All the tips, tricks, advice, do’s, don’ts, and

resources wrapped up in one place. We want

you to be successful in your job search. We
want it to take the least amount of time possi-
ble and cause very little stress. We are here to
help you, so take a break from job searching
and read this. Then, let us know which part
was most helpful. If you have anything to add,
let us know that too!

The Ultimate Interviewing Guide

Table of Contents
1. Preparing for an Interview
2. Avoid These Interview Mistakes
3. What is your body language saying about you in an interview?
4. Common Interview Questions
5. Don’t Say THIS in an Interview!
6. How to Prepare for Behavioral Job Interview Questions
7. Candidate Questions to ask the Interviewer
8. How to Ace a Phone Interview
9. Interview Follow-Up: Just Do It!
10. How to Ask for Feedback after an Interview (when you don’t get the job)
11. Additional Job Search Tools
12. Bonus Material: 10 Clues to Solving Criminally Bad Interviewing!

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Preparing for an Interview
The hard part is over: You have secured an interview with a company you are interested in working for.

Congratulations!

Now you need to worry about preparing for an interview. You will want to tailor each interview to focus specifically on the
company you are interviewing for, but the following tips holds true for any interview you are getting ready for.

• Interview Mistakes to Avoid

• What is your body language saying about you in an interview?
• Common Interview Questions
• Don’t Say THIS in an Interview
• How to Prepare for Behavioral Job Interview Questions
• Candidate Questions to ask the Interviewer
• Interview Follow-Up: Just Do It!
• How to Ask for Feedback after an Interview (when you don’t get the job)

Keep reading. We’ll cover each of these in detail...

Avoid These Interview Mistakes
Don’t do them. Not even once. Don’t chance it. A Poorly Written Resume or CV

Arriving Late Have you updated your resume lately? Are you conveying your skills
and highlighting your experience in the best possible way? While you
This should go without saying, but it happens more often that you’d are an expert in your field (or becoming one) chances are you are NOT
think. Sure, life happens, tires blow, buses are late and tragedy strikes. an expert at writing resumes. It is surprising how many serious job
However, we aren’t talking about acts of God here. Simple time man- seekers have never received professional help with their resumes. This
agement and being prepared (and having a backup plan) is essential is important at every stage of your career, but it becomes increasingly
to arriving on time. You need to anticipate what might happen to avoid challenging as your career advances and you gain invaluable skills sets
being late. and knowledge. In advanced positions where the competition is tough
and there are less qualified candidates for those corner office jobs, your
Start by being honest with yourself: resume needs to open doors. Do you have the right key?
1. Do I know EXACTLY where I am going and how long it takes to get Click here for a Free Resume Critique
there?
2. Do I have an alternative route planned in case of traffic, etc? Being Underdressed
3. Do I need A LOT of time to get ready?
4. Am I generally late for appointments or social engagements? Bring your A Game to the interview table. It is always best to err on the
side of caution and risk being overdressed rather than underdressed.
Five minutes late might not seem like a big deal to you, especially if Dressing up (business appropriate--not a ballroom party) shows the
you normally operate that way. Trust me, it’s a BIG DEAL to arrive at an potential employer that you are serious and professional. It conveys that
interview late. It will be noticed and it will count against you. you take the time to do things right--including getting dressed.

Two additional things to keep in mind:

