46 <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>American</strong> <strong>News</strong> “We’ve Always Been Green!” <strong>May</strong> <strong>2011</strong>Non-Verbal Elements of an InterviewWhen we think of the interview process, I believe that many ofus are thinking about the point where you and the interviewer aresitting across a desk from each other. Obviously, your effectiveverbal interchange is vital to the success of your job search. But,in addition to those things that you display in the interview, thereare several steps to be taken before the meeting itself.• You need to have prepared, practiced and perfected yourpresentation. Rehearse your answers to the obvious questions.Do your homework on the industry, the company and ideally, theinterviewer.• Remember the interviewer is not likely to spend much timediscussing issues outside of his concern. Should you be considereda vital candidate for the position s/he is trying to fill is their firstconcern.• Be on time. Give yourself much more time to get to the interviewsite than you deem really necessary. If you get rattled by trafficjams or construction delays, you probably won’tpresent yourself as effectively as you could.• “Clothes make the man or woman.” Corny expressionI agree, but there is more than a germ of truth toit. When we are going to a social event, don’t many ofus tend to “dress up”? Normally, it is a sign of respect.You want to impress the interviewer positively.• Just before the interview, find a restroom. Lookin the mirror and correct any recent flaws in your“package.” Your personal appearance gives evidence of your respectand interest in the company.• Finally, get yourself cranked up. Most performers get themselves“wired up” before they give a performance. And you areabout to give a performance. Be sure to have your agenda for theinterview: what are the three things that you want the interviewerto remember about you. Have you told the interviewer why youshould be hired? Did you “ask for the job”?Even before the interview begins, you should decide how youare going to present yourself. You want to be sure that showingyour energy and enthusiasm is at the top of your list. Why wouldanyone hire a ”dead fish?” As an experienced interviewer, I canassure you that interviewers don’t value people who just respond totheir questions. They want to learn something about the potentialemployee. What are your most significant achievements and howcan you relate them to requirements of the job being discussed?Here are a few specific suggestions.• Be serious about the interview, but not aboutyourself. Be your best self. Smile, we all likefriendly people. Smiling will offset some of yournervousness.• Recognize that the initial impression of you isvital—many interviewers will tell you that they are50% to a decision within the first 30 second of afirst interview. Be sure that you have highlightedyour best characteristics or features and obscuredyour least attractive ones.• People hire other people with whom they arecomfortable. If you can find some common experiencesto facilitate some of the casual, introductoryconversation, so much the better. Scan the interviewspace, do the trappings of the office tell youanything about his/her interests?• Without being a parrot, try to mimic the fundamentalinterpersonal traits used by the interviewer.If he is a slow talker, perhaps you should slowdown your hurried speech. If she seems to be verydetailed oriented, don’t throw all kinds of generalitiesinto the conversation.• Your attitude tells it all—play your tune, not oneset by the interviewer. If s/he is having a bad day,don’t let them rain on your parade. And perhapsabove all else, think of the interview as a meeting of equals. Don’tthink it suits you to make yourself seem small.• Even as we have become more culturally aware, we sometimesforget that customs can differ from one company to another. Besure you are sensitive to the company’s dress code. Look theinterviewer in the eye, but don’t try to stare him/her down. Samewith your handshake, firm but not oppressive. There is a privacyzone between two individuals facing each other, don’t violate this40 inches of neutral air.• Be alert to the time. Once the interview goes beyond the expectedtime, feel free to extend an excuse to the interviewer whichwill allow for the conclusion of the interview. If the interviewerinsists that you stay that’s probably means that you are being wellperceived.There are a few things to do after the interview is over. It’sconsidered good manners to thank the interviewer for the interview.It has become quite acceptable to do this by email rather than aformal letter or hand written note.• Absolutely follow up after the interview. It tells the interviewerthat you are really interested in the job and are a well-manneredperson; both favorable conclusions. Use your good judgmentregarding how often you follow up with the interviewer: everyday—too much; every week—could be too much; every twoweeks—could be just right.• If you have a mutual friend with the interviewer, perhaps youcould use that relationship to put you over the top.• Rather than simply making calls to the company inquiringabout the status of the decision making process, consider anotherapproach. Could you find some significant information about theirbusiness, perhaps in lesser read publications? Could you givethem a pertinent idea or two about a problem or an obstacle thatwas mentioned in the interviewing process? You are trying to findways to distinguish yourself from the several other candidates theymight be considering.• If the potential employer says no, try to elicit the reason(s) fortheir decision. You should also do a thorough analysis of your ownperformance. Consider this process a learning vehicle that couldenhance your next interview.In summary, you need to realize that the interview process isthe accepted way of hiring people at this point in time. So learnhow to play the game well. Read a few books on the process;one recommendation comes to mind: From Interview Disaster toInterview Master by a buddy of mine, Bob Ward.Best of luck in your job search; but it strikes me that the abovesuggestions could be applied in your everyday workplace, too.Hope you agree. Carpe Diem.James F. Fitzgerald is the president of James F. Fitzgerald &Associates, Inc., an Oak Brook, IL based senior executive coachingand career transition firm.Phone #: 630-684-2204. Email: jamesffitz37@hotmail.comNEW website: www.jamesffitzgerald.com.For Booking: www.celticratpack.com
<strong>May</strong> <strong>2011</strong> <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>American</strong> <strong>News</strong> “We’ve Always Been Green!” 47Printers Row Lit Fest Returns June 4-5, <strong>2011</strong>Go Green with MWRD Rain BarrelThe Chicago TribunePrinters RowLit Fest, consideredthe largest FREEoutdoor literar yevent in the Midwest, returns to thefive-city-block stretch of Dearborn Street,from Congress to Polk, Saturday andSunday, June 4-5, <strong>2011</strong>, from 10am–6pmboth days; the popular Lit After Dark programtakes place Saturday, June 4, from6–10pm. Various venues will featuremore than 100 literary programs, includingappearances by national best-sellingauthors: Meredith Baxter, Edwidge Danticat,Richard Ford, Oscar Hijuelos ,TerryMcMillan, and Colm Toibin, along withadditional headliners to be announced.For more information and specificprogramming, call 312-222-9317 or visitwww.printersrowlitfest.org.In its effort to promote storm water BestManagement Practices (BMPS), the MWRDis encouraging residents to be proactive environmentalstewards by purchasing a rainbarrel available on line at www.mwrd.org. Theeconomy has been hard on the wallet, butmaintaining your landscaping can be donerelatively inexpensively with a little help fromMWRD rain barrels.Commissioner Terrence J. O’Brien, Presidentof the Metropolitan Water ReclamationDistrict of Greater Chicago (MWRD) statedthat “Your garden will love you for being green,and so will your wallet. Selling at a fraction ofthe cost of most suppliers, rain barrels are availableto the general public from the MWRD.”Available just in time for spring gardening,the environmentally and economically valuablerain barrels have stood the test of time aswater conservation and storm water managementtools.To buy a rain barrel, go to www.mwrd.organd pay for the rain barrel with a credit ordebit card. If you have any questions or needinformation, please contact the Office of PublicAffairs at 312-751-6633.PADDY HOMANAppearing with The Four CourtsatChicago Gaelic Park <strong>Irish</strong> FestSaturday,<strong>May</strong> 28th5:15-6:45pmEmerald Stage&Sunday,<strong>May</strong> 29th2:45-4:15pmEmerald StageCongratulations toChicago Gaelic Parkon their 25th Anniversary!Paddy from Cork!
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