Interviewing 101: Are Your Ready to Rock That Face-to-Face?
When I was a professional recruiter, I would always call my candidates the day before a scheduled face-to-face job interview to: 1) confirm the interview location and start time 2) insure that the candidate clearly understood the interviewing process and the schedule that he/she would be following and 3) to pump them up by giving them a pep talk reminding them how qualified they were for the position. Although most of my candidates thought I was just me being nice, I really had ulterior motives (since I was a contingency recruiter and their performance could mean the difference between a paycheck or not). Further, I wanted to confirm that in addition to being mentally prepared, that my candidates were also physically ready for the interview i.e. they were wearing the appropriate clothes and shoes, knew exactly how they were going to get to the interview, made sure that all cell phones and beepers were turned off during the interview etc, etc. As everybody knows (but is reluctant to admit) looks and image really do count when it comes to finding a job!
Many recruiters I know send their candidates an interview physical appearance preparedness checklist that they are instructed to follow before they leave their homes for a job interview. Of course, most candidates never bother to read the checklist (who wants to read stuff that you think is obvious?). And, not surprisingly, many candidates don’t get job offers because they were physically unprepared for their face-to-face.
Times have changed drastically since I was a professional recruiter. However, one thing that has remained unchanged is the need to be physically presentable and to act professionally at all times during a face-to-face job interview. Coincidentally, I came across an online “interview image quiz " that assesses whether you are physically and professionally prepared for your next face-to-face.
Check it out—you may learn a thing or two (and possibly get a job offer!)
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!
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As we all know (or should by now) the face-to-face interview is the most important part of any job search. I and others have lectured and written exhaustively on appropriate interviewing behaviors and the requisite skills that must be developed to become a successful interviewee. However, it is important to point out that you are not the only person in the room during an interview—let’s not forget about the interviewer! To that end, little has been written about the types of interviewers that a job candidate may encounter during the face-to-face. As somebody once advised me, knowing your “enemy” can go a long way to insure success. .jpg)
With the price of gas and travel skyrocketing, many companies are cutting back on the number of face-to-face job interviews that they conduct. Instead, companies are resorting to alternate interviewing strategies that include multiple phone interviews, videoconferencing interviews and yes, even virtual interviews (check out Second Life) —how cool is that!!!! 
When I was working as a recruiter, I always called my candidates a day before a scheduled face-to-face job interview. I did this to reassure them, build confidence and provide them with any insights that I may have had regarding the hiring manager or the job. But, more importantly, I called to insure that they were adequately prepared to go on the interview. I typically talked with them about dress, interview etiquette, cell phone usage, body language etc. Sometimes, when I was concerned about particular candidates, I even sent (via fax or e-mail) an interview preparation checklist. 
The hard work you that invested in your resume has finally paid off–you just received a call from the ACME Biotech’s Human Resources Department inquiring about your availability for a face-to-face interview with the company. After about 30 seconds of elation and joy, fear and anxiety begin to creep into your psyche-“OMG, an interview, this is my first one, what am I going to do?” 