1. Arriving way too early is also annoying. If you feel the need to
arrive more than 15 minutes early, wait in your car, get a coffee, or
do something close by.
2. If your tardiness absolutely can’t be avoided, communicate as soon
as you can with the interviewer and be polite and apologetic. Ask
him or her for a reschedule date and time as soon as possible.
Your Phone Making ANY Noise at All Find a way to explain why you are seeking employment elsewhere
that doesn’t reflect negatively on your past achievements. Your
None. Zero. Turn it off before the interview or leave in the car. I get it, we professionalism and integrity will take center stage when you show
are all tied to our phones, but an interview is important enough to put the that you are able to leave past employment on good terms to seek
phone away for. If you have regular alerts or little pings that go off when experiences elsewhere.
you get an email, or even that sound we all know when your email up-
dates--avoid them. Also worth noting, your phone should be put away so A good rule of thumb is: If you wouldn’t say it to your previous em-
that you are not tempted to look at it even if there is no sound coming out ployee’s face, don’t say it to someone else, especially in an interview.
of it. We are all so programmed to look at our phone hundreds of times a
day--you might not even realize you do it. DON’T. Avoid the temptation by Strengthen Your Weaknesses
putting it away. Same goes for your watch.
Every candidate is likely to have some weaknesses – even you!
Being Too Relaxed Whether it is gaps in your work history or evidence of job-hopping
on your resume. This is ok as long as you think about how you can
It is great to be confident. It is amazing to be prepared. You’ve got this! frame them positively. Perhaps you took some time out to travel so
You are ready. However, being too relaxed can be perceived as being you could gain some soft skills, which you can then apply to the role
aloof or disinterested--which is not the message you want to be sending. you’re applying for.
Check out the next section on Body Language Tips to get a good idea on You should also prepare to discuss your weaknesses and give
what messages your posture might be sending. examples of difficult situations that you’ve faced in previous roles.
Make the interviewer feel as though you have learned from these
Trashing your Previous Employers situations and are able to deal with adversity confidently, using you
problem-solving skills. The best way to do this is to give concrete,
No matter what the circumstances are (or were) for leaving past jobs, specific examples.
NEVER speak poorly of them or disrespect them in an interview. By doing
so you make the interviewer think that you’ll do the same after you join
their company.
What is your body language saying about you in an interview?
Your mother was right all along when she poked you to “sit up straight!”
Before your next interview take a moment to read the following list of Think of it this way, do not create any motion between you and the inter-
body language tips so you can bring your best A game to the table. You viewer that would disturb the space between the two of you.
don’t want that slouch and give the wrong idea, right?
Crossing Your Arms
Posture
Even if it is more comfortable to stand or sit with your arms crossed,
For some of us, it is hard to maintain good posture for a long period don’t do it. This body language gives you a closed off appearance.
of time, like more than 10 minutes. To maintain good posture, sit up Instead, sit with your hands relaxed in your lap or resting on the arms of
straight and imagine your head is a balloon with a string attached to the chair. If you are standing, let your arms hang casually at your sides.
your neck and it is trying to float straight up to the ceiling.
No Bobbleheads!
Eye Contact
Interviews make us eager to make a good impression, but you don’t
You can say a lot with your eyes, just watch a romantic comedy. The want to seem too eager. One such way to convey this is excessive
same goes with an interview, but for an entirely different reason. Eye nodding of your head. Do some deep breathing before your interview
contact should be direct and engaging without being creepy. Starting and find your inner stillness. Stillness can be very powerful, but again,
with the initial handshake, make direct eye contact and hold it for one creepy if it is corpse-like.
beat longer than you normally would. Answer questions while looking
directly at the interviewer. Shifty eyes or looking up when asked ques- Forget Fidgeting
tions will make you appear to by untruthful, or at the very least, unsure
of yourself. Another part of your “inner stillness” is to avoid fidgeting. Tapping your
fingers or feet, clicking your pen, obsessively tucking your hair behind
Hand Gestures your ear, etc. We all have thing we do when we are nervous to allevi-
ate that extra energy. If you are aware that you fidget, you can also be
Minimal hand gestures are alright but there are some that will subtly conscious of avoiding it. Fidgeting will distract the interviewer away from
(or not) send an aggressive vibe. Avoid pointing at the interviewer for what you are saying and focus them instead on what you are doing. So,
any reason. Also avoid a chopping motion with your hand or slapping it stop jingling the change in your pocket!
down on the desk or table.
Express Yourself

Dead eyes--another creepy thing to avoid in an interview. Employers want

to see your passion and get to know your personality better. If you are
asked a question about something that excites you, let it show. Be alive,
not a wax museum statue.

Practice Makes Perfect

To ensure your body language is conveying that you are relaxed, con-
fident, trustworthy and a great choice, practice with a friend or family
member. Have them read this article so they know what to watch out for.

Good luck, you’ve got this!

