Top 10 Interview Tips

I have been on both sides of an interview. I have been on and conducted many interviews myself. The ten tips I have below are for those who are about to step into the interview. While there are many interview tips around, hopefully the prospective of someone who has been on both sides of the interview process will help.

1. First off plan to arrive early. For one, you want to be able to find a place to park, walk to the building where the interview is being held, etc. There is something more important though that you will have to take care of before the interview - going to the restroom. Not only do you want to check your looks one more time, but you want to use the facilities. You don't want to go into an interview with a full bladder. It may make you rush through the interview and make you appear more nervous.
2. Review your resume and application one more time. You can and will be asked questions about this information. If you contradict yourself or leave information out it will look bad. I have had some applicants leave out critical pieces of information. Had I known them ahead of time they wouldn't have received the job they applied for. That leads into my next point...
3. Be honest! Honesty is always preferred, even if the answer is admitting you don't know the answer. I have gone into interviews where I state I don't know something and the interview goes fine. If you lie about something, it could cost you the job. If you lie and manage to get the job, they may expect something from you that you don't know.
4. Ask questions once the interview is completed. Ask about the job, what the position actually does, etc. Even if you know all there is to know about the job, you showing interest will help you stand out and may give your prospective employer more insight to how you think.
5. Don't ramble. I have conducted interviews where people have rambled on to pointless topics that had nothing to do with the questions I have asked. Listen to the question, wait a few moments to gather your thoughts, then respond appropriately and directly.
6. Don't state that you are nervous. Everyone is nervous during an interview. We get it. But if you can't control it and feel the need to express it, then you may have the same problem when you start the job. Employers need staff who are cool under press and don't succumb to nervousness.
7. When asked anything negative about your past or knowledge, do not try to spin it as a positive. Everyone has faults and your employer wants to see what ones you have. Sure you may be weak in something, but that is part of the package. Never try to turn a negative into a positive.
8. Focus on real world experience. In today's tough job market having a college degree will only get you so far. Real world experience is something that will prove to be more valuable to employers. Even a minimum wage job held during school could give you an edge over someone who has just a degree.
9. Keep your eyes focused on those interviewing you. Don't fidget, look around, or do anything distracting. Look your interviewer in the eye. You have to show that you are completely focused on them.
10. Shut the electronics off. Just like movie theaters you should shut your phones off. Not just on vibrate, but all the way off. It's distracting during the interview process. Don't even be tempted to check your phone until you are no longer in the interview.

Be flexible when you start your interview. You could be walking in to find out there is one person conducting the interview, but there ends up being three people. Or you could be interviewing with someone totally different that you weren't expecting. Each interview experience is different, making the real challenge adjusting to those new experiences.