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Subject:Re: Interviewing From:Laurel Nelson <Laurel_Y_Nelson -at- NOTES -dot- SEAGATE -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 13 Jan 1999 12:06:31 -0600
As long as we're on the subject, here's some more off-the beaten-path
advice when interviewing:
If you smoke cigarettes, have your job hunting clothes dry cleaned and then
keep them in the bag in a closet. Don't put the outfit on until just before
you leave for the interview and don't smoke in the car. Smokers may not
realize that nonsmokers can smell cigarette smoke on you. If you go on an
interview smelling of cigarette smoke, you are hurting your chances of
getting hired. (BTW, I'm not a smoker.)
Similar to what Marni just wrote in her post, I always ask what happened to
the person who was in the position. What happened to them is a good
indication of what will happen to you. Were they promoted? Did they
transfer to another department? Are they leaving the company?
Did you know that most interviewers make a decision about you in the first
five minutes? After that decision is made, some interesting psychological
stuff happens. If the interviewer likes you, they will attribute any
problems that come up later in the interview or any *stupid* remark that
you might make to a momentary transgression. But.....if they don't like
you, then they interpret problems and idiotic remarks as a reinforcement
that they made the right decision.