Common Interview Questions
Do You Know the Top Common Interview Questions asked during 18. Discuss your educational background.
most interviews? 19. Describe yourself.
20. Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.
Some common interview questions will be very obvious and easy to 21. Why should we hire you?
answer, however, I suggest you read the following list to make sure you 22. Why are you looking for a new job?
are 100% prepared for your next job interview. Some of them are not so 23. Would you work holidays/weekends?
obvious and you want to be sure you have an answer ready. 24. How would you deal with an angry or irate customer?
25. What are your salary requirements? (Read the section: Salary Require-
I found this list at [Link]: ments: Don’t be tricked by this job application question for help in navigating this
interview question.)
1. Most Common Interview Questions 26. Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for
2. What are your strengths? a project.
3. What are your weaknesses? 27. Who are our competitors?
4. Why are you interested in working for [insert company name here]? 28. What was your biggest failure?
5. Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? 29. What motivates you?
6. Why do you want to leave your current company? 30. What’s your availability?
7. Why was there a gap in your employment between [insert date] and 31. Who’s your mentor?
[insert date]? 32. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss.
8. What can you offer us that someone else can not? 33. How do you handle pressure?
9. What are three things your former manager would like you to 34. What is the name of our CEO?
improve on? 35. What are your career goals?
10. Are you willing to relocate? 36. What gets you up in the morning?
11. Are you willing to travel? 37. What would your direct reports say about you?
12. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of. 38. What were your boss’s’ strengths/weaknesses?
13. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. 39. If I called your boss right now and asked him/her what is an area
14. What is your dream job? that you could improve on, what would he/she say?
15. How did you hear about this position? 40. Are you a leader or a follower?
16. What would you look to accomplish in the first 30 days/60 days/90 41. What was the last book you’ve read for fun?
days on the job? 42. What are your co-worker pet peeves?
17. Discuss your resume. 43. What are your hobbies?
44. What is your favorite website?
45. What makes you uncomfortable?
46. What are some of your leadership experiences?
47. How would you fire someone?
48. What do you like the most and least about working in this industry?
49. Would you work 40+ hours a week?
50. What questions haven’t I asked you?
51. What questions do you have for me?
Don’t Say THIS in an Interview!
Now that you have an idea of the common questions you’re likely to be You’ll have plenty of time to get to know them as a person at happy hour
asked, let’s go over some things to NOT say when answering these, once you are hired.
and other questions.
“If I don’t get this job, I won’t be able to pay rent.”
And remember — no slouching!
Even if this is true, don’t admit it. You do not want to get a job based on
Avoid saying these things in an interview. I mean, really, really avoid pity, nor do you want to guilt someone into giving you a job. That is start-
them – they could kill your chances for getting the job. You might be ing off on the wrong foot and may prevent you from ever settling on solid
surprised by how many people still manage to fumble the interview ground there. Get the job on your merits and your qualifications--not
despite my warnings and kind suggestions. But you won’t because your personal circumstances.
you’ve read the following list.
“I’m hoping to someday have your job.”
“What does this company do?”
Would you hire someone who was after your job? No. Neither would
What? This says to the interviewer that you didn’t even bother to do a anyone else. It doesn’t indicate that you have ambitions. It indicates that
simple search before showing up in their office. Every good interview- you were dumb enough to say it out loud. Go home and try again.
ee knows to do their homework before an interview. If you don’t care
enough to find out what they do, you don’t care enough about working “My last job was horrible.”
there. Go home and try again.
No and No. Yes to talking about the challenges of your current or past
“When are you due?” positions. No to bad mouthing and complaining. Once a complainer,
always a complainer. No one wants that on their team.
“Umm, I’m not pregnant.” Insert foot into mouth now. Don’t ask per-
sonal questions in an interview. You are not there to find out about the “What the H*&^!”
person, you are there to find about a job. You don’t need to know if they
are married, have kids, what their favorite color is, or what they ate for No swearing EVER in a job interview. Even if the person interviewing
lunch. If you want to personalize the interview somehow, ask them you drops a causal bomb-don’t follow suit. It’s not worth compromising
about their job at the company, what they do, what they like about the your integrity for bonding over a few expletives.
company, etc. But again, this should not be the focus of your interview.
Same goes for slang and terms like:
• Dude/Bro
• Honey/Sweetie
• Girls/Guys/Ladies

Avoid casual language in an interview unless you are absolutely sure it

matches the company’s culture.

