1. Don't say too much--or too little.
During an interview, it is important to be concise. Don't ramble, it makes it appear as though you are struggling to come up with something to say. Just relax and give a thorough answer. The best way to do this is to speak slowly, which gives you more time to think about what to say next; it also makes you appear more confident.
On the other hand, make sure not to simply give "yes" or "no" answers; always try to elaborate. For example, if the person interviewing you asks you if you enjoyed your previous place of employment, they expect a yes or no response followed by the reasoning for your answer.
2. Be likeable.
Although the person interviewing you may have a great deal of influence on your future, keep in mind that they are only human. A lot of people regress into robotic answering machines when they are being interviewed, but you have to remember to be human. You certainly want to be professional, but it is okay to reveal your personality.
After an interview, many hiring managers will ask their receptionists how you greeted them. If you remember to sport a cheerful attitude and a bright smile, you'll do just fine.
3. Dress appropriately.
If you are concerned that you are underdressed for an interview, you probably are. Most companies expect interviewees to wear a nice button down shirt with slacks; however, more professional companies require a suit. If you are unsure about what to wear, it is best to consult a professional rather than guess.
4. Ask questions.
Nearly every interview will end with the question "So, do you have any questions for us?" This is your real opportunity to stand out from the competition. Before the interview, make a short list of questions about the company that you are interviewing with. If possible, ask specific questions about the companies operations. This will show management that this isn't just another interview for you; you're wholeheartedly interested in joining the team.
5. Mimic the interviewer's subtle mannerisms.
This is a bit more difficult to pull off, but if you consider yourself good at reading people, you might be willing to give it a try. First of all, you have to be subtle when duplicating the interviewer's mannerisms: there is a fine line between mocking and creating a subconscious reflection.
There is a simple psychological concept that states that we like people who remind us of ourselves. If the interviewer likes to use his or her hands when speaking, you should do the same. But remember: your objective is to cue their subconscious mind, so keep it subtle.
6. You need a good answer to the question "What are your weaknesses?"
Trust me, when you’re asked about your weaknesses, don't reply by saying "Oh, well I am a workaholic and a perfectionist." This isn't going to impress them. They want you to open up a bit and be honest with them. Everyone has weaknesses.
However, in an interview, it is important to speak about the correct weakness. If you are a writer and you say that your grammar isn't very good, don't expect to get a call back. But, if you say that you get nervous while speaking in public, you are much more likely to come off as sincere while still being capable of performing the job's requirements.
7. Your tone of voice, posture and body language say it all.
If you have a phone interview, the tone of your voice is as important as what you say. This may sound counterintuitive, but to the person interviewing you, a confident voice strengthens their mental image of you. During a phone interview, stand up, walk around and exert confidence.
In a face-to-face interview, vocal tone is also important but body language says just as much. Sit up straight and avoid fiddling with your hands or feet. This is very difficult to do when you're nervous, so, if it helps, practice talking with your hands. Oh, and don’t forget to make eye contact!
8. It's your opportunity, so give it all you have.
Hiring managers will interview a lot of people, so give them someone to remember. The first thing you should do when you meet the person interviewing you is walk over and confidently shake their hand, look them in the eyes, and introduce yourself. This simple process eliminates some of the initial awkwardness of meeting someone for the first time. If you don't do this, they will still likely walk over to you and shake your hand, but it looks much better if you take the initiative.
Your interview may be anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours long. Just remember that once it's over, the only thing that matters is the impression you left. Even if you are less experienced than some of the other candidates, you can still get the job if you leave the right impression.
Jerad Maplethorpe and Susan Maplethorpe own and operate HiredResume.com, a modern, professional résumé writing service. Jerad has an education in Technical Communication and Journalism, and Susan has more than 14 years of combined experience as an Executive Recruiter, Career Coach and Placement Specialist. Follow us on Facebook!
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