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  • Remember, first impression equals perception so professional dress, polished shoes and no perfume or cologne
  • Take in support information to prove what you have achieved
  • Don’t assume they know everything or have read your resume
  • Ask: “What are you looking for in this position?”
  • Research company: go to company’s web-site
  • Have questions prepared about company, i.e. products/services, background, unique traits, differentiation, problems, successes, failures, future, opportunities, threats
  • Get a clear understanding of what the employer’s expectations are for the position
  • Give quantified examples of past accomplishments
  • Ask: “What do you want this person to accomplish?”
  • Ask: “What criteria are used in measuring successful performance and how do you measure successful performance?”
  • Ask: “What do I need to accomplish in the 1st year to be successful?
  • Mirror the interview with accomplishments that fit situation
  • Keep answers concise, to the point. Don’t ramble.
  • Good interviews are conversational; however you shouldn’t do more than 50% of the talking.
  • Qualify the employer’s true needs. Ask: “What is important to you in this position?” (Direct this ? toward each interviewer)
  • Provide information on your background and skills that is verifiable
  • Ask: “What is the biggest challenge I am going to face in the next 90 days?”
  • Show enthusiasm
  • Good eye contact
  • Mirror body language
  • Be prepared to answer: “Tell me about yourself” in a one minute summary statement
  • Prepare a one minute summary statement that has 3 parts: overall experience, special skills, personal attributes
  • You get what you expect: If you go into interview expecting job offer, you will get it, if you go into interview expecting to qualify job, that’s what you will get
  • Main objective: “Sell Yourself”
  • Carry through with interview professionally even if 15 minutes into it you realize it’s not a fit
  • Never tell an employer you can do something if you haven’t done it in the past and can’t prove performance
  • Ask: “Do you have any concerns in me doing this job?”
  • Ask for evaluation of your qualifications at end of interview.
  • Push for next step. Ask: “What is the next step?”
  • Call your search consultant immediately after the interview
  • Follow up interview with: email, thank you letter, or hand-written note