Page 70 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

45 Key Interview Principles 63

20. Prepare your telephone area.

Once you have made known your job search intentions - whether
by sending out resumes, networlcing, or conducting informational
interviews - you may receive a telephone call from an employer
quite unexpectedly. It may be a call to schedule an interview, but
most likely it will incorporate a “screening interview.”
Be prepared by keeping essential items related to this potential
telephone interview in an area by the phone. Minimum supplies
should include a pad of paper, pen, copy of your resume, and note
cards or equivalent on which you have information on all the
companies which you have contacted as part of your job search.

Principles for the Interview Encounter

Many of the principles identified for interview preparation are also
principles applied to the interview encounter. Others, however, specifi-
cally relate to the interview process. The following 22 principles will help
you get through the job interview.

21. Arrive on time.

There’s nothing worse than to arrive late for a job interview. Since
the first five minutes of the interview are the most important, arrive
five minutes late and you effectively lull much of the interview -
and your chances of getting the job. Your tardiness will be remem-
bered and in a negative light. Always try to arrive at least ten
minutes early. If need be, drive to the interview site the day before
to estimate how long it will tale you to get there as well as find
parking. Allow plenty of time, anticipating that you could well lose
a half hour or more to bad traffic.

22. Treat everyone you meet as potentially important to
the interview.

When you initially arrive at the interview site, chances are you will
enter a reception area, meet a receptionist or secretary, and be
asked to sit in this waiting area. Other employees also may enter
this area while you are waiting. Male sure you are courteous to the