“I interviewed for another job I really want.”

Ok, good-bye then. There are better ways to show that you are in demand,
but a first interview isn’t the place to do it. If you are offered the job, then start
negotiating. But when you first meet a hiring manager, find out as much as
can about the job. Who knows, it might turn into your first choice after all.

“I may not be the most qualified but...”

Even if you feel this way, think about this: The person thought you were quali-
fied enough to interview you and they know what they want. So, in a way, you
could be insulting their intelligence right along with your own self deprecation.
Be in it to win it! Let them decide if you are qualified--it’s their job.
How to Prepare for Behavioral Job Interview Questions
What are Behavioral Job Interview Questions? As you read each one, jot down the experiences you want to share and
a few keywords that describe them.
Well, if you are going to prepare for them, you need to know what
behavioral job interview questions are, right? They ask questions about Q: Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
how you have (or will) behave in certain situations and require more A: I had been working on a key project that was scheduled for delivery
than yes or no answers. to the client in 60 days. My supervisor came to me and said that we
needed to speed it up and be ready in 45 days, while keeping our other
Typically, most job interviews will include several behavioral interview projects on time. I made it into a challenge for my staff, and we effective-
questions and the following list will help you recognize them and pre- ly added just a few hours to each of our schedules and got the job done
pare your answers. in 42 days by sharing the workload.
Of course, I had a great group of people to work with, but I think that my
Behavioral Question Format effective allocation of tasks was a major component of the success of
the project.
The Question
1. Present a situation
Q: How do you handle a challenge? Give an example.
2. Ask you to describe what action you have taken to respond to
something similar in the past A: One time, my supervisor needed to leave town unexpectedly, and we
were in the middle of a touchy negotiation with a new sponsor.
3. Inquire what the result was
I was tasked with putting together a PowerPoint presentation just from
the notes he had left, and some briefing from his manager. My presen-
Your Answers
tation turned out successfully- we got the sponsorship, and the manage-
Craft your answers to provide one of the following:
ment team recommended me for an award.
1. Concrete examples of skills and experiences that relate directly to
the position you are interviewing for.
2. Examples of your success in the past that are positive indicators of Q: Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?
your potential success in the future at their company. A: Once I misquoted the fees for a particular type of membership to
the club where I worked. I explained my mistake to my supervisor, who
The following list of questions and examples of answers is from The appreciated my coming to him, and my honesty. He told me to offer
Balance. to waive the application fee for the new member. The member joined
the club despite my mistake, my supervisor was understanding, and
although I felt bad that I had made a mistake, I learned to pay close
attention to the details so as to give accurate information in the future.
Q: Give an example of how you set goals. writing a book on the development of language in Europe in the Mid-
dle Ages. We were each assigned different sectors to focus on, and I
A: Within a few weeks of beginning my first job as a sales associate in
suggested that we meet independently before our weekly meeting with
a department store, I knew that I wanted to be in the fashion industry.
the professor to discuss our progress, and help each other out if we
I decided that I would work my way up to department manager, and at
were having any difficulties. The professor really appreciated the way
that point I would have enough money saved to be able to attend design
we worked together, and it helped to streamline his research as well. He
school full-time.
was ready to start on his final copy months ahead of schedule because
I did just that, and I even landed my first job through an internship I com-
of the work we helped him with.
pleted the summer before graduation.

