HOW you say it

• SHOW ENTHUSIASM
  I've never been a salesperson but I had to convince myself that interviewing means SELLING MYSELF.
  It starts with self confidence, then conveying that confidence to the interviewer.
  I know I can do the job well and enjoy it. During the interview, my job is to honestly let the interviewer discover how that's true.
  I'm very sincere and dedicated to my profession. The trick was convincing myself how to convince others without sounding boastful.
  
  
• Firm handshake, good eye contact
  Everyone talks about making a good first impression. But there are many subtle things that make for a great personal presentation that conveys confidence and communicates effectively.
  Google for hand gestures when speaking and you'll learn the tricks that politicians use during speeches to make you more comfortable such as effective hand gestures.
  
  
• Don't drop the ball, hand it back
  Interviewing is a 2-way conversation.
  Yes, give the interviewer time to think, but allow only a few seconds of silence.
  Yet you must balance the conversation.
  Limit how much you reply! Don't hog the conversation!
  Subtly control (or guide) the the conversation your way with questions that steer the topic to things that make you look good!
  When handing back control of the conversation, use questions like "do you want to know more detail or should we cover some other ground?". That's a wonderful way TO SHOW INTEREST and focus on WHAT THE INTERVIEWER NEEDS TO KNOW

WHAT YOU SAY

• NEVER say JUST NO
  When asked "do you know foo", never say just NO.
  ALWAYS relate how you're experienced with sometime similar,
  and that you're ready, willing and capable of learning it right now!
  
  For example:
  Q: "Have you used FooMumble9?"
  A: I have not used that particular version but I am experienced with using similar revision control systems.
  I used Mumble8 on the baz project [and point to that in the resume].
  [and now to turn the question into a sales pitch, say something like]
  I can learn FooMumble9 quickly, on the job, just I had learned Mumble8 when needed for the baz project.
  
  
• Don't compromise yourself.
  Don't EVER say anything that can be used against yourself.
  Self-deprecation or false modesty is NEVER appropriate during interviewing.
  Have answers ready for even the TOUGH QUESTIONS.
  In Martin Yate's book Knock 'em Dead the chapter "The Stress Interview" covers the REALLY tough and nasty questions that are usually used to DISqualify candidates. It gives clever ways to turn them around to your advantage with clear examples.
  Don't just THINK of the replies, rehearse them! Be ready for common trick questions such as:
  • Why did you leave your last job?
  • What are your greatest strengths?
  • What are your greatest weaknesses?
  • Tell me about yourself
    
    This is the most annoying and open-ended possible question.
    My preferred response to "Tell me about yourself" is to reply with a multiple-choice question
    such as "Shall I start with my more recent research project, or are you more interested in my related telecom experience?"
    It's a subtle way to assert control of the conversation and steer things to demonstrating your achievements and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles.
    This works best by BEING PREPARED!
    Research the company and position in advance and offer to discuss things relevent and related to the position.
    Remember, your mission is to show that YOU'RE THE ONE FOR THIS JOB!
  
  
• And the end of the interview, give the closing pitch "I WANT THIS JOB!". Then stop.
  Even if there's time going to the lobby or elevator, RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO KEEP TALKING!

• Research as much as possible about the company and position beforehand.
  If you're working with a recruiter or via a consulting company, it's their job to brief you about the client.
  Read their web site. See if you're being interviewed for their core business or something else.
  
  
• Have spare copies of resume, business cards
  Have the resume, references and other notes READY TO HAND OUT,
  preferably in a colored folder in your briefcase/tote-bag so you can whip them out in an instant.
  DON'T WASTE VALUABLE INTERVIEW TIME fumbling for papers or items!
  
  
• Bring a notepad and several pens (they love to run out of ink at the worst possible time).
  It's okay to take notes so long as it doesn't interfere with the interview.

1. You'll usually first have to sign-in at the front desk with a receptionist or security.
   BE COURTEOUS and go into "data mining" mode: perhaps they have important information such as how many others have interviewed, if the people you're about to see are in a rushed or relaxed mood, etc. (I'm reminded of the PBS NOVA show "The Echoes Of War" where the general's secretary warned folks "you might not want to see him right now" when he was in a bad mood. It's your job to gather all useful clues and heed their warnings)
   
   READ ALL NOTICES on bulletin boards, even the bathroom. I found some product notices and tech info posted in the bathroom, intended for tech employees.
   
   
2. Most of the time the first person encountered during the interview process is personnel/Human-Resources.
   Here's my personal checklist of things to handle at that time:
   
   
   1. Ask about their ground rules for interviewing:
      Who will you see?
      How much time per person?
      What is each person's role in interviewing?
      
      Large companies tend to have this already printed out for you.
      USE THAT so you know WHAT EACH PERSON NEEDS TO ACCOMPLISH.
      For example, one person may be ONLY giving you a technical quiz. Don't waste their time with anything else! (only once you've passed the quiz, if time permits, ask them about working there, what's their assignment, what's the project, what part is being offered to you).
      
