Interview hints

I have just managed to interview about 5 million people for a couple of positions I have open and I have some suggestions for anyone job hunting.

1. Please don't make your interviewer wonder why you are there. If you're not really interested in the job, don't schedule an interview. If you can't make the interviewer believe that you are REALLY interested in the job, don't take their time. No one is going to hire you just because you "need a job".

2. Look professional. Your tattoos and piercings and leather may look really cool when you are out with your friends, but in a professional environment, it is not cool.

3. Bring multiple copies of your resume. It makes you look prepared and helps the interview go better. Also bring copies of your references.

4. Talk to your references first. Make sure they know they might get called and ask them what they might say about you.

5. If you need time to think about an answer, that's ok. Tell the interviewer you'd like a second to think about it and then do.

6. If you don't know the answer, you better have something to offer. Telling the interviewer that you don't know, but you would be happy to ask xyz, look it up, do a little research, whatever and get back to them is fine. Don't just say "I don't know." You need a back-up plan for what you don't know.

7. Yes, you have faults and yes, you have had problems with coworkers or bosses. Think about those things before the interview because you will probably be asked and saying that you don't have faults or that you have never had a problem just makes the interviewer think you are not honest.

8. If you have a problem with your work history, address it up-front and honestly. If the interviewer is left to think about it later, they aren't going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

9. Be friendly. For goodness sake, if you can't crack a smile, don't interview.

10. Let the interviewer know that you are listening. Answer the question asked. Don't just give the answer to another question. And give examples that show you understand.