Q: Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you Q: What do you do if you disagree with someone at work?
achieved it. A: A few years ago, I had a supervisor who wanted me to find ways to
outsource most of the work we were doing in my department. I felt that
A: When I started working for XYZ Company, I wanted to achieve the
my department was one where having the staff on premises had a huge
Employee of the Month title. It was a motivational challenge, and not all
impact on our effectiveness and ability to relate to our clients. I present-
the employees took it that seriously, but I really wanted that parking spot,
ed a strong case to her, and she came up with a compromise plan.
and my picture on the wall. I went out of my way to be helpful to my col-
leagues, supervisors, and customers - which I would have done anyway,
I liked the job and the people I worked with. The third month I was there, Q: Share an example of how you were able to motivate employees
I got the honor. It was good to achieve my goal, and I actually ended up or co-workers.
moving into a managerial position there pretty quickly, I think because of A: I was in a situation once where the management of our department
my positive attitude and perseverance. was taken over by employees with experience in a totally different indus-
try, in an effort to maximize profits over service. Many of my co-workers
Q: Describe a decision you made that wasn’t popular and how you were resistant to the sweeping changes that were being made, but I rec-
handled implementing it. ognized some of the benefits right off the bat, and was able to motivate
my colleagues to give the new process a chance to succeed.
A: Once, I inherited a group of employees when their supervisor relocated
to another city. They had been allowed to cover each other’s shifts with-
out management approval. I didn’t like the inconsistencies, where certain Q: Have you handled a difficult situation? How?
people were being given more opportunities than others. I introduced a A: When I worked at ABC Global, it came to my attention that one of
policy where I had my assistant approve all staffing changes, to make my employees had become addicted to painkillers prescribed after she
sure that everyone who wanted extra hours and was available at certain had surgery. Her performance was being negatively impacted, and she
times could be utilized. needed to get some help. I spoke with her privately, and I helped her to
Q: Give an example of how you worked on a team. arrange a weekend treatment program that was covered by her insur-
A: During my last semester in college, I worked as part of a research ance. Fortunately, she was able to get her life back on track, and she
team in the History department. The professor leading the project was received a promotion about six months later.
Candidate Questions to ask the Interviewer
Do you have any questions for me? 5. “Could I Meet Some of the People I’d Be Working With?”

You’ve made it through most of the interview. You answered all the 6. This question shows that you understands the importance of cultural fit
common questions and aced the hard behavioral interview questions. and team dynamics and that it matters to you.

The last interview question can be the hardest to answer: 7. “Why Has the Person in This Role Decided to Leave?” / “Who Had This
“Do you have any questions for me?” Role Before?”

Undoubtedly, you do have questions, but if you don’t prepare for this 8. This can reveal many things. Was the person a bad fit? Did they get
part of the interview it can get awkward real quick. Remember, the promoted or move to different company? If the recruiter hesitates or
interviewer is hoping you will ask questions. So have at it. becomes evasive, that could tell you everything you need to know!
Candidate Questions to Ask That Will Really Impress
9. “What Do You Like Most About Working Here?”
The following candidate questions were compiled from 100,000 inter-
views conducted by a team at The Muse. These were the ones the 10. As a candidate, it’s the perfect question to catch the recruiter a little off-
stood out from thousands of mundane questions like, “what’s it like to guard and get an honest answer. Regardless of what they say, you can
work here?” probably gauge how they truly feel about their company, which gives
you another indication of whether it’s the right fit for you.
Ask these instead:
11. “Do You Have Any Reservations About Me or My Qualifications?”
1. “Who does _____?” or “How do you get ___________ done?”
12. First of all, it takes bravery to ask this question. It’s gutsy. And it gives
2. This shows that you have insight into the position and places you in you the opportunity to address any concerns up front and in person.
the role you’ve applied for.
13. “How Do You Deal With Professional Disagreements Within the Team?
3. “Why Does This Role Matter to the Growth of the Company?” Can You Give Me an Example?”

