1.Relax. The interviewer is often just as concerned with impressing YOU as  you are with impressing him/her.

2.Arrive at least 15 minutes early. At most medium-to-large organizations, if  you are interviewing for a real vacancy, you should allot time outside of the  scheduled interview hour to complete any necessary applications.

3.Bring business-related magazines with you to read while waiting. It's very  impressive for an applicant to be seen reading Fortune, Forbes or BusinessWeek (or a magazine related to the industry) while waiting. What  is NOT impressive is a candidate who has nothing to read or who whips out  the latest issue of US magazine!

4.Treat the receptionist/greeter with the utmost cordiality and respect. It helps to pretend that he/she is the person who will make the hiring decision.  People often make the fatal mistake of treating corporate receptionists with disdain, and that can backfire dangerously. I used to ask our receptionist to  report to me on how she was treated before I would keep interview
appointments. If a candidate was rude or treated her in a demeaning  manner, a "meeting" would mysteriously appear on my calendar and I would  cancel the interview.

5.Prepare, prepare, prepare!!! Fifteen minutes invested in researching the  organization goes a long way toward impressing the interviewer. Even if it's simply downloading the latest press release from the company Website,  preparation puts an interviewee in a very positive light. When I was  interviewing candidates, nothing turned me off as much as the feeling that
an interviewee had wasted my time. Questions like, "So what does this company do, anyway?" are a dead giveaway.

6.At the same time, don't over-prepare. This is a tough line to walk, but it's just as bad to appear to be a fanatic or obsessed with the organization. Try to strike a healthy balance between interested/admiring/intrigued and "cheerleader/stalker." The recently signed New York Yankee player from  Japan, who reportedly said "This is the only organization I've ever wanted to play for," is not a good example!

7.Go into the interview with the assumption that you will be seen by the  world's worst interviewer. This will help you to both prepare and relax. In my  experience, 85% of interviewers are not skilled at conducting selection                             conversations. Candidates should practice steering and managing the conversation themselves, so that the presentation of favorable information is under their control.

8.Display a mature sense of humor. In most cases, evidence of a healthy sense of humor is a big plus, unless it is apparent that the company has an  extremely serious or formal culture. This can be another tough one to determine sometimes, and candidates should feel out the atmosphere before dipping their toes in the humor pond!

9.When you arrive (15 minutes early, of course), ask to use the restroom. This will give you a few minutes to check your grooming and attire, wash your  hands, freshen your breath with that "trial size" bottle of mouthwash you                         always have in your briefcase, freshen your cologne/perfume, etc. Also, look at yourself in the mirror and practice that "confident" smile. Three minutes in  the lavatory can really help "set" your mood and demeanor.

10.Finally, keep the contents of your "Job Search Kit" in ready supply. I always  make sure I have the following in my briefcase at all times: wetnaps, facial tissue, a "trial size" mouthwash or breath spray, cologne, a nail file with               "cleaning" tip, an extra pair of pantyhose, a small combination brush/comb,   personal business cards, two extra resumes, a folio with a blank notepad, a "premium" ballpoint pen and/or mechanical pencil, Post-it notes, paper clips and masking tape for removing stray bits of lint from my clothes. This may sound like a lot of stuff, but it really doesn't take up much room at all.

Strategies for Interviewing at Meals

Tom Miller sat looking at the fax he'd received from a major Texas corporation that wanted to
interview him again for its newly created position of vice president of information. After a
successful preliminary meeting, the company's executive team had invited Mr. Miller, his wife
and daughter to spend a long weekend in Dallas. This trip would give the Millers a chance to
spend time with the company's top managers and their families at their homes, plus visit a few
well-known haunts (including the CEO's backyard) known for Texas hospitality.

Mr. Miller had mixed feelings about the trip. He was enthusiastic about the company and position,
but he wasn't excited about the proposition of so much conversation over food, especially with his
wife and teenage daughter in attendance.

Although he was used to talking regularly with top executives at his present company, Mr. Miller was more comfortable
meeting over charts and graphs in a conference room than veal piccata at a fancy restaurant. He didn't know if his dislike
for talking business while eating came from his small-town upbringing or his preference for conversing with computers
more than people, but it was a discomfort he couldn't ignore.

