Interview Survival Secrets from the Mock Interview Squad

Interview Survival Secrets from the
Mock Interview Squad
by Karen O’Keefe, Rebecca Edgerton, and Jean Fudge

After participating in the November Employment Workshop, we three mock interviewers culled our interviewing advice and stories of horrors to avoid. We’ve all been on both sides of the interview desk, and—who could have guessed?—we have a lot to say.

In an interview, you want to find out about the position and the environment, give job-related information about yourself, and leave a good impression, all while being relaxed. That’s a tall order for anyone, so we hope our advice and anecdotes will help you survive—or even thrive—in an interview.

Give yourself a hand. Your presentation starts with your handshake. Make it firm, business-like, and brief. Your hand should be thumb up with fingers straight. The interviewer isn’t going to kiss your hand or lead you into a waltz. Read on for tips later about clammy hands.
Look the part. A clean, well-pressed suit is best. Even if you know the company is business casual, it’s a good idea to wear standard business attire. Keep in mind that many managers frown on anything less than a suit. Make sure your hair is neat, your shoes are polished, and you practice excellent personal hygiene. Bring a few tissues—just in case. Use cologne or perfume sparingly. Scents smell different to each person, and many people have allergies. There’s nothing to be gained by asphyxiating the interviewer. One more point: Travel light. Leave your purse or briefcase in the car and put your car key in your portfolio or pocket. It’s much easier to navigate without baggage. If possible, leave your coat in the car, too.
Flex. Allow plenty of time for the interview—like two hours more than you think you could possibly need.

Edgerton: Be ready for any extra interviews, tours, or testing the employer wants you to have. Expect skill or behavior tests. Don’t say, as one applicant did, that you consider testing an invasion of your privacy. And don’t give the impression that you can’t wait to leave. Avoid explanations about having to pick up your kids, dry cleaning, dog, car from the impound lot, or spouse whose driver’s license was revoked because of another DUI.
Be on time or early. If you’re unsure of the location, take a practice trip. Remember that the impression you make starts in the lobby. Interact professionally with everyone you meet.

O’Keefe: I once got stuck behind an accident and arrived two hours late for an interview. I called from my car to explain, but I was totally flustered when I finally did arrive. Situations like that can happen, but make them the exception and not the rule.

Edgerton: Don’t ask for special favors, like using the phone or borrowing a dollar for the soda machine. Don’t ask the receptionist to give you “the scoop on this guy/gal.”

Fudge: Get clear on the spelling of your destination and the directions. Once, an interviewee called to say that he missed the interview because he got hopelessly lost. Instead of going east on I-275, he went west. Instead of exiting in Milford (Oh.), he exited in Guilford (Ind.).
Be prepared. The Boy Scout motto involves doing your homework, including researching the company as well as being able to answer a variety of questions. With the Internet, you should find plenty of information. Go beyond the company itself in your research. If the ad mentions a special skill, research that as well.
Start positive. Go in with your chin up and your mind open. It’s easy to psych yourself out ahead of time, saying, “I don’t have a snowball’s chance.” You don’t know the situation. Maybe there’s a shortage of folks with your talent, maybe you’re the only applicant who can write a coherent cover letter, or maybe you’re the only one in their price range. Consider the odds: The best is just as likely to happen as the worst. Also, don’t be paralyzed by the illusion of perfection. The whole interview process can be a perfectionism trip. If you make a mistake, recover as best you can. Don’t beat yourself up. Perfection is impossible; perfectionism is a useless torment.
Prepare for common questions. Many people stumble on questions that should be easy. When prompted to “Tell me about yourself,” answer in terms that apply to the job. In fact, your whole interview should have one focus: “Am I right for this position, and is it right for me?” Many people have trouble talking about weaknesses. Instead of using the worn-out “perfectionist” answer, give a genuine weakness and tell what corrective steps you’ve taken. Be careful what you identify as a weakness, however. Don’t admit to something as damning as laziness, absenteeism, or bad temper. An example of a good answer is to say you aren’t naturally organized, but you have overcome it by using the Outlook calendar or another tool. Lots of resources are available to help you find (and develop answers to) common questions.