4. This question shows that you are interested in more than just what 14. This is another question that shows that you care about team dynamics
the interviewer thinks of you. It also proves that you want to make and understand that how a team works together can make or break the
an impact beyond your own rol e or team and get a feel for how success of projects.
you’d fit into the future plans of the business.
How to Ace a Phone Interview
What is the purpose of a phone interview? What to Concentrate on in a Phone Interview
A phone interview is like a pre-date. It is used to ask a few key ques- Keep in mind that the goal is to schedule a face-to-face, not complete
tions to determine if the candidate is qualified to bring in for a face-to- the entire interview on the phone. The idea is to not waste time--yours or
face interview. Something in the candidate’s resume, application, or the interviewer’s.
cover letter caught the hiring manager’s eye and her or she just wants
to be sure. Keep your answers short and only answer what is being asked. If the
interviewer wants to know more, he or she will ask.
All the same rules apply to a phone interview as they do to an in-person
interview--it’s just more concise with shorter answers. If you smile, they When you are asked to “tell me about your yourself”, here are
will hear it in your voice. some tips:
• Give information that is related to your relevant work history. Include
Preparing for a phone Interview things that would matter to the job you are applying for.
• Give examples of projects and jobs that helped prepare you for this
Before the interview have the following things ready: job.
• A copy of your resume • Give a brief list of your professional skills as they relate to doing this
• A glass of water job well.
• Pen and paper • Make any experience you have relevant to the job you are interview-
• A quiet place to conduct the call ing for.
• Turn off phone alerts
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Make sure you have researched the company and have made a list of
your strengths and weaknesses. More on that later. These are always tricky questions, but they give you another chance to
relate to the job you are applying for. When talking about your strengths,
Don’t do the follow things: focus on the specific skill requirements of the job. Include examples of
• Eat problem solving.
• Chew gum
• Smoke When talking about your weaknesses, don’t give a canned answer like,
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer “I just work too hard.” Nope, not going to work. Instead, be honest with
something like, “Finding time to stay current with all the new technolo-
gies and skills required in your field.” Everyone has this problem these
days with the fast paced world of technology. Follow it up with an example
of how you try to combat this. Classes, webinars, groups, professional
organizations, etc.

Avoid Answering Questions about Salary in a Phone

Interview

It’s always a good idea to avoid answering this question early in the
interview process. It’s hard to say what you want to make without knowing
more about the position. When it comes to negotiating a salary, it is also
best to get the company to make the first offer.

Related: Negotiating a Job Offer (or anything else you want)

You can reply with something like, “I would like to find out more about the
company, the position, and your benefits package before I can answer
that question.”

The End Goal of a Phone Interview

When it comes to the end of the phone interview, if you haven’t already
been asked to schedule a second interview now is your chance. Usually
the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. You can say, “Yes,
when can meet in person?”
Interview Follow-Up: Just Do It!
How Effective is Your Interview Follow-up? How to Follow-Up
So, you’ve had your interview, you sent your thank you, you keep Keeping the above don’ts and whys in mind, here is some solid advice
searching--now what? on following up:
• Don’t follow-up prior to the time frame the employer gave you to
If you are in a lull with your job search it is good to ask yourself, “Who expect to hear from them. But remember, you should have already
haven’t I followed-up with lately?” send your thank you.
• A quick email or phone call is sufficient
Before you do, check out Allison Green’s article in U.S. News & World
Report on 5 Things You Should Never Do While Waiting to Hear Back If you want to read more on this subject, check out How Following Up
About a Job. Can Help You Land the Job.

DON’T do the following: Here are some examples:

• Check in aggressively.
• Bluff by saying you have another job offer when you really don’t. Dear [hiring manager’s name],
• Stop applying and interviewing for other jobs. I hope all is well. I just wanted to check in and see if there’s an up-
• Go on vacation and become inaccessible without giving the em- date on the timeline or status for the [job title] position I interviewed
ployer a heads up. for on [date of interview]. I’m still very interested and look forward to
• Agonize and obsess. hearing back from you.

Why You Should Follow Up OR

Ok, now that you know what NOT to do, let’s talk about why you should
follow up: Since we last spoke, I couldn’t stop thinking about our conversation
• It Can Give You Peace of Mind about [business challenge you discussed]. I wondered if the team
• It Gives You a Chance to Strut Your Stuff (a Little More) has considered [your idea for a solution]? I faced something similar
• It Can Move Things Along or Give You Closure at [previous company name] and this [explain positive result, with
numbers if possible].
Use the following ONLY if it is true:

Dear [hiring manager’s name],

I hope all is well. I wanted to check in on the status of the [job title]
position, as I’ve received an offer from another company. I’m still
very much interested in joining the team at [company name], and
wanted to get an update on my candidacy and the timeline before
making a decision. Please let me know when you have a moment.
Thanks!

