The Top Do's and Don'ts of Interviewing

Need some advice on talking with recruiters? I talked to several hiring personnel who have lots of experience interviewing candidates. They’ve seen it all – including one woman who wouldn’t go home, but insisted on finishing her interview after getting sick, according to Nicole Hilsenhoff from Epic. Use their expert tips to avoid being known as “that horrible candidate,” instead being the perfect one who gets the position!

WHAT NOT TO DO AT AN INTERVIEW

1. Don’t swear in an interview no matter how casual the environment.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
2. Don’t flirt with or ask your recruiter out – it’s not as charming as it sounds.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
3. Never mention money/salary. Most companies will have already done research in order to provide the most competitive salaries possible for the position and location. Therefore, be aware that salaries will be relative to location (i.e. salaries for the east and west coast locations may be higher than the Midwest, but the cost of living is also much higher).
- Ya Yang, General Mills
4. Never talk bad about a co-worker, a previous employer, or fellow student to make yourself look better. In business there will be conflict, and we like to see how you turn negative situations into positive ones.
- Ya Yang, General Mills
5. Don’t rush through an interview – don’t schedule appointments immediately following an interview in the event that it runs longer than anticipated.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic



HOW TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION

1. Let the recruiter know that you're interested in the job and why you'd be a good fit.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
2. Have examples ready for an interviewer’s questions (i.e. “Tell me about…”).
- Vickie Bortz, Federal Bureau of Prisons
3. Let the recruiter know what impressed you about the company and how you connect to their mission.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic
4. Do research on the company.
- Ya Yang, General Mills
5. Make good eye contact.
- Vickie Bortz, Federal Bureau of Prisons
6. Have an idea of what you want to do. For example, if you’re a Finance major, have an idea of what areas of finance interest you.
- Ya Yang, General Mills
7. Be yourself. Recruiters can tell when you're being phony.
- Nicole Hilsenhoff, Epic


For more in-depth interviewing preparation visit our website: http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers/students/interview_prep.html