Interview Tips

Jan Northup, president of Glendale, Ariz.-based Management Training Systems, Inc., offered these tips. 

 Resume is keyword:
“Think about what job you’re applying for.” 

While resumes can be the luck of the draw, you can swing the odds in your favor. Resumes often are uploaded into large organizations’ computers where software screens for keywords. If the right keywords are there, then your general information will be put into a category for review and a possible interview opportunity. 

“Pick words out of job descriptions.”

Dress the part:
“Personal appearance is the No. 1 reason people didn’t get a job.”

Dress one level above the job you are seeking. Even though the company may have a casual-dress policy, it doesn’t mean you go to a job interview in jeans. For men, shirt, slacks, and even a tie and jacket would be appropriate; for women, slacks are always good, as are nice dresses or skirts.

“If you don’t look professional, interviewers won’t think you can perform professionally.”

Talk the talk:

“Jump right into your skills, talents and expertise.”

At your initial interview, this will be the likely first question: ‘Tell me something about yourself and your background.’ It’s not the time to unload personal baggage. So don’t say, ‘I was born and raised in LA, went to college in Arizona, I’ve always been interested in sports…’ Try this: ‘For the past six years, I’ve been working in electronics communications. I got promoted to lead a tech department where I supervise six team members. I enjoy a fast-paced environment that offers challenges and is goal-oriented.’

“They don’t care anything about you personally, they want to know if you can do the job.”

Know thyself:

“Many people cannot state what their skills and talents are.”

Don’t say, ‘I work pretty well with most people.’ Instead, say it in a positive way: ‘I have highly honed interpersonal skills.’ If that sounds too much like corporate lingo, try, ‘I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different teams and with people at all levels, I’m comfortable working with all those people.’ Develop a 30-second elevator talk about yourself and your background; rehearse it aloud and in front of other people so you’re comfortable.

“Practice, practice, practice.”

Neither Eeeyore nor Tigger be:

“People want to work around positive people, not work around those who are always negative.”

If you start bad-mouthing your previous employer – ‘the management stinks,’ or ‘the company was not good with finances’ – interviewers will worry that you’ll talk negatively about their companies. They also want to know that you take responsibility seriously. So, the Winnie the Pooh analogy.

“If you start talking about problems, you’ll be seen as an Eeyore; but people don’t want Tiggers either, airheads with lots of energy; there’s a fine line between being positive but not looking at responsibilities.”

Wrapping it up:

“Be prepared for the end of the interview.”

Interviewers will ask if you have questions. Be prepared to follow up on points raised without being redundant and without raising personal issues. Generally, save questions about pay, holidays, vacations, stock options and other policies for a second interview. You should be able to find out most of those answers before you go anyway. Good questions that may draw out more details: ‘When will the job be available?’ ‘Is there a more-complete job description,’ ‘Is travel involved?’ – then interviewers may ask if you’re willing. Then you might bring up child- or adult-care responsibilities.

“We’re not asking anyone to be dishonest, but too many people give too much information.”