Interviewing: Guidelines for Interviewing

The Nine Golden Keys to Making Great First Impressions in an interview

Let's assume you're going to an interview and you want to make the best first impression. Keep in mind that others
form up to 90% of their opinion about you in the first four minutes and that 60 to 80% of the impact you will make
is non-verbal. Here are nine Golden Keys to getting it right first time in an interview:

1. In the Reception Area

Remove your outerwear and give it to the receptionist if possible. Avoid entering an office with your arms full of
clutter that can make you fumble and look incompetent. Always stand in a reception area — never sit.
Receptionists will insist you 'take a seat' because when you do, you're out of sight and they no longer have to deal
with you. Stand with Hand-in-Hand behind your back (confidence) and slowly rock back and forth on your feet
(confident, controlled) or use the steeple gesture. This body language is a constant reminder that you are still there
and waiting. But never do this at the Tax Office.

2. The Entry

Your entry tells others how you expect to be treated. When the receptionist has given you the green light to enter,
walk in without hesitation. Do not stand in the doorway like a naughty schoolchild waiting to see the headmaster.
When you walk through the door of the person's office, maintain the same speed. People who lack confidence
change gears and perform a small shuffle as they enter.

3. The Approach

Even if the person is on the phone, rummaging through a drawer or tying his shoelaces, walk in directly and
confidently with a smooth motion. Put down your briefcase, folder or whatever is in your hands, shake the
person's hand and immediately take a seat. Let the other person see that you are accustomed to walking
confidently into offices and that you don't expect to be kept waiting. People who walk slowly or take long strides
convey that they have plenty of time on their hands, are not interested in what they are doing or have nothing else
to do.

This is fine for retired millionaires and those who live in Florida and Queensland, but not for anyone who wants to
convey power, authority or capability or that they are a healthy, potential mate. Influential people and those who
command attention walk briskly at a medium pace with medium length strides.

4. The Handshake
Keep your palm straight and return the pressure you receive. Let the other person decide when to end the
handshake. Step to the left of a rectangular desk as you approach to avoid being given a Palm-Down handshake.
Never shake directly across a desk. Use a person's name twice in the first 15 seconds and never talk for more than
30 seconds at a time.

5. When You Sit

If you are compelled to sit in a low chair directly facing the other person, turn it away 45 degrees from the person
to avoid being stuck in the 'reprimand' position. If you can't angle the chair, angle your body instead.

6. Seating Areas

If you're invited to sit in an informal area of the person's office, such as at an informal coffee table, this is a positive
sign because 95% of business rejections are delivered from behind a desk. Never sit on a low sofa that sinks so low
it makes you look like a giant pair of legs topped by a small head - if necessary, sit upright on the edge so you can
control your body language and gestures, and angle your body to 45 degrees away from the person.

7. Your Gestures

People who are cool, calm, collected and in control of their emotions use clear, uncomplicated, deliberate
movements. High-status individuals use fewer gestures than low-status individuals. This is an ancient negotiating
ploy — people with power don't have to move much. Keep in mind that Eastern Europeans gesture more from the
elbow down than Westerners, and Southern Europeans gesture more with their entire arms and shoulders. Mirror
the other person's gestures and expressions when appropriate.

• Firm handshake • Nod attentively • Stand tall and sit tall • Relaxed facial expressions • Smile

• Direct eye contact

TIP: Keeping your shoulders back and down helps with posture and makes you look more confident.

DO NOT DO

• Fold your arms across your chest • Listen intently to the interviewer

• Fidget or play with objects on the table • Use gestures to emphasize main ideas or key words

• Chew gum or eat/drink • Ask questions

• Dwell on mishaps or negative experiences • Take a brief pause before you respond to each
question

• Share negative stories about your previous employment

8. Distance

Respect the other person's Personal Space, which will be largest in the opening minutes of the meeting. If you
move too close, the person will respond by sitting back, leaning away or using repetitive gestures such as
drumming the fingers. As a rule, you can move closer to familiar people but further back from new ones. Men
generally move closer to women they work with while women generally move further back when they work with
men. Work closer to those of similar age and further back from significantly older or younger ones.

9. Your Exit

Pack your things calmly and deliberately - not in a frenzy - shake hands if possible, turn and walk out. If the door
was closed when you entered, close it behind you as you leave.

People always watch you from behind as you leave so, if you're a man, make sure you have shined the back of your
shoes. This is an area many men neglect and women are critical of this. the door and begin to adjust the back of
her clothing and hair so that she makes a good rear-view impression as she departs. As mentioned earlier, hidden
cameras show that, if you're a woman, others study your rear as you depart — whether you like it or not. When
you get to the door turn around slowly and smile. It's far better that they recall your smiling face than your rear
end.

The following techniques will help you conduct a successful interview:

• Pay Attention/Listen–Effective listening cannot be stressed enough. However, be aware that you may be
revealing your immediate impression of the interviewee through your gestures, expressions and actions. Be certain
not to let negative reactions become obvious to the interviewee.

• Echoing–Echoing can be used to encourage an interviewee to elaborate on a topic. It is useful because you get
additional information without asking direct or probing questions. For instance, the interviewee has just said, “I
didn't like the work.” You echo with the words “didn't like the work?” and the interviewee knows that you want
more information on this matter. The echo technique avoids the appearance of a cross-examination; it prods the
interviewee into disclosing more specific information without making him or her uncomfortable.

• Level of Language–Use language appropriate for the person whom you are interviewing; don't talk above or
below the interviewee comprehension level.

