In any job market, the interview makes the difference between a job offer and a rejection. A good interview shows the employer that you are qualified, understand the job you are applying to do and will fit in at the company. It is not always the most qualified applicant who gets the job, but rather the one who best convinces the employer to hire him during the interview process.
Research
Know as much as you can about the company and the position before the interview. Not only will you be able to focus your experience and answers on relevant areas of the business, but you will have a good response when the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for me?"
Wait to Discuss Salary
Do not discuss salary or benefits with your interviewer unless the interviewer brings it up or has extended you a job offer. While compensation is an important subject, discussing salary too early makes you appear driven by the money rather than by the job.
Make Eye Contact
Looking around the room or down at your resume prevents the interviewer from making a personal connection with you. Make and maintain eye contact to show confidence, professionalism and connectedness.
Think
Think about your answers before you provide them. Job interviews can be stressful, and silence can make people feel very uncomfortable, but take a few seconds to contemplate an answer before giving it. A thought-out answer that follows a few moments of thinking is much better than an immediate, off-the-cuff response.
Dress Appropriately
Wear conservative, professional clothes during the interview. Even if the culture of the company is more casual, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Don't wear perfume or cologne; they are unnecessary for an interview, and your interviewer might be sensitive to them.
Have Goals
Be able to succinctly explain your immediate, short-term and long-term goals to your interviewer. Expressing your goals makes you appear more driven and focused.
Be Honest
It can be tempting to exaggerate your qualifications, but an employer might research you before or after the interview to make sure your claims are accurate. Your honest qualifications are probably sufficient for the job, but fabricated qualifications are a sure way to keep job offers from coming your way.
Bring Paperwork
Depending on the type of job and your personal situation, you might have to produce paperwork during your interview. Always bring extra copies of your resume, college transcripts if you are a recent graduate, a list of business references and proper identification.
Treat Everyone with Respect
Your interview starts the moment you walk in the door. Be polite to the receptionist and anyone else you meet at the company. You never know if you will bump into the interviewer in the hallway outside the office, or if employees you encountered will be solicited for their thoughts about you.
Send a Follow-Up
A thank you card sent after the interview helps to keep your name fresh in the employer's mind and makes you appear courteous and professional. Even if the interview did not go well, a thank you card is a way of recognizing that the interviewer took time out of her day to meet with you.
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