Ten Things Employers Want You to know before the Interview

Sept. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Whether you are a recent college grad or an old pro, ignoring the basics of what to do in an interview can cost you the job, in any field.  Jodi Berkshire, Assistant Director of Career Services for The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, shares her list of recurring themes that she has heard often from employers in an effort  to help prevent you from blowing an interview in any industry.

1. Get directions. When you are scheduling your interview, don’t be afraid to ask for directions. MapQuest doesn’t always get it right. If possible, make a trip prior to your appointment to eliminate any surprises. You should also be able to get directions from the receptionist or anyone in Human Resources.

2. Arrive early. It sounds simple, but give yourself enough time to cope with any traffic or parking problems. You may be asked to complete an application and this will give you time to do that and still be on time for your interview. If you are caught in traffic, call the employer to let them know. Being late for an interview is usually the kiss of death; if an employer can’t rely on you to arrive on time for such an important meeting, they won’t have confidence that you’ll arrive on time for work.

3. Bring several copies of your resume and samples of your work. Even if you’ve already submitted your resume or filled out an on-line application, make sure that you bring multiple copies of your resume to the interview. In certain fields, you’ll be expected to show your portfolio or samples of your work. Yes, you should have a link to your on-line portfolio, but don’t take a chance that a server might be down. Good preparation means that you will also carry a printed portfolio and you might also bring your own laptop that is fully charged and ready to use. If your portfolio is on a demo reel, have multiple copies to leave behind and make sure they are all properly labeled. And most importantly, your resume and samples should match the job description. In other words, if you are applying for a job photographing newborns, don’t bring a portfolio of your fashion or architectural photography.

4. Research the company. There is no such thing as “too much research.” The most obvious first step is to spend time on the company’s web site. Lots of time! Click on each and every link and take notes. And don’t stop there. Run a Google search. Gather as much information as possible including the history of the company, ownership, clients, awards, etc. Try to read any articles published about the company, their achievements or key employees. Know their product and get comfortable discussing it. For example, if you want to work for a local television station, make sure you watch the local news and that you are able to compare one station’s broadcast to another’s. Don’t say, “I never watch TV.”

5. Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, leave it in your car. Once you enter the building, do not make or receive calls and DO NOT TEXT… even while you are waiting in the lobby. If the unthinkable happens and your phone rings during your interview, apologize and turn it off. DO NOT ANSWER IT!

6. Have a professional E-Mail address. This should be some variation of your first and last name or first initial and last name. It should not be anything that will make the employer question your professionalism, your judgment or what you do with your free time. A few addresses that did NOT get the job are: EvilWoman, BorntoParty, PhsychoArtist, DatBoyKilla and anything with the word “Princess” in it. Create a professional E-mail address and you can probably link both your old and new address so that you only have to check one each day.

7. Check the greeting on your phone. Make it short, welcoming and to the point. You could say something like, “This is Jane Smith. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave your name and number and I’ll return your call as soon as possible.” No music please. Definitely no comedy routines or foul language. If you see from your caller ID that an employer has called you, but they didn’t leave a message, check your greeting immediately. They may have heard something they didn’t like.

8. Dress appropriately. Just because you know someone who works in the art department and they wear jeans to work, that doesn’t mean you can wear jeans to an interview. Dress up. Most employers appreciate the effort you make; it’s a respectful gesture and it says that you really want the job. Even if you are only going to fill out an application, you should still dress appropriately. Unless you are applying to a tattoo parlor, please cover your ink and remove your piercings; they will only distract the interviewer. Remember, nothing too short, tight or revealing. You want your clothes to say “professional” not “party animal.”

9. Return ALL phone calls and E-mails PROMPTLY. All HR managers agree that there is nothing more annoying than job applicants who don’t return phone calls. If an employer is trying to schedule an interview and you have decided you are no longer interested, that’s okay, but you still have to return their call. Make sure to thank them and be courteous. If they are offering a job and you have found something more to your liking or you would rather keep looking, just let the employer know. Be careful not to say anything negative about the job or the company and always remember to thank them for their time and the offer.

10. Write a thank-you. Promptly! The general rule is within 24-48 hours. Although a hand-written note is still appreciated, a traditional business letter is more the norm and today many employers have no objection to an E-Mail. Just remember to write in complete sentences using both upper and lower case letters as appropriate. No symbols allowed. THIS IS NOT A TEXT MESSAGE. Never use a greeting card with “Thank-You” on the front.

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The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale was established in 1968 and awards Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science degrees, as well as diplomas. Programs offered are: Advertising, Art of Cooking, Baking & Pastry, Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Filmmaking & Video Production, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation, Photography, Residential Design, Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, Video Production, and Web Design & Interactive Media. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale is approved for the training of veterans and eligible veterans’ dependents and is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. For more information, log on to www.artinstitutes.edu/fortlauderdale.