Interviews can be extremely nerve-wracking. Whether it is an initial phone interview or a formal in-person, interviews can have you second guessing everything about yourself and your skills. At AAA, we want to ensure that you and the company have the best interview experience possible. Here are some helpful interview tips to keep in mind.

PHONE INTERVIEWS

• Make sure that you are in a quiet, secluded area where you can give the interviewer your undivided attention.
• We don’t recommend taking phone interviews at your current place of employment. It is not fair to your current employer and does not look good to your interviewer. Dedication to the task at hand is key to all companies.
• Try to find an area with good reception if you are on a cell phone.
• Be clear, concise and try to let your personality shine through. Yes, interviewers can hear your personality through the phone. A tip to help with that: smile while talking.
  Sit down while speaking, and try to take the call inside where the weather isn’t a concern.
• We don’t suggest starting the interview by asking about compensation. This comes off as abrasive and can bump you to the bottom of the candidate list.
• Definitely research the company and know their history and background. This is a great practice and it shows your dedication to the interview.
• Have questions prepared at the end. Be sure to ask about when you can expect to hear from them again, and have your calendar in front of you just in case.

FORMAL INTERVIEWS

• Dress in business attire. The dress code might be business casual or even casual, but you are not an employee yet. So dress in your best outfit. It will not only look great to the company, but you will feel great, too.
• Have questions prepared at the end. Make sure to write them down and be prepared to ask them when you have the opportunity. They can be specific questions about the position, or in general about the company. Showing an interest can give you an edge.
• Sit up straight, and try not to fidget. Interviewers are people too, so if you fidget too much, it can move their focus and they might miss a few key points about you.
  Thank them for their time, and make sure to get business cards so that you can send a follow up “Thank You” email. Make sure to do this within a day or two of your interview.
• Be confident, make eye contact and deliver a firm handshake. It may seem old school, but an interviewer can tell a lot about a person from their handshake.

Put these interview tips to good use next time you’re one the phone or in-person. And most important of all, remember: You are good enough and you can do this! Put your on best outfit, smile and put your best foot forward.