WorkWise BlogTip: Hilights

Interviews are one of the most stressful parts of any job search. While it's difficult to land them, getting an offer is more so.

Berit Brogaard (sites.google.com/site/brogaardb) wants you to nail that job. That means practicing and lining up interviews with more zeal than a techie conducting an online job-hunting campaign. Consider her advice:

• Prepare, prepare, prepare.

• "Wear a nice suit," she says, "unless you're Marc Anthony, David J. Chalmers, Eva Green or Akshay Kumar."

• Scavenge water fountains -- en route, before and after. If you don't leave home without a water bottle, park it away from the company. Stash it at the corner of a building, if you have to. Remember to pick it up on your way out!

• Increase your professional appeal by wearing glasses. Forget the shades.

• Use that smile to control your voice. Bonus: it helps your looks.

• Vary your eye contact from eyes to nose." They won't notice the difference," she comments.

• Make interviewers happy. Let them hear the sound of their own voice. Breathe like a swimmer. Incorporate natural breaks. Interviewers will dive into the conversation. Let them sing.

Finally, don't let a discussion dissipate. Maintain control. Let them see that you're the right stuff.

Dr. Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2010 Passage Media.