LooseSuits

I would never, ever suggest to anyone that they try to be something that they're not.

On the other hand, research, practice, and rehearsal are great ways to be comfortable answering any question in a genuine, truthful, and authentic way.

1) Do your research. As the Editor in Chief of a news and information network, I used to interview people all the time who had the gall to come to me and tell me they hadn't yet seen our sites. That was an automatic disqualification right there. On the other hand, people who came in with a plan of action impressed us, and while they didn't always get hired, they always got at the very least a second interview, if not a full recommendation at future positions, based on the interview.

2) Know your interviewers. If you can, find out who'll be interviewing you and a bit about their history. This will go a long way to help you get along with them, which will help your chances of getting any job. Also, if you can find out their hobbies based on past history then you can see whether you already have something in common with them. People love talking about themselves, and if you can get them doing that, they'll love you for it because "Oh, well he's such a good listener!"

3) Come in with a list of questions. If they ask "do you have any questions?" -- and they will -- make sure you do. Write them down. (To figure out questions to ask, see #1.) Basic questions include "what's my week generally going to look like?" "who will I be working with?" and my favorite, "what's your management style?" That last one is important because you have to be able to define whether you want to work with them or not based on how they'll be interacting with you. If you have an independent streak, avoid at all costs a micromanager, for example.

4) Take ownership, if applicable. When you ask questions, don't be afraid to show some initiative. For example, once you ask them "why am I being brought in, what's your ultimate goal?" and they tell you that you're being brought in to work and eventually lead a project which will make widgets, start by doing something as simple as restating their goal, then making a quick and dirty plan on how you would accomplish that goal. This always gets them in your back pocket because it shows that you've already taken ownership of the position. Very rarely have I ever gotten a "No" when I've done this. (And when I have it's been because I was asking for too much money.)

5) Practice, practice, practice. Create 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 second explanations of who you are and why anyone should even look at you. These are your mission statements, and they can be mentioned not only to anyone doing interviews, but anyone you network with who may know someone who is looking for someone with your skill sets.

I'd go into more detail, but frankly I think I'll write a post about this on my blog instead. Still, this is what I tell anyone who's looking for a job, and very few people whom I've coached have failed at getting what they want for the pay they were looking for.

Most interviewers are looking for safe answers from someone that can take direction without rocking the boat too much. Sound boring? Yeah it is.

It's not really about whether they want to hire you but if you want to work for them. Let them take the lead in the discussion but be prepared to fire back and be specific in both your replies and questions.

The last thing you want to do is give generic answers that will get you into the door of a job that you will ultimately dislike. You're likely going to spend more time at work than you will with your family. Make sure it's a smart choice.

I'd make sure to be calm and composed, don't look as though you're nervous or stressing. Be thorough and detailed in answers (give detailed work examples when necessary, don't just say "was part of a project") but don't go overboard and answer a 1-sentence question with a 10-paragraph answer. That was always my problem :)

@Mike, MangoFalls: You know, I always found that interviewers won't particularly mind taking time if you can honestly show passion for what you're doing. If you're being passionate it will show: your eyes will tell the tale. If you can rub that excitement onto them, how long your answers are will almost be inconsequential.

Of course, MangoFalls, alludes to a great point: be yourself. If you're a passionate person, make sure that shows. If you're a calm person, take advantage of that. In every case, make sure you convey the message "I'm dependable, I'm a trend setter, I make positive change, and I'll be the best tool in your arsenal." In my case I'm very outwardly flamboyant. I'm a showman, and I know it. (By the end of the interview, so do they.) Inner passion and drive can be put through as powerfully by looking in to their eyes and being direct in your responses as by swinging your arms about.

As Mike said - "be thorough and detailed in answers". As an added bonus, you're increasing your chances to hook onto some common ground with the interviewer, and make a better connection that shows through your character, personality, etc.

I've had one great interview (didn't get the job though) where we talked about paintball. Demonstrates teamwork, activity, common interests with the interviewer -- great stuff.

In another (I got this one!), it turned out that both the interviewer and I have previously worked at the same company (different times though), so we made a lot of comparisons and references to this common ground.

Walk in completely naked.

But to be completely serious. Most interviews are about making sure you can fit the company image and get along well with people. If you made that far with your resume and screenings, then all you need to do is prove that's what you got.

