Tips for the Job Interview


When I applied for my first job as a calibration technician, I wore a suit and tie to the job interview. My resume contained a list of summer jobs I had during my two years in college. It did not itemize the courses I took in college. I answered the interviewer's questions and did not allow the discussion to wander to topics not associated with the job.


The biggest mistake I made on a job interview was when the interviewer asked me what product I worked on at my last job. I said I worked on a talking telephone terminal for the deaf. The interviewer gave me a strange look and asked "For the deaf?" Of course I immediately corrected my answer.


On another interview the interviewer told me that the product my former employer manufactured sucked. I did not respond to his statement. He looked at me for a few moments and continued the interview.


On another job interview, the interviewer asked me to describe the biggest difficulty I had on my last job. In my answer, I called the experience the biggest challenge I faced rather than the biggest difficulty.


When you are going for a job interview, don't think about anything that makes you angry or frustrates you. Your mood on the job interview can cost you the job. Get plenty of rest the night before the interview. Try not to feel intimidated. Remember that you are there to make a job choice. Make sure you are dressed properly for the interview. If you have allergies, bring clean tissues. Come prepared to answer questions concerning the type of job you are applying for. If this is your first time applying for this type of job, your resume should highlight all the job experience you had that applies to the job you are applying for. Also include any volunteer positions you have had on your resume.


Never speak negatively of your last job nor of the people you worked for. Don't mention any personality conflicts on the last job. Don't speak negatively about the product your last employer manufactures or sells nor the service provided by your last employer.


Don't eat any food that will cause digestive upset during the job interview. Although you might still get the job, it is not a nice thing to do. And you really don't need to embarrass yourself.


Act enthusiastic about the job you are applying for. You don't have to smile all the time, but leave your other problems at home and concentrate on the job interview. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Don't let your mind wander.


Regardless of the reasons for looking for a job, never omit your last job from your resume. If you are caught omitting a job, you will be fired. Then you will be in a worse position. I recently was in that situation. I phoned a friend who worked as a hiring manager and explained to him what happened. Then I asked him what I should say during my next job interview. He said I should state a reason other than performance related issues for quitting the job. He said not to give details about what took place on my last job unless specifically asked to do so. Even then, make the answers brief. If you were fired, use the word "Terminated" rather than "Fired." During the interview, don't place the blame on the boss or anybody else. Explain what happened without bias. Rehearse (what you will say) before the interview. Stick to the pertinent facts without emotion.


Here are some other things I learned. The interviewer will probably only ask questions about jobs where you performed similar types of duties. Any discussions of unrelated jobs will be brief. That's what happened to me. If I had short term employment at a job that was not like the job I was applying for, the interviewer payed little or no attention to it.


Remember that the interviewer is noting much more than your answers to his questions. Your personality, your style of speaking and your nervous habits are also observed. Don't tap your feet on the floor. Keep your hands out of your hair. The keywords for your actions in an interview are relax and focus on the interviewer's questions and comments. Be aware of how your posture affects the interviewer's impression of you. Don't slouch in the seat. Don't grind your teeth during the interview. Speak clearly. Don't mumble.


Ask questions about the scope of the job you are applying for. Show interest in the duties you will be performing on the job. Again, watch your facial expressions. Don't let your expressions reveal a distaste for some of the duties mentioned. If you don't like the job duties, you can always politely decline the job offer.


Always let a friend or associate know if you are using him/her as a reference. Never surprise someone.


The interviewer may give you a written test. Don't reveal any frustrations over the test. Don't get upset. Don't complain about the length of the test. Take the test without any sour comments.


When declining a job offer, start by explaining fully why you are declining it. Then decline the offer. Don't just say that you refuse the job offer. That could be very irritating to the interviewer. Always shake hands with the interviewer at the end of the interview. Always thank the interviewer for considering you and for making the job offer.


Good luck in your job hunt!