Editor’s note: Each year, by request, we publish a series of articles intended to help people get – and keep – a job. This is the third in the four-part series. Next is “How to keep a job.”
By Charles Winslow Story published July 29, 2022 / v09e15pA6
Ah, the interview. When I was looking for a job I just loved going on interviews. Really! There was nothing quite as thrilling as meeting new people who could determine the future course of my life without really knowing a darn thing about me. And being asked questions that seem to have no right answer? Loved those. “And just where, Mr. Winslow, do you see yourself in five years?” Um, well…
Nobody likes having an interview. I certainly didn’t. Trust me when I tell you it is much more fun being on the other side of the table and seeing an applicant squirm, just as I surely did. If there was a mistake or a new and improved way to look like a fool, I did it.
An interview is where a potential employer gets to size up a potential employee face to face. Getting called for an interview is generally one of the final steps in being hired so making a good impression is a must.
First, let’s go over how to successfully survive an interview in a world where people now work from home and many interviews are conducted remotely. Then I will go over everything you will need to do if called in for an old-fashioned face-to-face interview. For the record, I think Zoom interviews and working remotely isn’t all that great. Older folks already understand and you Junior Achievement types simply won’t have a clue. Sorry.
So let’s start with the basics. Does your internet have enough bandwidth to do a Zoom interview? Probably, but you should do a speed test before you schedule an interview. Upload speeds should be 1.2 Mbps or above. Download should be the same. Grandpa, search “speed test,” or get your grandchild to do this for you. Just like your grandparents had you program their VCR.
If it isn’t up to speed, try turning off all of the other devices connected to your wi-fi and retest. You want to make sure you have as much bandwidth as possible during the interview. Having your connection freeze up or drop isn’t a good thing.
Stage your area
Look at everything that is going to be in the camera’s view and make sure there is nothing that could make the people interviewing you less than impressed. They will be looking at you, as well as everything around you, to try to figure out who you really are. Political posters? Pile of pizza boxes? Bunch of beer bottles? Clean up the area. You get the picture.
Pay attention to your lighting and the camera position. Look at yourself on the screen before the interview. Do you look too short? Too tall? Are you looking up at the camera? Down? One of those things I have noticed is the cameras on iPads and some computers really don’t like compact fluorescent lighting. Often it makes people look pale and sickly. If you look like you are recovering from chemo, then go get an LED bulb that has a “warm” feel. Avoid the “daylight” bulbs as they give off a harsh white light. This is one of those subconscious things people pick up on and you want to look like you are healthy.
Don’t be an idiot
Wearing a dress shirt and boxer shorts while being interviewed may seem like a good idea, but the less you wear out of the screen shot, the more likely you will have to get up and show what you ain’t got on. My suggestion is wear the same clothing you would if you were being interviewed face-to-face. Why take chances? I am sure you have heard some of the stories.
During the interview itself don’t allow yourself to become too relaxed. Zoom interviews are less formal than an in-person meeting but don’t take it too far. You are being evaluated on your body language, just as if you were sitting in the same room.
During the interview make sure your howling dogs and screaming kids aren’t within earshot. Leave your cell phone in the other room so when it starts pinging and ringing it isn’t going to be a distraction. This is especially important if your job is going to be remote and you are expected to work from home. During this past year I had to deal with many people working at home and it’s hard to have confidence in someone whose child is carrying on in the background or when message notifications are constantly going off. A client, and the interviewer, should have your undivided attention.
Now let’s go over what to do and how to conduct yourself for an in-person interview. First, and here is a hint you will NEVER see anywhere else, don’t show up early! If you arrive before you are scheduled, sit in your car and reread your resume until five minutes before your appointment. Showing up early and expecting the person who is supposed to interview you to drop everything just to accommodate you is considered very rude. It demonstrates you don’t understand the basic relationship between an employer and an employee. And, yes, I have had this happen to me and it’s irritating.
Don’t be late! Plan on leaving a lot earlier than necessary because I will guarantee you every single slowpoke in the Ohio Valley will be out on the road. Trains will block crossings and the Department of Highways will be shutting down roads. All, of course, to raise your stress level and to spite you.
Also, don’t call to reschedule the interview on the day you are supposed to go. It really doesn’t matter what excuse you come up with. Every time I get one of these calls I know I am dealing with someone who lacks planning skills and will be unreliable.
Appearance
When you show up for an interview you should dress as if you have already been hired and are showing up for work. If the job is an office or managerial position, then dress professionally. If you need a suit and can’t afford a new one, go to a Salvation Army (or other thrift) store and buy one. Buy two, they are usually really cheap. From experience, go to a location in a wealthy area because you will find a better selection. While you are at it, get some black shoes. Black goes with everything. And, as I said, I am talking from experience. I’ve been there and done that.
If the position does not require a suit, then at least make sure you are wearing clean clothing in good condition. Never, ever, wear a T-shirt. It can be seen as being disrespectful, even if the job for which you are applying allows you to dress down.
