Job Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts
Posted November 17th, 2014
There is a lot of advice out there on how to go about getting a job and getting through the hiring process. There are countless sites on the Internet dealing with jobs and job searches.
One of the key parts of any hiring process is the interview. And there is plenty of advice on how to interview well. But much of this advice is uneven – some of it is more helpful, some less, some actually harmful. Part of the reason for this is that interviewing techniques change as the needs and conditions of the workplace change.
For example, here are few of the more common pieces of advice on interviewing, along with some commentary on their current usefulness.
1. Dress professionally.
This usually means a suit and tie. And for many jobs, this still holds true. But in today’s workplace, wearing a suit to an interview may not be the best thing to do. For example, if you are interviewing at an IT startup, you probably would look completely out of place if you showed up for an interview in a suit. And this could in fact send the wrong signal to those who work at the company – telling them, I’m not one of you, I don’t understand your workplace culture.
That is why it is important to research the company. If you want to get an idea of the workplace style and culture, you can look at the company website or check out sites like glassdoor.com or vault.com
2. Be Yourself.
This is common advice given to job candidates going for in interview. But it is not entirely true. When you go for an interview, you are selling yourself, essentially putting on a show. You are trying to convince them you have what they need. So, while you don’t want to deceive, you do want to figure out what the company is looking for and then develop a story to show them you have what that is.
And it is important to remember that first impressions count. Research has shown that we form opinions of people very quickly. So, when you enter the room, you want to enter confidently, looking people in the eye, with a smile, a firm handshake, a hearty greeting, and the ability to make small talk. This initial meeting phase is crucial.
3. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.
This also really isn’t true. After all, you are there to win their approval, to show them you have what it takes to do the job. You want to show them that you really want the job. And so don’t let this little spurious piece of interview wisdom lull you into believing you shouldn’t prepare and do everything you can to impress the hiring manager.
If you’re a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area and are looking for work in the IT sector, send your resume to Bayside Solutions, one of the premier staffing agencies in the Bay area. We look forward to hearing from you