      
   2. Do NOT ask about benefits, time off, etc.
      There will be plenty of time for that once you're hired.
      Just accept any brochures or literature offered and READ IT LATER!
   
   Many times, the H-R representitive is a "gate keeper": there solely to screen OUT candidates. Your job is to GET THRU THIS STEP AS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. Save your efforts for the folks making the hiring decision.
   
   
3. There's usually an escalation of people you meet, starting with team members, working up to project manager, dept head, etc.
   
   The first people you meet should brief you about the company and the project at hand, where they think you'll fit in. With each successive person, YOU ought to spend LESS time learning about the company and either refining that knowledge or applying it
   
   eg: I'm really excited about the foo product, but I'm unsure how it's different from bar (so tell me more)
   
   eg: I've learned a lot from Mr Foo about the Bar process.
   Ms. Baz elaborated with details how the xyzzy group tests it
   [show what you learned during the interview, say all the names of the people you met, pronouncing them correctly]
   That is something that greatly interests me and I'd love to be part of your group!
   [yes, a sales pitch: say how you're really IN LOVE with specific things about the job being offered]

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.

• 2 page version for humans
• a long "buzzword compliant" version
  Some companies don't even read the resume but use a program that scans for keywords.
  Therefore length is not a consideration but containing enough of the required terms to get a high score to warrant further considersion.

1. Martin Yate's Knock 'em Dead series of interview books are the best for up to date information about the entire interview process from cover letter and applications to anticipating all sorts of interview situations to followup letters. Highly recommended reading for all the useful examples of cover letters, resumes, interview questions and the best ways to answer them (particularly trick questions intended to make you fail). I'm cheap and only bought the book. The web site lists workshops but I'm always scared by such expensive things.
   
   
2. How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie is essential reading for effectively showing interest in others and eliciting positive responses. Dale Carnegie Training offers courses too (but I've never taken any).

   first published in 1936, which has sold many millions of copies. It was a New York Times best seller for 10 years. This book appeals to people who want to change their life and gives tips and strategies for communicating with people. In contrast with some modern theories of psychology, which emphasize autonomy, self-expression and assertiveness, it echoes Lord Chesterfield's view that pleasing others is both a duty and a paradoxical route to personal success.

3. An interesting companion to writer's guide "The Elements Of Style" is
   The Elements Of Resume Style: Essential Rules And Eye-opening Advice For Writing Resumes And Cover Letters That Work
   by Scott Bennett. It is a small, non-threatening concise guide to writing resumes and cover letters.
   Available at amazon.com. I got mine for $5 at New York's Strand Books.

1. What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Nelson Bolles.
   I'm unsure how this compares to Yates for effective job hunting. Both are listed as "recommended reading" on http://www.uiaa.org/careers/strategy.html and http://www.cce.umn.edu/career/tools/resources.html
   Citing the author's web site http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/

   This site is designed as a supplement to my book…It will be particularly helpful if used along with that book, as there is much that is covered there that I cannot cover here.

2. Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time and Who's Got Your Back
3. The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard, Spencer Johnson.
4. "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" and "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't" by James C. Collins, Jerry I. Porras
5. Toastmasters International teaches folks how to be comfortable with public speaking, addressing large audiences, etc.

• The Elements of Style by Strunk & White was the inspiration for "The Elements of Resume Style". It is a small, non-threatening book to remind you of all the important things you forgot from English class. Citing Wikipedia

  The Elements of Style … is an American English writing style guide. It is one of the most influential and best-known prescriptive treatments of English grammar and usage in the United States. It originally detailed eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, and "a few matters of form" as well as a list of commonly misused words and expressions. Updated editions of the paperback book are often required reading for American high school and college composition classes.

• The American Heritage Dictionary was the preferred dictionary of the AT&T documentation group, chosen for clarity of contemporary and technical English. Definitely the engineer's dictionary.
  
  
• The Webster's New World Dictionary of Synonyms is a great way to find "just the right word". Unlike a Thesaurus, it's arranged like a dictionary with explainations and examples how to choose among the synonyms to best express yourself.
  http://www.synonym.com/synonym/ is a similar online version.

• Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss may seem more recreational than technical, but consider how many poorly punctuated signs and brochures you see every day. Don't insult your readers (and prospective employers) with improper punctuation! It goes way beyond the quotation mark and apostrophe abuse seen on store signs by giving life to all those punctuation marks that yearn to be used correctly.
  See also: Her web site
  
  
• Depraved and Insulting English by Peter Novovatzky and Ammon Shea. Stop lollygagging and speak like Captain Hook!
  
  
• An Exaltation of Larks, or, The Venereal Game by James Lipton. This is essential for all anthropomorphic writers: it lists the proper names for all groups of animals (venery). Available from amazon.com