How to Succeed in an Interview In Person

In-person interviews are generally the last step before a hiring decision is made.  They allow for the hiring manager to meet you and determine if you would be a fit for their team.  You will get to meet the project team, view the office environment and determine if the position would be a good fit for you.  You may end up interviewing with several people or a panel of people from the company.  

When trying to land the position during the final stage of the process, it is important that you remain consistent in your responses.  Allow for slight modifications and elaboration on those responses as you learn more about the particulars of the job and the company.  Doing so shows that you have been paying attention to the interviewers’ description of the organization, the environment and the skills they seek for the position.

Take the following steps to ensure a successful interview:

Get Directions Before the Interview

It is important to know where your interview will take place and how long it will take to get there.  Always try to arrive 10 minutes early to your interview.  Do not arrive too early as it may distract the interviewer.  A good rule is to arrive 5-10 minutes early, no more than that.

Before entering your interview, take the time to either turn off your cell phone or to put in on silent mode.  When greeting the interviewer, make a positive first impression by giving them a firm handshake.

Dress Professionally

Wear business attire for your interview even if you know the company does not have a dress code.  For men, wearing a tie may be optional in some industries; but is a must in other industries including banking, financial services or insurance.  To obtain the position, it is smart to present yourself as a professional who can dress the part and perform the job.  It never hurts to be overdressed.  Also, avoid strong cologne or body scents, as the interviewer may find them distracting (or may even have an allergy to the scent). 

Bring Work Samples

It may be beneficial to take work samples with you to your interview even if you are not specifically requested to do so.  Work samples are another way to sell your skills and to demonstrate what you can produce, rather than just tell the client that you possess a particular skill.  If you know the position requires Captivate experience, it would be ideal if you could bring samples that illustrate your hands-on development experience with the tool. 

Carry your samples and copies of your resume in a portfolio or a notepad.  You may want to take a laptop with you so you can demonstrate multimedia or web-based training samples.  Bring several copies of your resume in case you meet with several people during your interview. 

Make a Positive First Impression

Remain calm throughout your interview and speak enthusiastically.  Let your personality come across in the interview.  Be outgoing, friendly and positive.  Your goal is to portray your interest and sell yourself to land the right consulting engagement for you.

Sit straight up throughout your interview and avoid slouching because slouching can imply a lack of interest in the position.  Maintain eye contact in your interview to show you are engaged and interested in the interview.  If there is more than one person present, have periodic eye contact with each person at the table. 

Wrap up with Questions

At the end of the interview, be sure to reiterate your interest in the position and the company.  You can ask what is the next step in the interview process, especially if you have completed a phone interview before the in-person interview.  Never ask questions pertaining to rate or salary because your Recruiter from Clarity Consultants negotiates payment terms for the assignment. 

Be sure to ask questions regarding the project, such as when it will begin, possible extensions or when the deadlines need to be met.  This is your chance to obtain specific information about the project and update your recruiter with pertinent information.  Conclude the interview by thanking the interviewer for the chance to meet in person to discuss the opportunity.

Send a Thank You Note

In many organizations the receipt of a thank you note (or the lack thereof) is taken into consideration when evaluating candidates.  And perfect spelling is a must!

Send a note of thanks to the person heading the recruiting efforts or to every individual (this is best) who interviewed you.  Doing so is a chance for you to show that you have reflected on your conversation with the interviewer and to reiterate your interest in the job.  The thank you note is also a perfect opportunity to elaborate on some of your responses about your experience that is pertinent to the position.

Ask your recruiter to tell you the best method to send a thank you note for this position (either by email or by postal mail).  Your recruiter may suggest direct communication or ask that you send your note to the recruiter to forward on to the interviewer.  In any case, a thank you note is a smart way to conclude an interview process that ends in success.

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