Tips For Job Interviews

I've been doing a lot of interviews at work lately, and I'm set for another 4-hour marathon tomorrow. It's been a good experience for me; it's taught me a lot about proper conduct in an interview, and what employers are looking for in a candidate. So, I've composed a short list of tips of interview dos and donts for your reading pleasure.

1. Dress like you're going to an interview. Even if your interviewing for a crap-shoveler position and your local dairy farm, at least wear a nice shirt. If anything, it shows that you care about how you look.

2. Smile and show some enthusiasm. This one seems obvious, but you would be surprised. I've had a couple of interviews where I seriously thought I was talking to a coma victim or Wednesday from the Adams Family. People with no personality are not customer-friendly, and will probably no get hired.

3. Do a little research. Find out the manager's name or a bit of history on the company. Browse their website and figure out what they're all about. This impresses people. It shows that you have an interest in the company.

4. Don't swear. I once had a person respond to the question "Why would you like to work at Prime Shine?" with "Cuz I'll kick some fuckin' ass out there." Yeah...bad idea.

5. Extra reading materials (such as resumes, cover letters, recommendations, etc) are always good. It shows you are prepared and that you have taken time to present yourself as professional. But...

6. ...If you do go through all the trouble to make a resume and stuff, please make it look nice. Don't just crap something out in 5 minutes. A bad resume can be far more damaging that no resume.

7. If you've applied at some many places that you don't even remember giving me an application, don't make it obvious. Statements like "This is my fiftieth interview this week," and "Did I really drop off an application here?" are not winners in my book, nor in anyone else's.

8. Fill out an application completely and thoroughly. Nothing says "I'm lazy and will do nothing at work" like not filling out half of an application.

9. Don't complain about your past bosses. It makes you seem defiant and means I should anticipate you having problems with authority.

10. If I asked you a question ten minutes ago and you're still talking, shut up. Just shut up.

11. After an interview, one phone call is sufficient. Anything after that is irritating.