It’s polite to let potential employers and your recruiter know if you’ve
received offers elsewhere, and especially if you’ve take a new job.
How to Ask for Feedback After an Interview (when you don’t get the job)
Post-Interview Feedback Can Be Really Helpful search.
Thank you again for your time.
Feedback, presented in the right way, can really help job candidates Best wishes,
improve their interview skills and career success. However, so many [Your name]
job applications don’t ask for it and hiring managers don’t give it. Why?
Asking For Feedback Indicates Maturity
In today’s busy work culture, many employers won’t take the time to
give constructive feedback to candidates who didn’t make the cut--with- It can be hard, but it’s worth it. Even if you weren’t the perfect fit for
out being asked. So, ASK! this particular position, the way you handle the entire interview process
(including the rejection) could set you up to be considered in the future.
Respect Everyone’s Time
Asking for feedback shows that you are willing to learn and improve. It is
The hiring process can be lengthy and time consuming for employers also a great opportunity to let your positive attitude shine through.
and frustrating and drawn out for candidates. Everyone has time is-
sues, so it is important to be sensitive to everyone’s time--on both sides You Might Discover Something You Didn’t Know About
of the table. Yourself
Once you are notified that you did not get the job, send an email so Feedback and constructive criticism can be particularly hard to hear if
they can respond when they have time. I know this is a tough time, you think you aced the interview. That is why it is really important to ask
and our human pride can get in the way. But you have a lot to gain by for it. You might discover you have an annoying habit you are unaware
getting some good feedback. of. Maybe you tap your foot constantly and fidget. Maybe you looked at
the clock too much. Maybe you interrupt people when they are talking. It
Your email can be very simple and short. For example: might just be that you lacked certain skills or the hiring manager felt you
weren’t the perfect cultural fit. The point it, you don’t know until you ask.
Dear ________, Instead of torturing yourself by wondering--ask!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to apply for [position] at
[company.]
If you have time, I’d really appreciate some feedback about my
interview skills and overall qualifications. I’m always looking for
ways I can improve, and I value your insight as I continue my job
Additional Job Search Tools
Searching for a new job and interviewing are hard. It’s hard to keep your
eye on the prize every day, especially if you aren’t hearing back and have
a day job you have to concentrate on.

