Interviewing - Best Advice Ever!

Interviewing for a new job can be stressful. Very few people enter into a resume calm as a cucumber.However in my opinion you should enter into an interview for a job, much like you would a first date. They don't know you and you don't know them. All they know about you is what you show them. If you are nervous, they see you as nervous. If you are confident, they see you as confident.The truth is (and this is a secret most HR professionals don't want me to reveal) MOST people from companies that interview you for a potential job are more nervous than you are. Many companies don't have a certified HR professional handling the hiring.Usually they ask Betty from the from office (the Office Manager) to handle interviewing. She is going to paint a picture that working for her company is the best thing ever! While you sit across from her trying to convince her you are the best candidate for the job. It's all an act, on both sides.At the risk of bragging, I am the queen of interviews. Not just because I am a HR professional, but because I genuinely am never nervous when I meet anyone. We are all human beings. Period. No one is better than or less than me. And when it comes to interviewing for a news job, I may not be a good fit for this company and vice versa. So I believe it is best to simply be myself.There are some simple steps to follow for a flawless interview.1. Do your homework on the company you are interviewing with and take notes. What are their current projects, awards, or accolades. How many locations do they have. Get to know your potential employer. The fact that you know about the company and can speak on it during the interview will separate you from the other applicants. Believe me.2. Make sure you are dressed appropriately. This means showering (it's a shame I have to list this, but you would be surprise how many people don't). Your clothes should be modest, clean, pressed and muted in color.3. Make sure you bring a copy of your resume and a list of references. Even if you have already emailed it to the company. Personally I would say bring two copies. You never know if you will walk into a panel interview.4. Arrive 10 minutes early, no more and no less. Too early and that is perceived as disrespectful, just as being too late.5. If you arrive early (and didn't check your appearance in the car) make sure you ask the receptionist for the restroom so you can give yourself a quick look in the mirror.6. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Avoid one or two word answers. This is your time to shine. Likewise make sure you have questions to ask at the end of the interview.Examples:"So what is the process you will be going through to decide of the best applicant for this vacancy?""Can you give me a sense of a typical workday if I am hired?"The Manager/Supervisor I will be required to work under, do yo know what attributes she is seeking the most for this job?"Keep in mind we are all simply humans. They don't know you. So what do you want them to see? You're in control. Good luck!

Being on the other side of the interview table was SO eye-opening for me. I was definitely nervous when meeting candidates and I did not expect that! Regarding #1, 15 minutes of Googling can go a long way. Read the About Us section of their website, their Wikipedia page, and any recent stories that you can find via Google News. I've interviewed candidates who didn't even know what our company does! Regarding #6, try to answer every question with a story or example. It will be far more impactful. And definitely prepare a list of questions to ask at the end! It can really set you apart as someone who is just looking for a job versus some who genuinely wants this opportunity and/or takes their career seriously. The only candidates I'll excuse for not asking questions are interns and maybe entry-level. Even then, at the very least "what do you like most about working here" is better than nothing.