To complicate the situation, his spouse had her own career and wasn't a good candidate for playing the role of "dutiful
corporate wife." And his daughter was an unknown quantity, who could be tremendously charming or a female version of
Beavis. Yet after hearing about the invitation, both seemed intrigued by the opportunity to get to know the city, its lifestyle
and his potential company better. Filled with a combination of enthusiasm and trepidation, Mr. Miller called the CEO to say
he and his family would be delighted to visit for a few days at the end of the month. His gambit paid off, and he was
rewarded with a great new job.

A Smart Policy

If you've received an invitation to interview at mealtime recently, perhaps with your spouse and children in attendance,
you're not alone. Restaurant interviews appear to be a new trend, as more companies focus on getting to know potential
executives thoroughly before extending job offers. They recognize it's a smart policy to see potential hires in a social setting,
while using the relaxed environment to sell their location and work force with equal zeal.

Hiring managers say that interviewing candidates during breakfast, lunch, dinner or a weekend barbecue is a good way to
talk business while keeping an eye on their dining partner's social savvy. The belief is that one can tell a lot about a person
by the way he or she eats.

Of course, humans have been eating their way to lasting relationships since they started gathering in tribes. Breaking bread
together has been the catalyst for signing treaties, sealing deals, starting businesses and solidifying teams for thousands of
years. As the social lubricant that greases the wheels of commerce, meals often provide the venue for determining whether
we get the job or the contract -- or not. Consequently, whether you enthusiastically or reluctantly embrace the agenda
behind power lunching, you must accept it if you plan to be a player in the economic game.

If you're in the position of unhappily eyeing a fax like Mr. Miller's, here are some tips that should help get you (and your
family) through mealtime meetings with the savoir-faire of Miss Manners.

WHEN IN DOUBT, take a cue from your host.

In a restaurant setting, when ordering an appetizer or dessert, or choosing an appropriately priced entree, use your host as a
guide. If he's raving about the beefsteak tomato and mozzarella salad as a great start for your meal, he's going to select an
appetizer as well as an entree. If she's ordering chicken and you've been salivating over the chateaubriand, choose a
less-expensive option. If he insists the waiter bring the dessert menu, he wants you to have one, too.

Most hosts understand that their guests are looking to them for guidance. In fact, you may want to evaluate your host's
character based on whether he or she helps you feel comfortable in a somewhat awkward situation. Good hosts, as well as
good bosses, recognize the value of a supportive environment.

TO DRINK OR not to drink?

For the most part, mixed drinks at meals are a no-no. Yet the option to order wine or beer can still be an issue. The best
rule of thumb is that when in doubt, don't. If you do, confine yourself to one round, or two at the most if it's a long meal. The
last thing you need is impaired judgment or a hyperbolized sense of your knack for clever repartee.

Should your potential employer drink too much, discreetly suggest to a restaurant employee that a cab is needed. It's not
your responsibility to take the interviewer's keys. He isn't your friend yet. And, given such initial behavior, it's unlikely you'll
want him to be.

AVOID EXOTIC or messy menu choices.

Food should enhance your conversation, not detract from it. Select a meal that doesn't require twirling, cracking, digging,
sawing, picking or finger licking, and avoid appetizers and entrees that splash, squirt, drip, form viscous strings or roll around
on your plate. Unless you've raised lobster-eating to an art form so that your culinary ballet will enhance your professional
reputation, order the sole.

On the other hand, hamburgers and ribs at backyard barbecues are inherently messy. Being nit-picky about getting greasy
will only set you apart from the crowd. Dig in and enjoy. If you aren't covered in sauce, you'll look out of place.

DOWNPLAY dietary preferences.

Many professionals are vegetarians. Others may have allergies to certain foods or want to maintain a low-fat diet. If your
food options are limited, keep your preferences low-key. Although you may be trying to avoid eating more than 40 grams of
fat per day, your breakfast companion doesn't need to be privy to this information, nor do you want to make her feel guilty
for ordering bacon, eggs and home fries. Find something on the menu you can eat, or quietly ask the waiter to substitute
fruit for fries. Food martyrs can be most unpleasant company.

BRUSH UP ON your table manners.

While we often ribbed my mother during large family dinners about being more interested in the abundance of silverware
than the quantity of food, most siblings don't have a weekly drill on which utensils to use for what. Some people acquire this
information along the way. Others don't.

