Nailing the Interview

Yuwanda Black, a serial entrepreneur, small business columnist and author, notes that there is more to a job interview than being punctual, dressing appropriately and providing a prospective employer with a copy of your resume and references. In an Oct. 14, 2003, article on College Central, a job-search resources and employer services website, Black addressed some specific “human” aspects of interviewing.

Ms. Black prefaced her comments by stating, “Before you pick up the phone, turn on your computer or slide your resume into a fax machine, prepare mentally for your job search. How you feel begets what you think, which governs how you act.” Good advice, for our thoughts do direct our actions (Prov. 23:7; Luke 6:45).

She then offered six things you can do to increase your chances of finding a job:

1. Decide with your whole heart that you want the job before you apply.

2. During the interview, smile and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

3. As the interview is coming to a close, ask the interviewer if he or she has any other questions for you (i.e., demonstrate that you realize there may be points overlooked or not explained fully by you that the interviewer may be hesitant to readdress).

4. Don’t appear desperate.

5. Remember, hiring managers want you to be the best fit for the job (i.e. if you’ve gotten as far as an interview, they want you to be the one they hire because it means less work for them; so, go in knowing that they’re on the same side as you).

6. Follow-up with a thank you note. “Without addressing all the obvious do’s and don’ts, these are the areas more applicants should pay attention to,” wrote Ms. Black.

Source: “Career Corner: How to Get a Job In a Slow Economy,” by Yuwanda Black, www.CollegeCentral.com.