Guys: Get a haircut. Shave or trim your beard. Make it look like you take some pride in yourself. Be presentable. You may think showing up looking scruffy is a demonstration of your self-worth and confidence. We probably won’t see it that way. We see someone who has no pride in themselves and probably won’t take pride in their work.
Ladies: Dress appropriately – which means conservatively. You may think sexy and provocative. Employers see a potential sexual harassment lawsuit or a Drama Queen who lacks a basic understanding of what appropriate business behavior is.
Be prepared: Bring a file folder with a few extra copies of your resume for the person interviewing you. If the interviewer doesn’t have your resume in front of them, offer one. Please, make sure the copies you bring are clean, do not have coffee rings on them or look like they have been sneezed on.
Assume you may need to take notes and bring a small notepad and pen.
Regardless of whether you are doing a Zoom interview or in person, do your homework about the employer and the business. You should know what the company does and its strengths and weaknesses. During the interview you will probably be asked if you have any questions. Make sure you are prepared to ask a couple of basic ones about the position and the company. Nothing too probing and don’t be a smart-ass. A potential employer needs to know you are actually interested in working for them. And, yes, you can ask why a position is available.
Be prepared to explain gaps in your employment history and why you left previous jobs. We understand there is no such thing as a perfect applicant, so don’t lie. An experienced interviewer will have developed the ability to read a person and quickly pick up on signs someone is being less than truthful. Make sure you are telling a consistent story that mirrors what is on your resume.
Put a positive spin on things whenever possible and refrain from making nasty comments about previous bosses, co-workers and businesses for which you have worked. Over the years I have had several people tell me how dumb their bosses were and how rotten a company was to work for. Cutting down people and other businesses won’t impress.
Saying you had a “professional difference of opinion” will come across a lot better than “my old boss was a mouth-breathing jackass.”
Be yourself. Stay calm and try to relax. It’s an interview, not the Spanish Inquisition. Your body language says a lot about you. If you are doing an in-person interview and are offered a cup of coffee or water, take it! The pause will create a chance for you to collect yourself and relax. Don’t just sit there with your arms defensively crossed. It shows the interviewer you are nervous. Maintain eye contact and try to remember the name of the person interviewing you.
And don’t cry! Yes, I have had prospects burst into tears. Interviews are not supposed to be scary and, remember, there is no crying in baseball.
Eat something. If you are used to eating breakfast and drinking coffee, then do so. Have a light snack before going into the interview. You need to be alert and focused.
What not to do: When asked to talk about yourself DON’T tell them about all the trauma and drama going on in your life. Nothing ends your chances of getting hired faster than creating the impression your life’s story should be a script for a soap opera or an episode of America’s Most Wanted. You may think over-sharing creates a bond. Think again. There must be a separation between business and your personal life.
Be aware there are things your interviewer is not supposed to ask about, but can if they are brought up. Don’t volunteer information about your health, kids, marital status, religion, politics or any other personal details not relevant to the job. Keep the conversation focused on the position and what you bring to the table.
Don’t become impatient with the person interviewing you and be ready to answer questions you may not think are relevant to the job. This, by the way, is one of which I am personally guilty. I once interviewed for an architectural design position and became irritated when I had to explain what every single thing on my resume meant.
Often in large companies the person interviewing you won’t be the one who will be supervising you. Sometimes the person sitting across the table will have absolutely no clue what the position you are interviewing for does. If you have technical skills listed on your resume, you should be prepared to explain them in simple and basic terms. Sometimes these questions are intended to evaluate your communication skills.
Think before you say something really stupid. The goal of the interviewer is to quickly assess if you are the right candidate for the job. Give thoughtful and concise answers and don’t ramble on.
Drugs: If you are partying, stop. And stop NOW! You should assume you will be drug tested and smoking even a little weed may eliminate you from many jobs. The stigma of pot smoking may be less now but some positions still prohibit it. The sad reality is just about every employer has had to deal with problems associated with drug use and abuse.
Avoid drinking the night before an interview. Interviews cause stress. Stress causes perspiration and I can tell you the smell of booze sweat is very noticeable and deodorant only makes it worse.
Follow up: Traditionally, you should follow up with a personalized thank you note or email reiterating your interest in working for the company.
And now the other side of the equation. I have gone over the basics of surviving an interview. After you have gone through one you should ask yourself if you would be a good fit for the company and the position. Every company has its own distinct culture. Some are laid-back, others are very competitive and have high expectations. Would you be happy working there?
I once interviewed for a design position back when draftsmen were [figuratively]chained to tables, drew on paper and the pay was pretty good. But the people in the engineering office were not permitted to listen to music and the draftsmen couldn’t talk to each other. The place was downright creepy so I turned down the job offer.
You may be right for the position but the position may not be right for you. From an employer’s perspective, it’s better to have someone turn down an offer than to have them go through training then quit.
One last nugget of advice, if you are contacted to come in for a second interview – where the specifics of pay, job duties and benefits are often negotiated – and you have any interest whatsoever in the position, do not tell the perspective employer you are still interviewing and will get back to them. That tells them to go on to the next contestant.
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