Interviewing Tips Everyone Can Use

Interviewing for a new job or position within the same company can at times be confusing, frustrating, and unforgiving and can give anyone the interview blues. However, overcoming interview blues is as easy as following some basic interviewing tips.

Most important of all tips is to be on time! Corporate managers and business owners are very busy people and many find taking time out for interviews an unfortunate, if not distracting, part of business. A current open position means that work is not getting done and managers are keenly aware that less work is getting done when they are interviewing. Being on time is just the beginning of sizing you up for the position.

Potential employers will size you up quickly on first impressions. Dress for the position and role appropriate to the company. Dressing in a three piece suit is awkward if you are interviewing at a company where everyone wears jeans and t-shirts. Dressing for the position means, for example; don't dress like a chef if you plan on applying for a waiter's position. Don't dress like a salesman if you are interviewing for a position as CEO. Dressing for the role is important too; for example, don't look like a slacker if you are applying for a management role. Don't look like an over-achiever if you are applying for slacker-style position. Doing your homework on corporate culture and dress will make your first impression go over big-time in your favor.

Corporate culture is also an important consideration when interviewing. Please don't mistake corporate culture for national cultures as the two are different. The corporate culture of a bureaucracy is drastically different than non-bureaucracy corporations. Attending an interview where the culture is based on bureaucracy might mean that you make an extra effort to meet all of the leaders in the chain of leadership. Knowing the person at the top of the chain as well as the person interviewing you may be the only way to land that job in a bureaucratic culture. Additional to culture, big organizations also have varying degrees of language expectations.

Language requirements vary by industry, occupation, and position. Generally, if a business communicates mainly in English then you need to be proficient, clear, concise and accurate when communicating in English. The same is true with other prominent business languages other than English. Speaking native slang, broken language, or other variations of the main business language for the position you are applying will most certainly send your resume to the bottom of the heap. However, if you are not totally versed in the language; your saving grace is understanding industry terminology.

Understanding industry terminology is not too difficult for people making a lateral career move. However, people seeking employment in a new industry would do themselves justice by learning industry terminology. The easiest way to understand industry terminology is to take a few current classes in the industry you are seeking employment. Your effort will be rewarded by getting the job after your potential employer sees how knowledgeable you are about the industry even though you never worked in that industry!

Asking good questions during the interview is paramount to expressing your knowledge of the industry to which you are seeking employment. Anyone can ask ill thought questions at inconvenient or uncomfortable times. However, it takes a thoughtful person to ask relevant and timely questions. Great timing and relevant questions make a big splash with potential employers.

Good people skills are hard to come by and potential employees whom have these skills are like golden nuggets to potential employers. Businesses today want people who can use good people skills across the enterprise. This means sharpening your people skills for dealing with the low man on the totem pole to the top corporate executive. People that prefer to sit in a cubicle without human interaction will surely find themselves unemployed for a very long time.

Interviews can be nerve rattling and keeping your cool will help you present yourself as a strong person. Keep in mind that some business will actually test your "coolness" by asking very uncomfortable or difficult questions just to learn how (and if) you keep your cool. Appear confident by never making unsolicited comments about yourself. Potential employers may ask you to speak about your negative qualities however this is not a good idea. Answer questions of this type with confidence and phrasing that turns a negative into a potential business solution. You are much better off saying that you lack expertise in an area as opposed to saying you suck at a subject.

Talking salary and income requirements are somewhat taboo when talking with someone about a position for the first time. The best way to handle this sticky situation is to only bring up salary if it was so noted by the potential employer. Meaning, if salary issues are on the table then proceed with caution. Salary issues which are not on the table are better left for second interviews.

One of the most crucial aspects of the interview is to obtain a follow-up commitment. This means, at minimum, getting the potential employer to commit to a date when you can follow-up with him or her about the position. At best, confirm a date for a second interview. Leaving without your foot in the door for future appointments with a potential employer will leave your competition a very large opening beating you to the job. Failing to follow-up on a commitment will make you seem disingenuous.

The biggest impression on potential employers is not always the interview but rather how you follow through after the interview. Do take the time to send a thank you letter (or card) which affirms your commitment to follow-up for a second meeting or interview. Keep in mind "Thank-You" letters are all about your gratitude for the opportunity not an additional opportunity to sell yourself. Attempting to sell yourself within the scope of a thank you letter will seem unflattering to your potential employer.

This is the most controversial aspect of interviewing, the callback. If you have done your job getting a commitment then this should not be too hard. However, business people and business owners sometimes get side-lined and will not remember their commitment. Therefore, don't wait to call the potential employer and ask him or her to reschedule if it is clear he or she has forgotten their commitment to you.

Don't wait to be hired before looking for the next available position at different companies. Good potential employers understand that your skills are valuable and expect you will possibly interview elsewhere. At times, it may also be good to mention your other interest during the interview but only if appropriate.