The September 11th attack | Coping with the aftermath
Prepare to make an impression
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By Anita Bruzzese
Gannett News Service
You've submitted your resume, and finally the call comes: You've been invited for an interview.
But after that initial elation comes the fear. You're worried about making a good impression, because you really want this job. Your brain races with ideas about what you should and should not do in this important meeting. Before long, you're so confused you believe you will be lucky to not trip over your shoelaces and remember your own name when the big day arrives.
That's why it is so important to prepare. Because just like the big test you took in social studies in school, you can easily forget those state capitals when you're nervous.
So with some practice you not only will make a super impression, but probably land that dream job.
Some key interviewing points include:
• Doing your homework. Ideally, you found out all about a company before you sent your resume, but it always helps to dig a little deeper. Look up old newspaper stories or annual reports on the business, and try to find profiles of the top brass.
Search the Internet for industry publications that might contain articles on the company, or at least the industry. You want to be able to talk intelligently about trends affecting the firm. And make sure you have the correct pronunciation of any name in the company.
• Practicing the questions you want to ask. There's nothing more disturbing than having an interviewer ask, "So, do you have any questions about us?" and you sitting there opening and closing your mouth like a guppy.
At this point, don't ask about salary or vacation days or if you can have time off in April to train for the marathon. (Salary and benefits can be discussed when you get called back for another interview.)
Questions should focus on what is expected of the person filling the position and what the future holds for the company, career opportunities and chances for advancement.
• Offering an interesting profile of yourself. When the interviewer asks you to tell something about yourself, don't start with your first job mowing lawns unless it is relevant.
Keep your work history as interesting as possible: Tell how you solved a problem at your last job, what projects you coordinated and the outcome ("we saved $10,000 in one quarter") and other key educational and career points. Keep it to about two minutes.
• Putting the right spin on your failures. Often the trickiest part of an interview is when you are asked to describe the times you messed up. Saying you don't have any failures will not wash because no one is perfect, even you.
The key is showing how you used a failure to grow your skills and increase your knowledge. Talk about how you dusted yourself off, and got right back on that horse, more determined than ever.
• Looking good. You want to look like you fit into the company culture, so it wouldn't hurt to kind of hang around the parking lot and see how people are dressed before your interview. Make sure your clothes are clean, your shoes in good shape, and your hair neatly done. Don't wear anything flashy.
