Avoid Pre-Interview and Post-Interview Blunders!

Six Important Tips

Even to the most seasoned veteran, interviews are by their nature unpredictable; you simply cannot prepare for every possible question you might encounter, and you are ultimately at the mercy of the selection team.

By Chris Alfe, Thingamajob.com Staff Writer

In this Article:

Tip #1: Eat Smart
Tip #2: Travel Light
Tip #3: Pass Clothing Inspection
Tip #4: Do Your Homework
Tip #5: Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Tip #6: Exit Gracefully

Tip #1: Eat Smart

Give yourself an advantage before you even walk into the lobby by eating a smart meal, ideally an hour or so before your interview. Try to include a balanced combination of sugars (such as orange juice), proteins (such as meat or dairy products) and carbohydrates (such as bread or rice). Avoid meals disproportionally rich in any one of these three areas.

If your body is accustomed to caffeine, indulge in your normal amount but avoid overdosing; you'll probably be nervous enough!

Tip #2: Travel Light

Pack only a small bag or portfolio the night before your interview. Include a pen and notepad, multiple copies of your resume, reference lists or recommendation letters, examples of your work (if applicable), and something appropriate to read while you are waiting to be called. If you bring a cellular phone or pager, turn it off before you enter the building.

Tip #3: Pass Clothing Inspection

Prior to your interview, consider conducting a dress rehearsal and ask for the opinion of a trusted friend. Style your hair the way you plan on doing so for the real interview, and wear the same jewelry, shoes, and other accessories. An honest friend will help you identify potential problems so that you may correct them before any harm is done. (Click here for more information on proper interview attire for Men and Women.)

When your meeting arrives you want to be concentrated on the interview itself and not be wasting your energy worrying about your clothing.

Tip #4: Do Your Homework

Try to find out in what type of interview format you'll be participating. If you anticipate a group interview, for example, prepare accordingly by focusing on traditional group interview inquiries and multiple follow-up requests. If you'll be involved in a behavioral interview, read up on the variety of behavioral questions with which you might be faced based on the particular job opening.

Always, of course, arrived armed with a basic understanding of the organization, their history, industry, and competitors. Also learn as much as you can about the specific position for which you are applying.

Tip #5: Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

While it's probably true that sending thank-you cards will not land you a job, failing to send them may cost you one.

You should walk out of your interview with a business card from not only all of your interviewers, but also from every other person you spoke with who either spent any significant time with you or may be involved in the hiring decision process.

Write out a thank-you card for each person from whom you received a business card. Do this the same day as your interview, and mail them within 48 hours.

Avoid group thank-you correspondence unless a large group interviewed you and only some members were involved. Email thank-you messages are not as impactful as traditional ones, but are certainly better than none at all. In the information technology field, they are fine or even preferred.

Tip #6: Exit Gracefully

In reality, your interview begins the second you set foot into the lobby and ends the moment you leave. Don't let your guard down as you gather your belongings and are escorted from the interview room! Continue to set forth a positive and professional posture. Refrain from chewing gum, using your cell phone, or engaging in any other activity in which you wouldn't practice before or during your interview.

Don't assume that your casual remarks, as you walk out the door, are off the record; they probably aren't.

Chris Alfe is a staff writer for thingamajob.com.  He has ten years of experience in staffing and human resources and currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland.

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