If you're befuddled by table etiquette, you're not alone. However, as with our American system of law, ignorance of
appropriate behavior is no excuse. Should the thought of eating at a fine restaurant where fish forks and finger bowls are de
rigueur make you long for a can of soup and a big spoon, take heart. There are numerous professionals who make their
living teaching adults how to master the intricacies of whether to use a spoon or fork with English trifle. In fact, many
companies will pay for you to learn this information so you can close a deal at the Four Seasons with uncommon aplomb.
You might also read "Corporate Protocol: A Brief Case for Business Etiquette" by Valerie Grant-Sokolosky.

WHAT ABOUT smoking?

Whatever your feelings about this controversial habit, the less said and done the better. Never smoke unless your
companion lights up first. If you're an avid nonsmoker and your lunch partner asks for a table in the smoking section, grin
and bear it. If you're allergic to smoke and you'll have a coughing/sneezing fit if seated among smokers, diplomatically
request a nonsmoking table, and watch the reaction of your host. If he quickly acquiesces, your relationship may have a
chance. If he's obviously annoyed, he probably insists on a smoking environment at work as well.

Why Must I Interview Over Lunch?

Aside from the camaraderie dining lends to an occasion, two other important issues also take place at the table. If you've
been asked to interview over food with one or more of your potential managers or colleagues, you'll be evaluated on how
you handle yourself in a social situation.

Many positions require entertaining or deal-making away from the office. Being a good negotiator isn't enough if you don't
know how to conduct yourself properly in a social setting. Your spouse also may have to play a role in entertaining clients
or accompanying you to conventions or corporate meetings. Management wants to see that he or she will be active in
supporting your career and can hold his or her own in pleasant conversation for several hours at dinner. While children don't
rate such careful scrutiny, there may be a perceived correlation between raising well-behaved children and building an
effective team.

If you think this thinly veiled excuse for running you and your family through a social gauntlet is anachronistic and
inappropriate, look for employment elsewhere. But be prepared to severely limit your choices.

The other major issue during the meal is whether you and the organization would be a good match. Employment, not the
best steak in town, is the real reason you're meeting. Before heading for the restaurant, decide on the questions you need to
ask and achievements you want to cover. Should the conversation begin to wander from its original purpose, referring to
your pre-determined agenda will help you and your companion do the work you both intended. Then, by the time you're
lingering over coffee, you'll have decided whether you want to frequent Arturo's once you're the new marketing director.

A final note: Please ignore the previous paragraph if a non-American asks you to dine with him or her. Executives from
many other countries believe that talking business during a meal is uncivilized. With a citizen of the world, it's wise to
confine your conversation to more general subjects until you're back at the office. Otherwise, you may be labeled "an ugly
American."
 

HR and other employment experts say the following five mistakes are the most common. Avoiding these errors won't guarantee that you'll click with hiring managers, but it can increase your chances of making it to the second round.

1. Dressing unprofessionally.

Interviews allow hiring managers to put a face with a resume. Your appearance is the first thing they'll see, so dress
professionally when meeting with company representatives.

"You don't have to look like you stepped out of Vogue magazine, but you should appear neat and kempt," says Vanessa G.
Partin, human resources manager for Kirkland & Ellis law firm in Washington, D.C.

A simple, traditional business outfit is always a safe and appropriate choice. Tailored suits are best for men and women,
unless the company's work environment or your field dictates otherwise. Don't drape yourself in flashy jewelry, wear loud
prints or use cologne heavily. And even if your meeting is on a Friday, when the firm's employees dress down, never wear
casual attire.

"If you want to work in an office environment, you need to put forth a professional image," says Jo Hasse, assistant director
of personnel for EMS, Inc., a para-medical occupational health-testing company in Dallas. "Once, a candidate came to an
interview wearing blue jeans. This was wrong."

2. Arriving unprepared.

An interview is an opportunity to sell yourself and your skills to a hiring manager, so be prepared for every meeting. If you
don't know what products or services a company sells or what position you're interviewing for, you won't seem interested.

"It helps to know the company and to have done background research," says William Fierke, director of human resources
for Wenger Corp., a manufacturing company in Owatanna, Minn. "This shows you're truly interested in the job."

