INTERVIEW DO’S AND DON’TS

When it comes to interview advice / tips, there are a ton of them out there for job seekers. If you’re interviewing for a position, it could be very helpful to go over this comprehensive list that has been put together by 80Twenty‘s award winning recruiting team.

• Research the company, make sure to look up their website, look them up on Google as well as on Techcrunch.
• Research common interview questions and practice your answers.
• Prepare interview question, but create the questions with the hiring team / company in mind
• Research those that will be interviewing you on Linkedin to get to know their backgrounds, positions they’ve had, companies they have worked for..etc
• Dress appropriately for the job you are interviewing for (research their dress code in advance). Don’t over or under dress.
• Map out how to get to the location before the interview, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. If something happens and you must be late, phone the office as soon as you know that you are running behind.
• Bring all requested paperwork with you to the interview including your resume, an application, references, identification, etc. Extra copies of your resume and a portfolio (if applicable).
• Be polite and cordial to everyone you meet; you never know whose opinion will count.
• Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact when meeting someone.
• Repeat the person’s name to help you remember it.
• Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
• Approach the interview with enthusiasm about the job and the company.
• Stress your achievements and talents.
• Give detailed behavioral answers to questions with examples. Explain how you have done or would go about tackling the assignments and challenges of the position.
• Display any research you’ve done about the company, position, and industry with examples or educated questions while still answering the question that is directed to you.
• Take time to think about how to answer an unexpected question. You can repeat the question to give yourself a little extra time.
• Prepare to answer questions about your salary requirements.
• Ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. It pays to prepare a few before the interview.
• Close by indicating that you want the job and asking about next steps.
• Get business cards from your interviewers.
• Write down some notes after your interview so that you don’t forget any details of what was discussed.
• Write a thank you note and send it within 24 hours of the interview.
• Share with the interviewers what you can do for the company, not just why you really want to work with them.
• Make the interview a conversation. You are interviewing your prospect future company as much as they are interviewing you.
• Lay out all your job options by writing pros and cons. Evaluate the interviewer, the company, and the position itself to make sure you pick the right opportunity.

• Rehearse your answers so much that you sound like you’re just reciting from memory.
• Arrive smelling unpleasant (too much perfume, cigarette smoke, etc.).
• Be rushed or late to your interview
• Address your interviewer by his or her first name until invited to do so. Don’t assume you know how to pronounce their name, either; it’s better to ask the receptionist to be sure. Don’t assume that a female interviewer is a Mrs. or a Miss; use Ms. unless told otherwise.
• Slouch, fidget, or yawn while being interviewed. Don’t chew gum or bring food or drink into an interview.
• Bring up controversial subjects.
• Be aggressive.
• Be self-aggrandizing, insinuating that you are perfect and have zero flaws.
• Take out any frustrations about the job search process on your interviewer.
• Speak negatively about your current or former company, boss, or coworkers.
• Lie.
• Offer up any negative information about yourself if not asked.
• Make excuses.
• Be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.
• Answer every question with a simple “yes” or “no” answer.
• Bring up personal or family problems.
• Ask personal questions of your interviewer.
• Answer your cell phone, check messages, or text during an interview.
• Act as though you’re desperate and would take any job.
• Act as though you’re just shopping around or interviewing for practice.
• Indicate that you’re only interested in the job because of the salary, benefits, or geographic location. Don’t indicate that you intend the job to be a “stepping stone” to something else.
• Bring up salary, benefits, vacation time, or bonuses until after you’ve received an offer.
• Say that you don’t have any questions.
• Ask, call, or email immediately after the interview to find out if you got the job, or make repeated phone calls.