Getting back to reality

How to handle the in-person job interview

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

We have spent several years doing everything virtually, including job interviews.

How many articles have you read with advice about doing well on a Zoom interview?

Thing is, now we’re (slowly) getting back to reality. We actually have to see other human beings! In person! And most of us, me included, are a bit rusty.

So I thought I would gather up some of my best advice about navigating in-person job interviews. I would love to hear yours, as well.

• Be on time.
  As the great Mike Birbiglia says, “Early lasts for hours. On-time just lasts a second. Then you’re late forever.” Make sure you know your route to the interview, where you will park, etc. Ten minutes early is my go-to. Anything earlier, and they might not be ready for you. Anything later, and you risk being late. Do not be late.

• Mind your shoes.
  Not just your shoes, of course. But we have spent a long time not dressing for anything public. And infamously some people don’t worry about what they are wearing when it’s supposed to be below camera range. You should dress to mirror what your potential colleagues are wearing. Overdressing can also be a mistake.

• Bring samples.
  It’s easy to say “I’ll email you my LinkedIn profile/online portfolio etc.” But they may or may not look at that. What they will definitely look at is printed samples of your work that you hand them directly during the interview. It’s a physical world now; you should take advantage of that. Otherwise, you might as well just be talking on the phone.

• Don’t forget a notebook.
  This is another easy thing to forget after years of sitting in front of a computer, with multiple ways to jot things down. The notebook can remind you of questions you want to ask, keep track of multiple questions during the interview, and so much more. Also if you are taking (occasional) notes, you appear more engaged. (And remember the pen, too.)

• Use a power pose.
  This idea comes from my friend Ronnie Noize. It’s a way to help psych yourself up before the interview. Striking a power pose – like the “Wonder Woman” hands on hips – before the interview can boost your confidence and actually reduce stress hormones. If you’re interested, you can read more about power poses.

• Watch your six.
  Make an effort to situate yourself in the interview so everyone can see and hear you well. And make sure if there are multiple people interviewing you that you interact with all of them, not just the boss. This can be difficult in group interviews, but people like to have attention paid to them.

• Consider your body language.
  Have an alert posture, smile, make eye contact, a firm but friendly handshake - all the basics. But again, these might not feel so basic after years of sitting in our living rooms looking at screens. I would recommend specifically watching how you sit: straight but leaned forward a bit, and don’t tap your feet or bounce your knees. Here’s some more detail on body language.

None of this is a magic bullet, nor is it all that unexpected. But when we’re out of practice, it can be good to go back to the basics.

---

In addition to Ronnie Noize, I would also like to thank my friend Carin Bringelson for suggesting this topic, and my friend Mary Ellen Graf for giving me lots of ideas to include here.

See you next week.