After the layoffs, it's back to the interrogation chamber
Selling yourself again: The job interview revisited
CNN, With Ann Humphries, ETICON, April 19, 2001

"If you were a squirrel, which commodity would you inventory first -- the nuts or the berries?"

May you never encounter that question in a job interview.

But the knee-knocking trial of it all, the sleepless nights leading up to it, the 18 cups of coffee before you get there, the sudden feeling that your résumé belongs to someone else and your clothes do, too, for that matter ... it's all here again for a lot of people. Some may have thought they wouldn't be facing this particular ordeal again soon, if ever. It's a job interview. And with the wake of layoffs widening -- nearly 300,000 in the United States in the first quarter of this year, according to data from Randstad North America and Roper Starch Worldwide -- a lot of people are finding themselves back in that very hot seat.

CNN: So we applied ourselves to ETICON'S Ann Humphries, asking her to tell us what's important to know from the business etiquette standpoint, what to do when it's time to grip 'n' grin. And before we give you Ann, any squirrel knows the answer is berries, inventory them first -- nuts have longer shelf life.

Ann Humphries: Well, hold your handshake, let's back up a little.

• You will have started by packaging yourself carefully. You don't "wing it." You consider how your résumé and cover letter represent you. In my business, I've received résumés that were faded, crooked, stuffed badly into envelopes -- and they want me to pay attention? The assembly-line process of putting together these mailings can really trip you up.
  
  
• You also will have personalized your early communications with the company you'd like to work for. If you knew a contact's name, you used it -- and you checked to be sure you had the right spelling and the proper gender of the person you were addressing.
  
  
• If you don't know who you're talking to, you will have used non-sexist terminology. I still get "Dear Sir" on some of these., It's "Dear Human Resources Manager." If you're referring to the company by name, spell that name correctly.
  
  
• Research the company. Find them on the Net. Technical inquiries will come later -- vacation, benefits. For now, your focus should be on making them know you have a unique skill or talent they need.
  
  
• Spell your name correctly on your cover letter, too. Believe it or not, it happens.
  
  
• Before you left for your interview, you will have learned how to pronounce that company name -- and the names of anybody you could tell ahead that you might meet. Homework. Not "winging it."
  
  
• When invited to an interview, get good directions. Be on time. An office park may have four buildings -- make sure you know where you're going so you don't have to waste "capital" with your interviewer by apologizing for being late.
  
  
• Pull yourself together in the parking lot. If you're a woman, put your face on in the car. You'd be amazed how many times you'll run into the person who's about to interview you, on the way in. Be ready.
  
  
• Have several copies of your resumé. Carry them (and anything else) in your left hand, so you're ready to shake hands with your right. Enter with energy. Presence. Stay on your feet until you find an upright chair -- try to avoid the low, soft chair. If you have to wait, spend the time reviewing your dates, your previous work.
  
  
• Shift the conversation. Get your interviewer talking. You can't be cagey, you have to reveal your knowledge of the field. But this equalizes the relationship and makes it a two-way conversation. You're bringing things they want to the table.
  
  
• In some ways, the interview process is humiliating. But once you get your stuff onto paper, it's easier. At least you can see that you've done things -- that helps build confidence. Remember, it's the "What can I do for you?" attitude you want. "How can I be of service?"
  
  
• Profanity is out, of course. But also watch for colloquialisms in your speech -- "yep," "nope," "no problem." Don't ramble. Watch out for nervous humor. Don't preface a question with, "May I ask you a question?"
  
  
• Don't forget to ask for the job. It's fair to ask, "Where do we go from here? May I call you in a few days?" Don't grovel. But make it clear you anticipate follow-up. You'll be following, yourself, with a thank-you note. E-mail is perfectly acceptable these days, but do make it soon after the interview to give it the most impact, the sooner the better.

Finally, remember that they want you to be good. They want to find a good person. They want someone who's going to take a burden off their shoulders and handle things -- someone who'll make them look good. You're that person. And you're there so they can figure that out.