Knowing what the company needs as well making an impression with phone calls prior to the interview to familiarise yourself with the people are important.

The most important thing I feel in an interview is the ability to bullshit your way through.

Of course, I'm not asking to you to make claims like you reorganised your last company when you didn't. It's more like, to fill in the criterias that you know you can't do. Never handled snails before and you're applying for a research project that involves it? Say you have and you're well versed with it. Never touched Java in your life? Pretend you know everything about when the last time you came into contact with it was that morning's coffee.

They are not going to hold an examination out for you, they just want to know if your ability to communicate is up to their standards. It's hard to work with someone if they can't get along with the company or workplace. The best way to get out of things is to stress (in more ways than one) that you're a quick learner. Everyone likes someone that's low maintenance.

You can always brush up to validate your claims later, no reason to be intellectually stagnant after you start working.

@Gnorb - Thanks for the great advice!

After all, it's all about being prepared to say the RIGHT thing in front of the RIGHT person(s) at the RIGHT time.

This is a small but significant thing. Pay attention and be especially good to the secretary of the interviewer because it is that person who screens calls and they have the best and usually correct version of the interviewer's management style.

I know this always help for me:

I always try to look my best. If you feel your hair could be looking better, get it cut but not the day before. Get it a week before preferably (of course chances are you can't do that if you just got the interview, so instead just maintain your hair in case you do get that interview you've been looking for). I don't mean this to sound like "if you look good, you'll get the job" - it means more like if you think you look good chances are you'll have more confidence in yourself. You'll talk clearer in the interview with no hesitation, and you won't feel nervous. Having confidence in yourself is always a big plus, and if something trivial like a haircut can give you that confidence then by all means do it!

I also try to walk into job interviews with the feeling that I really have nothing to lose. So what if it goes bad, I won't leave that interview with anything less than what I had. If you go into interviews like your life depended on it you're going to be nervous. Try to relax and just be yourself. If they don't hire you don't feel like it's something you did wrong; it could be a million other reasons like they cut back on that position, knew a personal friend who they could give the job to, and 999,998 other reasons!

This is an amazing and well-timed thread. I have an interview at the end of this month where I need to make a visual/oral presentation to a panel of three interviewers for a gig.

I'm partially terrified and partially thrilled and I can't wait! I basically need to critique a section of their web site and am debating doing a mockup of how I would change it, at least the major components to show my vision.

These tips come at a great time. Sadly I have none of my own as I think I'm a horrible interviewee.

I went into my last interview with a huge rip in my pants that was thankfully unnoticed by my interviewer, who despite my funny walking, still hired me. And the time before that I was tracked down by my college for a position they had created for me.

Thanks for all the advice and keep it coming! I should be a puddle of neuroses by the time my interview comes on July 30th.

I never had problems with nerves during interviews because I only apply for jobs I know I can do.

When talking about past work though, I found it always helped to highlight an awareness of where things have gone wrong and how you would do them differently from now on. People screw things up, but if you can show that screwing up at least causes you to reflect on what happened then that looks good.

To really stand out in an interview is to be memorable - something has to be different about you.

For example: my brother is a civil engineer. He has a portfolio just showing some of the sites that he has worked on, some equipment etc. He stands out because it is not a normal thing for an engineer to have a portfolio.

How do you not only SAY you have passion - but where's the proof.Concrete numbers of how you increased sales at a previous company and what did you do; maybe for a web designer, say - you know what, let me show you my work in action and whip out your laptop (with wireless network card?) and bring up some sites you worked on - or do it on theirs - whatever.

This is great! I need to get my paper and pen ready.

@Peroty: You reminded me of the line in the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" when Will Smith went to the interview with a dirty T-shirt (as he was just released from the jail) and was asked by the interviewer "What do you think of a person coming to the interview without wearing a shirt?" and he replied, "He must've had very nice pants on." But I am pretty sure you got hired because of your talent.

Wish you good luck for your interview on July 30th.

I stand out with stories. For example, the last place I interviewed at (and hired me) asked about my previous experience. I then transitioned into working long hours, multiple activities.

3 of my 4 interviewers asked "how do you find the time?" which is exactly what I wanted to hear. I could then talk about biphasic sleep which left everyone in a "hmmm, that's really interesting" state.

And asking people to talk about themselves is always a good idea. Just like at a party, the people who make you feel interesting always seem like great people.