What Does the Interviewer Notice?

Although interviewing skills are important, they aren't the only thing interviewers notice when they meet with candidates. You also need to have the right body language, dress for the job you want, and show enthusiasm for the job opening and the employer. If you have a job interview scheduled, make sure you are aware of all the things interviewers tend to notice.

If you have trouble being on time, pull out all the stops before your job interview. Set multiple alarms, change the time on your clock to 30 minutes or one hour ahead of the actual time, or have a trusted friend call you to make sure you leave your house on schedule. These steps may seem drastic, but they can save you from looking like you don't care about the job interview. Interviewers definitely notice if you are late or if you arrive within seconds of the scheduled interview time, so do everything you can to arrive a few minutes early.

Your body language tells interviewers how you really feel about a particular job duty, position or company. When you meet with an interviewer, you want to show that you are relaxed and prepared for the meeting. Avoid sitting with your arms crossed, slouching in your chair or using any negative facial expressions. Instead, sit up straight, square your shoulders and try to smile as much as possible. If a smile isn't appropriate for the topic being discussed, maintain a neutral expression instead of a frown or quizzical look.

The way you dress says a lot about you, so be sure to dress the part for your job interview. You should typically wear an outfit that is one step above what other people at the company wear to work each day. If you notice employees wearing khaki pants and polo shirts, black dress pants and a button-down shirt would be appropriate. If you are interviewing with a conservative company, a dark suit and understated accessories can help you look the part. Avoid using a lot of perfume, cologne or scented lotion.

Many employers conduct behavioral job interviews to determine how you might resolve problems or handle difficult clients on the job. If you are asked to participate in this type of job interview, you need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the company and its product or service offerings. Before you meet with the interviewer, take time to learn more about the company. Read company press releases, visit the corporate website, and read magazine and newspaper stories about the company.

Finally, you need to be able to explain your qualifications effectively. Be prepared to answer questions about anything on your resume, from past employers to computer skills. If you are unable to answer questions about your own resume, the interviewer might wonder if you fudged the information or even made up some of it.

A job interview gives you an opportunity to discuss your skills and show off your personality to a hiring manager or recruiter. If you have an interview scheduled, take several hours to review your resume, read about the company and polish your interviewing skills.

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