Unemployed 101: The Interview

Yes, I am unemployed now so obviously my track record on this has been shot but I really chalk that up to a bad economy. Up until the age of 26 I never… not once… interviewed for a job that was not offered to me. So in spite of the current dry spell, I think I may have a thing or two to say on this subject.

Let’s break it down into sections…

Scheduling the interview

• When speaking with a potential employer to schedule an interview, it is important to take your time and pace yourself. It’s easy to be so excited you got the call, that you start talking too fast and stumbling over your words. To an extent employers expect and can overlook some of this but there is no need to shoot yourself in the foot this early in the proceedings.
• Make sure you are available for the date and time they offer, but don’t say things like “oh, any day or time works for me because I’m not doing anything, anyway.” Try something like “What day works best for you? I have some flexibility in my schedule on Wednesday. Would the afternoon be ok?” They key, in my experience, is to be accommodating without sounding desperate. Try to speak with the employer the way you might speak with their customers. This gives you a chance to build points ahead of time and leaves the employer with a positive impression going into your interview.
• Be sure to ask if there is anything specific you need to bring with you, so you are prepared.

Preparation

• Always bring two copies of your resume, preferably on good quality white paper if you have or can get it. A notepad and working pen are essentials as well.
• Do some research on the company ahead of time, if you can. You may not know much about the company when you apply, but you should be able to speak intelligently about them when you go in. Know a little about what they do, so you don’t say anything out of context. For example, if you are interviewing for a company called Keyless Entry Experts who, hypothetically, manufacture and install keyless security systems like keypads and fingerprint recognition, but you assumed they were locksmiths… well you are going to sound kind of stupid at the interview if you say something about helping customers who have locked themselves out of their cars. Know who you are dealing with.
• It helps, too, to prepare a few questions ahead of time that show an interest in the company or their clients. It shows initiative and a desire to work for the company. For example, ask Keyless Entry Experts if they typically work with commercial or private clients. The question would be relevant to the job and reflects some understanding of what they do.
• If you are not extremely familiar with the interview location, look it up ahead of time and plan for extra time to get there. It is easy to miss a turn and before you know it you are late. I recommend something like google maps or mapquest.com to plot the best route and give yourself at least 10 extra minutes. I always print out directions to and from the interview location the night before and put them in my portfolio with my resume and notepad.
• While you are preparing your portfolio (be it a folder, a briefcase, a zipping leather binder, whatever) also throw in copies of letters of recommendation if you have them. You may not need them, but it certainly can’t hurt.
• Finally, make sure to bring anything the interviewer told you to bring such as drivers license, transcripts, etc.

The Day Of…

• Always dress professionally! Nice pants and a top, maybe a skirt, that sort of thing, would always be appropriate even at a company with a casual dress code. You should look like you put some thought and effort into it. A word of caution, though: don’t go overboard. You want to look capable and put together, not like you are going to the prom.
• I know I said before to leave yourself an extra 10 minutes of travel time. On top of that, I like to be 10 minutes early to the interview itself. This means if you are scheduled for 1:00 and your directions indicate a 15 minute drive, leave home at 12:25. I know it seems like a lot of extra time but if something comes up, or you get lost you will be glad you gave yourself some room. Also, a lot of places require a check-in at a receptionist or security desk and the extra 10 minutes allows for this without being late for your appointment with the person doing the interview. Employers notice this small attention to detail and it is appreciated.
• Whatever you do, though, don’t be late!

During the Interview

• Make eye contact.
• Show interest.
• Be responsive and alert.
• Make yourself personable and memorable. You want to show you can get the job done, but you also want to come across as a likeable team player who will be a nice addition to the work environment. Feel free to use a little tasteful humor, but keep it within reason.
• When answering specific questions about examples of work experience (for example, describe a time when you dealt with a difficult customer, how you handled it, and the outcome), be sure to address all aspects of the question. The goal here is to sell your positive qualities, so choose an example that really highlights your abilities. A lot of interviewers ask questions like this, so it might not hurt to think of examples in advance.
• My personal favorite interview question in the one asking for your greatest weakness. Why is it my favorite? Because it is an outstanding opportunity to highlight your initiative and motivation to improve. My go-to answer to this question is Microsoft Excel. I don’t have a tremendous amount of experience with it and a lot of employers use it. The main reason I use it, though is because it gives me the opportunity to say this: “I felt weaker with Excel, and certainly from a practical hands-on standpoint I am, so I took it upon myself to take online classes on using Excel and practice with it as much as possible. I even use it for my budget at home now!” This response is ideal because it answers the question but uses even a weakness to show initiative and a desire to improve weaker skills.
• Take advantage of opportunities to highlight your good qualities, without sounding like a salesman. Modesty is more helpful than you might think.
• Be sure to thank your interviewer and offer a firm handshake. If they walk you back to the front of the building, try to make small talk on the way if it seems appropriate. Perhaps you could mention something personal your interviewer mentioned, for example a mutual interest in a particular author, or comment on a photo in their office. This leaves the interviewer with the impression of a friendly person that they will want to call back, and may even get them to pull for you.
• The most important thing do remember in an interview though, is quite simple: relax. Take a deep breath, and try to talk to your interviewer in a conversational way, taking care to not sound too casual. If you are able to sound comfortable and confident, you are already half way there.

After the Interview

• If you have contact information for your interviewer, thank them afterwards. I find an email is best for this, but a personal card or note works well too. I think a phone call is a last resort, since they are probably busy and you don’t want to “bug them.” The “thank you” is important, though, as it shows appreciation for their time and gives you one last opportunity to put your name in front of them.

Some of the things I have mentioned, such as confidence and the ability to be conversational without being too informal, are acquired skills so feel free to practice! From my personal experience as well as advice given to me by counselors and HR professionals, these tips will help a lot on your way to a successful interview. Good luck!