Are you:

Someone who can manage and be managed?

Do you have a great Personality- can you represent and be an Ambassador for a company?

Do you have Team/People/Conversational and Verbal skills?

Can you work long after-hours and weekends?

Can you find time to volunteer for company projects?

Play golf or team sports?

Believe it or not, these are some of the unwritten requirements that interviewers look for during a job interview. Industry skills and certification are always important and if all you want is a back office desk job with no human interaction. But it is the extras that will get people hired faster and promoted quicker.

Here is what you need to find out BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:

Where the parking is, which floor, drive time, everything at least a day before. If possible drive there a day earlier to check distance and location.

Learn as much as you can about the interviewer, the company and the Check your appearance: Dress like you are interviewing for one job higher than the one you are interviewing for to show that you have promotion potential.

Hair should be short, pulled back and professional. Check nose hairs, scruffy neck lines, teeth and shoes. No trendy or flashy outfits: Dark blue, Black or Tan suits, white or light blue shirts for men are safe. Same colors for women, pants and knee length skirts. Low or platform shoes. Clear/sheer white, black or skin tone pantyhose. No long skirts, dresses, low necklines, bright lipstick, flashy dangling earrings, purple or green hair or fancy updo's.

Find out how many interviews will be conducted, with whom and how long will the decision making process take.

Practice smiling in front of the mirror.

Take a few copies of your resume. Pick a nice color that will stand out to hand to each interviewer.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE & DURING THE INTERVIEW:

Arrive 30 minutes early. DO NOT be late. Lateness will set the interviewers behind in their schedule and put them in a bad mood. More importantly your time with them will be cut short and it will be your own fault. Also, most employers require you to fill out an application beforehand.

Check in with the receptionist first, and then visit the restroom as soon as you arrive. Wash sweaty or wet palms and dry your hands completely. True story: A candidate was rejected for clammy hands (clean and washed but not fully dry). The interview was short, terse without a goodbye handshake!

Let the interviewer offer a handshake first . You OFFER YOUR HANDSHAKE only AFTER THE IV is complete.

Sit only after the interviewer sits down and ask permission first.

Do NOT take off or unbutton your jacket even if your interviewer does.

Smile (show a happy face) through the IV even if it hurts.

Offer your resume if they dont already have a copy.

Comment on the nice office etc. Ask about pictures on the interviewers desk, if they share a sport, ask about it. Show interest. Get my drift?

Find out why the job is open, why the person left and who is doing the job now.

Write extensive notes (ask permission first) during the IV.

DO NOT ask about salary or give out any number. Let them take the lead. If asked, tell them what you made but that you will consider any offers.

NEVER SAY that you have other job offers. If asked, say you are looking at options.

Do NOT interrupt. Let the interviewer talk first and after s/he has made the presentation, say: May I ask a few questions?

AFTER THE INTERVIEW:

Thank the receptionist on the way out. Smile so s/he will remember you.

Write a note of thanks via email the next day. Let them know you appreciate their time and effort, why you like their company and you look forward to hearing from them within the time they specified.

Next article: Discover why NeuroLinguistics works during an interview!