Listen Up: 10 Interview Tips You Haven’t Heard

by Vanessa Dennis

The Internet is chock full of tips and tricks for nailing the big interview. We’ve heard many suggestions time and time again: ask questions, be polite, make eye contact, map out the route the night before, and bring several copies of your resume. But there are a few lesser-known tips that can give you an advantage in this highly competitive job market.

1) Don’t boast about your 2,000 followers on Twitter – yet. You’re proud of accumulating such a loyal faction on Twitter, but the company you’re auditioning for may still be ironing out their social media policies. It’s important that you don’t give an interviewer the impression that your time at work may be divided between company-related tasks and Facebook. Keep social media out of the conversation unless it’s part of the job description.

2) Odors can be a powerful distraction. I’ll never forget the time that I saw a pregnant recruiter run gagging to the bathroom during an interview with a heavy smoker. Scrub off any aftershave, lotion, or perfume before an interview. Keep breath mints close at hand for a minty boost of confidence. If you smoke or have pets, always keep your suit bagged separately in the closet.

3) Be honest. If there’s something on your background, they will find out. If you’ve gotten a DUI, had a driver’s license suspended, or something worse, chances are you’ve been punished with a violation that will stay on your record for several years. If your past could hinder your chances of securing employment, address this before going through several rounds of interviews. Give brief, honest replies to the recruiter’s questions.  It’s better to answer truthfully the first time then to make a phone call later to explain why you ‘suddenly remembered’ something.

4) Never wear jeans. You’ve probably heard a different story from someone who works in a liberal industry like advertising. Even though you may be able to wear jeans and tees to work, you should never wear them to an interview, no matter how lax the company appears. Next to a strong resume, nothing is more impressive to a hiring manager than a polished, professional appearance.

5) Have fun. I know it sounds paradoxical to associate interviewing with fun, but it’s actually easy to enjoy yourself. Relax, smile, and laugh when appropriate. To take off some of the pressure, think of every interview as a blind date that could lead to a long-term relationship.

6) Don’t celebrate before – or after – the interview. A job seeker is always on-call. Resist the urge to go out with friends for a round of celebratory cocktails, even if you aced the interview. A recruiter may call you the next day or even the same evening for additional information or to invite you to a second round of questions. Staying fresh and alert is paramount.

7) Treat your interview like it’s a big test, and do your research beforehand. Cramming ten minutes before on your iPhone is unacceptable. While you don’t need to know the history of the company since its inception, you should know their main export/functions, a few key leaders, and any recent press.

8) Personal information is great in moderation. You don’t always have to stick to the script. While certain topics like religion and politics should be avoided, it’s OK to include personal tidbits when talking to a recruiter. Sprinkling in brief anecdotes or fun facts about your life allows the hiring manager to envision your personality in a particular role.

9) It’s perfectly OK to be nervous. Recruiters don’t mind when they sense a little anxiety because it shows you care about being there. If you’re stammering and shaking, stop and take a few deep breaths. If you’re struggling with an answer, start over. Unless you’re interviewing for a sales role, nervousness is forgivable and can be overlooked. 

10) If you’ve been let go from a job before, tell the truth. Many people have gone through some type of employment separation before, whether it was because of a particularly difficult boss, financial reasons, or a job description that simply wasn’t a good match. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with an unblemished career. Be honest about why you left a previous job, and then talk about what you learned from the separation. All jobs, good or bad, provide another diverse component to your overall body of work.

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