"Interview Survival Secrets from the Mock Interview Squad," originally published in the January-February 2005 issue of Between the Lines, is reprinted here in three parts. It's good information, well worth repeating. This is Part Two.

by Karen O’Keefe, Rebecca Forrest, and Jean Fudge

In an interview, you want to find out about the position and the environment, give job-related information about yourself, and leave a good impression, all while being relaxed. That’s a tall order for anyone, so we hope our advice and anecdotes will help you survive—or even thrive—in an interview.

Interview Smart

1. Give yourself a hand. Your presentation starts with your handshake. Make it firm, business-like, and brief. Your hand should be thumb up with fingers straight. The interviewer isn’t going to kiss your hand or lead you into a waltz. Read on for tips about clammy hands. 
2. Smile and breathe. Relaxed breathing, a smile, and a positive attitude go a long way in an interview. A sincere smile will help set you and the interviewer at ease. If you’re particularly nervous, several things help:
   • Go to the bathroom right before you enter the company or department
   • If you get cotton-mouth, carry hydrating lozenges (Aqua Drops is one brand). Have one while you wait.
   • If you get full-fledged desert-mouth, bring a bottle of water, but ask permission before setting it on the interviewer’s desk.
   • If you get cold hands, sit with your right hand under your leg as you wait for the interview. That warms your hand.
   • If you get clammy hands, use a moist wipe just before you go into the lobby and then sit with your right hand under your leg as you wait. The alcohol dries perspiration, and your leg warms your hand. 
3. Look. Practice direct eye contact ahead of time. Direct eye contact is unique to America—we expect lots of it. Eye contact tells people you are honest and forthright, while the lack of it implies evasion. Of course, you shouldn’t overdo it. Don’t bore holes in the interviewer. Staring can be intimidating—balance is a virtue.

   O’Keefe: I once interviewed a fellow who looked me in the eye only once during the interview. He had excellent credentials, but the fact that he stared at his shoes meant he didn’t get the job.

   Fudge: If the interviewer doesn’t make eye contact with you, you may wonder. On my first interview (at the ripe old age of 17), I made good eye contact, but the interviewer didn’t make eye contact with me. I got the job—and a month later, the interviewer was fired for embezzlement!

4. Listen. Being a good listener helps you identify what is important to the company and/or interviewer, which in turn helps you frame effective answers. Listening helps you pick up clues about the job and the environment. Listening is advantageous. First, it shows respect and is a quality of a good team player. Second, people like to be listened to. And finally, it helps you answer questions. You can address what the interviewer is actually saying, instead of what you think you’re hearing.

   Fudge: Interviewing and dating are similar: You and the interviewer evaluate each other to see if you want to start a relationship. You aren’t compatible with every date or with every job—so don't see it as a failure if you don't get the job. I have a pertinent dating theory: People tell us about their negative side, but most often we’re not listening. Later, we’re shocked when the rotten behavior surfaces, but it really reared its head early on and we ignored it. I think something similar can happen in interviews. Try to be rigorously observant and stay out of denial as much as you can.

5. Pause. Allow a moment between the question and your answer to gather your thoughts. Frame your answer in a succinct and organized way (remember that brief notes can help). Make your point and then give a definite end to your answer. Babbling increases nervousness and makes it hard to stay on track. It also increases the chance that you’ll say something you’ll regret. 
6. Communicate. This can be hard for introverted people. However, interviewers need information from you—and you’re the only person who has it—so an interview is not the time to clam up. If you feel tense, take a deep breath, pause, and answer the question. 
7. Be positive. Find something nice to say about whatever the interviewer asks you. Don’t say you hated a job or a boss and had to get out. Frankly, we’ve all had jobs or bosses we didn’t like, but an interview is no place to say so. Generally, you have multiple reasons for leaving a job, so choose something positive. A bad answer would be “My crazy boss passed me up for that promotion every time. He hated me.” A good answer would be “I wanted a position with more responsibility.” And then, of course, you can showcase what qualifies you for a growth position.

   Forrest: Prepare for the hardest question. Don’t answer, as three applicants have, “I left because I didn’t want to wear a tie,” “I left because they were all crazy,” or “I left because they were wacko about getting there on time.”

8. But be honest. Suppose you have what one expert calls “a bloody rhinoceros head on your wall.” In that case, you definitely should practice your answer ahead of time. For example, if you’re suing a previous employer for harassment, don’t conceal it. A simple phone call could reveal that to the interviewer anyway. So be ready with an answer like this: “I left because of issues that we’re now working to resolve. I assure you that I don’t expect anything to follow me here. All those issues are isolated to that particular circumstance.” 
9. When you don’t know, say so. Many interviewers ask questions like “Can you tell me about a time when…” If you haven’t experienced the particular situation, say so and then say, “But if I did, here’s what I would do.” 
10. Don’t fake it. If an interviewer asks about unfamiliar software, it’s a great time to say, “No, I haven’t used software X, but I have used software Y.” Or, you can mention that you are a quick learner and are always eager to learn new ways of doing things. Above all, don’t get discouraged if you have to say “no” to several “have you done” questions. The interviewer may be more interested in your honesty than in any certain skill. Even a “no” answer gives you an opportunity to list the steps you’d take to fill in the gap.
     
11. Don’t be led on. An interviewer may laugh with you and seem to identify or agree with your experiences. But don’t mistake that for carte blanche. Even if you’re sure you’ve found a kindred spirit, don’t reveal more than you’ll be comfortable remembering at cold, sleepless 3 a.m. 
12. Card them. Get business cards from everyone who interviews you. If they don’t have cards, note correct name spellings. That will help you use the right name during the interview. It will also ensure correct spelling when you write your thank-you note (more about that in Part Three). For hard-to-pronounce names, write the phonetic spelling on your notepad. If you meet multiple people, jot down a quick seating chart. For each person, note a unique but not insulting fact (pink glasses, plaid tie, red earrings, black sweater). After all, people may move around, and you’ll still need to know their names. 
13. Ask. Ask things like what would happen on your first day or what main challenges you would face. To plan other questions, do Internet research and check out books on interviewing. Write down several questions ahead of time. Questions show that you’re interested, engaged, and picturing yourself in the job. Also, if you get that rare bird—an interviewer who seems reluctant to talk—be prepared to gently lead the conversation.

    Forrest: Don’t ask things like “How much vacation will I get?” or “When will I get a raise?” A first interview is not the place to ask “what’s in it for me” questions. Often the interviewer can’t answer those questions anyway.

14. Disarm landmines. If you’re asked something inappropriate or illegal (like “Do you have kids?” “Are you caring for elderly parents?” or “Are you religious?”), take it in stride. Answer the question briefly but truthfully. If the interviewer persists, say that no circumstances would affect your ability to attend work or do your job. If the interviewer still persists, tactfully suggest getting back to discussing the job responsibilities. If that doesn’t work, then do you really want to work there? 
15. Determine the hiring process. The answer will guide you through the next steps. If the answer is “We’ll choose X candidates for a second interview,” ask when they expect to decide and how they’ll let you know. Or if the answer is “We’ll be making a hiring decision,” ask when they expect to decide and how they’ll let you know. Then you’ll know where you are in the process and when to follow up.
     
16. Say thank you. It’s the best way to end the interview. Thank the person, smile, and shake his or her hand again. It leaves a good last impression. Retrieve everything you brought, except your résumé and reference copies. Don’t leave a mess behind you.

    Forrest: Stay professional until you are definitely out of range. Don’t make the mistake one person made of ridiculing the interviewer in the elevator, unaware that his secretary was there.