Kentucky Office of Employment and Training Virtual Workshop

[ Layout and positioning for Interview Workshop ]

Interview Workshop

[ Layout and positioning for Do's and Don'ts of Interviewing ]
Do's and Don'ts of Interviewing

	DO'S
	BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

	Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one.

	Arrive 15 minutes early. Late attendance is never excusable.

	Show openness by leaning into a greeting with a firm handshake and smile.

	DURING THE INTERVIEW

	Be positive and upbeat.

	Maintain good eye-contact with the interviewer. This will show self-confidence.

	Clarify questions. Be sure you answered the questions the employer really asked.

	Get the interviewer to describe the position and responsibilities early in the conversation so you can relate your skills and background to the position throughout the interview.

	Give your qualifications. Stress the accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job.

	Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of what your body language is saying. Smile, make eye contact, maintain composure and don’t slouch.

	Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance so you can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths.

	Ask questions throughout the interview. An interview should be a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.

	Listen. This is probably the most important ability of all. By concentrating not only on the employer’s words, but also on the tone of voice and body language, you will be able to pick up on the employer’s style. Once you understand how a hiring authority thinks, pattern your answers accordingly and you will be able to better relate to him or her.

	End the interview with a handshake and thank the interviewer for his/her time. Reiterate your interest in the position and your qualifications. Ask if you can telephone in a few days to check on the status of your application. If the interviewer does offer to contact you, politely ask when you should expect the call.

	AFTER THE INTERVIEW

	Send a "Thanks for the Interview" note. Try to time it to arrive before the hiring decision will be made. It will serve as a reminder to the interviewer concerning your appropriateness for the position, so feel free to mention any topics discussed during the interview. If the job contact was made through e-mail, send an e-mail thank-you note immediately after the interview, then send a second letter by mail timed to arrive the week before the hiring decision will be made.

	Follow-up with a phone call if you are not contacted within a week of when theinterviewer indicated you would be contacted.

	DON'TS
	DURING THE INTERVIEW

	Don’t answer vague questions. Rather than answering questions you think you hear, get the employer to be more specific and then respond.

	Don't indicate you were late for the interview because the directions you were given were not good.

	Never interrupt the employer. If you don’t have time to listen, neither does the employer.

	Don’t be overly familiar, even if the employer is doing all of these things. Do not call the interviewer by his/her first name, or use the wrong name.

	Don’t ramble. Long answers often make the speaker sound apologetic or indecisive.

	On the other hand, don’t answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible.

	Do not lie. Answer questions as truthfully as possible.

	Do not make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.

	Don't appear desperate for a job--any job.

	Don't ask questions that raise warning flags. For example, asking "Would I really have to work weekends?" implies that you are not available on weekends. If you are available rephrase your question. Also, avoid initiating questions about compensation (pay, vacations, etc.) or tuition reimbursements. You might seem more interested in paychecks or time-off than the actual job.

	Don't ask questions about only one topic. People who ask about only one topic are often perceived as one dimensional and not good candidates.

	Don’t smoke, chew gum or place anything on the employer’s desk.

	Don't slouch in your seat.

	Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne.

	Don't look disheveled and inappropriately dressed.

	Avoid negative body language. An interviewer wants to see how well you react under pressure. Avoid these signs of nervousness and tension:

	Frequently touching your mouth

	Gnawing on your lip

	Swinging your foot or leg

	Folding or crossing your arms

	Faking a cough to think about the answer to a question

	Tight or forced smiles