Interview Tips

1. Dress for Success
   • Always wear a suit: black, navy or charcoal gray best colors
   • Look your best: dress conservatively, hair tidy, shoes shined, minimal jewelry, tasteful attire, men should wear a coat and tie—always!
   • Carry a leather portfolio/briefcase to hold your paperwork
2. Do your Due Diligence
   • Research the company: understand their value proposition, learn some interesting facts about the company, products and the competition
   • If possible, speak to reps and customers out in the field
   • Prepare some well thought-out questions regarding the company
3. Make a Good First Impression
   • Always arrive 15 minutes early
   • Build rapport and find commonality with the interviewer, smile and give them a firm handshake
   • Engage the interviewer with interesting facts about yourself
   • Have a friendly conversation
4. Determine the Needs of the Interviewer
   • Find out early in the interview (within first 10 minutes) what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate
   • Match your skill set to what the interviewer is looking for in his next hire
5. Know your Wow Factors—BE MEMORABLE
   • Memorize 10 top reasons WHY they should hire YOU!
   • Concentrate on communicating those strengths/differentiators throughout the interview
6. Do Not Show-up and Throw-up
   • Be specific, concise and results oriented with your answers
   • Answers should be no more than 60 seconds and always tied to measurable result
7. Remember your ABCs—Always Be Closing!
   • Once you have answered a question, check back in with the interviewer to ensure that he is satisfied with the answer
8. Ask Thought Provoking Questions
   • Open-ended questions, probing questions
   • Trial close often
   • Uncover any objections: “Based on our interview today, do you see any reason at this point why you would not move me forward in the interview process?”
9. CLOSE for the JOB
   • Summarize your strengths as they relate to the position and express your strong interest and desire for the job
   • Ask for the job and close for the next step
   • Present a leave-behind brag book copied and bound
10. Follow–up
    • Leave with the interviewer's business card
    • Send a Thank You email the day of the interview