A GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR INTERVIEW EXCELLENCE · introduction PrePAring for interVieW SucceSS In today’s competitive market place for good jobs... You need to think of yourself

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS:A GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR

INTERVIEW EXCELLENCE

introductionSchedule & Plan Ahead

PrActice MAkeS PerfectWatch Your Body Language

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APPeArAnceS: PArt 1How You Look Matters

knoW Your Audience Who Will interview You

APPeArAnceS:PArt 2What You Wear Defines You

MentAL ViSuALizAtionrehearsal

ScriPted PLAnSVerbal & Mental

during tHe interVieWgood Questions to Ask & How to conclude

SociAL MediAClean Up Your Account Profiles

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW What To Do

DO YOUR HOMEWORKStudy The Company & Job

coMMunicAtionWhat to Say & How to Balance

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1 Insight Talent Solutions

introductionPrePAring for interVieW SucceSS

In today’s competitive market place for good jobs...You need to think of yourself as more than just your skills and abilities. Rather, you are a “total” package. Perhaps you’ve heard of the term “staging” from the real estate market. Staging has become a popular way for home owners who wish to sell their property to make it look its best, in order to bring in the highest price and the fastest sale. Likewise, in today’s job market, we as professionals need to “stage” ourselves. From top to bottom, you’ll want to present the best you have to offer your potential employer in order to close the deal and get that dream job. The following steps might seem like a bit of work – but aren’t you worth it?

ScHeduLe & PLAn AHeAdInsight Talent Solutions has developed this map from over twenty years of experience preparing candidates for interviews.

Advanced scheduling is important. The following are some steps you will want to take to prepare for an interview. For your appearance, you will want to do everything from whitening your teeth, to purchasing and dry cleaning your best power suit. Also, your social media accounts should be looking as professional as you. Next, do not forget to double check your resume, study the job description, and learn all you can about the company. Looking good, along with preparation, will make you feel confidant during the interview! Furthermore, be prepared to polish this off by knowing quick to-do's and not-to-do's in interview challenges, as well as having a post-interview action plan.

If you follow this roadmap, you’ll be on your way to landing that job!


Fresh haircut• Make that appointment as soon as you start

scheduling interviews.• Get a stylish age-appropriate cut (nothing too

dramatic or too dated).• Avoid drastic, wild hair colors for interview.• If you use hair color and it needs a touch up,

do that in advance.Men, be freshly shaven• Neatly trim your facial hair - including

necklines and sideburns.• Grooming of neck/ears is strongly suggested.• Trim unruly eyebrows - if needed,

ask professional hairstylist/barber.Good manicure (Men & Ladies)• No need to have them professionally done, just

make sure they are clean & neatly trimmed.Have teeth professional cleaned (Smile!)• Not only will this reduce surface stains and bad

breath, but your teeth will also be polished – giving you a brighter smile! Remember: your smile is one of the first things your interviewer sees.

• It is strongly recommended that you also have your teeth professionally bleached, especially for professionals who are over 30.

• Budget a problem? Home whitening kits are fine.

Keep jewelry to a minimum• Ladies, when in doubt, keep jewelry simple.• Remove any facial or tongue jewelry.Ladies, keep your makeup simple as well• Avoid heavy/dark eye makeup, eyeliner, and

lipstick – it is not suitable for an interview.

If you wear glasses and time permits, consider a new pair • If you are over 40, you’d be surprised how

much of a difference just a new pair of stylishglasses can increase your chances for thejob.

• Ask for assistance – say you are going on aninterview and that you’d like a modestlystylish pair of glasses.

Do not go out of your way to show off tattoos• Remember: Any kind of distraction will

simply take away from you and your skills/abilities.

Fragrances: The simple rule of interviews - less is more• Deodorant, yes! Body odor, no!• Strong perfumes should be avoided• Aftershave should minimal at best – AVOID

strong fragrances.• No smoking (cigars or cigarettes) or strong

cooking odors (garlic, onion,spicy foods,etc.)before an interview - the smell will stay onyou and sabotage your interview.

HoW You Look MAtterS...


WHAT YOU WEARDEFINES YOU• When in doubt, wear a quality suit.

• Men or Ladies: if you don’t have one, buyone! Invest in yourself. You’ve invested inyour education – now invest in your jobsearch attire.

