The Way to Work: Interviews

Most good interview techniques are just common sense, and if you’ve been on a few interviews, you probably think you know the ropes. This challenging quiz from Quint Careers will ensure that you know not just the ropes, but how to avoid tying yourself in knots during that crucial conversation with your future employer.

You’ve thought up brilliant answers to all of the possible questions you think your interviewer will ask you. But don’t forget to plan an answer to the question, “Do you have any questions?” You need to be prepared to ask some intelligent, well-researched questions when your interviewer opens up the dialogue, or you risk looking uninterested in the company and unengaged in the interview. In a CareerBuilder.com survey of hiring managers, 29 percent of them said that “not asking good questions” was one of the “most common and damaging interview mistakes a candidate can make.” Learn about the rest of them by reading this helpful article, sponsored both by CareerBuilder.com and CNN. If you can manage to avoid sniffing your armpits before entering the room, or telling your interviewer that you got fired for beating up your boss (true stories!), you’re already on the right track.

According to Forbes, “some job candidates wrongly assume that being critical of their current employer underscores their keen insight into corporate America.” As it turns out, there are many more mistakes you can make that might seem like they’ll make you look smart, but actually will make you look like a huge jerk. For example, don’t call to find out how you did in the interview. Don’t analyze mistakes you think the company is making now. Don’t ask about your salary on the first interview. And don’t forget that even the slightest behavioral transgression can and will be used against you. Fortunately, if you’re polite and well prepared, you can keep those mistakes to a minimum.

CIBC suggests that you think of your interview like it’s an acting job. That means researching the part, knowing your lines, staying in character and being prepared for an encore. The bank’s Web site offers numerous suggestions for each stage of the process. Just like an actor, you have a limited amount of time to make a good impression and your behavior during the first few seconds can yield success or disaster.

Obviously, it’s important to research the company before you interview; the sources listed in findingDulcinea’s Job Hunting Web Guide can help you become a quick expert on a company, so that you’ll go in prepared and articulate. The guide also offers additional tips on interview etiquette, allowing you to wrap your newfound knowledge in an entirely appealing package.