How to impress a potential employer during an interview

How you conduct yourself during an interview can either lose the job or clinch the position.

Instructions

1. Eye contact is the first and most important aspect of any interview. Once you enter the door, until you exit - eye contact must be kept throughout. Upon entering, extend your hand, (yes women can also shake hands. It is actually becoming the norm for women also). Be the first to extend your hand, this shows you are confident and not intimidated.
   Wait to be asked to sit, do not take it upon yourself to sit.

2. Filling out the required paperwork.
   Be prepared for all paperwork. If you sent in a resume earlier, still bring one with you for the interview. It will make an easy reference for you to copy down information - just incase you get a case of the interview nerves and forget information. Keep in mind the tip I gave in my article "How to write a resume to get you an interview," keep the years off your application, it will age you. Never put the years you graduated from High School or College. Any employer will be able to do the simple math and figure out how old you are. There are really only two age groups which have to worry about age during an interview - the younger and the older. Most employers want an employee with time under their belt, but not too much time, they don't want you to retire in two years either. Yes, yes I know they can't discriminate against you because of your age - yeah right, just not to your face.

   Make sure you check your spelling and grammar, nothing shows poor employee skills more than not double checking your work.

   When an employer asks for references, they do not want your mom, girlfriend. They want your past employers, managers and owners. They don't want your co-workers either. If you do not put down any past bosses the new employer will think there is something to hide about you. If you do have a lot to hide, than maybe it is time to look in the mirror, and straighten up. There are a lot of people looking for great jobs, you need to be a great employee to get and keep that great job. If you come in late, call off sick or gossip you may find yourself not being hired for that great position.

3. Conducting yourself during the conversation.
   Here I will talk briefly about body language. We already discussed eye contact, now lets talk about those arms. What are you doing with them? Do not fidget, mumble or keep saying ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Be confident - keep your head up, arms either on the desk, nicely folded or in your lap, with your hands crossed over. DO NOT CROSS YOUR ARMS - I would expect the words "yeah, I want the job" to come out of your mouth. Never say yeah, ain't, um, ah.

   Speak yourself up, not down. Most people get into an interview and talk about all the things they hated about the last job, or things that were expected of them and they felt it was too much.
   "I'm sorry, did you really want this job?" If so keep your mouth shut about all your past jobs, speak only about your good qualities. You never want to go into an interview and bad mouth your last employer, no matter what.
   You would not believe what I have heard during interviews.
   Tell them what you can do for them, and how you will make their job easier - and mean it. When you work you need to give 100%

   Never, ever tell your new potential employer a list of demands - I need this day off, and I don't do this etc...

   Never bring up money on the first interview, you want the job, not the money, on this interview. If the employer is not looking to do another interview, then they will bring up the subject about money. This also goes for the benefits. You want to get the job first, then they will discuss with you the money, benefits etc... The interview should never be about the money, that comes last. Don't worry they will not offer you the job without telling you the pay. Let the employer bring up the money not you. If they tell you earlier the pay, and it is not what you want, then wait until the job is offered before you talk about how low the money is. Let them want you first, make them want you.

   Once again I repeat "do you really want this job?"

4. Exiting the interview.
   Always extend a hand shake when exiting, eye contact is crucial. Thank them for their time and express an actual pleasure to meet them. Tell them you look forward to hearing from them, or if you were given the job how you look forward to working for them. Be sure to find out how soon they will be making a decision.

5. Follow-up to the interview
   Once you arrive back home, send a thank you letter or card. Once again thank them for taking the time out of their busy day to meet with you and how nice it was talking with them. Again, express an interest in the position and how eager you are to hear from them regarding the position.

   Depending what was told to you regarding their deadline for making a decision, you must follow-up to show an interest.

   Good luck, keep your chin up and your arms uncrossed at your chest.