Making a Great Impression: Interview Tips & Tricks to Remember

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Making a Great Impression: Interview Tips & Tricks to Remember

  • February 5, 2017

The biggest problem most people run in to with interviewing is that they see it as “will they like what they see?”  This leads you to view the interview as a judgment session rather than a “let’s get to know each other” session.

Here are some quick steps when interviewing:

  1. Pretend you are just out to coffee with this person.  Your goal is to show this person how you can add value to his organization while at the same time finding out more about him and his company.
  2. Don’t just answer the question asked- think of what they are trying to find out with that question and answer that.
  1. Practice your interview in to a tape recorder AND a camcorder.  You will be surprised at your fidget signs, your eye contact, and how you answer questions you are not prepared for.  Have a friend sit across from you and pepper you with questions to see how you do.
  2. DON’T SCRIPT out your answers.  Remember this is a dialogue between you and another person.  If you script your brain will stumble over words, go in to remote robotic mode, and if they word it slightly different than you practiced, your brain will try to shut down on you.
  3. REMEMBER to tie your personal self and professional self together.  So many people try to just talk about their work accomplishments but in reality they want the whole you.  Tastefully weave in dialogue that shows you as a full person are the best one for the job.
  4. Lastly, if you think they might see you as over qualified for the job.  What that means is that they might see you as “Here today but gone tomorrow because the job won’t keep you satisfied.”  It is your job to tell them why you want this job.

For example, “As you can see from my resume I have 6 years in this area which is even more than the requirement for the job. I am really excited about this opportunity because I know, based on my experience, that I can hit the ground running for you.  It will also mean less travel for me which my family will value as well.  I would love to work for Capital City Company as your Project liaison.”

For more on interviewing go to the HOT Tips: Interviewing Quick Steps for 6 steps to keep in mind when interviewing.