Winning steps to a a successful job interview

How to Close the Winning Job Interview: A Step by Step Approach

When you're interviewing for a new position, first impressions are important. Even more important is the last impression you make before the interview comes to a close. Below is a brief outline of dos and don'ts for a successful job interview. First, arrive professionally dressed in a suit. Second, there has never been a better first impression than a firm handshake. Third, look the prospective employer square in the eye, smile, and repeat your name. When you are in his office, don't sit back relaxed, even if he has his feet on his desk. Sit assertively. Body language speaks. Keep good eye contact with the employer throughout the interview. Remember, the first interview is a get acquainted time. You are building a relationship. The employer is trying to determine how he feels about you. He wants to know if you will fit into the office environment. The second interview is when he will get down to the nitty-gritty. Even though it normally takes two interviews to get a decision, by getting an initial commitment during the first interview, you are a step ahead of the game. The first interview is also a positioning time. The objective of the applicant is to position himself as a professional - not a buddy - in the mind of the employer. He must see you as his number one candidate when the interview is completed. When answering questions, make your answers short and to the point. Give the complete answer, but summarize it into a concise form. Never go off into war stories, or long explanations of why or how events developed in any area of your past. Ask a lot of questions. The first interview is a two-way street. It is the only time in the interviewing process that an applicant can ask virtually anything. You cannot make a decision whether or not you want to work for a company unless you have the facts. You will never get the facts unless you ask. Let your intelligence and skills be understood by the employer through the questions you ask rather than the answers you give to his questions. Good questions to ask are: 1) When did the interviewer get started in this industry? That gives the prospective employer opportunity to talk about himself. 2) If I work hard and become a quality person for your company, where will I be in five years? This tells the employer that you are interested in long term career objectives rather than a short term job to fill an immediate gap. There are two subjects you never bring up on the first interview: salary and benefits. The first interview will probably determine your value to the company. If you handle yourself professionally, it will be remembered and a higher salary can be attained. The reverse is also true. When asked, be sure to keep your salary within a range, never be specific. Most of the time, information on benefits will be volunteered by the employer at some point in the interviewing process. The close of the interview is extremely important. Most interviews end somewhat like this, "We appreciate your coming by. We are looking at several people at this time and will be in touch with you in a day or two." When this happens, it is time to ask yourself an important question: based on all the information you have gathered during your questioning, is this the type of company and the type of job you are looking for? If all the pluses are there and you want the job, you must go for it. Close on the interviewer just as you would if you were selling a service or product - and you are selling the greatest product in the world - you! Here is how to handle the close. Thank the employer for the time he or she granted you for the interview. Express your pleasure at being there. Tell him that you are impressed with him, the company and the job description. Then continue with a pause, "Mr. Smith, if I understand you right, you are looking for someone who can..." (At this point name the four most important points that he gave as a job description, such as knowing the product or service, having the contacts already in the industry, closing sales and coming away with orders.) Finally, assure him you will work hard to make this job a success. Then look him straight in the eye and tell him that you can do everything he has defined in the job description and you want this job Can I come to work for you?" Then shut up. By closing on your own interview, you position yourself as number one. No one else will close at the end of the interview. The sales manager cannot forget you, because you closed on him! Everyone that he interviews will be measured by you and no one will come up to your close. That's how you get a sales job. Present a professional image, ask questions, position yourself as number one and finally close. By Douglas D. Childress