So you’ve decided it’s time for a new job....

Maybe you feel under challenged or underpaid. Maybe your boss is a jerk or possibly you just want to get out of your field entirely to pursue something more fulfilling.

Whatever your reason for looking for a new job, you should fully consider what it is you are about to do.  Don’t let this decision be a knee-jerk reaction to having your cubicle moved or because a co-worker makes more than you.  It should be based on a conscious evaluation of your current position against similar opportunities.

According to Jeff Allen(Win the Job, Wiley and Sons 1990) there are a few basic truths to job placement or job hunting:

1)         The interview is a screen test-an act

2)          The interview is almost all that counts

3)          The interview is a "rehearsable", predictable, controllable event.

Everything you do before you walk through that stage door :networking, primping your resume, references,researching employers is merely preparation for your job tryout. Employers will only know what you show during this act and that’s all they really care about when it comes to filling their position.  The best credentials in the world can’t save a bad interview, so if you don’t know how to interview (tryout), here’s a quick lesson.

1)         Know your employer. Know what they do and how they do it. Whether you’re applying for a janitorial position or VP, this is essential information that must be studied.  As for the position you are interviewing for, go above and beyond what you need to know. Print out information that you can find online and bring it with you. 

2)            Dress for success. Men, always wear a suit unless explicitly told otherwise. Women, business formal, always. For more details visit: http://www.quintcareers.com/dress_for_success.html

Jewelry, makeup, and hair should be conservative and inconspicuous. Tattoos, piercing and other body adornments are not appropriate and should be removed or concealed(I don’t make the rules).  Don’t let the interview be a time for you to express your “individuality. There are exceptions to this rule but for most of us, if you don’t “act” the part, you won’t get the job.

3)          Arrive on time. Never be late and don’t be too early either- your time is valuable too. Get precise directions and parking information and don’t leave anything to chance (ex. Public transportation, imprecise directions etc.).

4)           Know who you are and why you are there. I recommend journaling and developing a script that defines who you are and what you do. Rehearse with friends or family to make it sound genuine and natural. You should be able to describe your job in one sentence or less and be intimately familiar with everything on your resume (or it shouldn’t be on there). Be prepared to answer lots of questions about yourself, here are some examples:

• How would you describe yourself?
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• What are some mistakes you’ve made?
• How did you deal with them?
• What motivates you?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from now? 
• Which is most important to you? Money, type of work, or time off?
• What qualifications do you have to fill this position?

5)           Make your first impression count and make your interviewer remember whom you are. Here are 4 quick points to remember for your greeting:

• Smile. (More importantly, smile genuinely with both eyes and mouth)
• Direct eye contact (Straightforward, self assured, friendly)
• Use the words Hi, I’m (first name) (Last name) It’s a pleasure to meet you. You can change this up but keep it similar in nature
• A firm handshake (no death grips nor dead flounders)…all of these should be practiced to perfection

6)           Recognize your interviewers style and adapt to it. This isn’t as complicated as it seems.  It does require some perception and practice but in general, a) is this person self-contained or outgoing, i.e. is s/he expressive or reserved? b) Is this person direct or indirect i.e. is this person a straight shooter or does s/he tend to go around things? These 2 points are important to perceive.  Keep alert to cues that might tip you off to these personality traits. A woman’s scarf for instance may be a cue that she’s expressive; a man’s drab, conservative suit might be a tip that he’s reserved.  Did the person start firing off work related questions? That’s most likely a direct person. Did the person ask you something non-job related? -This is a cue to an indirect person.  It’s a good idea to recognize whom you’re dealing with and meld to that person. Conformity to personality type demonstrates versatility and adaptability. Keep your identity intact but maneuver toward the personality type you are dealing with.

During the interview take note of your surroundings does your interviewer like afghan hounds? Golf? Collecting fossils? Gather as much info as you can and don’t be afraid to ask a question regarding a mutual hobby or an interesting picture. This is especially worthwhile when your interviewer is not much of a conversationalist.

7)           Answer questions completely but succinctly. (No rambling on about your most embarrassing moment and please, no one word answers). Don’t hesitate to ask a few intelligent questions of your own when appropriate, remember, you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you.

8)             Be confident but not overconfident.  Don’t be intimidated or flustered. No one is better than anyone else and you are no exception.  Body language plays a big part here.  Good posture, eye contact and an assured smile will work wonders without having to say a thing.

9)            Be a good listener and don’t interrupt.  Listen closely to what the interview is saying and or asking. You want to make sure your responses are relevant ant thoughtful and you can only do this by listening.

10)    Don’ts:

• Don’t look at your watch,
• Don’t chew gum or smoke
• Don’t bring a cell phone or wear sunglasses during the interview.
• Don’t pick up items or read documents on the interviewers desk.
• Don’t put coworkers or any previous bosses down.
• Don’t get into taboo subjects: politics, religion (Staying neutral is your best bet)
• Don’t ask for the job (they know why you’re there.)

11)    Be a strong closer. (See #5) Act interested even if you truly aren’t you can always decline an offer but you’ll never get it if you don’t show genuine interest.

12)    If an offer is made to you, ALWAYS think about it. Spend a night to mull it over talk to your spouse if relevant buy as much time as you can if you are unsure.

13)    Write a follow up letter and or call. As a general format, a follow up letter should take what you learned during the interview and use it to highlight your relevant qualifications.

14)    Accept with dignity, decline with dignity.  Remember whether you opt for or against a new position, do it with respect to yourself and the employer.  DON’T burn bridges with previous employers no matter how tempting it may be.  You never know when you might meet up with coworkers or supervisors again.

15)    Begin again. If you don’t look out for yourself no one else will.  The best interest of the company is not always the best interest for you.

  This is a simplistic, general guide that some may consider to be trivial, over-critical or even unfair. These however,  are the rules of the game. You can play by your own rules but don’t expect gainful employment. Happy hunting.