How are you holding up so far? Did you realize that interviews could be broken down into steps like this? Interviews are never easy, but I really think that these different sections make them simpler to master. Here are my list two interviewing basics:
Be prepared for the difficult questions
Everyone has a question or two that they hope won’t be asked. Maybe you were fired from a job or you have a misdemeanor from when you were in college. You really hope that it won’t come up, but somehow they it always does. I hate to tell you this, but there is no way to avoid these sorts of questions. Instead, you want to prepare for them. Stop for a moment and make a list of the questions you really hope the interviewer won’t ask you – but he always does. This is the list you need to prepare from. What will you say about your employment history or your criminal activity? How will you explain the fact that you haven’t worked in four years? If you are ready to answer these questions, you’ll be a lot more relaxed when they come up. Also, you’ll be so much less likely to put your foot in your mouth and say something that could damage your chance to get the job.
The Last Impression
The last impression is important, because it is the last interaction you have with the interviewer before she makes her decision. Interviewers tend to remember the beginning and the end of an interview more than anything else. Even if you didn’t do as well as you would have liked during the middle of the interview, you can still help yourself by going out with a bang. Be sure to shake the interviewer’s hand and thank her for their time. Tell her that you are really excited about the possibility of working there and that you think you would be a good fit for the company. Ask for a business card so that you will have the interviewer’s full name and contact information in case you need it in the future. Taking the time to observe these small courtesies will leave a good impression with the interviewer and she will have those positive aspects of your goodbye to consider when she is choosing who she will hire.