The Job Hunt, Part 3: The Interview

A well-crafted cover letter and a succinct, targeted résumé can make you stand out from a crowded field of job-seekers. But once you get that foot in the door, you still need to ace the interview.

In this final installment of our three-part series, "The Job Hunt,"* we offer advice on the interview process from a trio of experts:

• Dawn Penfold, CMP, president of the New York City-based The Meeting Candidate Network, The Meeting Temp Job Network and Meetingjobs.com;

• Ellen B. Vance, hiring consultant and vice president and chief human resources officer for Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers in Glen Allen, Va.; and

• Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire (womenforhire.com), a New York City-based career consulting firm, and contributor to TV's Good Morning America.

Before the meetingTime it right. If the hiring official asks you to set the time for the interview, choose the period when you're at your personal best, e.g., early morning, midday, etc.

Do your research. Arm yourself with all the information you can about the target company prior to the appointment. Tory Johnson recommends brushing up on the following: the company's core business (e.g., hospitality, finance, manufacturing), target market (consumers, business-to-business), history (when it was founded, involvement in mergers and acquisitions), number of employees, latest news (products, layoffs, expansions), and whether it is private or public (if it's the latter, check out the latest annual report). Most of this information can be gleaned from the Internet.  

Cracking the corporate culture may be a bit trickier, but Dawn Penfold has had clients whose sleuthing has included hanging around in coffee shops near the company's offices to get a sense of the mood and environment.

In the hot seat Next, you're ready for the actual interview, which is the company's way of testing you to see if your personality is a good fit. "They are already know you have the technical skills or you wouldn't be there," Penfold notes. Some recommendations:

Dress for success. Dress conservatively (suits for men and women), even if research reveals the firm has a casual-dress environment. Penfold also advises job-seekers to cover tattoos and leave off the multiple earrings: "In a tight job market, it's more important than ever to look professional."

Mind your manners. When you arrive for your interview, treat everyone you come across with courtesy and respect. "Be nice to everyone from the receptionist on up," says Penfold.

Sell yourself. "Remember, you are the product, and you need to sell yourself to the buyer," says Penfold.

Be direct. According to Vance, a sure way to blow an interview is to fail to answer questions directly. "It's an indicator of poor listening skills," she says. She advises job candidates to answer questions succinctly and avoid meandering. "A lot of times, candidates wander off-topic because they jump into a response. You should pause a tiny bit to think and a buy a little time."

Be prepared. Anticipate the types of questions you're likely to be fielding. For meetings industry positions, Dawn Penfold says candidates are likely to be asked the following.

• Give me an example of when you had an opportunity to be strategic in your job. What did you do? What was the result?"
• How have you created and measured return on objective and return on investment for events?
• Tell me about a job mistake you made. How did you handle it?

The tough ones If you're unemployed, expect to explain why you are out of work. If you were laid off, be honest and say you were a victim of the economy, but leave it there. Suggests Penfold, "Use this as an opportunity to tell the interviewer what you've done in your time off -- volunteering, taking classes, etc. -- to emphasize that you weren't just sitting around popping bonbons and watching Oprah."

If you were fired for other reasons, Penfold recommends saying, "It wasn't the right opportunity for me or for the firm." If you are employed, tell the interviewer you are very happy with your current situation (even if you are not!), but this looks like a great opportunity and "the perfect next step for my career."

On the money. If asked your salary requirements, give a range for your expectations, but specify that you are most interested in the opportunity. If asked what you are now earning, be honest.

Ask questions. Be prepared with your own set of questions, says Ellen Vance. For instance, ask the interviewer to describe a typical day on the job; how communications flow in the organization; why the position is available; what the management style is within the group. The answers should help you determine how you'll fit in with the organization, not just the job.

Closing pitch At the end of the interview, both Vance and Penfold recommend that you reiterate the short list of why you the are right candidate.
Follow up. Be sure to send out an e-mail thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview. Penfold also advises candidates to send a handwritten note on fine-quality business stationery, also mailed within a day. She adds, "If you don't hear from the firm within 10 days to two weeks, follow up with an e-mail to let them know you still are interested. In that communication, ask if they need anything else from you."

* For Part 1,  "The Résumé" (January) go to bit.ly/7FlaUW.  For Part 2, "The Cover Letter" (February), go to bit.ly/9vRa8e.