another change. Make sure your career-move explanations show foresight and planning.

• Avoid making negative remarks about your previous job(s) or manager(s). This will only hurt your chances of getting hired. Don't be bitter. Be professional.

Step 2: Make a Good First Impression

Our research shows that initial impressions are made within the first minute of an employment interview. You can make a positive first impression if you:

• Bring a fresh copy of your resumé.

• Start the interview with good eye contact and maintain it throughout the interview. Eye contact is key. 

• Wear professional business attire, preferably a dark blue or black suit with understated ties, jewelry and make up.

• Make sure your clothing is meticulously clean and color coordinated. Shoes should be polished.

• Create a more polished appearance by being well groomed with neat hair and nails (go ahead and treat yourself to a haircut or a manicure before the interview).

• Make sure you have a firm handshake.

Step 3: Be Enthusiastic and Confident in Your Abilities

Being enthusiastic about your work, the company, and its projects shows the interviewer that you are a viable candidate. During the interview:

• Be confident about your abilities but not egotistical. The "I can do everything" approach will not score you any points.

• Don't be afraid to give detailed information about what you can do when responding to questions. Make sure you answer with more than just a yes or no. Respond to a question with information from your personal experiences.

• Whenever possible, anticipate questions and be forthcoming with answers. Some examples of this are:

Q: Tell me about yourself?
A: This is a very open-ended question so try and find out what the interviewer wants to discuss, then touch upon points that emphasize your background. This should include interests, hobbies, and the kind of work you enjoy. Keep it 2 minutes max. If you are prepared you will be able to do this smoothly and concisely.

Q: What kind of work are you looking for?
A: You are looking for precisely the kind of work the employer is offering (but don't say that if it isn't true). Repeat back in your own words what the employer has mentioned. If the employer hasn't described the job at all, say, "I'd be happy to answer that, but first I need to understand your requirements."

Q: Can you explain your job history?
A: Make sure you have logical business reasons why you left your companies (more $$ doesn't cut it). Ideally the answer should be to advance your skills or position. When you claim a skill, back it up with on-the-job examples and be persuasive.

Step 4: Emphasize Your Strengths

Almost every interview follows a basic pattern with the person conducting the interview trying to determine your strengths and weaknesses. You'll want to:

• Talk about your strengths in terms of teamwork and projects you are proud to have worked on.

• You should project strength of character and a strong work ethic (i.e.: goal oriented, flexible, committed, persistent, self-motivated, ambitious, hardworking, finish projects on time and on budget, good listener, dedicated, intelligent, multi-tasking, work-well under pressure).

• Address the interviewer's chief concerns (i.e.: if a HR Manager conducts the interview you might want to emphasize your interpersonal skills. On the other hand, if you are interviewed by a Technical Manager you might want to emphasize your technical skills.)

Step 5: Emphasize Your Skills

Employers look for people who know their own limitations and are interested in self-improvement. Mention a weakness and then stress its positive aspect, e.g., "I do not like to be over supervised, because I have a great deal of initiative, and I like to anticipate problems before they even arise."

Step 6: Ask Questions

It is important for you to leave the interview with a good understanding of the position and company. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure you can make a good career decision on whether you want to work for the company after you leave. To do this, make a list of general questions to ask during the interview, such as:

• What are the responsibilities of this position, and which ones are most important?

• What results are expected of this position?

• What problems and opportunities are associated with this position?

• What are the goals of this company and the department?

• What support is available for me to meet these goals?

• Are there any projects currently in motion? What is their history and status?

• Why is this position open? Replacement or expansion?

• What criteria are used for performance reviews?

Step 7: Don't Discuss Salary

If you state a salary figure that is too low or too high, you may not be considered for the position at all.

• Focus on the opportunity and say you prefer to leave the question of salary open for now.

• Tell them what you are currently earning and that you are negotiable. "I'm very excited about the opportunity, and will entertain your best offer."

Step 8: Ask for the Job

The close of the interview provides a chance to sum up your qualifications and show your interest in the job. Remember if you are interested in the position, ask for the job. You can use this opportunity to:

• Ask the interviewer how well your qualifications fit the company's needs. "How do my qualifications fit the position you are looking for?" This makes the employer evaluate your background right there. You can then cover anything missed.

• Address anything that was missed to reinforce your candidacy. "I may not have that particular experience, however I have similar experience. I'm sure I can learn it and become effective quite readily."

• Express interest in the position and a desire to proceed to the next step of the hiring process. "I am very interested in this position because (try to mention some particular reasons) and I look forward to working with you in the future. Who else do I need to meet with to help with your decision."

Step 9: Write a Thank You Note After the Interview

This simple courtesy goes a long way towards making a favorable impression. Your personal, handwritten note should:

• Always thank the interviewer for their time.

• Reiterate your interest in the company.

• Should be brief and well written.

Step 10: Read a Book

There are many good books to help you better understand the interview process and give you an edge over the competition. We recommend:

• "How to Turn An Interview Into A Job" by Jeffrey G. Allen

• "What Color Is Your Parachute" by Richard Bolles

• "Dress for Success" by Molloy

Hopefully these tips help you do a better job on your interviews. We cannot stress enough how important it is to be prepared and we want to help you do your best. Please pass this web site on to a fellow sales person. We know it will help.