Trudy Milburn: Job Interview Strategist interviewed by Harry Goldstein	"While you can watch for these signals and try to interpret their meaning and change your own style through the process, you should keep in mind that you want to be genuine in your approach." Trudy Milburn teaches Interviewing Strategies and Gender and Communication at New York University for the department of Culture and Communication. She is currently completing her dissertation, "Voices from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center: An Ethnographic Exploration into Communicating Personhood at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst." She has presented her research at several national conferences and has published in Emerging Theories of Human Communication (in press), Management Review (January 1997) and Earthtalk (1996). Tripod: What's the most common thing that people encounter on interviews that they never expected? Trudy Milburn: There are so many different experiences that people have during interviews that it's difficult to generalize. People may be surprised at how mellow the interview is. When people prepare for interviews, they tend to get nervous about talking about themselves. When they get to the actual interview, they find that it is much easier to just answer the questions than they may have expected. Everyone already knows so much about him or herself that I think its important to just remember that and go in with the attitude that you will do fine being yourself. Tripod: How do you strike a balance between looking eager, but not desperate and cool, but not disinterested? TM: It's good to seem a little eager. After all, you want to convey to the employer that this is a company that you really want to work for — and that you aren't just looking for any job, but this job in particular. On the other hand, you should realize that you are in a bargaining position. You have things to offer the employer that the company needs. Remembering your value as an employee, and that you have a choice about where you will put in those hours, will help you strike that balance.
"You should realize that you are in a bargaining position. You have things to offer the employer that they need."	Tripod: Is there any one thing that you can do — some magic bullet — that will ensure that you get called back? TM: I think the thing that can't be stressed enough is to put in that follow-up call after you send your résumé and cover letter. When people get a telephone message, they usually return the call. Checking up on the progress of a search is a must, and illustrates your commitment and follow-through. Tripod: How important is it to make your résumé, cover letter, and interviewing style a total package? TM: The cover letter and résumé can, and should be, made into a total package. The basics of sending it out on the same stationary with the same font and format style are essential. Hopefully, the style you choose for the résumé/cover letter package reflects your style. This will make it easier to match the interview with the rest. You want to be sure that you present something unique about yourself throughout the process and that one thing can be reiterated or reflected in all three channels. Tripod: What are some things that can help you gauge how you're doing during the course of an interview? What kind of adjustments can you make if it seems not to be going well? And what can you do to "seal the deal" if it seems things are going swimmingly? TM: In order to gauge how you're doing during an interview, it's important to monitor non-verbal communication. You should be attentive to signs of "mirroring" — that's when your body language matches the other person's. For example, if the interviewer's legs are crossed, you may cross your legs. Often we do this without thinking much about it, but during an interview, you will be able to tell if you are in sync by monitoring the non-verbal communication. If things aren't going well, think about what other signals you, or the interviewer, might be giving off. For example, sitting with your posture turned away from the other person with arms folded across the chest is a clear signal of disinterest.
"If you are being dishonest, research has shown that your body language can give you away."	While you can watch for these signals and try to interpret their meaning and change your own style through the process, you should keep in mind that you want to be genuine in your approach. When you feel comfortable with the way that you are presenting yourself, the ease with which you make different motions will be conveyed. If you are being dishonest, research has shown that your body language can give you away. You may have glued that smile on your face, but your lower body, legs and feet will usually betray you. Another way that non-verbal communication comes into play is in the way we listen. Often we think of interviews as the time to tell everything about ourselves. Frequently, we encounter people who do more talking than listening. Don't think that the interview is going poorly just because the interviewer is talking more, think about it as an opportunity to demonstrate what a good, attentive listener you are. Leaning forward slightly, making appropriate eye contact, smiling, and nodding are all ways that you convey your interest. When you do get an opportunity to speak, you can give a short summary of what the interviewer has said (this is a way of verbally mirroring), and relate your remarks directly to what you have just heard. Tripod: What do you cover in your class on interviewing at NYU? TM: We review the basics: résumé, cover letter, thank you letter writing. Students get video-taped twice, answering one interview question. The course is a seven-week course for non-majors who want a taste of the Communication curriculum without having to enroll in a whole semester long program. Students can take it for one or two credits. For one credit, they write a self-assessment paper, which is a way for them to practice describing themselves in case an interviewer should ask related questions. Included would be things like their communication style (verbal and non-verbal), their preferences in terms of work environment, etc. For two credits, students complete an additional paper based on an interview with someone in their field who does interviews. They need to include information about the person interviewed as well as what that person looks for in a good prospect for a job. This gives people a real picture of hiring requirements and a look into a particular company. © 1997 Tripod, Inc. All rights reserved.