INTERVIEWING SKILLS

For those who have not interviewed for a job in a long time, here are a few quick reminders.

Getting to the appointment on time, well-groomed, and in appropriate attire is, of course, a given; but it also makes sense to reflect on career accomplishments, lessons learned, and key abilities and skills.

Try to think about conveying the essence of who you are as a professional when speaking for only about 60 seconds. Naturally, the interview will be longer, but it is good to reflect on key strengths and how to get to the point quickly. What do you have to offer the company? What skills, experiences, and abilities to manage and work well with others have been developed? And what lessons have been learned from mistakes?

Think about what the highlights of the career as well as the low points. Be prepared for questions. Giving specifics is helpful, as in "I increased sales by 50%."

It is important to keep in mind, though, that an interview is not only about what the candidate can do but also about whether those skills are what the company needs.

Finally, it makes no sense for a candidate to exaggerate skills or experiences. This may result in setting up unreasonable expectations that would harm both the company and the candidate in the long run should the hire not be a good fit.