• Handling “Problem” with the interviewee –Occasionally, an interviewee can present problems during the
interview. Try to keep the interviewee on track. For example, do not let a talkative applicant waste time going off
on a tangent. If an interviewee evades an important question, be sure to ask the question again to elicit an
appropriate response. If an interviewee becomes nervous and freezes up, try some “small talk” to put the
interviewee at ease. Some interviewees may be overly prepared or confident and have rehearsed responses to
most of your questions. In this case, try direct, probing questions to obtain more information from them.

Tone of Voice: Use a tone of voice that positively reflects what you mean to say. Use the appropriate volume so all
can hear, but yet not too loud.

Phases of an Interview
 A. Greeting

The greeting sets the tone for the remainder of the interview process. Therefore, there are certain rules which
should be followed from the onset:

1. Be Punctual. Plan to arrive 10 minutes in advance so that the employer does not have to wait for you, and also
so that you have an opportunity to focus your thoughts before you are required to speak. There is almost no
excuse for being late that will shake the poor initial impression, unless you have been in an accident or are in the
hospital. Get detailed directions to the employer's office - you do not want to be late for an interview!

2. Pay Attention to Grooming. First, be careful with using too much perfume or cologne. A clean and mild scent is
recommended, if anything at all.

Men: Make sure that your hair is neatly trimmed and combed, and that your face is clean-shaven, except for a
well-trimmed beard or mustache.

Women: Err on the conservative side when deciding about makeup, jewelry, hairstyle and fingernail polish.

3. Dress for Success. Because you hope to convince the employer that you will be a worthy representative of the
organization, your appearance is extremely important. If you dress unprofessionally, the interviewer may assume
that you will look that way when you meet with clients or appear in court. As an applicant, err on the conservative
side. Strive to appear neat, clean and fresh.

Men: In most cases, a well-cut black, navy, or charcoal business suit, with dress shirt and tie is appropriate. If you
do not have a suit, wear a blue blazer. Stick with well-shined black or brown lace shoes or dress loafers (and socks).

Women: If you choose to wear a suit skirt, make sure that the skirt maintains a conservative length. Since both
pantsuits and skirt suits are considered professional, choose whichever makes you the most comfortable. Opt for
leather or suede pumps, avoiding casual sandals or open-toed shoes, even in the summer. Try to wear stockings.

4. Smile and Establish Eye Contact. Eye contact is extremely important, especially in the legal profession. Usually,
one can determine a person’s credibility and honesty by looking into his or her eyes. Refrain from looking down, to
the side or at the ceiling, as an interviewer may decide that you are trying to hide something and are not being
forthright with your responses.

B. Discussion

During this phase of the interview, try to remember that it is simply an exchange of ideas and information between
yourself and another human being. It is a conversation between two people in order to determine, from both
sides, whether this will be a good fit or not.

1. Maintain Eye Contact. The earlier rule applies throughout the various stages of the interview.

2. Refrain From Bashing Yourself and Others. Your focus should be on the experiences and skills you obtained
from a position, rather than about any personal dissatisfaction with yourself, a previous employer or school. Never
bash or badmouth your school, a professor, a particular job or a previous employer.
3. Be Assertive-Not Arrogant & Do Not Dominate an Interview.

Assertiveness and decisiveness are admirable qualities to convey, but arrogance and self-absorption are not. The
line between them is thin. Try to strike a balance between providing thorough information so that the interviewer
may evaluate you, and having a pleasant two-sided conversation. Be assertive but not arrogant, engaging but not
overwhelming, relaxed but serious and professional.

4. Be Upbeat, Positive and Enthusiastic. Show Your PERSONALITY.

No matter what your qualifications are, you will not interview effectively unless you establish a positive rapport
with the interviewer at the outset. To do this, maintain a sincere and enthusiastic demeanor. Be an active listener,
responding to the interviewer by occasionally nodding your head or interjecting relevant information when
appropriate.

5. Do Not Interrupt the Interviewer. In your nervousness or anxiousness to make a point, do not speak over the
interviewer or interject in the middle of his or her dialogue. Also, keep in mind that there may interruptions during
an interview. If the interviewer needs to take a call, answer a question, or even rush the interview somewhat,
rather than be frustrated or disappointed, quietly observe and make a mental note of the organization's
atmosphere.

6. Do Not Raise Personal Issues or Crises. A potential employer does not want to hear excuses for problem areas
in your résumé or background. The employer wants to see that you have thought through both the question and
the situation itself. Focus on the positive.

7. Deal With Difficult Questions and Be Responsive, Not Evasive. Be ready to deal with tough questions.
Questions such as “Did you receive an offer from the firm you worked for last summer" or "What did you like least
about your first year of law school" can catch you off guard if not prepared for them. If asked about grades and
your GPA is less than stellar, simply acknowledge the question (respond quickly and distinctively), and quickly
move to a strength rather than a weakness. Be responsive and then indicate perhaps that your GPA has
consistently gone up each semester, or that you received an “A” in LRW. Questions such as "Did you enjoy your
first year of law school" or "Where do you see yourself in five years" should not provoke a one-word answer.
Rather, answer each question by relating an anecdote that highlights a skill or a quality you possess. Take the time
to review the questions in Section V below and practice your answers ahead of time.

C. Closing

1. Thank the Interviewer. Shake hands and always thank the interviewer for his or her time.

2. Ask When You Can Expect to Hear Back. (You may re-emphasize your interest in the position, and inquire about
the timeline for making a final decision.

3. Request a Business Card. Prior to leaving; be sure to ask for a business card from each interviewer. This helps
you to remember names and proper spellings, and will assist you in the future when writing thank you notes.

4. Take Notes. Immediately following each interview, take notes on specific information discussed; it will assist you
when writing thank you notes.