Authors: Ellen Gordon Reeves
Tags: #Non-Fiction, #Self Help
Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?: A Crash Course in Finding, Landing, and Keeping Your First Real Job (39 page)
THE NIGHT BEFORE AND THE DAY OF
Prepare for the interview as you would for any major event. Eat well, sleep well, double-check your alarm clock, prepare your bag/briefcase and the clothes you intend to wear.
The day of, eat enough so you don’t show up with a growling stomach. Read a national newspaper like
The New York Times
or
The Wall Street Journal
. Don’t be caught in the dark about major national or international events. If the newspaper has a section devoted to the industry in which you are applying, make sure you read it that week/day so you’ll know what’s going on.
It can’t be overstated: You’ve got to allow plenty of time for inevitable public transportation snafus, construction, traffic, bad weather, and parking trouble. If you get to the interview too early—more than fifteen minutes before you’re due—wait in a park or coffee shop near the office, or just walk around the block. Do arrive at least five to ten minutes in advance, though. Let the receptionist know you’re there, then have a seat. Don’t hover—you don’t want to give the impression that you expect to be seen immediately. Settle in. In the winter, take off your coat—it will help you look and feel more composed. Don’t sit there sweating, looking like you’re about to bolt.
Watch yourself: From the moment you arrive, you are on display. Everyone you greet, from the security guard to the receptionist, is a potential source of information about you and your behavior. Do not be dismissive of anyone. Treat everyone politely and with respect. (I hope you do this anyway, but this is the time to go out of your way.)
You want to be friendly, to be someone others would want around day after day in the office, but not too friendly—maintain a professional interview demeanor even (or especially) when you’re talking to a peer. I know of one employer who deliberately keeps interviewees waiting so his assistant can suss them out. After encouraging small talk, the assistant asks such questions as “So why are you leaving the job you have?” or “What was your last boss like?”—questions to which a candidate might respond more guardedly in a formal interview. On the other hand, under-the-radar interactions can have happy endings…. One candidate I worked with struck up a conversation with a receptionist; they found that they had been at college together and knew people in common. They got along so well that the receptionist ended up becoming a great source for job leads.
Remember, you are under the microscope. Do not eat, chew gum, talk on your cell phone, or pull out an iPod and start swaying to the music. Do not groom yourself in public, touch up your makeup, or lapse into nervous nail-biting. If you’re anxious, do some subtle deep breathing. (The key word is subtle. You don’t want to look like you’re having a seizure.)
Don’t let this time go to waste, either. Depending on the level of traffic through the reception area, you may be getting a valuable glimpse into your potential workplace. Observe the people around you. What are they wearing? Do they look rushed or stressed out? Are they friendly? Can you
picture yourself in this environment? If there are catalogs or company newsletters around, read them. You might find material you can use in the interview. Are there displays or announcements posted on the walls? Read them as more clues to the office environment and company culture.
Take a last-minute trip to the restroom if there’s time. (Let the receptionist know that you’ll be right back.) Do a final hair, clothing, teeth, and breath check.
Q. In case of a major delay (a subway breakdown or traffic jam), what do I do? I know you’re never supposed to be even five minutes late to an interview, but aren’t there exceptions to the rule?
A.
First of all, stop worrying! You should allow enough time to account for unexpected circumstances. But if you haven’t, call the minute you’re able to, apologizing and briefly explaining the situation. Be composed when you do get there. Don’t rush in red-faced and out of breath. This will not create a stellar first impression. Take a few minutes to calm down and regroup.
When the interviewer appears, make eye contact and smile. If you’re seated, rise gracefully. Say the interviewer’s name and then yours: “Mr. Roberts? Susan Wilson, glad to meet you. Thank you for seeing me today.” If he offers a hand, shake it (see box, opposite).
Maintain brief, positive eye contact and smile every once in a while. You want to appear as relaxed as possible, not as if you’re about to have a tooth drilled. You are looking forward to an exciting conversation in which you have as much to judge about the interviewer as he does about you, and you have already put your best foot forward—you’ll project those things if you believe them.
