There are many things to do to ensure you have a successful interview. You can find interview tips everywhere, from books to the Internet to your parents and teachers. The company I am currently working for recently interviewed for a freelance position. We had several candidates come in and that led me to remembering my interview pet peeves.
1. Dress up. Wear your Sunday best for an interview. Girls, wear a nice business suit or blouse and skirt with dress shoes. Guys, wear a suit and tie with dress shoes. You would be surprised at the number of people who can't make this initial impression a good one.
2. Show up before "on time." Take a test drive out to the location of your interview if that's what it takes. Know for a fact how much time it should take you to get there and what kind of traffic there should be at the time you're heading there. Showing up 5 minutes early is better than showing up exactly on time and both are better than showing up even one minute late. Yes, things happen, but you should be responsible enough to take that into account. Twenty minutes early is a good goal to aim for. You don't want your interviewers to be looking at the clock in frustration because you are wasting their time even before you get there. Don't be lazy. Be early.
3. Your chosen career field may have a specific jargon, but remember to gauge your audience as you speak with your interviewers. If they look bored, perhaps you are being too technical and need to tone it down a little. You want to show your expertise, but it's important to know how to relate yourself to your audience.
4. Always follow up. After an interview, ALWAYS write a thank you letter or email to thank your interviewers for taking the time to meet with you. It highly impresses your interviewers and is more than worth the short amount of time you should spend on it.
These four things are guaranteed to leave a good impression with your interviewers and give you a fruitful interview experience. Good luck to everyone!
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