136 Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Do Do Not Prepare ahead of time, know who you will meet with, and find out as much as you can about them research the company and its goals Go into the interview process blind Know yourself, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses Focus on your weaknesses Analyze reasons why you are the best person for this position Interview or apply for a position that you think you will dislike Practice your route to the interview, know exactly how to get there Risk getting lost on your way to the interview Be early to the interview Arrive late (even on time is considered late by interview terms) Be polite and friendly to everyone you meet at the location of the interview, you never know who you’ll bump into Be so preoccupied with the interview that you are not able to be friendly and personable Wear something that is suited to the position and you feel great in Wear uncomfortable clothing, no matter how professional you look fidgeting is a negative Be confident in your abilities Shortchange yourself or try to oversell your abilities Practice your answers in front of a mirror Go into an interview without some trial interviews Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 3-36. Understanding some basic tips about interviewing could help you better prepare to get the job. First impressions in an interview matter. Greet the interviewer and make sure you use open and confident body language. Smile, be pleasant, and try your best to calm your nerves and relax during the interview. Answer questions completely and honestly, tying information you share back to the information included on your résumé. Give the interviewer examples and share relevant experiences to help communicate who you are and how your experiences have prepared you for the job. Be honest! If the employer asks you a question you cannot answer, do not try to guess your way through it. Additional interviewing do’s and don’ts are included in Figure 3-36. Follow-Up The completion of an interview is not the end of the hiring process. Completing follow-up correspondence will allow you to make a final contact with those making hiring decisions. Your follow-up should be addressed to the person with whom you interviewed, and should express appreciation for the interview, along with a recap of your qualifications and interest in the job. Writing a follow-up can be a way to make yourself memorable to the employer, Figure 3-37.