Interview Tips

‘Top Ten’ Interviewing Tips by Peter Langlois,
author, ‘The Interview Road Map’  and
co-author, Weekly Restaurant Connections

In an economy such as we currently face, the job market becomes saturated with more candidates seeking fewer positions. Industry recruiters say job listings on job boards may generate as many as 200 qualified resumes in a mere 24-48 hours. Certainly this adds pressure to writing a great cover letter and resume, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I believe the secret to advancing your career is the development of great interviewing skills. Why? Nobody gets a job based upon writing a cover letter and resume. It’s all about the interview! It’s been my experience that a great interview seals the deal, while a poor interview sabotages all the great written qualifications. It’s also true that even the most accomplished professional is apprehensive about interviewing.

We’d like to help you help yourself. I’ve developed a free program, “Interviewing to Advance Your Hospitality Career? Here’s a Road Map to Success!” sponsored by Pepsi. It’s a recipe developed with the help of industry experts, including company human resource recruiters and headhunters and written specifically for hospitality and foodservice.

Here are ten basic pointers you’ll find discussed in depth.

1. Use the Internet to research companies. Get five pertinent facts about each company.

2. Make sure you meet the “minimum requirements.”

3. Personally visit a location of any company in which you have a “qualified” interest.

4. Review your resume and edit: Give them the facts, not motherhood and apple pie!

5. Draft separate cover letters for each company. Always address them to the key contact, and never to “whom it may concern.” That one’s going in the trash.

6. A recruiter who agrees to meet you is your ally, not your enemy.

7. Anticipate: you know what they’ll ask!

8. Concentrate on the “topical interview.” You must become your own best advocate.

9. Use a scorecard. Prioritize your top ten “needs” and “wants.” Stay focused on these. Don’t let a recruiter sell you on a job.

10. Dress appropriately! If you drop your cover letter and resume off at someone’s office, don’t just happen by. Dress as if you’re going to interview that minute—you just might!

Interested in learning more? Review the entire Interview Road Map. It’s a free download. How good is it? Several headhunters in my network of associates send their candidates here to prepare for interviews. Why shouldn’t you be able to compete and win in this competitive environment?