Q. Where should I sit?
A.
If the interviewer doesn’t motion you to a seat, choose one, but don’t take the obvious lead chair. If for some reason the seating arrangement is unclear, ask—“Where would you like me to sit?”
Speaking of sitting: You should sit up, with good posture, legs together or crossed at the knees or ankles. Practice in your new clothes so you appear natural. Don’t slump. Don’t relax too far back in the chair or sit so close to the edge you fall off. (I’ve heard of it happening.) If you are very short or very tall and the interview chair and table don’t work for you, say so! Don’t suffer in silence with your knees scrunched up.
Pay attention to the interviewer’s body language. Experts say that people respond better to someone whose posture mimics their own. If the interviewer leans toward you, relax and lean forward slightly; if he sits stiffly or formally, be comfortable but not too loose. No matter what your interviewer does, though, you should never fold your arms across your chest or lean back in your chair with your hands behind your head like you own the place.
GET A GRIP
Originally, the purpose of the handshake was for strangers to prove to each other that they were unarmed. I will assume that you’re not packing heat at the interview, but your handshake still needs to exude appropriate self-confidence and show that you are trained in the social graces.
Practice your shake prior to the interview. A limp or dead-fish handshake or excessively hot, cold, or sweaty palms communicate nervousness or a lack of confidence. The interviewer will never say a word, but your hand will have spoken loud and clear.
When the interviewer extends his hand, meet it firmly, aiming for contact at the groove between the thumb and fore-finger. Men tend to grip more firmly than women; do not be a hand-crusher or knuckle-roller. Look the interviewer in the eye as you shake. Do not pump wildly or maintain the hold too long.
Deal with calluses and chapping well in advance with creams and lotions, but make sure your hands aren’t slippery at the interview. If you have a temperature issue, try rinsing with hot or cold water in the restroom. If sweating is the problem, don’t go for a last-minute wipe on your pants—you’ll look like a mess! Carry tissues or a handkerchief, and discreetly blot your hands in the waiting room.
Q. I’m terrible with names, and I’m worried that I’ll get so nervous during the interview that I’ll draw a blank.
A.
Figure out how you learn best. If you’re a visual learner, you may need to see the name written down or even to write it down yourself. Aural learners just need to hear it. Some people like to use mnemonics, but make sure you don’t turn a name into a joke and then say it accidentally: If you remember Mr. McGee’s name by calling him Mr. McGoo to yourself, slipping and calling him that would be bad.
Q. I have an obvious neurological condition. How should I handle it?
A.
First things first: If you have a disability that requires special accommodation, you should let the employer know in advance. Do you require wheelchair accessibility? If you have a physical condition the interviewer is bound to notice, you have the option of bringing it up in advance or mentioning it just as you sit down, without making too much of a big deal about it: “I should let you know that I have a tic and can’t help blinking/winking/twitching.” It’s better to get it out up front than have an interviewer think you’re winking at him or that you’re so nervous you’re losing control of your limbs.
While it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of disability, the reality is that people do, perhaps inadvertently. You may want to investigate how disability-friendly the office is in advance.
Q. If I notice personal items displayed in the office, is it okay to comment on them?
A.
Sure, as long as you’re not being intrusive or snooping. If you see a degree on the wall from a school you or someone in your family attended, why not try to establish the common bond? This is a professional encounter, not a social occasion, but there’s nothing wrong with attempting to humanize the situation and connect with the interviewer. If you don’t get much of a response, though, don’t push it.
It’s scary but true: Even the smallest mistake can throw an interview. Hiring is a big decision, one that has to be made with relatively little information. Consequently, employers scrutinize everything you do as a sign of larger patterns. Control what you can in order to create the best impression. So:
Do not eat, chew gum, or pop mints.
Never look at your watch or the clock as if you need to be somewhere else. You should have left adequate time before your next appointment.
Do not leave your cell phone on. Do not answer a call. The interviewer shouldn’t either, but if she does, wait politely, look elsewhere, and use the time to take notes or write down new questions.
