By
Alexander Carl on July 31, 2010
Guess what—
it's a Recession! (But you knew that.) And if you're like almost everyone, you need: a better job, a job that pays more, another job, any job, or all of the above.
This means that one of these days, you'll be landing an interview. The Solvency Shark has noted that prospective employees react to an interview date one of two ways: excitement at the thought of representing themselves, or total dread.
Either way, things could go horribly wrong. Too much self-confidence or too little can be disastrous, so a middle way is what to strive for. Here are some tips for staying in that center lane:
Show up a few minutes early. Four or five minutes early is perfect. Twenty minutes early is creepy. Five minutes late is catastrophic.
Wear appropriate clothes. Your Sunday best works for many positions, but sometimes it's overkill. For a retail or culinary environment, business casual is the way to go.
But emphasize “business” and not “casual”— no tennis shoes, sandals, chewing gum, and keep the exposed skin to a minimum.
Treat your interviewer like a business colleague. He or she is not the Wizard of Oz, and so groveling and shrinking won't help you land the position. Small talk can be good (if it's natural to the situation), but flattery feels fake.
However, your interviewer is
not your bud. Don't use his or her first name, use slang or expletives. (Nothing reeks of “unprofessional” like a miscued F-bomb.) Remember, this is a
business transaction!
Speak highly of yourself, but don't overdo it. Be proud of your accomplishments, and never minimize your abilities.
But if you expound your awesomeness in ardent hyperbole, no one will believe you, even if it's true. You're here to sell your “service” of employment, not a fantasy of who you are.
Don't crumble. Interviewers tend to ask piercing questions. That's their role. Think of a challenging question as a
challenge instead of a threat, and you'll respond appropriately.
Finally:
No over-thinking! Over-planned language and over-rehearsed behavior is painfully obvious. Be in touch with yourself— spontaneity is worth a thousand buzzwords.