Make sure you arrive a few minutes early.
Greet the recruiter by his or her last name. Offer a firm
handshake and a warm smile.
Show
self-confidence. Make eye contact with the
recruiter and answer questions in a clear voice.
Work to
establish a rapport with the recruiter. Listen
closely to the recruiter for cues on how you should act.
Is she being formal or informal? How
loudly is he speaking? What sort of
information is she trying to solicit: general, professional, or personal? Try to speak with the same rhythm and tone of
voice.
Be specific,
concrete, and detailed in your answers. The
more information you volunteer, the better the recruiter is able to get to know you.
Remember to
listen. Communication is a two-way street. If you are talking too much, you may miss cues
concerning what the recruiter feels is important.
Take time to
reflect before answering a difficult question. If
you are unsure how to answer a question, you might reply with another question. For example, if the recruiter asks you what your
salary expectations are, you might answer by saying, "That is a good question. What are you planning to pay your best
candidate?"
Answer questions
as truthfully and as frankly as you can. The
recruiter may steer the interview into difficult questions.
Answer honestly, trying not to say more than is necessary.
Do not lead with
salary or benefit questions in the initial interview.
If your main motivation is money it will probably turn off most recruiters. Convince them you can do the job and want the job
before discussing money and benefits.
Show that you
want the job. Display your initiative by
talking about how your skills can benefit the organization.
Give details of how you have helped past employers.
You may want to ask about specific details of the position, such as functions,
responsibilities, who you would work with, and who you would report to.
Avoid smoking
and drinking alcohol before and during an interview.
If going to lunch with a recruiter, decline alcoholic beverages even if the
recruiter orders a cocktail with his or her meal. If
you are a smoker, abstain before and during the interview.
Smoking can offend many people; even smoking before an interview can leave an odor
that may be offensive to the recruiter.
Avoid negative
body language. The recruiter wants to see how
you react under pressure. Try to avoid these
signs of nervousness and tension:
Frequently
touching your mouth
Faking a cough
to think about the answer to a question
Gnawing on your
lip
Tight or forced
smiles
Swinging your
foot or leg
Folding or
crossing your arms
Slouching
Avoiding eye
contact
Picking at
invisible bits of lint
At the
conclusion of your interview, ask when a hiring decision will be made, and thank the
recruiter for his time, expressing your interest in the position.
