Okay, you’re on your way to the interview. You’ve brought everything with you that you need to bring. You’re impeccably dressed and groomed. What are you forgetting? Names! That’s right—people’s names!
To each of us, our name is our identity. That’s exactly why it’s very important to remember an interviewer’s name and use it frequently. Of course, it would be better to know the interviewer’s name before you arrive, so hopefully you’re reading this prior to leaving for your interview.
Sure, you can fly by the seat of your pants—and you might even be able to pull that off—but it’s not recommended. Remember, a successful interview is all about the proper preparation . . . and that’s why you should be mindful of the following tips:
- Request a list of the interviewers’ names and titles in advance of the interview
- Ask the interviewer for a business card, and then put the card in a side pocket of your folder with most of the name showing.
- Write the name down in your notes several times.
- Use the name in conversation as quickly as possible.
Never, ever underestimate the power of using somebody’s name, especially in a situation as important as a face-to-face interview. Receiving an offer of employment is often a matter of standing out from the competition in a unique or memorable way.
Knowing (and using) the names of the people who are interviewing you is a great way to stand out from everybody else, and it might just give you the edge you need to close the deal and get the job offer that you’re seeking.
(For more information about successfully preparing for YOUR next interview, download a copy of Dan Simmons’s e-Book, Put Your Best You Forward: Simple Steps to a Successful Interview.)
