Basic Interview "Dos and Don'ts"

Interviewing Do's	Be Prepared: Do your homework about the organization - their web site is a great place to start. Look under "Corporate Information", "Overview", "About Us" or "Who We Are" for the organization's vision, mission, values and profiles of the management team. Check the Investor section for the Annual Report. See if you know any of the Board Members or major Clients. Also do a search on the organization on one or more news services. Get to know as much about the interviewer before hand, if possible. Check local associations to see whether s/he is a member, for example. See if their bio is posted online on the company web site, and/or where they are organizationally, in terms of reporting lines. Be prepared with one or two thoughtful questions that will make it clear you've done your homework -- e.g. not a question about something that is prominently displayed on the organization's home page. Ideally, ask about a recent newsworthy announcement in the press.
Interviewing Don'ts	First Impressions Count: Don't be late. Get directions in advance. If they are not available from the web site, check an online source e.g. MapQuest or Expedia. If you call the company, make sure the person who gives you directions has followed them themselves. For example, if you plan to take the subway, get directions from someone familiar with the lines and stops. Allow extra time and plan to arrive early. This will give you time to use the bathroom to check your appearance, to quickly scan a current company newsletter in the lobby, or even to ask the receptionist what kind of day they (and possibly your interviewer) might be having. Dress conservatively -- don't wear casual clothes, even if the organization has a casual dress policy Don't chew gum or breath mints during the interview. Don't greet the interviewer with a drink in your hand. Make sure you have one hand free to shake hands, and a portfolio with paper or notebook computer in the other Treat everyone you meet with courtesy and respect. Many candidates don't realize that an interview ended before it began because of rudeness to a receptionist or administrative assistant.
Interviewing Do's	Have answers prepared for commonly asked questions: Why are you interested in our organization? this particular job? Why do you want to leave where you are working now? What could you offer our organization? How could you contribute? Where do you see yourself in five years? Why did you leave this particular job so soon? Be prepared to answer this for any position held less than 2 years. How would your direct line manager describe you? A peer? A direct report? A customer? A vendor?
Interviewing Don'ts	Avoid Exaggerating: Don't inflate your responsibilities, your current compensation or your accomplishments Assume that everything you say can and will be verified during the reference process.
Interviewing Do's	Be Proactive: Bring extra copies of your resume with you, and be prepared to stay longer for additional meetings with others -- which is often a sign of things going well. Toward the close of the interview, summarize your understanding of next steps and/or ask the interviewer when s/he will be able to provided you with feedback. Then be sure to follow up. Always follow up with a thank you note/email to all with whom you met, highlighting some specific point from your conversation. Be sure to have someone -- else -- proof every thank you note before sending. Always contact references before providing them; be sure to brief them on the nature of the opportunity and get assurance that are in a position to give a positive reference at this time.
Interviewing Don'ts	Never Be Negative: Don't say negative things about your current/former employer or colleagues. Don't phrase questions about the prospective employer in a negative way. Don't use self-deprecating humor or be critical about your own past performance. Thoughtfully prepare constructive answers to questions such as "What has been your biggest mistake, and how did you handle it? What do you consider to be your strong suits? weaknesses?"