The Pongo Blog
5 Things You Should Say in Every Job Interview
April 13, 2010 (4:18PM) by Julie O'Malley, CPRW
.jpg "Say please, thank you, and show respect")
Interviews are complicated, but sometimes the simplest interview advice makes the most sense... the kind you'll find in this post by GL Hoffman, author of the blog "What Would Dad Say."
Rather than tell us more about what not to say in a job interview, GL provides a list of five simple things you should always say in an interview.
No matter who you are or what the job is, these five statements will impress your interviewer and set you apart.
1. "Please" and "Thank You"
We're all adults, so you'd think this would go without saying. That's the problem—for many job candidates it does go without saying. Respect and gratitude... verbalize them early and often.
2. "I've been thinking about your company, and I believe I can contribute by..."
This kind of statement shows you took the time to research their business. As GL points out, it doesn't matter if your analysis is wrong. The fact that you thought about the company before your interview earns you points.
3. "I'm impressed by the way you..."
Everyone's a sucker for a genuine compliment. If there's something you particularly liked—the building, the people, the corporate mission, the interviewer's punctuality, the music you heard on hold—say so.
4. "May I start right away?"
They won't say yes on the spot. The purpose of this kind of bold statement is to tell them you're very interested in the job. That puts you ahead of the candidates who leave with a vague statement like: "I've got a lot to think about!" or "Thanks, have a nice day!"
5. "So, the next steps are...?"
If the interviewer instructs you to do something (e.g., send work samples or references, or call Jane Smith on Monday at 9:00 am), make sure you've got the details right, then go home and follow those instructions to the letter. Yes, it's a test; don't flunk!
There you have it. It's hard to argue with courtesy, friendliness, respect, and affirmation.
Do you agree? Would you be comfortable using statements like these in an interview, or does it seem phony? Leave a comment below.
number 5 is the one I used and it worked (this was prior to reading this).
Posted by: gary w. | April 13, 2010 at 7:53 PM | Quote This Comment
I have been job seeking for exactly 12 months.......there is still hope on the horizon....I have a little something for everyone like me...A PAYDAY....!!!!!
MOCK PAYDAY BARS....
PREPARE SQUARE 8 "GLASS PAN & LINE W/ WAX PAPER.....ADD 2 CUPS SALTED PEANUTS TO WAX PAPER...FILL WITH THE BELOW MIXTURE AND TOP WITH 2 CUPS PEANUTS...PRESSING INTO THE MELTED CHIPS TO FORM TOP PEANUT LAYER.
3 CUPS PEANUT BUTTER BAKING CHIPS 1 CAN CONDENSED MILK 1/8 TSP SALT 3 QRT SAUCE PAN, MELT ABOVE OVER MED HEAT STIRRING CONSTANTLY TO PREVENT SCORCHING.....ADD 1 1/2 TSP VANILLA AND STIR... ADD TO PREPARED 8" PAN AND COOL IN REFRIG 2-3 HRS....OVERTURN ON PLATTER AND PEEL OFF WAX PAPER AND CUT INTO BARS...ENJOY YOUR LONG AWAITED PAYDAY !!!!!!
Posted by: nan foreman | April 13, 2010 at 10:53 PM | Quote This Comment
@ Gary W Thank you for a confirmation from the trenches! Asking about the next steps in the process shows you're interested, confident, and planning ahead -- and as you proved, that's good stuff in an employer's eyes. Congrats.
@Nan Foreman
A recipe for Payday bars? I love it! Gonna have to make some of those... they sound amazing! Thanks :)
--Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | April 14, 2010 at 8:41 AM | Quote This Comment
really great advice. i agree with the concept of clearly showing interest, but would find it hard to bring out #4 during an interview. to me, it seems a little forward, especially if it's a first interview?
Posted by: dale | April 14, 2010 at 12:45 PM | Quote This Comment
@Nan Foreman - I think you found your next career! Package those Paydays and sell them!!
Posted by: AG | April 15, 2010 at 11:47 AM | Quote This Comment
These are all good! I have an interviewTuesday and I'll work at least 4 of these in.
Nan
Posted by: Nancy Clifford | April 16, 2010 at 7:35 PM | Quote This Comment
I just wanted to inform Gary W, that in #5 the person is saying that you need to follow any directions that are given to you from the interviewer to the "T" as some might say. It does not say that a good tip is to ask what the next steps are. Though that is a good thing to say from my point of view also, and hey it worked great for you.
Posted by: Brian | April 18, 2010 at 9:16 PM | Quote This Comment
Correction, not Gary as I have just discovered, but his commenter. Julie
Posted by: Brian | April 18, 2010 at 9:20 PM | Quote This Comment
These are great! Of course it's important to be polite and friendly, but I especially like the one that shows that you're focused on how you can help the company (#2), and the one that leads you to close for the job (#5). An interview coach can help candidates smooth over those rough spots and teach them other effective things to say to get the job.
Best of Luck, Peggy McKee
Posted by: Sales Recruiter | April 23, 2010 at 11:38 PM | Quote This Comment
@Brian, the name of the article is "5 things you should SAY...". I do think the author intended for us to consider actually using these or similar phrases!
Posted by: Terry L | September 07, 2010 at 3:50 PM | Quote This Comment
thanks for sharing.Most of the people are actuaaly never follow all these.atleast now we all try to say in interview
Posted by: Lissa rray | September 09, 2011 at 4:21 AM | Quote This Comment