Super Effective Interview Tactics

by Robin Ryan

Uncover your interview effectiveness by taking our Interactive Interview Quiz before you make a fatal mistake, talking to an employer. You must make the best impression possible and sell yourself effectively or someone else will get the job. Here are seven sure-fire ways to ace that crucial job interview.

1. Know who they are and what they do
   Ask for a complete job description. Research the company by starting at the website. If they have an annual report, glance through it. Ask everyone in your network to gather any insider information about the company, its products or services, and any recent notable developments in their industry.

2. Create a hiring strategy
   Employers can remember very little once a candidate leaves the interview. Counteract this fact by focusing them on your key strengths and stress your top five selling points, i.e. your experience, notable strengths or skills, past accomplishments, etc.

3. Have a powerful opening and closing
   There is one technique that is always effective and that is the 60-Second Sell™. This is a memorized statement summing up your top skills and accomplishments into a verbal business card. It immediately focuses the interview to exactly how you can do their job. And it is a perfect way to close the deal ending the interview by reiterating the top reasons they should hire you.

4. Display evidence of your talent
   Paint pictures by giving clear specific examples of how you’ve solved problems or preformed that particular job task before. Bring visual examples of your work—spreadsheet, tracking system, reports you wrote, designs created or outstanding performance appraisal. These types of examples are very influential and speak volumes about your abilities. Be sure you offer them some solid work references that you know will give a good firsthand report on your job performance.

5. Practice your answers
   Give sharp, clear and concise answers that are no longer than 60 seconds. Write out your responses and practice with a tape recorder, video camera, or with a friend. Be ready with well thought out answers for tough questions such as: “What is your current salary?” “What is your greatest weakness?” “Describe your worst boss.” “Why should we hire you?” “Why are you leaving?”

6. Master non-verbal communication
   Being well dressed, offering a solid handshake, making frequent eye contact, and not fidgeting are essential. A sincere smile and demonstrating genuine interest and enthusiasm for the job shows self-confidence and makes a lasting positive impression.

7. Always send handwritten thank you note, and quickly forgotten emails don’t count.

What is the biggest mistake to avoid in an interview?

Not dressing up! Employers make snap decisions the second they see you and the wrong appearance can lose you the job. Dress as if the CEO was interviewing you. Wear a suit…it's impressive. Pantsuits are perfect for the more causal industries like high tech. Select a well-fitted, stylish suit in a complimentary color. Avoid anything too baggy, boxy, sexy, low cut or see-through. Watch your hygiene—be freshly showered, with clean, pressed clothes. Neat, groomed hair, with light makeup and cologne is ideal.

For more interview assistance Robin’s Interview Advantage, and Salary Negotiation Strategies Audio Programs would be most beneficial.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

Need more assistance?  Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but are required to credit the author including author's bio, book credits, and include author's website information (with link if online); PLUS email author at robin@robinryan.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at robin@robinryan.com or 425.226.0414.