Before you arrive, determine your career goals and what the available job can offer so you can discuss both these topics
with employers, says Anthony D. Shaddix, national field operations manager of Brinks Home Security Inc. in Carrollton,
Texas. "Candidates need to have a career direction," he says.

Preparation also means assembling the materials you'll need for a successful presentation. "You should always have an
extra copy of your resume to give to the interviewer," says Mr. McClarren. "Also have the names, addresses and phone
numbers of references, in case you have to complete a job application form."

3. Discussing compensation too soon.

You may be curious about how much you'd earn, but resist the urge to ask about it during the first interview. If you mention
compensation, you'll appear more concerned with personal gain than what you can contribute, and you probably won't be
asked back for a second meeting.

Employers want to know what you can add to the company. If you have the right experience and background, you'll receive
an offer and the opportunity to negotiate a competitive package.

"It's a huge mistake when candidates want to know instantly what the salary is," says Mr. Shaddix. To negotiate well,
research is critical, he adds. "If the company says it pays a competitive range for the industry, then you should know what
that range is," he says.

4. Acting desperate.

If you've been job hunting for a while and feel pressure financially, you may leap to accept the first position you're offered.
But desperation is the kiss of death during interviews.

If candidates seem ready to accept anything, they won't be desirable to interviewers, says Mr. McClarren. Always know
what you want and be sure the positions you apply for meet these requirements.

Never say "I know I'm overqualified" or "I know I'm too old," says Mary Cheddie, vice president of human resources for
Gables Residential Trust, a real-estate investment trust based in Irving, Texas. If you've been invited to interview, the
company has reviewed your resume and knows your qualifications, experience and approximate age, she says.

When meeting employers, strive to appear calm, self-confident and in control. Say that you're challenged most by the career
opportunity and make money a secondary concern.

Don't oversell yourself or try too hard, says Ms. Cheddie. It's up to the interviewer to interest you in a role, she adds.

"The company wants to get you excited about the position," she says. "They don't want someone who's desperate and
willing to do anything."

5. Appearing too nervous.

Aim to establish good rapport with hiring managers and express your accomplishments articulately. Ask questions during
the meeting, and take notes about the available position, job responsibilities and company, says Ms. Partin. Note-taking helps
you follow the conversation and remember issues that were previously discussed.

Show alertness by sitting forward and making eye contact. Eliminate nervous habits, such as jiggling in your seat, playing
with your hair or tapping your foot.

"Of course, you're nervous," says Ms. Partin. "The interviewer understands that, but control your emotions." To calm jitters,
she recommends holding a pen.

Interviews shouldn't intimidate you. Instead, view them as opportunities to boast about your experience. By preparing
thoroughly, you'll avoid making common interview mistakes and pass initial screenings with flying colors.
 

Why Thank-You Letters Aren't Enough Anymore
 

"Gee, it looks like a thank-you letter from an applicant I interviewed last week. Let's
see...it says she appreciates the time I gave her, that she's confident she has the right
qualifications for the position and that she's certain she'll make an immediate contribution.
That's nice. And she hopes to hear from me with a positive response. Hmmm, just like every
other letter I've gotten from candidates this week."

It's common courtesy for job hunters to send a thank-you letter to hiring managers after
interviewing. So common, in fact, that it no longer makes much of an impact. Managers expect to
receive a note, and they regard the senders merely as informed candidates who are following
protocol. As a prospective employee, you gain no advantage for your effort -- you simply avoid being eliminated.

"When I don't receive a thank-you letter, I consider the applicant to be rude, unprofessional and ignorant of accepted
business practices," says Cathy Layton, owner of a Sarasota, Fla., real-estate consulting firm that bears her name. "On the
other hand, my receiving a letter from an applicant doesn't improve his or her chances of getting an offer. I expect to be
sent a letter. It's part and parcel of job hunting in the '90s."

Sound job hunting demands that you write a thank-you letter to all interviewers within 48 hours of your meetings. But to
really make a great impression, your next step should be a follow-up telephone call. Without a thoughtful phone call, your
letter will soon be forgotten.

First, Write a Letter

Hiring managers agree that a top-notch thank-you letter must include the following components:

     An opening paragraph in which you express your appreciation for the interview.
     A second paragraph that reinforces your understanding of the position's requirements and emphasizes your
     qualifications. Be sure to include any important information about yourself that you may have omitted during the
     interview.
     If necessary, a third paragraph to correct any misunderstanding the interviewer might have following your meeting.
     You can also use this paragraph to counter an objection the interviewer raised about an aspect of your background.
     A final paragraph that expresses your interest in the position and the company.

