by Nancy Molloy
Find out as much information as you can about the interviewer via the internet or LinkedIn. If you are meeting with human resources, you may anticipate questions about your career history to date, and other more general questions as to how and why you are at the crossroads you are. If you are meeting with the hiring manager, the interview questions are likely to be more technical in nature and more process oriented. To that end, you might quantify your successes as results will matter to the hiring manager.
Thoroughly review the job description to ensure that you understand the qualifications and skills you will need to be successful on the job. Ask questions such as why the position is open and what the short and/or long-term goals of the position may be. This allows the hiring manager to speak towards results and provide insight as to her/his needs. Once you understand how you and the job fit into the plan, then you can talk about how your past experiences can help you to contribute to those goals.
Be authentic, and speak only about what you know. It is okay to say, "I do not know but can research that and get back to you." Then pause. Please to not talk if you have nothing to add. Some of us get nervous and even uncomfortable during silences in interviews. It takes time to digest the conversation so hit pause and let the interviewer lead the interview. Be sure to make eye contact and smile when appropriate, this will make you and the interviewer more at ease.
Dress for the occasion. Be polite to everyone you encounter including the receptionist. After the interview, write a good old-fashioned hand written thank you note; an email may work just the same, oh well.
Stay tuned to Gayle's List, Women to Be Heard, as next month I will write about how to follow up after the interview.