Here are my top ten tips for those of you going on an interview.

1. Be nice to everyone... especially receptionists. Many interviewers use receptionists for first impressions of the candidate. Their opinion can tip the balance, and be the deciding factor in whether or not you're extended a job offer.

 2. Follow directions! Now, this may seem simplistic, but here's a common scenario. You arrive for the interview and are given an application. The interviewer tells you to complete all sections. You hand back the "completed" application to the interviewer, and in the job history section you've written in "see resume. Bad form!

3. Come alone. Showing up with another person in tow gives the impression that you're not able to do much of anything independently. And, NEVER, NEVER have someone else call for the initial "do you have any job openings" inquiry.

4. If you've put in an application, it's ok to call a week later to check on the status. And once you've checked, let it go! Applicants that call every week are not only annoying, but also are disruptive. After the interview, if the interview does not contact you in a couple of weeks, it's ok to call once. After that you can send a note (see #10) thanking the interviewer and expressing your interest in the position. After that let it go!

5. Put your best foot forward. Make eye contact, sit up straight and answer questions directly and honestly. Show enthusiasm. Enthusiasm goes a long way especially where actual job skills might be weak. Many companies are willing to take a chance on someone who is enthusiastic about the possibilities of working, and are willing to teach the more technical skills.

6. Find out something about the company before your interview. Knowing something about the company not only helps you to stand out in a field of candidates, but it also helps you to determine if this is the type of company for which you'd like to work.

7. Come armed with good questions. These may be questions about what a typical day is like, specifics about the projects you'd be working on or discussion about the organization's mission and values. Do not ask questions about pay, benefits or when you can get some time off. If the interviewer is interested in you, he or she will bring raise these subjects. If, by some chance the interviewer does not raise the subject, the proper time is after you've been extended a job offer.

8. Have work-related references available. Call your references ahead of time, and ask if the interviewer may contact them at home, in the evening. If you are new to the workforce, make sure your references can speak to your work ethic.

9. Approach the interview in terms of the value you bring to the organization. Although you may think that the company would be lucky to have you, they may think otherwise. How will the company benefit from hiring you?

10. Follow up the interview with a thank you note. This is an all-too-uncommon practice, and it will help you to stand out from the crowd. And, it's just plain old good manners.

Follow these ten tips, and watch your interview success grow!

Lynda Ford, author of this article, is president of The Ford Group, a consulting firm dedicated to improving organizations through their greatest potential resource people. Her first book, FAST52: Building an Exceptional Workplace Environment has just been published. She can be contacted by e-mail at lynda@fordgroup.com, or by phone at (315) 339-6398.

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