Here's an example of an effective thank-you letter:

I appreciate the time you gave me yesterday afternoon. I felt our meeting was as enjoyable as it was informative.

After thinking about your Regional Sales Manager position and the goals set for it by the home office, I'm
confident that I would be able to meet and exceed those numbers. Bill, as we discussed, I've had extensive
experience building both distributor networks and direct-sales organizations in the specialty chemicals industry (as
well as in others). My record has been stellar, with numerous awards and bonuses for outstanding increases in
revenues and new accounts, plus the recruiting, training and development of talented and promotable sales
personnel.

I consider your Regional Sales Manager position to be consistent with my plans for growth. Additionally, your
company is a leader in the industry, with an outstanding reputation for rewarding top producers. In short, Bill, I
think the job would be an excellent career move for me.

Thanks again for the meeting, and I look forward to hearing from you.

It's Time to Call

Five to seven days after mailing your letter, place a follow-up call with the explanation that you want to make sure the
interviewer received your note.

Undoubtedly, you'll be told that your letter arrived and was read. What's important, though, is that while your competition is
still hoping to hear back from the company, you're talking with the person who will make the hiring decision. This gives you
the opportunity to deepen your relationship and move ahead of other applicants by engaging the manager in a stimulating
conversation.

Good subjects to discuss on the phone include any aspect of the position that remain unclear. You could revisit an important
issue from your interview or elaborate on a key point. You also might ask an insightful question about the job, the manager's
department or the company. If you heard of a significant business development, ask about its effect on the organization.

Your objective with this call is to introduce a topic that piques the manager's interest and allows the two of you to have a
meaningful conversation. Ideally, your would-be boss will suggest getting together to continue talking in person. (You can
even make this suggestion yourself.) If you're able to arrange a second meeting, you'll gain an enormous advantage over
other applicants.

Another particularly effective step is to expand your research efforts after your first interview, then discuss your findings
with the hiring manager during the follow-up call. Briefly explain what you've learned and suggest getting together to
discuss your observations and the questions raised by your research.

Mark Leavitt, an automotive-services operations manager in Boston, used this approach to schedule a second meeting with
his prospective boss and eliminate his competition entirely. After an initial interview, Mr. Leavitt called his contact, John
Geer, president of C. J. Resources Inc., a holding company in Lexington, Mass., with interests in real-estate development,
petroleum marketing and automotive services. He initiated a conversation about the changing technologies in automotive
services, and impressed Mr. Geer with his knowledge and vision. Mr. Geer arranged a second meeting, and hired Mr.
Leavitt a few days later.

You can't count on all managers to schedule second appointments, but by making follow-up calls, you'll strengthen your
relationship with hiring authorities and perhaps become the leading contender.

Of course, if you have another job offer in hand, your call is a good time to advise your contact of the situation. If possible,
give a date by which you've promised to tell your decision to the other employer. If the hiring manager views you as the top
candidate, this could expedite the company's decision making. Remember, only use this technique if you truly have another
offer, since many companies don't want to rush hiring decisions and may respond by crossing you off their list.

What's Taking So Long

A hiring manager's selection decision often is subjective and based on a range of issues unrelated to your competence and
background. For example:

Managers often meet with several equally qualified candidates, then have difficulty deciding which one to hire. The person
who expresses the greatest desire for the job typically gets the nod in a close race, since he or she has proven the
necessary enthusiasm and commitment that companies seek in new hires.

Hiring managers typically face three potential problems. The person they select could:

   1.reject the offer outright
   2.ask for time to consider the offer, then turn the job down
   3.accept the offer but never start work after receiving a better offer elsewhere or accepting a counteroffer with a
     current employer.

By conveying that you view the position as an excellent career move, you'll relieve hiring managers of these concerns.
They'll know that you'd accept a fair offer, which provides an additional incentive for them to select you.

Let your competition job hunt by the book. Focus on earning the offer by writing and calling the hiring manager. Other
applicants will be waiting by the phone while you're building a relationship with the person who can hire you, and you'll
generate many more offers as a result.