Employing your best interview skills

Practice makes perfect

\nLet's be honest, everybody wants to show up to an interview with Northrop Grumman or Wachovia with a few tricks up their sleeves. Good interviewing skills may not come naturally, so it's important to practice, practice, practice. You may have heard it several times before and you'll most likely hear it again: "Ums" and "likes," which are permissible in everyday conversation, come off as very childish to interviewers. Ultimately, they will distract the interviewer from your intended message. Role playing in front of the mirror or with someone else before an interview, however, can significantly remedy this menacing habit.

Practice answering questions that are commonly asked during interviews: What are your career goals? Why are you the best candidate for this position? How would your last boss describe you?\nThink carefully about these questions and come up with responses that are complete yet still brief and to the point.

Highlight your best attributes and be sure to discuss additional information you have researched about the company or institution with which you are interviewing.

Maintain eye contact with the interviewer and speak clearly and firmly - two essential skills to acing interviews, according to Forbes magazine. Also, practice taking a few seconds to think about your response. Try not to blurt out an answer immediately. You do not want to come off too rehearsed or contrived.

Above all, remember to speak slowly and naturally. What may seem reasonable to you - the person put on the spot - may not seem reasonable to the interviewer - the person forced to listen to you. Role playing will help you learn to keep a modest pace. Take it slow but exude confidence.

-compiled by Rasheda Nipu\n

Overdress to Impress

\nThe first thing a job interviewer will notice about you is your physical appearance. Consider your outfit the first opportunity to make a good impression. Be sure to choose your attire wisely. Even though you may feel most comfortable in wrinkled basketball shorts and a University T-shirt, it won't make a good impression on your interviewer. One key to nailing an interview is not simply dressing to impress, but overdressing to impress. It is better to look too dressy than too casual.

Guys, pull out a nice pair of pants, foregoing those with cargo pockets. For more casual interview attire, sport khakis with a solid-colored button-down shirt and tie. For more serious employment opportunities, wear a crisp dark suit or a sports coat. For a little flair, add a patterned tie or pocket square and be sure to shine up those dress shoes hidden in the back of the closet.

Second-year Engineering student Joey Murphy suggests pairing black socks with black dress shoes - and emptying your pockets prior to the interview. Flashing cell phones and Virginia lanyards may distract the employer from your presence and your words, Murphy said.

Girls, who can have hundreds of different clothing combinations to choose from, may face more difficulty deciding on the perfect outfit for an interview. Still, there are certain basics to follow for achieving a polished look. If you are looking to keep it simple, pair a dark pair of slacks and a colorful silk or button-down blouse. To glam up your look a bit, wear a skirt or dress. Make sure though, that your outfit is not too revealing. Skirts and dresses should fall at the knee or lower and overall outfits should not show too much skin on the arms, shoulders or bust.

Girls can complete their look with a classic pair of closed-toe pumps and one or two discreet accessories. Clanking bangles and giant earrings will only distract the interviewer. Try some simple post earrings and perhaps a funky ring to show some personality. Eyeglasses can also add a touch of sophistication.

-compiled by Lisa Littman\n

Know Thyself

\nWhile interviewers will mainly ask about your previous work experience, knowledge and capabilities, also be prepared to face some tougher questions. One of the most common questions an interviewer will ask is what your weaknesses are, how they affect your work performance and how you compensate or overcome them. The first and most crucial part of answering those questions is to know yourself.

The University Career Services Web site suggests evaluating any problems in your record and planning strong explanations for them well ahead of the interview. You must show that you are self-aware, analytical and that you are constantly striving to improve yourself.

UCS recommends that you do not discuss any weaknesses that directly relate to the for which job you are applying. Instead, use other weaknesses to show humility and introspection. For example, if you are applying for secretarial position at a doctor's office, it is probably not wise to say that you can type only 25 words per minute.

In part, these questions are a test of your honesty. It is worth picking something that is nontrivial, but also not ruinous. Try to think of an ambiguous trait, one which could be construed both positively and negatively.

"My usual strategy is to say that I'm a perfectionist," second-year College student Camille Danvers said. "I tell them I am very detailed-orientated and meticulous in my work, but that sometimes I lose sight of deadlines."

Carole Martin, a contributing author to career-advice on monster.com, suggests choosing a skill that you are currently trying to improve. For example, if you are a person who is overly focused on details and sometimes loses sight of the big picture, tell your interviewer that as a result, you like to make lists and prioritize what tasks you need to compete first and by what time.

While it is unlikely a single answer could ruin your entire interview, it is also possible to make yourself stand out in one answer. Make your weaknesses your strengths.

- compiled by Katherine Carter\n

Actions speak louder than words

\nUndoubtedly, the most obvious way to tell a prospective employer that you are interested in his company is to voice it flat out. Before opening your mouth to say how passionate you are about working for the organization or how dedicated you will be to furthering its goals, however, consider that most of people applying for the job will probably say those same things.

Make it your mission to set yourself apart from the other individuals competing for the position. Do not simply state your interest. Prove it.

First, take time to interview your interviewer. Show that you have researched the company and position for which you are applying. Thoughtful, well-worded inquiries will not only show that you are interested in the company, but also that you have done your homework to find information about it.

"There is one question in particular that needs to be asked," said Carter Hopkins, director of Career Services for the University's Alumni Association. "'If I get this position, where can I go within the organization?' That sets up the thought in the interview's mind that you're not just interested not in the job, but that you're interested in a career with their company."

Other questions may include: Why is this position open? What freedom do employees have in determining their own work objectives and deadlines? How does the company measure success?

Should you need clarification about the details of the position, do not be afraid to ask about those as well. The point of the meeting is not simply to ace the interview; it is also a time to determine whether the job you are applying for is the right fit for you and your skills.

Always, always follow up the interview by sending a hand-written thank-you note to the interviewer within 24 hours of your meeting.

"You don't want to do e-mails," Carter said. "Everybody does that ... You want to stand out and put yourself in as positive of a light as possible."

You want to be remembered.

- compiled by Stephanie Waties