To be successful in job interviews, you need to learn some Job Interview Tips.

I have interviewed and I have been interviewed many, many times. I have sat on both sides of the table. Interviews don’t scare me anymore. Interviews are really sales appointments. The hiring manager has a problem and you have the solution.

When you get that coveted job interview, do this:

• GET THERE ONE HOUR EARLY –

• but don’t check in, go across the street and get coffee. You just want to avoid disaster (flat tire, heavy traffic, you got lost, etc.), If you got there early, relax. Read the job description again. Read about the company on your smartphone. Go over your talking points. Go to the bathroom, check yourself in the mirror. Take a look at the employees going in and out of the building. What’s the dress code? Do they look happy? Ten minutes prior, stroll in with a big smile looking LIKE A CHAMPION.

• DRESS FOR SUCCESS –

• It is better to be overdressed than underdressed. You must look sharp. Very sharp. ALWAYS. If you walk in and the office culture is very casual, it doesn’t matter. You still have to look very sharp. They work there. They have the job, you don’t. You still have to look good and smell good. If the work environment is very, very casual (ripped jeans, sneakers, T-shirt, etc.), and you sense that being overdressed could be an issue — you can always ask if it’s OK to take off your tie. But that is as casual as you can get. You must look good. This is not an option. In this appointment YOU ARE THE PRODUCT.I have actually interviewed people that came in with miniskirts and sexy high heels, as if they were going on a date. I’ve also interviewed people that came in dressed in jeans and sneakers. That shows a lack of good judgement in my opinion. When I was in the market to buy a life insurance policy, an agent once showed up at my door in his gym clothes and a duffel bag with a tennis racket sticking out of it, smelling sweaty. Before he even said a word, he was finished. I don’t care how great the product was, I wasn’t going to buy from that guy. I wouldn’t even spend a penny. He didn’t even respect me enough to dress appropriately. So dress for success.

• YOUR RESUME SHOULD BE IN A HIGH QUALITY PAPER –

• Bring 3-4 copies of your resume in a nice professional paper. My favorite is an off-white (ivory), or a gray. Often times, the recruiter or the decision maker just printed your resume off the internet. As soon as you see them looking at your professional history on cheap copy paper, offer them yours, say that you have the updated version and you swap it out. . After the interview is over, the decision maker goes back to their desk and your awesome-looking resume is in a pile of resumes that were printed on white copy paper (YOU’RE WINNING). You also want to bring several copies in case you interview with several people. Sometimes the decision maker doesn’t even have your resume. If they don’t have it, and you didn’t bring it — YOU LOSE.

• LEARN THE JOB DESCRIPTION –

• Read it over and over again. Internalize it, understand what the decision maker is looking for. When the recruiter asks you about your work experience and your job history, she is trying to find out if you have the minimum requirements requested by the decision maker. So when answering the questions, focus on the similarities between your last job (or the previous job if it’s more relevant) with this new one that you’re going for. Any question that you are asked, you have to bring it back to the job description. Don’t get off track. Your answers should show the interviewer that you are a good match for this position. Employers are taking on risk when bringing onboard someone new, so your resume should be able to provide evidence that you are someone that can learn quickly, is adaptable and can hit the ground running. Don’t be surprised if they seem to not know what’s in your resume. They get so many, they forget what they read. It doesn’t matter. Your resume did its job. You got in the building. You’re at the table.

• TRY TO ESTABLISH A CONNECTION WITH THE INTERVIEWER –

• If I’m fortunate enough to be sitting at the office of the decision maker, and not a conference room, I quickly scan the room for clues, I look for something that we have in common. I love sports. If the decision maker is a sports fan, we now have something in common. I have kids. If the decision maker has pictures of his kids, or she’s pregnant, we now have something in common. Now we can chat a little bit. It’s a good way to break the ice, the person they decide to hire will be working there every day, so likeability is extremely important. Thank them for the opportunity to interview. This is also a good time to ask for their business card.

• TAKE NOTES AND ASK QUESTIONS –

• Bring a note pad to the interview. Write down what they tell you about the position. It makes you look more professional anyway. Also have written down all the key points about yourself that you want to talk about. This is one of my favorite questions that I always ask: “What kind of person are you looking for?” Be sure to write down the answer to this question, because you’re going to explain how you fit the profile. Companies are not looking for super-duper megastar; they are just looking for the BEST FIT. Ask the hiring manager “What is your management style?” Or “What is a typical workday?” These questions will give you an idea if you’re going to enjoy working here. I also like to know “Is this a newly created position, or will I be replacing somebody?” If it’s a new position, you will have space to make it your own. If it’s not a new position, there is a system and you will have to follow their system. If you’re replacing someone, find out why. Was he fired? Was he promoted? Did he quit? How long did he hold this position? Sometimes you learn that you’re being considered for a position that is not vacant yet. The person is still working there. If this is how they do things you need to know that.

• CLOSE THE DEAL –

• If at the end of the interview with everything you learned, you still feel that this is a great opportunity for you, then ASK FOR THE JOB. Thank the decision maker, then ask this question: “Is there anything that we have discussed, that is a cause for concern, that may lead you to believe that I’m not the right person for this job?” This is a great question. If the answer is yes, this is where you find out the reason why you’re not getting the job. If they have a concern, you need to address it immediately. Try to remove that concern. If the answer is no, that they have no concerns at all; if the decision maker is telling you that you’re a great candidate, that you’re good fit for the position …

ASK FOR THE JOB. Go over your notes and emphasize all the key reasons why you are the best person for the position. If the decision maker is not ready to commit, email him a thank you note right away. Sometimes I send it as soon as I get to my car. In the thank you note, summarize all the key talking points and express your desire to work on her team. A week later, send in the mail a handwritten follow up thank you note reminding them how great you are. People rarely get handwritten letters, so they will open it. Only do this if you’re still interested in the job,otherwise don’t bother.

Good luck!

Hope this helps!