Anticipate the questions and practice.
The majority of the questions asked during the interview will pertain to you. For instance, your goals, skills, work attitudes, education, and expectations. Practicing your answers before the interview can be give you a confident edge during the interview. Answer all questions honestly, with poise and clarity. It is very important to be clear and concise; directly responding to the questions.

Be specific.
Specific evidence is necessary to back up any claims you may make during an interview. Companies may also be interested in specific attributes and values, such as teamwork. In this case you may also be required to provide specific details of your work, and the role you played in, for instance a group project. Providing specific details can often help to avoid aggressive and intense questioning.

Behavioral interviews stress specific experiences you've had.
Think of examples that reveal your best qualities. Tie them to past employment situations, where possible. If you are thinking of examples that demonstrate a situation where you were able to save an employer money or where you demonstrated excellent customer service or great judgement, you are on the right track. This is what interviewing is all about. Be specific.

Don't fear technical questions.
For some jobs, you may be asked technical questions. These questions are asked to see if you are familiar with a particular technique or process required by the job. Questions of a problem-solving nature are often asked to determine the process by which you reach your answer. Usually, that is more important to the employer than the accuracy of the answer. This type of question is not typical and doesn’t merit a lot of anxiety on your part. You are better off concentrating on this list of common questions. They are far more likely to be asked and far more likely to cause you to stumble.

• Review a Common List of Technical and General Questions asked in an Interview. Click Here

During the Interview:


Even though you have thoroughly prepared, you can still expect nervous tension. You’re on the spot, so it’s natural to feel a little uneasy. It doesn’t have to mess up your interview. Just keep these tips in mind.

First impressions count.
Be on time and look sharp. The employer is already employed and has the luxury of being late. Tardiness will be taken as a sure sign that you will always be late for work.
Dress in a professional manner, as you would if you were on the job; perhaps even better. It’s almost impossible to err on the conservative side and easy to go astray by being too casual. If you are a bit over-dressed, the worst that will happen is that the employer will assume you are trying to impress her.

Start strong.
As stressed above, research proves that it’s important to begin on the most positive note possible. Be on the alert for that predictable open-ended, beginning question, "Tell me about yourself."

Don’t interpret it as an icebreaker.
It’s the real thing; the interview has begun. Begin with your main strength and provide proof. It is important to get a strong start to your interview.

Send the right behavioral signals.
To the greatest degree possible, relax and be yourself. Aim for a demeanor that is attentive but moderate. If you normally use hand gestures, go ahead, just in moderation. Make sure to establish eye contact, this shows self-confidence.

Communicate carefully.
Interviews are all about communication and talking, however, there is no need to rush or talk continuously. Choose your words carefully and proceed at a slower pace. This will help your interviewer understand and comprehend everything you have said. If you need clarification on anything, take the time and ask. It is also fine to pause and reflect before giving your answers. If you know you speak with an accent that others sometimes find difficult to decipher, you’ll naturally want to do your very best to speak as clearly and intelligibly as you can. Be especially alert for speaking too softly or too rapidly. Adjust you pace and your volume accordingly. If necessary, ask if you were understood.

Be enthusiastic.
Projecting low energy or being flat in your voice or demeanor can be devastating. These impressions are drawn from your expression and your tone of voice more than the words you speak. If you know that you tend to have low affect or speak in a monotone, it’s advisable to use a little trick. Raise your eyebrows when talking. It may sound odd, but our voices tend to follow our expression and raised eyebrows put liveliness into your voice. It is also important to smile every so often.

Participate, don’t dominate.
Let the employer set the tempo. The interview will move briskly along and you’ll be surprised when it has ended. You can expect to do at least half of the talking. Some interviews though, may move along rather slow. The employer may take their time and pause a lot. Do not let this get to you; your task is still making a good impression. Perhaps the most difficult situation is the employer who converts the interview into a monologue. It’s awkward, but you need to occasionally find a way to interrupt the droning and make a few points of your own. Look for pauses and use "That reminds me…"as a beginning for your own comments. Mostly, though, you can expect to do a lot of listening.

Ask questions.
At some point in the interview, you’ll be asked if you have any questions. It is a good idea to have a few prepared, that way you avoid looking disinterested. Some of these questions can be general but others should reflect the research you did on the company.

You can always begin a question with the line, "I noticed on your website…" or "Your annual report indicated that…" and then ask for an elaboration. The point won’t be missed.

Use the closing.
The closing minutes of the interview are kind of a wrap-up. Don’t ask about salary. Never leave an interview with an uneasy "I wish I had said…" feeling. If there were omissions, get them in now. Likewise, never leave an interview without knowing when you can expect to hear from the employer. Most will make a point of telling you, but if they don’t, ask. The best way to end your interview is the same way you started it. While shaking hands, thank the employer for the interview, restate your interest in the position and cite your primary qualification as a reminder of how good an employee you would be. If you weren’t offered a business card, ask for one.

Salary.
Salary should not be addressed in the interview. Do not volunteer this information if possible, avoid pinpointing an amount as it may overprice, under price you, or completely rule you out. Simply state, “I would be interested in entertaining your strongest offer” or “I am aware of the range for the position and am quite happy with it”. Emphasize the issue of the opportunity as opposed to the dollars.

Employment Offer.
Be decisive at the time of an offer. At this point, you should be armed with enough information to make your decision. Keep in mind that your decision to accept or not accept their offer is the first decision you will make on behalf of that company. Hesitation and procrastination reflect negatively and can ruin a good situation.



After the Interview:


Hiring decisions can be extremely difficult. Often, our clients must make a tough choice between two or more closely matched candidates. Give yourself the edge after the interview.

Keep notes.
As soon as you can after the interview, jot down some notes to yourself. Record the date of the interview. What are your impressions of how the interview went? Did you learn something new and important about the position? What should happen next and when? Were there any weak spots or points that you failed to make? Keep these important notes in an orderly fashion. You need to stay organized and have this information at your fingertips. Contact your consultant with any issues or concerns.

Write a thank you note.
It is standard advice, but only about ten percent of all job seekers follow it. A few well-phrased words of gratitude, as well as a reaffirmation of your interest, can make you and the interview more memorable. Unless you are given an email address, it is best to send this note through the postal service within 24 hours of the interview. Ask your consultant if it is appropriate for this position. They may be able to pass it along for you.

Stay in pursuit.
If the interviewer or your consultant suggested that you take additional steps such as calling later, or talking to others; take the advice seriously. It was given for a reason and if ignored, it could cost you the offer.

Don’t wait too long.
If you were told you would hear by the end of the week and you haven’t, give your consultant a reminder call. It’s reasonable and will underscore your interest. Remember though that, under no circumstances are you allowed to make direct contact with a client until permitted by your consultant. Doing so is a direct breach of protocol and has, in the past, through no fault of our own, caused the applicant to lose the position. Although it is always recommended to keep in touch with the employer, in this case the employer is your consultant. Our clients use this service for a reason and often it is due to lack of time and/or resources to commit to a direct search themselves. Maizis & Miller Consultants appreciate your understanding and cooperation in regards to this matter.

Good luck and please remember to call us immediately following your interview.