11 Rules for a Successful Interview

Interviewers favor an applicant who has made an effort to research their firm. As an applicant it will help that you can show the interviewer in what ways you can contribute to their company.

Preparation for the interview will undoubtedly give you self-confidence. Don’t hesitate to tell the interviewer your accomplishments and career plans. Have faith in yourself as a person.

Smile when you announce yourself to the interviewer, a deep down warm smile. A smile in any language says “I like you. I’m happy to meet you.”

A firm, flat-of-palm-against-flat-of-palm handshake, thumbs crossed, with a sensation of gentle pressure, its an outward sign of strength of character–a gesture that invites trust and friendship. Believe it or not, a handshake–the simple act that it is–takes practice.

Hearing is not listening; you hear with your ears, you listen with your mind. In a job interview situation, unless you listen attentively, you’ll be missing out on one of the most important elements looked for in a candidate. When the interviewer speaks, look directly at him, eyeball-to-eyeball. Sit fairly upright in your chair, leaning slightly forward towards the interviewer. Don’t slouch in your seat, good posture is a prerequisite to good listening. React to ideas, not to the person. As a job applicant, you should be ever alert to what the interviewer is saying, not how he acts or what he looks like. Rid yourself of visual distractions. To keep your mind focused on the interviewer’s part of the dialogue, don’t toy with your glasses, pen or any other object likely to compete with proper listening. Respond to what you hear by appropriate changes in facial expression. You can nod your head occasionally or verbally indicate your emotional response.

It pays to make a special effort to fit the successful image–in what you wear and in your grooming.

Enthusiasm adds luster to any personality and is a vital ingredient to success looking for a job, as it is in any line of endeavor.

You should not bring up salary issues unless an offer has been made.

Showing up late to an interview, thereby upsetting the interviewer’s appointment schedule, is unforgivable. Sure as anything, the interview will go downhill from the very start, regardless of your alibi.

You can do so by making him feel important by what you say and how you act. Show the interviewer the courtesy and respect due him by virtue of the position he holds with the company and the role he plays in the hiring process.

At the end of the interview express continued interest in the position.