Passion for positive interviewing

A recent question on a social media site earned over 160 responses. This might not seem overwhelming until you consider that most questions average around 10-15 answers. What would drive such a high response rate? The question simply asked, “If you had one piece of advice for someone going into an interview, what would it be?”

 

The answers came from HR professionals, recruiters and hiring managers all over the world, and while diversity in the respondents was evident, the thread in the responses was consistent:

 

▪         Know the employing company (i.e., prepare).

▪         Be honest about your background and experience (i.e., know your resume and make sure it presents an accurate picture).

▪         Have a good attitude. Actually, make that have a great attitude. And remember to smile.

▪         Sell yourself and your value. Remember that everyone sitting across the table from you wants to know, “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?”

▪         Be professional and dress the part. The workplace is still mostly business attire preferred.

▪         Send a thank you note to everyone with whom you’re interviewed.

 

The piece of advice that was different, yet profoundly simple, though, was be concise.

 

On that note, I invite you to visit a new feature on our website called The Resource Minute: short video clips from Human Resource professionals sharing their best career transition and interview advice.

 

Sharon Thomas DeLay is a certified career coach and president of Permanent Ink Professional Development Services. For more information, visit our website or e-mail

Sharon at sharon@permanent-ink.com.  You can also look for Sharon

on LinkedIn, as well as become a fan of Permanent Ink on Facebook.

(c) 2008 Permanent Ink Professional Development Services