Over 58%* of jobs are lost BEFORE the actual interview takes place.  Yet advice-givers go on and on about the job interview itself, — how to respond to different questions, what the interviewer is trying to find out about you, etc.  Fact is, before you sit down for the interview, you have already made your first impression. at the company, ..and no matter how well you do in the interview, you are either going uphill or downhill with the interviewer.  Why not make sure you start out on a positive note?  It is simple to do.

First, dress appropriately.  This does not mean that you wear your Sunday-best, but it does mean that you wear neat, clean, pressed clothes that match the job level, and up one.  If you are trying to get a job as a fork lift driver, you don’t need to wear a suit.  But, if  jeans are the normal ‘uniform’  do NOT wear jeans, wear nice casual trousers, khakis for example.  That is what I mean by ‘up one.’  If you are applying for an office job, and it is obvious that the office attire is business casual, you interview in a suit.

Next,  get positive.  Sure, you have been on interviews that have gone nowhere.  But this one is THE one.  There are all kinds of techniques to get yourself to this place, read a positive article (try JOBDIG, for this!), talk with a mentor, listen to tapes, or convince yourself that this is THE opportunity you have been searching for. 

Your biggest asset, smile.  I know getting a job is stressful, and the interview itself is the most punishing aspect of it.  But if you walk into the company without a smile on your face, and the resulting bounce in your step, you are digging yourself into a hole.

How to greet people.  I have seen many job seekers flunk common sense.  The person you first meet when you get to the company will FOR SURE seek out your interviewer and comment on how you first made contact.  Why wouldn’t they?  They care about their workplace environment and they want to make sure that new hires ‘fit.’  Get a smile on your face, make eye contact, offer a greeting, say clearly why you are here, and slowly say your name.  Get their name too!  I am not suggesting that you be insincere, just say something like  “Hello, gosh it is nice outside today, isn’t it?  I am here to meet with Joe Smith about a job, my name is Sandy Jones.”  If the person does not offer their name, ask for it!  You might need it later.

Assuming you have to wait for the interviewer, now is the right time to do your last minute informational interview.  The person you just met can actually help you.  Find out about the company, and what has happened recently…something as simple as “is there any news in the last week or so about the company? Anything exciting happen?  I like what I know so far about your company, it looks like a great place.”  Most people will give a nice short answer to this question-comment…an answer that you can use in the interview.  More than that, you will have established yourself as a positive person, and a person who is comfortable with others, and a person who is engaged enough to want to learn more about this company.

If you are offered coffee or a drink, take it.  This might be counter-intuitive, but here is my reasoning.  In sales, we know that if the prospect does some work in the sales process like sending in the requirements for the job, that is a sure sign that you are heading down the right path.  So, in the job interview, if you are asked if you want coffee, this is a good sign.  Key: do not accept it like he or she is your servant.  Say something like ‘that would be nice.  May I get it myself?  Or come with you?”  This is a great way to ask more questions about the company, or about this person.  If you can make a connection to this person, you are starting to win the job.

The introduction to the job interviewer is important.  I know you are nervous.  We are all nervous on the first interview.  This is where you must practice, this is a small detail that requires 10 minutes of planning and practice.  Your job interview has started and this might be the only part of it under your complete control.  So, why not get it completely right?  I do not mean memorize some clever lines to give to the person, but practice sitting down, and then standing, extending your hand and making a good first impression.  It is actually quite simple.  “Hi, Mr. Jones, I am Sandy Jones. It is nice to meet you.”  It is NOT what you say it, it is all about how you say it.  Say with confidence and say it clearly.  Make sure your handshake is business like and be ready to respond to any greeting that comes back to you. This is where you practice and think, think, think.  What will he most likely say?  He will ask if you found the location easily enough, he might make a comment on the traffic, or did you get coffee, you know the typical responses.  How will you answer them?  Make sure your answers are again clear, crisp and friendly.  If you have the chance, make a comment about Ms. Smith, the receptionist, “Mrs. Smith is sure a nice person,  she represents your company well.”

The walk to the interview room is also important.  Who cares, you ask.  Interviewers care.  I know of an interviewer who literally watches to see how the candidate walks.  If the person is sure and confident, he says, he can tell by how the person walks..it is almost like they have a bounce to their step.  Certainly, they exhude a positve, confident attitude.  If they shuffle back to the conference room, that is a clear and bad sign.

Greet people you pass.  You don’t have to be a glad-hander here, doing something completely out of character.  But if you pass people in the hallway, make eye contact (showing confidence) and a simple and appropriate greeting is fine, “hi, how are you,” is fine.

In the interview room or area, wait until your interviewer is seated first.  Then you take your seat, and as soon as you sit down, move the chair slightly toward the interviewer, or at least lean forward.  I have seen too many candiates sit down comfortably, and almost slouch into the seat.  Your seated posture is as important as your posture during the walk back to the interview.  Sit up straight, look attentive, lean forward, and make eye contact.

I know some people recommend looking around and making small talk…”I see Jim you are a golfer.”  I don’t think you should do that since it is so easy and superficial.  Chances are your interviewer will make a bit of small talk at this point, be prepared to have a minute or two of small talk.  This is a simple conversation, it is like you are at a party and meet someone for the first time, it is not a big deal.  The important thing is to be naturally curious, ask questions…but to that effectively, you must listen and listen hard.  Some job candidates lose right here, they fail to make eye contact and give the impression that they are not truly listening.  Listen up, is the best advice of all for this pre-interview stage.

Now you are ready for the job interview.

Good Luck.

*87% of all statistics are made up.