Ten interview do's and don'ts

By Ron Axelrod of RTTS

For many professionals one New Year's resolution is finding the perfect new job or even switching careers. For
those seeking a better work environment or wanting to change their career
track completely, Ron Axelrod, Senior Vice President, Business Development
and Recruiting at NYC software testing firm RTTS, offers a list of job
interviewing tips for those embarking on the job search and interview
process. Axelrod understands how to help job seekers make the transition
from one work environment to another as well as what potential employers
expect during the interview process.

"In my role," said Axelrod, "I sit across the table from candidates,
reviewing their resume to see if they meet our standards, and asking the
tough questions while listening intently for answers that let me know
whether or not they've done their research and if they'll be a good fit for
our organization."

Axelrod says that the common mistakes made by people who haven't
interviewed for a while and are out of practice are easily correctable.
Below is his list of Top 10 Interview Do's and Don'ts to help job seekers
in their quest for that perfect job.

1) DO research the company inside and out. Have a clear understanding
of the company's identity, the specific services or products they provide,
and how the role you are interviewing for is positioned within the
organization.

2) DON'T ask the recruiter to tell you about the organization. It is
your job to be prepared and make a terrific first impression. If you don't
have a clue as to what the organization is all about, odds are you will not
make it past the first interview.

3) DO dress professionally for your interview. Regardless of what the
dress code is within an organization (i.e. business casual); an interview
candidate should always look polished and professional. Proper business
attire is expected, not optional.

4) DON'T arrive late for an interview. It is always a good rule of thumb to arrive 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

5) DO answer the question, "Tell me a little about yourself," in 60-90
seconds. The recruiter is looking for you to summarize your resume and
provide some insight to your future goals. Be succinct in your answer and
careful not to ramble on.

6) DON'T ask questions until you are invited to do so. An interview is
your time to respond to questions and shine. Interrupting the recruiter or
jumping in with questions prematurely will make you look pushy and
aggressive - a sure turn off!

7) DO ask, "What are the characteristics of the ideal candidate for
this position?" The employer will have the opportunity to go into detail
about the role and describe who they see as the ideal fit for the position.
You will find that many of your questions will be answered all at once.

8) DON'T inquire about work hours, vacation, or fringe benefits--at
least not during the first (and in some cases second) round of interviews.
These discussions are more appropriate once you are aware that an offer
will be extended or you have it in your hand.

9) DO follow up with a thank you letter ASAP. Most candidates will send
theirs via email which is the most widely practiced and accepted form of
communication. However, don't underestimate the power of the written word.
A handwritten thank you will be a rare and welcome treat!

10) DON'T post inappropriate materials to your social networking site.
Recruiters access these sites to learn more about candidates of particular
interest. It is important that you remember to keep your profile looking
impressively professional. Include your hobbies and professional
affiliations. If you have written for professional publications, include
the titles of your white papers and/or articles.