09 28 2009
Effective Interviewing Advice – Part IV
Posted by in Economy, Tips & Tutorials
Other Interview Tips
- Do not smoke or chew gum
- Maintain comfortable eye contact
- If you are stumped on a question, take a moment to organize your thoughts before answering
- Do not use slang expressions
- Limit use of “ya knows”, “umm”, etc. as much as possible
- Show enthusiasm about the position and the company or firm
- Do not show anxiety or boredom
- Do not look at your watch
- Do not show samples of work or transcript unless requested due to the limited time allotted for on-campus interviews. You can, however, let the recruiter know you have them
- Do not ask about benefits, vacation, or salary
- Do give more than yes/no answers
- Be polite and show good manners
- Maintain good posture – lean slightly forward
- Do not speak poorly of a professor or former employers.
- Be prepared to sell yourself. You may have to do most of the talking
- Avoid controversial subjects unless asked a direct question
- Do not demand a particular salary
- Do not be afraid to close the interview by saying that you are very interested in the position
The Follow-up
- Immediately after interviewing, it is suggested that you jot down the highlights of the interview. By keeping detailed notes of your interests, you will be able to use the information in preparing for potential second interview , to write a thank you letter, and when you are deciding between offers of employment