Edgerton: Above all, stay job-focused. Please don’t answer, “Tell me about yourself” with what someone said to me years ago: “I guess I’d say I’m dead.” Rule of thumb: If your answers cause the interviewer to pinch herself black and blue to keep from laughing, you may have blown it.
Bring your résumé and references. Not all interviewers are as prepared as they should be.

O’Keefe: I’ve had interviews with people who had never even seen my résumé. It’s impressive when a candidate anticipates the interviewer’s need and says “No problem—I brought extra copies.”

Edgerton: If your résumé says “references on request,” assume the interviewer is requesting. Bring several printouts of your references with everything—addresses, emails, work and cell phones, and even home phones if you can. If your references could be hard to reach at their offices, find a way for the interviewer to contact them. But before listing people as references, clear it with them first and find out what they’ll say. Format the reference page to match your résumé and print it on the same paper.
Take notes. Be prepared to take notes. If you bring a planner or notepad, it shows that you’re organized. If you’re nervous, notes help you stay grounded. For example, when asked for “three things,” write down a “3.” Or if you think of topics you want to address, jot down key words. And remember that interviewing is a two-way street, so you should be interviewing the interviewer. Take notes about salient issues that will help you make a decision. Overall, note-taking shows a skill that writers should have, and it helps you stay on track—more about that later.

O’Keefe: Once, an interviewee asked me for paper and a pen when he wanted to write something down. Not good.

Edgerton: One person I interviewed wrote derogatory comments on his tablet. Watch what you write and what you doodle—some people can read upside-down!
Bring a portfolio. Make sure it’s neat, organized, and labeled. Also make sure you know what’s in it. If you didn’t produce it, don’t include it. If the interviewer doesn’t ask to see your samples, offer them. When confidentiality is an issue, you may be able to show samples but not leave them. Or, in more extreme cases, you may have to blacken out or disguise things like product or company names (you can substitute “ABC product” or “XYZ Company”). If you have a lot of samples, use tabs to arrange them in categories. This allows you to quickly find what you need.

O’Keefe: Once I interviewed a woman who was intimately familiar with her writing samples; she proved it by going right to certain pages and talking through them. I am underwhelmed by people saying, “I don’t know—it was a long time ago.” Expect people to ask questions about your samples.
Smile and breathe. Relaxed breathing, a smile, and a positive attitude go a long way in an interview. A sincere smile will help set you and the interviewer at ease. If you’re particularly nervous, several things help: (a) Go to the bathroom right before you enter the company or department. (b) If you get cotton-mouth, carry hydrating lozenges (Aqua Drops is one brand). Have one while you wait. (c) If you get full-fledged desert-mouth, bring a bottle of water, but ask permission before setting it on the interviewer’s desk. (d) If you get cold hands, sit with your right hand under your leg as you wait for the interview. That warms your hand. (e) If you get clammy hands, use a moist wipe just before you go into the lobby and then sit with your right hand under your leg as you wait. The alcohol dries perspiration, and your leg warms your hand.
Look. Practice direct eye contact ahead of time. Direct eye contact is unique to America—we expect lots of it. Eye contact tells people you are honest and forthright, while the lack of it implies evasion. Of course, you shouldn’t overdo it. Don’t bore holes in the interviewer. Staring can be intimidating—balance is a virtue.

O’Keefe: I once interviewed a fellow who looked me in the eye only once during the interview. He had excellent credentials, but the fact that he stared at his shoes meant he didn’t get the job.

Fudge: If the interviewer doesn’t make eye contact with you, you may wonder. On my first interview (at the ripe old age of 17), I made good eye contact, but the interviewer didn’t make eye contact with me. I got the job—and a month later, the interviewer was fired for embezzlement!
Listen. Being a good listener helps you identify what is important to the company and/or interviewer, which in turn helps you frame effective answers. Listening helps you pick up clues about the job and the environment. Listening is advantageous. First, it shows respect and is a quality of a good team player. Second, people like to be listened to. And finally, it helps you answer questions. You can address what the interviewer is actually saying, instead of what you think you’re hearing.

