How to Ace Job Interviews

Monday, January 7th 2008 by Shanel Yang

So, you followed the advice in “How to Fill Out Job Applications” and got a call to come in for an interview.

Congratulations!

Do you know what American employers want to see and hear from you when you show up? If not, this article is for you.

Being raised in a traditional Korean immigrant family, I was taught to act modest, not make too much eye contact, and not talk too much in the presence of superiors, such as potential bosses. But, this is exactly the wrong way to behave during job interviews in the U.S.

American bosses want positive, energetic people who can introduce themselves and start talking about all the great things they’ve done, all the great things they’re going to do, and why they are the best person for the job.

American bosses don’t want modesty. They want to see you put on your best sales act to sell yourself because they need to know how well you can sell their products or services to their customers. If you can sell yourself during a job interview, they know they have the right person for the job.

GENERAL ADVICE

1. Be Punctual

No matter what, don’t be late to your job interview. Give yourself plenty of time for traffic or other delays. If you know you are going to be late, call immediately and let them know when you think you will get there.

“Hello. This is Sue Kim. I have an interview with Ms. Gail Gomez at ten o’clock this morning. I’m very sorry, but I am stuck in traffic and will be about fifteen minutes late.”

Even if you think you will be there in less than fifteen minutes, say “fifteen minutes.” You don’t want to say “ten minutes” and be late for that time estimate, too. If you think you will be later than fifteen minutes, say:

“Hello. This is Sue Kim. I have an appointment with Ms. Gail Gomez at ten o’clock this morning. I’m very sorry, but I had an unexpected emergency. I can be there by 10:30, if that’s all right. If not, can we please reschedule? Again, I’m very sorry about this.”

Or:

“Hello. This is Sue Kim. I have an appointment with Ms. Gail Gomez at ten o’clock this morning. I’m very sorry, but I have an unexpected emergency. Can we please reschedule for another day? I feel terrible about this because I really want to interview for this position.”

This is always a bad way to start any interview. So, avoid being late or having to reschedule your appointment, if at all possible. Get there an hour early and wait in the parking lot, if necessary, then go up about ten minutes before your scheduled interview.

“Hi. My name is Sue Kim. I’m a little early for my interview with Ms. Gail Gomez.”

The receptionist will let someone know you’re there then ask you to wait in the reception area. That’s a good time to ask her where the restroom is:

“Thank you. Which way to the ladies’ [men’s] rooms?”

You will want to take advantage of the last chance to use the toilet, check your hair, clothes, and make up if you’re a woman, and to relax a bit before your big performance. Go over your list of answers to tough questions (see below) and your list of questions you want to ask the interviewer (also below). Then, when you feel you’re ready, go back to the reception area, smile at the receptionist, and sit and wait for the interview.

2. Be Polite

Everyone you meet, from the person in the parking lot booth to the receptionist, from anyone in the restroom and anyone you run into in the streets or the halls of the building—be polite to them. They may be your future coworkers or bosses. Anyway, it will always help you in life to be nice to everyone and to consider their feelings. (See “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”)

Always say, “Hi” or “Hello” with a smile. “Hello” is a little more formal than “hi.” Always thank people for giving you the parking ticket, or your change from any payment, or for holding doors open for you. And, hold doors open for them if they are only a few steps behind you. If they say “thank you,” say, “You’re welcome,” with a smile. If they tell you, “Have a nice day,” return the greeting with “Thank you. You, too!”

3. Be Positive

We all have bad days. We might not feel well. We might have a lot on our minds. But, never say anything negative to anyone about any subject on the day of your job interview. Don’t even criticize the weather or the traffic (unless you have to call the receptionist because you will be late). There will be plenty of time for you to share your true feelings about certain acceptable topics after you get hired.

WHAT TO WEAR

1. Non-Professional Jobs

Obviously, if you’re interviewing for a construction job, you don’t need to wear a suit. But, whatever job it is, wear something clean and respectable. No tee-shirts, jeans, shorts, or tennis shoes. A safe interview outfit for men for all non-professional-type jobs is the following: a white, beige, or blue, long-sleeved, button-down shirt; brown, navy, or black Dockers-type pants; and either brown belt with brown casual shoes or black belt with black casual shoes. No visible jewelry except a watch and a wedding ring, if you are married. Cover any tattoos. If you have long hair and you refuse to cut it short, pull it neatly back into a low ponytail. Shave carefully. Trim and clean your nails, neck hairs, nose hairs, and ear hairs, if you have any.