Career Resumes is here to help. Our website has all kind of useful infor-
mation for you, including:
• Free Resume/CV Critique
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Bonus Material – 10 Clues to Solving Criminally Bad Interviewing!
by Pierre G. Daunic, Ph.D., CCM question beyond that is usually doomed to failure. If it doesn’t sound
stilted or canned, it lacks credibility. So in your own words, tell them
How are your interviewing skills? what seems the most plausible answer. Speak from the heart, as simply
and directly as possible, keeping their needs in mind. Your sincerity will
Other than gaining exposure to job marketing channels, perhaps no win points!
other part of a career search is as neglected as preparing for an inter-
view. Job hunts are thus often unduly prolonged, costing the job seeker 3. Keep your answers short.
time, money, and peace of mind. So here are 10 easy clues that will, if
you follow them, lead you to more success and a shorter career search! There is nothing worse than boring the interviewer. Yet many an
interviewee, unsure of having answered a question correctly, drones on,
Related: Interview Techniques that will Land You the Job often repeating himself as he tries to “get it right.” Solution: Make a con-
scious effort to keep your answer short, but if unsure about whether or
1. Tell employers what they want to hear. not you’ve answered correctly, ask, “Does that answer your question?”
If the interviewer needs more info, he can ask for it.
Far too many of us forget to stick to the reason we are being inter-
viewed: our ability to meet the employer’s needs. Instead, we squan- 4. Follow the Rule of 3.
der valuable interviewing time talking about our needs, interests, or
the irrelevant. It would be more productive, however, to focus on how A good way to keep your answers manageable and on target is to frame
we can be of help to them. To that end, we must study the company them in three parts. For example, if asked, “Why should we hire you?”
beforehand and listen attentively during the interview to make sure we a marketing executive might say, “First, I meet all of your stated needs.
have a clear idea of what they need. Once we do, we are in a much Second, my experience in solving problems such as those you men-
better position to point out how our qualifications meet their needs. tioned is especially strong. And finally, my knowledge of how to gain
exposure to hidden markets should be of immediate value to you.” Such
Related: Preparing for an Interview: A checklist for success tripartite answers are easily composed on the fly (with a little practice)
while conveying a sense of certainty and logic.
2. Plausible, not perfect.
5. Avoid negativity.
Perhaps the only perfect answers you can give during an interview
are “Yes” and “No,” so any attempt to deliver a “solid gold” reply to a There are many ways interviewers can draw you into being negative.
They can ask you about your past mistakes, weaknesses, poor reviews,
gaps in employment or education, bad bosses, your dislikes, etc. You 8. Avoid “canned” answers.
should always answer honestly, of course, but as noted above, keep your
answers short, the better to avoid “raising a red flag.” And remember too Inexperienced interviewees study lists of commonly asked or problem
that truth is often subjective and relative, so be as positive as possible. questions, and then struggle to compose and deliver their answers
Always put yourself and others in the best light consistent with the truth virtually verbatim. Aside from sounding rehearsed—a turn-off—their
rather than being overly and unnecessarily hard on yourself or others. answers often aren’t appropriate to the question being asked. A much
better way to approach practicing for interviews is to remember three
6. Ask them questions. words [See the “Rule of 3” in this document] associated with how
you might answer this or that question. Then, just build your answer
You miss opportunities to make a good impression if you fail to ask on each word or thought in turn, not worrying about being perfect.
questions of your own during the interview, especially those that relate to
the job. Asking questions, often as a comeback to a question you were 9. “Mirror” the Interviewer.
asked, shows you have been listening and that you are sincerely inter-
ested in their needs. Not asking questions, on the other hand, can be Any good salesman [and you are selling yourself in an interview,
construed as indifference or uncertainty. right?] tries to “mirror” his prospects; i.e., he tries to imitate their
attitude, facial expressions, or body language. Why? Because it
Remember too that since not every interviewer is adept at telling you sends a subtle psychological message that he is like them, that he
what he needs, you must be ready to draw those needs out of him. The understands the importance of their needs. So, if it seems appropri-
better you know what they want, the better you can convince them of your ate, when they smile, he smiles; when they lean back, he leans back;
suitability. when they knit their brows, he knits his, etc.

Related: Candidate Questions to ask the Interviewer (and impress the Remember that half of any interview is “chemistry,” how you and your
heck out of them) interviewer interact. Yes, you want to be appreciated for what you can
do, but you also want to be seen as someone who will fit in.
7. Anticipate problem questions.
10. Practice.
Most of us can guess where our weak areas are; e.g., our lack of educa-
tion or experience, our age, gaps in our work history, etc. So, remember- Too many people fail interviews simply because they don’t take the
ing the rules about “plausibility, not perfection,” and “keep your answers time to practice, not because they can’t do the job. No, you can’t
short,” explained earlier, have credible rebuttals ready—you don’t want to anticipate every question, but the very act of practicing, remembering
be struggling to think of something at the last moment. to use the rules above, will allow presenting yourself with much more
self-assurance and credibility. If you can’t get a friend or spouse to
Related: How to Prepare for Behavioral Job Interview Questions critique you, then play back and analyze questions and answers you
have tape-recorded.
In most respects, interviewing is like public speaking, often regarded as
one of the things we fear doing most. But since confidence is built upon
Pierre Daunic is a highly trained, industry-credentialed
knowledge, if you take the time to investigate and internalize the rules set
Career Services expert who focuses on providing top
forth above, you won’t get “stage fright.” So get your mind straight before
echelon writing and editing of resumes, CVs, cover
and during an interview. Take deep breaths, visualize yourself as calm
letters, LinkedIn profiles, bios and other career mar-
and in control, see yourself making a good impression, and … relax!
keting materials for executives and managers in all
industries at all levels. He is a senior writer at Career
You’re going to do fine!
Resumes. In addition, he assists those needing help
in changing careers or returning to the workforce.
Pierre’s primary goal is to continue to assist those in
need of career help in either a group setting or one-
on-one.

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