A Few Tips for Job Interview Success

1. When applying for a job in person (as you should always do, unless instructed to do otherwise) dress nicely. It is very possible a hiring manager may want to speak with you after you turn in your application.
2. If dropping off a resume with your application (again, as you should) do not fill the application out with the phrase "see resume". If your resume gets lost in the shuffle, you.are.screwed. Plus, the phrase "see attached" is often looked at as a big "eff you."
3. When interviewing, make good eye contact with the interviewer, however, don't stare them down. You're involved in an interview, not a staring contest.
4. If you've been job hoping for many, many years, be prepared to explain why, with a really good answer. Most companies are looking for a stable person, not someone who will up and leave in 6 months or a year.
5. If your previous job wasn't/isn't a good fit, explain why constructively. If you trash your previous employer, your application will get trashed too.
6. Please, please, please, no matter how smart you are, how wonderful at your previous job you were or how amazing you think you are. Do not, under any circumstance, tell the person interviewing you how the job you are applying for should be done. Trust me, it doesn't go over well.
7. Do not show up for your interview drunk, high, or otherwise "involved". That also doesn't go over well.
8. Please make sure your first question isn't "do you do random drug testing?" Again, it doesn't go over well. Just assume the answer is yes.
9. If the pay rate range is out of line for you, be honest. Otherwise you are wasting your time and time of those around you.
10. Always, always spell the company name right. If you don't and you put "great attention to detail" under your list of skills, you're just shooting yourself in the foot.
11. Always, always send a thank you note after an interview or a brief sit down. HR Professionals may not accept bribery, but it never hurts to butter people up. Plus, it reinforces their memory of their time spent with you.
1. Side Note: In your thank you note, mention a specific topic you discussed or something valuable your interviewer said. Again, it helps with reinforcement.
12. Practice your hand shake. Do you want to shake hands with someone who acts like they're holding a limp hot dog? I think not!