Fudge: Interviewing and dating are similar: You and the interviewer evaluate each other to see if you want to start a relationship. You aren’t compatible with every date or with every job—so don't see it as a failure if you don't get the job. I have a pertinent dating theory: People tell us about their negative side, but most often we’re not listening. Later, we’re shocked when the rotten behavior surfaces, but it really reared its head early on and we ignored it. I think something similar can happen in interviews. Try to be rigorously observant and stay out of denial as much as you can.
Pause. Allow a moment between the question and your answer to gather your thoughts. Frame your answer in a succinct and organized way (remember that brief notes can help). Make your point and then give a definite end to your answer. Babbling increases nervousness and makes it hard to stay on track. It also increases the chance that you’ll say something you’ll regret.
Communicate. This can be hard for introverted people. However, interviewers need information from you—and you’re the only person who has it—so an interview is not the time to clam up. If you feel tense, take a deep breath, pause, and answer the question.
Be positive. Find something nice to say about whatever the interviewer asks you. Don’t say you hated a job or a boss and had to get out. Frankly, we’ve all had jobs or bosses we didn’t like, but an interview is no place to say so. Generally, you have multiple reasons for leaving a job, so choose something positive. A bad answer would be “My crazy boss passed me up for that promotion every time. He hated me.” A good answer would be “I wanted a position with more responsibility.” And then, of course, you can showcase what qualifies you for a growth position.

Edgerton: Prepare for the hardest question. Don’t answer, as three applicants have, “I left because I didn’t want to wear a tie,” “I left because they were all crazy,” or “I left because they were wacko about getting there on time.”
But be honest. Suppose you have what one expert calls “a bloody rhinoceros head on your wall.” In that case, you definitely should practice your answer ahead of time. For example, if you’re suing a previous employer for harassment, don’t conceal it. A simple phone call could reveal that to the interviewer anyway. So be ready with an answer like this: “I left because of issues that we’re now working to resolve. I assure you that I don’t expect anything to follow me here. All those issues are isolated to that particular circumstance.”
When you don’t know, say so. Many interviewers ask questions like “Can you tell me about a time when…” If you haven’t experienced the particular situation, say so and then say, “But if I did, here’s what I would do.”
Don’t fake it. If an interviewer asks about unfamiliar software, it’s a great time to say, “No, I haven’t used software X, but I have used software Y.” Or, you can mention that you are a quick learner and are always eager to learn new ways of doing things. Above all, don’t get discouraged if you have to say “no” to several “have you done” questions. The interviewer may be more interested in your honesty than in any certain skill. Even a “no” answer gives you an opportunity to list the steps you’d take to fill in the gap.
Don’t be led on. An interviewer may laugh with you and seem to identify or agree with your experiences. But don’t mistake that for carte blanche. Even if you’re sure you’ve found a kindred spirit, don’t reveal more than you’ll be comfortable remembering at cold, sleepless 3 a.m.
Card them. Get business cards from everyone who interviews you. If they don’t have cards, note correct name spellings. That will help you use the right name during the interview. It will also ensure correct spelling when you write your thank-you note (more about that below). For hard-to-pronounce names, write the phonetic spelling on your notepad. If you meet multiple people, jot down a quick seating chart. For each person, note a unique but not insulting fact (pink glasses, plaid tie, red earrings, black sweater). After all, people may move around, and you’ll still need to know their names.
Ask. Ask things like what would happen on your first day or what main challenges you would face. To plan other questions, do Internet research and check out books on interviewing. Write down several questions ahead of time. Questions show that you’re interested, engaged, and picturing yourself in the job. Also, if you get that rare bird—an interviewer who seems reluctant to talk—be prepared to gently lead the conversation.

