by Dr. Michael Smith

Created on: January 10, 2009

So you work hard getting your resume just right. You labor over the cover letter and send all your materials to a company, and you land an interview. You are on your way to getting a great new job. All you need to do is make it through the interview process, which usually requires more than one interview, and with more than one person within the organization. While most job seekers can pass the resume, cover letter, get your foot in the door test, many find the interview a huge hurdle. What should a person say or not say? What should he/she do in an interview or not do? Consider these ideas about what you should never say or do, in an interview, if you want to move forward in the process and get a job.

Hold your questions until the end of the interview

Many people interviewing for a position aggressively start asking questions long before the interviewer is finished with his questions. Always wait for the interviewer to ask if you have questions. And even then, do not make the mistake of asking the wrong questions. The major wrong question to ask is about pay, benefits, vacations, holidays, and incentive pay. Those should be reserved for the hiring interview, and asking them too early leaves the impression you are only interested in the money.

Another major misstep is to ask what the company does. Never go to a job interview without first finding out what the company does. The ease of getting information on the internet makes this an easy thing to do, and prevents you from making a major mistake. You show interest in a position when you are proactive enough to do your homework.

When the interviewer asks if you have questions, always have some. If you research the company in advance, prepare questions about their future plans, new products, what the work environment is like, or ask about whether the company works in a team environment. This shows that you are at least conversant with current trends in the corporate world.

Be sure to watch your language

Begin your interview with a proper greeting. Stand, make eye contact, and give a firm handshake when the interviewer enters the room. Give a formal greeting, and do not be overly personal. Getting the interviewer to be your buddy will not help you get a job. Maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Do not slouch, sit up straight and give clear, concise answers to questions. Do not talk too much. Answer the question and then shut up. Too many interviewees talk themselves out of a job by being verbose.

Always use

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