Navigation Resume Tips Interview Tips (Part1) The Do's (Part2) The Dont's (Part3) Q&A Prep (Part4) In Conclusion... (Part5) Counter Offer	Resume Tips » The Dont's (Part3) Nationwide personnel specialists serving the Engineering and Architectural community Tips for a successful interview THE INTERVIEW...Things you should avoid Some advice on things you should avoid doing in any interview includes the following: 1. DON'T BE EARLY Try to avoid arriving too early for an interview. This makes people seem overanxious and too available. Being on time is the answer. 2. DON'T BE KEPT WAITING If you are kept waiting for 25 minutes, then ask for another appointment and excuse yourself. Also, don't fumble with a heavy coat or packages. Have them put in a closet for you. 3. KEEP YOUR LIABILITIES TO YOURSELF When they are pinpointed never apologize for any of your liabilities. 4. DON'T FLAUNT YOUR RESUME Don't volunteer your resume until it is requested. 5. AVOID HARD LIQUOR AT LUNCH At lunch don't select sloppy or hard to manage foods. Take your cue on drinks from the interviewer, and stay with lighter drinks such as wine. Avoid smoking. 6. NEVER BE A THREAT Be careful about posing a threat to your prospective boss's position. People will say that they want to hire people who are better than themselves...but most of the time they don't mean it. 7. DON'T ACT CURIOUS OR BORED Never read the mail on your interviewer's desk, nervously drum your fingers, look at your watch, or exhibit other signs of boredom. 8. DON'T DISCUSS CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS You should generally avoid discussions on race,m religion, or politics. They can only invite trouble. 9. DON'T PROMISE MIRACLES Also, despite projecting confidence, you should never imply you can do everything or that you are a miracle worker. People won't believe you! 10. DON'T BE A BRAGGART OR NAME-DROPPER Don't be a "yes man", don't interrupt, don't lose your temper, and when you are selling yourself, don't do it in a way that makes you a braggart. Also, don't name-drop unless you can be extremely smooth about it. Name-dropping usually backfires. 11. KEEP YOUR REFERENCES TO YOURSELF In general, try to avoid naming your references until the very end. If you give your references out too often you'll find they will be less effective when you need them. 12. DON'T BE PRESSURED Don't permit yourself to get flustered by the presence of unusual decor, strange lighting, uncomfortable chairs, an interviewer's finger tapping or some phone interruptions. Celebrating our 32nd year serving the Engineering Field An enterprise can never be planned and carried on without abilities of skilled people."- John Adams, 1786 Copyright © 2005 The Shupack and Michaels Group, Inc. All rights reserved.