Going for an Interview with an Attitude to Get a Job

Although this blog is concerning resumes, occasionally I will add other things surrounding employment. This article is interviewing information. Comments and questions are appreciated.

Getting an interview in this current employment climate is important and critical. If you do get an interview, you are among the lucky and the few. When you receive the interview you want to do everything possible to be the one to obtain the job. This article can supply you with information to make that possible.

Your attitude says a lot about you. Unspoken language many times is just as important as spoken language. When you present yourself to the human resource manager or interviewer, have a great attitude. Leave arrogance or anything else negative at home and don’t bring them to the interview or work with you. If you want the position, don’t have the attitude that they need you. If they needed you, you would be the one behind the desk conducting the interview instead of the other way around.

During the interview, even if asked, avoid any negative commentary about any previous employment positions you have had. Your negative comments should be held back in general or specific incidents or terms. If asked why you left your employment, use general or non-specific terms that relate to advancing yourself or position in your niche. Truly if something was very negative with previous employers you would want to leave to advance yourself or find a better position, correct?

Leave your cell phone on off during the interview. This is distracting to you and the interviewer and frankly considered rude. Currently, the most important thing over the next 20 or so minutes is the interview at hand. If you answer your phone during the interview this can say a couple of things about you that may or may not be true.

• 1.       Easily distracted from the task at hand
• 2.       Will you use your cell phone instead of doing your job while at work

Use your listening skills well during your interview time. By asking the interviewer to repeat themselves you may relay the intent that you cannot follow directions well or don’t pay the best attention to detail. Listen well and take your time answering. Make sure you answer in full sentences and refrain from using industry jargon or slang.

Take time to research the company you will be interviewing with. Educate yourself on a little background and history. Most companies have websites that will make this fairly easy and simple to do. Therefore, if any general questions are asked about the company, you can answer. In addition, if asked where you would like to see yourself within the company in a year or two, you can honestly answer. You can also ask an honest question about the company if you have one.

After the interview, make certain you thank them for their time and the opportunity to be a part of the team. In addition, ask when they may make the final decision for the position. Knowing when their decision will be made can allow you to know when you can expect an answer and you won’t make a mistake of calling them back early before they are ready to make their final decision. This also saves you anxiety over when and how they will contact you.