| My nephew-in-law is going for a job interview for a | | | | greatest strengths but when you walk in the room |
| position in his current company but in a different part | | | | you may be so nervous you will forget them. Write |
| of the US. In my previous position as Director of | | | | them down and read and re-read them. |
| Customer Services, I conducted several interviews | | | | 7. Know your weaknesses and describe them as |
| and also exit interviews. Having experienced some | | | | strengths. Pick a weakness that is really a strength. |
| good interviewees' and not so good, I offered to | | | | For example, you might say, "One of my |
| give him some suggestions from my experiences | | | | weaknesses is that I tend to be impatient with |
| that will help him to be aware of some areas of | | | | people who are not willing to pull their full weight and |
| importance when interviewing. | | | | give 110%." In this case, your "weakness" may help |
| Here are some areas to be aware for a memorable | | | | you get the job. |
| and successful interview: | | | | 8. Ask questions. Write down questions you need |
| | | | answered and take them with you. |
| 1. Dress to impress. How you appear to the person | | | | 9. Follow up. Very important to send a follow up |
| interviewing you is very important. I have | | | | email thanking them for the time and interview. One |
| interviewed people and told them to dress casual and | | | | time I did interviews in Columbia, MD, and the person |
| they still wore a suit. What this action indicated to | | | | I interviewed bought me a t-shirt and a thank you |
| me is that the person recognized how important the | | | | card to the interview. I was so impressed with the |
| interview was and dressed to impress me. | | | | creativeness of this action that I hired this person. |
| 2. At introduction shake hands firmly (no limp-handed | | | | Follow up allows you to stand out in a sea of |
| shake), smile, speak clearly, and look each person in | | | | applicants. Be creative in how you do it. |
| the eye. Do not come across as shy--be confident. | | | | 10. Never talk salary unless requested by the |
| 3. Be prepared with several copies of your resume, | | | | interviewer. If they ask what your salary range is, |
| along with references. Do not use the standard | | | | speak more of your experience and what you have |
| resume from MS Office. Be creative and make yours | | | | to offer. Let them make the first offer. Know the |
| stand out. | | | | range of compensation for the job you are seeking, |
| 4. During questioning about some of your co-workers | | | | make your own realistic determination of what you |
| or supervisor, always speak truthfully but never | | | | are worth, and then be prepared to stand your |
| negatively. Do not tell stories on them but you can | | | | ground. |
| say things like "their work ethic was not the same as | | | | The most successful interviews are those that the |
| mine" or "I prefer to perform my duties in a different | | | | person comes in prepared and shows confidence. A |
| manner". | | | | job interview is an important step in the process of |
| 5. The same goes for questions about your previous | | | | winning the career you want so act on it accordingly. |
| employment. Never speak negatively about a past | | | | No matter if you have interviewed one time or ten |
| employer. | | | | times, each time is just as important as the other. |
| 6. Know your strengths before you walk in the room. | | | | Learn from your experiences and make each one |
| Right now you can probably name some of your | | | | better than the other. |