Women applying for non-professional-type jobs can wear anything that isn’t too sexy or too casual. Again, no tee-shirts, jeans, shorts, or tennis shoes. But, if you’re wearing a skirt, cover your legs with pantyhose or tights and your entire feet with clean, un-scuffed dress shoes. Limit your jewelry to a watch and engagement/wedding ring and small pearl earrings or gold- or silver-toned studs or small hoops. Keep your fingernails short to medium length and paint them clear or a light neutral color or leave them unpainted. Your make-up should be in neutral tones, too, like beiges and browns. Save the more exciting colors, like purples, pinks, reds, and blues, for nightclubs and parties.

2. Professional Jobs

In addition to the above advice for men for non-professional job interviews about jewelry, tattoos, hair, etc., if your interview is for a professional job, wear a navy suit, white shirt, a solid blue tie, black leather belt, and black leather dress shoes. Take a black portfolio or briefcase with your notes and copies of your resume.

For women, in addition to the above advice for non-professional job interviews about jewelry, nails, and make-up, wear a black or navy suit (if you are wearing a skirt, make sure it’s long enough to stop just above your knees or longer and wear skin-toned or black pantyhose or tights), white shirt or blouse, and black leather pumps. Carry a black handbag and portfolio or briefcase with your notes and copies of your resume.

WHAT TO SAY

1. Job Application or Resume

Every interview is different. Every interviewer has a different style of asking questions and different favorite questions to ask. Still, a lot of interviewers like to ask the same types of questions. Be ready to discuss anything you put on your job application or your resume. You should study these for days before the interview.

Think about what questions the interviewer might ask you, prepare the best answers you can to those questions, then practice saying your answers out loud until you start to sound natural. Practice on family members, friends, or yourself by talking to a mirror. Practice keeping good eye contact and smiling a lot while giving your answers.

2. Gaps in Work History

Be ready to explain any gaps in your work history. They might say something to you like, “I see you were not working from 2003 to 2004. Why is that?”

The best answer to these types of questions is you had to take time out to help your family through an emergency. Don’t give details. If they ask, just say as politely as you can with a little smile, “It’s rather personal. I prefer not to discuss it,” and leave it at that. It’s best to not share details about your personal life with employers or coworkers, unless you have to because you need time off from work to deal with personal emergencies. The second best answer to these types of questions is that you took time off to get more education or training in your field.

The worst answers to these types of questions are (1) you just wanted to take some time off so you quit, or (2) you got fired and couldn’t find a new job. Old employers are not allowed to give details about how or why you left their employment. They can only give out the dates you worked, what positions you had, and how much you were paid.

3. Current Employment or Unemployment

Be ready to explain why you are looking for a new job if you are still at an old job. Or, if you are unemployed, be ready to explain why. Here again, the best answers are a family emergency or additional education or training.

Examples of good reasons for looking for a new job while still in an old one are, depending on your circumstances:

[If the company you’re interviewing with is a small company:] “I like my current company. They’re good people. But, I’m very excited about your company. It has a lot of energy and a great future; and, I want to be a part of it.”

[If the company you’re interviewing with is a big company:] “I like my current company. They’re good people. But, I want to be with an established company with a solid future. I’m sure you understand.”

[Continued in “How to Ace Job Interviews - Part 2.”]

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[For “Bullet-Proof Interview Suit,” click here.]

[For “Best Suits for Short, Tall, Fat, or Muscular Men,” click here.]

[For “How to Fill Out Job Applications,” click here.]

[For “What Jobs Are There?,” click here.]

[For the “Interviews With” series, click here.]

[For “Success in the Corporate World,” click here.]

[For “Funny Resumes and Work Evaluations,” click here.]

[For more “Easy Steps to Success with Work,” click here.]