• Unless your interviewer specifically tells younot to wear a suit – wear a suit. Yes, it’s thatimportant!

• Have the suit be of the highest quality yourbudget allows.

• Ask your recruiter in advance whatthe corporate culture is and consult with aprofessional clothier for appropriate styles.

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• If you think you are immune, you’re not.Companies have reported the followingoffenses about candidates who didn’t get thejob.

• Be sure not to wear a suit that is too tight,too short, or too long.

• It should be professionally dry-cleaned.

• Ladies, be sure your dress or skirt lengthis appropriate and fits you correctly.

• Be sure that your heels are not too high.Pumps are best – no stilettos.

if You HAVe A greAt Suit...

• It should be professionally dry cleaned.

• Not sure if your suit has seen its better days?Get a second opinion.

• Justifying your old suit because you don’twant to spend the money on a new one?Think again, a professional suit forinterviewing is as important as your skills,abilities, and education.

Take a photo of yourself in your suit andshare it with your recruiter or a trustedfriend who will be honest with you.

5 Insight Talent Solution



LinkedIn• A well written and up-to-date resume should be on your LinkedIn Profile• Make sure to show activity on this site - by communicating with people in your field• Have a professionally described list of past experience, talents, and abilities• Offer to write recommendations of people who you admire-ask for them to return the favor. Employers

read those recommendations - lack of them suggests you can’t get any• Pictures of you should be updated, and yes - be sure to SMILE

Your social media profiles will be searched! If it’s public, it’s searchable. If you do not show professionalism in the written and visual content, your chances can be ruined. Your social media reflects to your potential employer what kind of a person you are. Realize that employers will want to learn more about you. Profanity will deter employers from your true competence, as well as extreme viewpoints if they are not professional!

Facebook• Remove all inappropriate photos, statuses,

comments, etc.• Remove drinking/partying photos.

• NO PROFANITY.

• Edit your education and work experiencesection: make sure it is up-to-date andaccurate!

• Express posts that are intelligent or havesome insight to you as an individual

• Like in dating, try to avoid religion and politics.

Twitter• No inappropriate tweets on your account.• NO PROFANITY.• Show a positive group of Followers.• Tweet intelligent and insightful thoughts/posts

that reflect your personal and professionalgoals.

• Follow accounts that show off your personaland professional lifestyle that you would wantan employer to know.

• Avoid topics of religion and politics on thisaccount as well.

SociAL MediA

WeBSiteS

• Have a well written, up-to-date resume and photo of you smiling on your LinkedIn Profile.• Make sure to show activity on this site by communicating with people in your field.• Have a professionally described list of past experience, talents, and abilities.• Offer to write recommendations of people who you admire, then ask for them to return the favor.

Employers read those recommendations – lack of them suggests you can’t get any.

LinkedIn

StudY tHe coMPAnY & tHe JoBDo your homework! Read and study the company’s mission statement and corporate goals. Look at it this way, don't you want to know about the company you might potentially be working for?

Study your resume - rehearse different experiences you gained from each job• Use examples of how you can demonstrate your past experience.Review the job description• Compare your experiences – look for demonstrated examples of your own experiences that

match up with that of the job description.Review the LinkedIn profiles of the people you’ll interview with:• That’s right, do find out who you’ll be interviewing with. Visit these people’s social media

accounts and look for common bonds.• Where did they go to college? What are their interests? These golden nuggets will net you good

results to build a connection with a potential co-worker.Have your route to the interview planned out in advance• Having a set path to take to the interview will allow you to relax on the way there. Also, it will

give you enough time to mentally prepare for the interview before you arrive.Have your contacts ready• Contacts to have on hand in case of an emergency: The client’s main office (preferably the

employer’s direct line) and your recruiter. Also, make sure your phone is charged.


ScriPtedPLAnS VerBAL & MentALWrite your script & practice Your responses to the following questions • "Tell us about yourself." Respond by

discussing your professional background – trynot to sound like you are reading your resume.

• "What are your key strengths?" It’s importantto build from your professional & educationalbackground.

• Companies look for trends andaccomplishments. They observe your pastexperience as a baseline for your futurebehaviors.

Tough questions:• "What are your weaknesses?" Be prepared to

answer this question. It’s the one that stumpsmost candidates. Script this out in the “pasttense” and show how you’ve developed anew quality or characteristic.

