After forty years conducting interviews, the author offers some empirically gained tips for the interviewee.

How to Shine in the Job Interview

By Earnest Mercer

(1997)

                    Author’s Biography

                    Earnest Brant Mercer

The author earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies and a Master of Business Administration from Pace University of New York.

His career spanned 30 years with IBM Corporation with assignments in several U. S. locations as well as Japan, Hong Kong and South Africa.  After retiring, he worked as a human resources consultant to U. S. companies in South Africa, Hong Kong, China, Korea and the Czech Republic. After serving in various community and civic organizations, he took a position as an adjunct instructor with Webber International University in the Graduate School of Business.  He was conferred an honorary Doctor of Business Administration for his innovative work there.

The author has written numerous essays, white papers and training modules.  He has collaborated on books related to manager training and development.

The following interviewing tips have been accumulated from many sources including personal experience on both sides of the interviewing process in many parts of the world.

I.     First Impressions

First and often lasting impressions are formed during the first four minutes of an interview.   

II.  Focus

 People tend to focus on what they see (dress, eye contact, movement) on what they hear (how fast or slowly we talk, our voice tone and volume) than on actual words. 

III. Assessments

Survey reports say that employers believe that those who care about themselves are more likely to care about the performance of their job duties. Make those crucial four minutes count:  

IV. Work on your body language. 

 One psychologist’s study states that about seven percent of any message about our feelings and attitudes comes from words we use, 38 percent from our voice and a startling 55 percent from our facial expressions!  It is a well-known fact that when body language conflicts with oral communication, the other person will believe the body language.  

V.  Speak in a positive vein. 

Avoid negatives of all kinds unless it is necessary to the point you are trying to make.  Generally, people do not like to hear negatives and the frequent use of non-affirmative language may be interpreted as pessimistic and arrogant.  

VI. Social Skills. 

 Interviewers look for people who are comfortable in different social settings—people who are likely to “fit in” the social environment of the company. 

Summary:

Don’t:

Make the application of the above rules of interviewing and affectation.  Practice until voice and body language comes naturally, particularly your facial expressions.      

Assume that what you think is important is important to the interviewer.

Lay blame on others or circumstances beyond your control, even if it is true .

Attempt to become “friends” with the interviewer, be friendly, but stick to the business at hand.

Appear to be desperate or overly eager.  Focus on the mutual advantage to the company and yourself.

Do:

Leave your fads, extreme apparel and personal accouterments at home. Be on time and dress professionally. 

Make sure that your words and body language agree.

Remember that the first impression is formed in the first four minutes.  

Use the interviewer’s name during the interview. Use an honorific such as Mr., Mrs. or Ms. unless the interviewer asks you to do otherwise.

Ask questions about the job and the company, but stay away from questions that focus on issues that depend on your employment and performance.  

 

or

emercer2.tampabay.rr.com