6 Rarely-Practiced Interviewing Techniques

Being interviewed for a job can be one of the most stressful situations you've ever experienced or the most rewarding experience you've ever mastered. Being good at it takes practice. Mastering it takes confidence, preparation, and even more practice. Have you ever looked in the mirror and pretended to answer interview questions? Try it. Pay close attention to the inflection in your voice and whether you are smiling enough or too much. Take notice of your body language. Is it open, closed, warm, or cold?

Rehearse Your Answers; Practice Your Technique

Prepare to walk into a room and be ready to interview with anyone of any professional level. You must exude readiness, energy and a strong presence in addition to being able to speak clearly and concisely. In the days just before the interview, learn all you can about the company and its principals. You should have also spent enough time rehearsing your answers to common interview questions. To further master the interviewing process, utilize these rarely-practiced techniques.

1. Eye contact. Eye contact. Eye contact.

This is highly important in demonstrating your confidence. It tells the interviewer that you are interested, attentive, and focused. Inability to maintain eye contact tells the interviewer that you are too shy and you may be considered a weak communicator, and therefore not suitable for the position. Keep your eyes focused on the interviewer without staring head on and while engaged in dialogue. Look away briefly and only in between your responses, but never while you're responding.

2. "What do you know about the company?"

It's the question that many people are not as prepared as they should be to answer effectively. You should be able to recall important facts about the company such as how long they've been in business, their specialized services or products, the competition, current projects or any involvement with the community. If you are not asked this question, you'll need to find a way to bring these details into the conversation while staying on topic.

3. "What do you consider to be your weakness?"

This is a question that should be answered carefully and in a succinct manner. Don't ramble on into areas that will make you sound weak by using words like "I can't" or "I have a problem with." Choose something general like organization, work load management, or time management. Present them as "challenges" not weaknesses. Most people are challenged in these areas. Close your statement by simply saying, for example, that you are improving your time management skills by using Microsoft Outlook every day to manage your critical and routine tasks.

4. Ask about overtime and hourly pay versus salary.

Although the rule of thumb is not to mention salary first, it's a good idea to ask the employer if overtime is expected and how often. If you are offered the job, you will be in a better position to negotiate your salary if you're expected to work overtime. It is not unusual to discover that all of a sudden your work hours have increased after you have accepted a position due to certain circumstances. If your work hours are paid hourly, you can rest assured that employers will be careful about authorizing overtime; yet this is not the case when you are paid on a salary basis.

5. At some point in the interview, you'll be asked if you have any questions.

Don't say no. You should have at least two questions that will help you learn more about the expectations of the position. Again, you want to use this opportunity to ask the interviewer questions that reflect your knowledge of the company. This may be a good time to ask about the company's plans for future growth. Asking these questions shows that you are interested in the position.

6. At the end of the interview, give a firm handshake and a smile.

As a final lasting impression, express your interest and leave a business card. Yes, a business card. They're quite inexpensive nowadays and easy to make at home with a computer and printer. Make sure the card has your name, contact information, and a unique selling proposition - a brief statement - about your area of expertise. For example, if you're a bookkeeper, your card might say "20 years of full-charge bookkeeping experience in real estate development and construction." This will be impressive and help lead to a second interview or a job offer.

Does anyone know an interviewing technique that will help an interviewer remember you? What will make you stand out from other candidates?