The Dos and Don'ts of Interviewing

One of the advantages of working within the staffing world is that you get the ins and outs of the client side, as well as the job seeker side. Here at Dawson, we know what a client is looking for, what the job seeker expects and we get the make the perfect match. So, in so many words, we are “all knowing.” Not to give ourselves a pat on the back, but we are a wealth of knowledge and I have decided we should share some of it. The information I continuously plan on sharing could be for a 16 year old getting their first job, a recent college grad or a CEO who is looking to make a change and hasn’t interviewed in years…

Read, learn and I hope you enjoy:

Interview Dos

Greet the interviewer by last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If not, ask the employer to repeat it.
Project energy and enthusiasm. Smile and shake hands firmly.
Sit upright, look alert and interested at all times. Listen carefully and respond succinctly and articulately.
Look the hiring manager in the eye while speaking.
Focus your responses on your background, skills and accomplishments as it relates to the position.
Be sincere and truthful while focusing on communicating your specific professional achievements that relate to the job opening.

Interview Don'ts

Don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. If “yes” is an appropriate answer don’t say “yeah” say “yes.”
If you don't understand a question – or need a moment to think about it - say so. Never pretend to know something or someone when you don't.
Don't rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you. Interviewers will want you to be convincing.
Don't make negative remarks about present or former employers/colleagues/professors/peers. When explaining your reasons for leaving, communicate your rationale professionally.
Don't over-answer questions.
Don't inquire about salary, vacations, benefits, bonuses or retirement on the initial interview. If the interviewer asks what salary you want, indicate that you're more interested in the opportunity for continued learning and professional development than in a specific salary.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on November 4, 2011 at 4:14pm: Thanks Glenna, good reminders. I have to mention though that when a candidate responds to the salary question in they way you've advised here I tell them that's fantastic and we're happy to accept volunteers.

PLEASE don't ever ignore or redirect the salary question. It just annoys us.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on November 4, 2011 at 4:53pm: I totally agree with Amy about the salary advice. That is a dodgy answer that raises a red flag that a candidate is playing games or has been coached not to answer. There are several ways to answer that question that does not put anyone in a box.

1. My current/last salary was x. Due to the economy we have not had raises in 3 years, part of but not all of the reasons I am looking.

2. I am at x, but that is after 9 years of service. No advancement available. I am more than willing to look at the job, comp package and future as a whole.

3. I am at x, but I am traveling 90% which is part of the reason I am looking. I understand this job only requires 50% so that is a strong consideration.

The money question is a great time to get into factors that will give the recruiter valuable information to sell the candidate.

I believe that as recruiters we have a responsibility to give our candidates as much info as we can about what a job pays and should expect the same in return. Playing games with money on either side is the cause of most bad outcomes and bad feelings.

Interviewing is not a game. It's a business discussion between business people.

Comment by Glenna Halligan on November 7, 2011 at 8:38am: Amy,

Thank you for your comment and I understand the frustration that can come from the redirection of the salary question. Will make note of that!

Comment by Glenna Halligan on November 7, 2011 at 8:39am: Sandra,

Thank you for the comment and the advice on how else this can topic can be addressed in an interview. Much appreciated and will take into consideration during the prep here at Dawson!

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