Edgerton: Don’t ask things like “How much vacation will I get?” or “When will I get a raise?” A first interview is not the place to ask “what’s in it for me” questions. Often the interviewer can’t answer those questions anyway.
Disarm landmines. If you’re asked something inappropriate or illegal (like “Do you have kids?” “Are you caring for elderly parents?” or “Are you religious?”), take it in stride. Answer the question briefly but truthfully. If the interviewer persists, say that no circumstances would affect your ability to attend work or do your job. If the interviewer still persists, tactfully suggest getting back to discussing the job responsibilities. If that doesn’t work, then do you really want to work there?
Determine the hiring process. The answer will guide you through the next steps. If the answer is “We’ll choose X candidates for a second interview,” ask when they expect to decide and how they’ll let you know. Or if the answer is “We’ll be making a hiring decision,” ask when they expect to decide and how they’ll let you know. Then you’ll know where you are in the process and when to follow up.
Say thank you. It’s the best way to end the interview. Thank the person, smile, and shake his or her hand again. It leaves a good last impression. Retrieve everything you brought, except your résumé and reference copies. Don’t leave a mess behind you.

Edgerton: Stay professional until you are definitely out of range. Don’t make the mistake one person made of ridiculing the interviewer in the elevator, unaware that his secretary was there.
Make your decision. After you leave the interview and are seated somewhere (not driving), imagine this scenario: You have three job offers with equal perks. If you were offered this particular job, would you take it? If your answer is no, then remember that. While it may be true that any job is better than no job, it’s more often true that the wrong job is a disaster.

Edgerton: From creative writing, I have one great piece of advice: Each time you send a submission to a publisher, you must start on an envelope to the next publisher. That way, if the first sends a rejection, you’ve already emotionally moved on to the second one. The same is true for interviews. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep seeking new, realistic opportunities. Having another iron in the fire can soften the blow if you—or a company—should decide that one situation isn’t a fit.
Make your mother proud. Send a thank-you note for every interview. It can be an email, a handwritten note on good-quality (neutral color) stationery, or a standard business letter.

O’Keefe: Although books always say to write thank-you notes, I’d be shocked if I get more than 1 in 25 from candidates. So few people write the notes that doing so separates you from the rest of the pack.

Edgerton: I get more of them, but many come with misspelled names (mine, my company’s), and they often show a lack of letter formatting knowledge. If you write a formal letter (and for any cover letters), get the format right! Here’s an easy reference http://adresnet.com/businessletter.html showing a full-blocked letter with the subject line in the right place (Bill Gates insists on putting it in the wrong place).

Fudge: Absolutely! When I started hiring, I was shocked at how few thank-you letters I got. I was taught that a thank you is required, so I wondered if this obligatory note was a waste of time. Wrong! Sometimes “common politeness” is anything but. It’s a very small investment in time, money, and effort, but it truly can set you apart.
Follow up. If the hiring decision is supposed to be made this week, follow up next week. If it’s supposed to be made in two weeks, follow up in three weeks. And follow up even if you have decided against the company. It’s good practice.

O’Keefe: A friend once had an interview where she was told the decision would be made “this week.” She hadn’t heard anything for two weeks, so she called to inquire. She was offered the job, she was told, because she was the only candidate with the wherewithal to follow up.

Edgerton: Follow up even if you don’t get the job. Make it easy on the interviewer by doing this on the phone. Ask what qualification might have put you at the top. Ask what you could have done better in the interview. Remember that the single best job-hunting resource is a good network to professionals in your field. Keep those channels open.
Let go. After you’ve done your best and taken all the prudent steps you can, let go. You can’t control the outcome. You can only do your part. Pat yourself on the back. Note what you did well and what you’ll do differently next time. Regardless of the outcome, you brushed up your interviewing skills, which will strengthen your next interview.

That brings us to the last step. But this one is so important that we didn’t give it a number. It’s simply this: Enjoy your life. Shortly before his death, John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Don’t postpone fun until after you get your new job. Enjoy your life to the best of your ability right now.