• "Why do you want to work here?" If youhaven’t already studied the company’swebsite and looked at the LinkedIn Profiles ofthe staff members who work in similardepartments, stop here. Go back and do that– yes, it’s that important!

• Be fully prepared to have a clear story to tellabout what you learned during your researchand why you want to work for this company,department, and team.

PrActice MAkeS PerfecT

• Are you centered and comfortable?• Your eye contact and expressions should be

positive, friendly, calm, and focused. Don't forgetto smile!

• Are you sitting with good posture? Dont slouch!

• Use some gestures, but not too much.

Yes, that’s right! Virtually everyone has a webcam these days, and recording software is free to download. There is no good reason not to practice your interview responses. Dress in your interview attire! Feel the part.Use the script you've prepared from the primary key questions you’ve written - now tape yourself responding to them.

• Are you using clear language? Avoid “slang”.• Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly.• Do not use any profane language.• The best way to test this is to record yourself

and watch it. Even better, watch it with atrusted friend. Or if you are working with arecruiter, send a copy so that recruiter canprovide constructive advice.

Videotape yourself:•

••

Listen to how you speak:



Watch your body language

knoW Your AudienceWHo WiLL interVieW YouTechnical Manager: If you are speaking to a Technical Manager..

Human Resources: If you are speaking to a Human Resource representative...• Present work examples that demonstrate more about your work habits, such as you ability to work

well in a team, your interest in the company, and your motivation to be a good contributor.Subject Matter Experts (SME): If you are speaking with a Subject Matter Expert...• Honesty is the rule. When speaking with a SME, if you lie or try to fake it – you’re done.• Not sure how to respond? First restate the question back, ask for clarification and then respond to

the best of your ability.• If you don’t know the answer, say so. At this point, a good way to recover would be to share a

story of your past experience when you were confronted with technology or a challenge you hadnot yet dealt with. Clearly explain the steps you took to find the answer and what you learned fromthat experience. A SME will respect you for being truthful and resourceful.

Executive Leadership: If you are speaking to a Senior Executive...• It is important to state clear concise examples, facts, and results – be brief and clear.

Your examples should be in alignment with corporate goals and objectives.Co-Workers: If you are meeting with a potential Team Member...• Be friendly and respectful. Remember, this is who you’ll be working with. They want to know if

you’re someone they’d like to work with every day.

• A potential co-worker will want to know if they can depend on you to carry your weight.• Give them examples of teamwork and projects that you can show them you’re someone they want

on their team.

• Present examples that are related to the work you’d be doing, such as dependability,teamwork, and self-motivation.

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MentALViSuALizAtionIts been said that the best athletes practice before game day. They also tell us that the great ones go beyond that – they do a mental rehearsal before the big game. It’s now time to apply this method to your interview.

• Take a few deep breaths and relax.• Visualize yourself being prepared and in a

calm, positive state.• Imagine shaking the hand of the interviewer

and exchanging positive smiles andconversation.

• Mentally ask yourself questions and thenrespond.

• Imagine meeting every person on theinterview team and feeling calm and relaxed,answering the toughest questions.

• Remind yourself to tell the interviewer thatyou’re interested in what you’ve experiencedso far. Ask what the next step in this process.

WHAt to do rigHtBefore An interVieW• Be early for the interview. Be there about 10

minutes prior to relax and contemplate yourbest responses before it starts .

• When you enter the building – TURN OFFYOUR CELL PHONE or any other devicethat could distract you during theinterview.

• DO NOT TAKE A CALL DURING ANINTERVIEW.

• BE FRIENDLY to everyone – from the frontdoor to the end of the interview – treateveryone in the company with courtesy andrespect.

• Shake hands firmly but not too firm, withthose newly trimmed nails and clean hands.

• Smile with those newly cleaned, whiteteeth – it makes a huge positive impact.

• Make positive eye contact . Your new haircut,glasses, manicure, clothes, & shave makeyou look like a rock star – enjoy the moment!

• When you look good, you feel good. Yourconfidence will shine through.

• Remember those demonstrated examples ofexperience you have brought to the table?Prepare to dish them out.

• When addressing a skill or ability, you gainsignificantly more credibility as an expertwhen you can refer to specific experiencefrom a company you worked at .

