SolveYourProblem eLearning Series: Job Interviews
Help Me Nail My Job Interview!
( 11 pages )

How Should I Behave On An Interview?

There are many things that you can do to take some of the pressure off during an interview. The way you behave is one of the most important. It’s not all in the words that come out of your mouth, but often has a lot to do with the mannerisms you use.

Interviewers are not just about IF you are skilled enough for the job, they are often about if you would fit in nicely with your co-workers. Your personality is a big part of your interview and can make all the difference in the world. Here are some of the little things that you should pay particularly close attention to during an interview.

You do not want to be chewing gum or sucking on breath mints during an interview. Also, don’t speak in slang during an interview either. It is unprofessional and rude.

Your First Impression

First impressions can be a hard thing to get past in any situation. During an interview, you want to give the best first impression that you can. There are many small things that you can do to assure you give the best impression possible. They are as follows:

• You can never be too polite to the person that directs you to your waiting area when waiting to be interviewed. A small gesture like, asking how they are doing can work wonders for you when you leave the building later.
    
• While waiting to be interviewed, sit properly and behave as if everyone passing you by is your potential interviewer. They just might be! Smile at people as much as possible. Do not act impatient or bored, it sends the wrong message. Some interviewers will keep you waiting just to see how you handle yourself.
    
• Greet you interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
    
• Remain standing until your interviewer asks you to be seated. It is simply polite and shows proper etiquette.
    
• Again, dress according to the type of job that you are applying for.
    
• Show yourself to be well organized, by having all things needed for the interview.
    
• While waiting, do not eat or drink anything.
    
• Don’t chat on your cell phone while waiting for your interviewer. It makes you look distracted.

Show Confidence

Do not enter an interview with a defeatist attitude. Don't mope or exude too much placidity in your manner either. It is not inviting, and does not give the impression of a person that they will want to see every day.

Be sure of your abilities without appearing cocky or narcissistic. You want to let your interviewer know that you are equipped to perform well at your job, without alienating other co-workers. You should point out your accomplishments in your field while remaining somewhat humble.

List your accomplishments in a matter of fact way without going into too much detail. I know this sounds repetitive, but you can never get this point too strongly. Understand that body language plays a large part in exuding confidence to others. Sit straight. Practice good posture, and keep your head up.

Keep a Positive Attitude

You should always try to smile and keep a positive outlook during your interview. If you hear something that doesn’t sound good to you, don’t frown and look disgruntled, just keep a slight smile on your face until it is time for you to say something. Then approach your interviewer with your questions or concerns when the time is appropriate.

Maintain Eye Contact

Keeping eye contact with your interviewer is very important, especially when one of you is speaking to the other. If you are looking around the room or at the items on the interviewer’s desk, you will appear uninterested. Just imagine what you would be thinking if you were speaking to him and he was looking all over the room. You would probably think that you already lost the interview.

Body Language

I’ve touched on this a little bit so far, but you should bear in mind some of the common errors that many people make when they are speaking to others. I’ve listed some of most common body language no no's that you should avoid when sitting through an interview.

• Avoid fidgeting while speaking to your interviewer. It shows a lack of self confidence.
    
• Avoid speaking while using overly expressive hand gestures. It is distracting.
    
• Avoid biting your lips in between sentences. It gives the impression that you are making things up.
    
• Do not sit with your arms crossed because it makes you appear stand-offish.
    
• Do not shrug your shoulders when asked a question that you are unsure of. Take a second to think of your response. Shrugging your shoulders gives the impression that you don’t know the answer.
    
• Don’t answer with nods and head shakes. Use your words to answer questions.
    
• Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview. You don’t want to yawn in front of the interviewer. He will think that you are expressing boredom.

Closing the Interview

Once you have run the bases of the interview, it is still important that you end the interview well. The hard part is over and now all that is left is for you close out the interview in the same winning manner.

Wait until your interviewer stands up or requests that you do. Give your closing greeting. Thank the interviewer for his taking the time to see you. Offer another firm handshake, and ask when you might know when you might expect to hear from them about their decision.

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