Do's
•	Be Confident
•	Exude a positive attitude
•	Have good posture and pay attention
•	Maintain direct eye contact
•	Be a good listener and communicator
•	Represent yourself honestly
•	Take notes
•	Use examples to explain your answers
•	Ask questions pertaining to the position, organization,and training

Don'ts
•	Get too comfortable
•	Use inappropriate language
•	Have poor hygiene; jagged, dirty or long fingernails; be chewing gum; or smoke a cigarette right before your interview
•	Speak negatively of present or former company
•	Lie
•	Ask questions about benefits and compensation (These questions will be answered with your recruiter)

1. The Phone Interview
2. Assessment & Selection
3. Prior to the Interview
4. The Interview
5. How to Close the Deal

1. The Phone Interview Many organizations begin the hiring process with a telephone interview. For many companies this is a vital step in the process because this interview may determine whether or not you move forward in the interview process. This may be with a recruiter or other member of the hiring team. Don't underestimate their role.

• Try not to use cellular telephones. If possible, use a landline telephone. You want to have clear reception without interruptions. Never disrupt an interview to take another call.
• Ensure the message on your voicemail (at home and on your cell) is professional in the event you miss the call.
• Make sure the environment you are in is conducive for focusing on the telephone interview.
• Eliminate all background noise and possible interruptions.
• Have an updated copy of your resume, paper, pen, prepared questions, company literature, and a glass of water in front of you before the interview begins.
• Take your energy and enthusiasm up a notch. Since you are on the telephone, the interviewer cannot see your non-verbal communication. Stand up or move around to help keep your energy level up.
• Speak clearly and enunciate. Build rapport and ask questions. Create a virtual reality by imagining yourself sitting face to face with the interviewer.
• Always sell the positive, not the negative. Smile! It comes through over the phone!
• Most importantly, don't try and multi-task during this call. Turn off your computer, your BlackBerry, etc. Just focus on the call and the conversation at hand.
• Close the interview by thanking the interviewer for his/her time. Let the interviewer know that the conversation was informative, and reiterate your interest in the opportunity.
• Ask about next steps in the process.

2. Assessment & Selection Anyone who has been in the job hunt, passively or aggressively, knows companies have really begun to use technology to assist in the hiring process. Here are the basics: assessments measure job fit over time, not intelligence. Essentially, companies benchmark their top performers by having them take assessments. All future applicants take the same assessments. Their responses indicate a likelihood of success, or lack thereof.

Some companies have decided to use assessments as a required part of their process, while others use them only as a tool in the hiring process.

Regardless, the best thing you can do to prepare is to focus and put yourself into the position you are applying for. Some assessments are situational using experiences from your past employment.

• Choose one position that is most similar to the one you are currently applying for and use that one as a reference point.
• Make sure when you take the assessment you have set aside time to do so. It is important to finish these in one sitting and without distractions or interruptions.

Don't underestimate the importance of the assessment!

Prior to the Interview

• Verify the exact location of the interview and the interviewer's name and title, including pronunciation.
• Ask for directions or visit Google Maps to plan your route. Have a backup route planned, as well, just in case there is traffic or unforeseen circumstances that might delay your arrival.

3. Dressing for the Interview Image is very important. Look professional. You can never be overdressed for an interview! A suit is always best. Never wear cologne or perfume to an interview. It just doesn't have a place in the office, let alone the interview.

• Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and an enthusiastic smile.
• Make direct eye contact and be confident.
  

4. Interview the Company While the company is interviewing you, don't forget that you, too, are interviewing the company!

• Review the company's website as it will provide valuable information related to the company's culture, history, mission, values, and locations.
• Research the position you are applying for with the company. Seek to understand how your skills align with the company's desired skills. The more alignment, the stronger your candidacy.

Don't forget to be on time!
Late arrival for a job interview will give the interviewer the perception that you are disorganized and not punctual. Arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview time.

5. The Person-to-Person Interview Introduction
The interviewer may take this time to engage in small talk to help break the ice and to allow you to relax.

Interviewer's Questions
This will be the main focus of the interview. It is during this time that your prep work for the interview will be essential. Your research on the company and its structure will be translated during the interview.

The interviewer will likely ask questions related to your career goals, such as:

• Current and past positions
• Your motivation
• The qualities you possess
• Activities for which you have participated that demonstrate initiative
• Why you would be a strong candidate for this position
• Why you would be an asset to their organization.

Your Questions
Interviewers often expect strong candidates to have questions for them. This will show the interviewer your interest level and will allow you to demonstrate your communication skills. Be sure to prepare questions ahead of time. A lack of questions may be misconstrued as a lack of interest.

• Develop thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer related to both, the position and the organization. Don't ask generic questions.
• Keep in mind this is a sales call, not just an interview. Your interviewer will be expecting you to act the same way you would in front of a prospective client.
• Be ready and willing to flush out any objections and overcome them. You should be attempting to close this sale throughout the interview. Your sales abilities are being assessed during this meeting.

What to Do in the 9th Inning
Toward the end of the interview, the interviewer will probably ask if you have any additional questions. This is the time to ask any of your unanswered questions. It is also the appropriate time to ask what the next steps are in the interview process, as well as when you can expect to hear from the interviewer. Finally, thank the interviewer for his/her time, and convey your continued interest.