The employment interview is often the first visual contact that a potential employer has with a candidate. It’s the first he hears his (or her) voice. It’s the first time physical contact is made with a handshake.

You can’t imagine how many candidates are rejected during the first minute or two of the interview. No, they are not shooed out the door. They are just tolerated until the interview is over. But they did not have a chance from the start.

When the candidate leaves the office and the interviewer is asked how he or she liked the candidate, you might here something like this:

1. Did you get a whiff of her? She smelled like the perfume counter at Macy’s. I couldn’t have her sitting near me. I would gag.
2. He was such a blabbermouth. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
3. Didn’t you smell the alcohol?
4. I think he is on drugs.
5. Modesty is a virtue she doesn’t have.
6. He just came in from the cow pasture.

None of the above was gained from a letter or resume or from what the interviewee said. It came from the eyes, ears and nose of the interviewer.

So, the secret here is, do not do anything that will get you cut off before you have a chance to start.

1. Wear clean clothing. You will need a suit for a professional position. A business-like dress or suit for a secretarial position. If you are a man applying for a factory position and you have a nice pair of slacks, a nice shirt and a conservative tie, where them. However, you can come in your work clothes if you are clean and neat.

2. Avoid strong perfumes, lotions, after-shave, etc. You don’t want too much distraction.

3. Did I say to shine your shoes, comb your hair, etc.?

After you have been sat down for the interview, there will be some small-stuff chat. “Aren’t you George’s boy? You sell beer at the stadium, don’t you? I see you went to the same high school that I did.”

Simple short answers or a smile or a nod of the head might be better than a long-winded answer. Don’t divert the interviewer from his task which is to see if you are qualified for a particular job.

Now, the interviewer might ask you to describe your job experience. If you filled out an an application before the interview or submitted a resume, the interviewer will probably be looking at it. Try to maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Answer his questions in pleasant and truthful manner. Do not exaggerate. State the facts.

If you are worried about the two years you spent in the state penitentiary, don’t spend your time making explanations that could put you in deeper trouble. You may say that you paid your debt to society, that you regret the events that put you in prison, and that you are now living a normal life and not associating with anyone of a criminal nature.

A candidate having been a prisoner was not a major factor to me. I had ways of finding out the reasons and circumstances. One man I hired was a scapegoat in a bank scam. An FBI agent told me how sons-in-law are often the scape goats in such frauds. He tuned out to be a very reliable and talented employee.

Pay attention to what the interviewer is saying. He will be telling you about the company. Show him that you are very interested by asking questions an answering his. Just don’t over do it.

After the interviewer has ground you down to your bare nubbins, he will give you some indication of what is next. Tell him that you appreciate the interview and that you are looking forward to having the opportunity to work with him. Don’t press for a conclusion. He may want to think things over and he will be interviewing other candidates.

If you are pleasant and cordial and have a good work ethic, he may invite you back for further interviews with others in the organization.

And then again, he may hire you on the spot!

Fly Old Glory!

John T. Jones, Ph.D. – a retired college professor and business executive, former editor of an international engineering magazine. Writer, novelist, painter of landscapes. Lots of grand-kids.

Learn about Wealthy Affiliate University and get your copy of “Guide to Successful Employment and Long Term Success” FREE! http://www.internetbusinesstoolcenter.com/

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