• A great way to begin a response is – “Forexample, when working at insert name ofcompany I was able to deliver name thatresult.”


coMMunicAtion

• Script out and rehearse your examples andresponses.

• Show enthusiasm – not too much, but doshow that you are interested.

• Balance conversation by asking theinterviewer a few questions about themselvesand why they love their job.

• Listen carefully to what the interviewer istelling you. Phrase your questions andanswers in such a way to help them see howyou can help them achieve their goals.

• Answer questions but don’t over communicate.There is a fine line between over-respondingand not giving enough information.

• A good way to manage information flow uponanswering a question is to watch the bodylanguage. If you are losing their attention,you’ve spoken too long. Stop and say, “Doesthat answer your question, or would you likemore information?” This is a dialogue – besure to allow your interviewer to participate inthe conversation and demonstrate goodlistening skills.

• When asked a question, it’s ideal to reciteit back to the interviewer first – “So if Iunderstand you correctly, you would like toknow about my experience in name thatskill, ability, or talent.”

• When responding to a question, answer it andthen follow up by asking, “Does that answer yourquestion?” or, “Would you like more information?"

How to overcome interview challenges• Do not dwell on any personal issues or share

too much personal information during aninterview. Balance is key – be personable butremain professionally poised.

• DO NOT LIE in an interview. Be truthful –answer a touchy question directly, withoutemotion, and keep it brief. In this case, lessis more.

• Do not speak negatively about a pastemployer – EVER. It’s the kiss of death inan interview.

• If you had a negative experience, resist thetemptation to vent during an interview.Instead, practice a postive concise responseabout why you left a company that wasn’t agood fit. Say it succinctly then move on –less is more.

• State “weaknesses” as a past tense – restatethat you have now developed a positivecharacteristic as a result of what you learnedfrom a past “weakness” Practice how you willsay this and get a second opinion.

• State your strengths in a confident but non-arrogant way. Always present strengths thatcan be demonstrated through a work or teambased example.

• Watch your script and remember, balance iskey. Do you speak concisely? Is yourinformation clear and to the point? Are youincluding work experience examples? Is yourmessage balanced? Too much or too littlecan make or break your interview.



WHAt to SAY & HoW to BALAncePractice these techniques

during tHe interVieW

• Ask the interviewer to share their story abouthow they joined the company and why theylike working for the company.

• Ask about challenges that the department isfaced with.

• Use your demonstrated examples to sharehow you can help fix their challenges

• Ask what the short & long term goals are forthe department.

• If the interview seems to be going well,ask, “Where do you see me fitting into thisdepartment/organization?”

How to conclude an interview• End on a memorable note – summarize the

most important parts discussed at theinterview. Review those most positive pointsthat you picked up during the interview.Restate them as you begin to say goodbye.Examples:•

“ I really am happy I had the chance tointerview with you today, what I felt really resonated with you was my experience from the state the experience I can see myself matching up well with the culture, team, company…”

“Thank you for inviting me in to interview today. I am very interested in the job – may I ask what the next step is?”

• Collect business cards of everyone you meetat the interview.

What to do after your interview• Make notes on the back of the cards about all

the most positive points that were discussedabout you in the interview with that particularindividual.

• Send out handwritten, hard copypersonalized thank you notes to everyone onthe interviewing team that you met – not justthe hiring manager.

• Call your recruiter for some help in writingthe verbiage for these.

• A personalized card will be remembered andduly noted.

• In these notes, remind them of who you areand what positive points were discussed.

concLuSion This checklist may sound like a lot of work for you. However, Insight Talent Solutions has been working with employers and candidates for over 20 years, proving this to be an excellent checklist to use when preparing for an interview. After talking with numerous clients and candidates, they wholeheartedly agree that the devil is in the details – they will improve your chances dramatically. People want to hire people they like but, in the end, it’s a total package. To learn more about Insight Talent Solutions, take a look at this video: http://vimeo.com/46685993

creditSWritten by: Sandra SmithDesigned by: Xue Lee and Sasa Knezevic Edited by: Meldon Jones, Lindsay Ryback & Cassandra Czech


good QueStionS to ASk & HoW to concLude What to ask at an interview

Documents

A GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR INTERVIEW EXCELLENCE · introduction PrePAring for interVieW SucceSS In today’s competitive market place for good jobs... You need to think of yourself