Interviews

If you've impressed the interviewer with your resume, your next step is the interview. Interviews are intimidating and nerve-wracking for many, but there are some things you can do to relax and focus on answering the interviewer's questions and make him or her feel that you are the right person for the job. Whether you are interviewing for oil and gas careers or careers in other industries, there are some standard rules you should follow.

First of all, you want to be on time. Stating that your watch stopped or blaming traffic won't impress an interviewer when interviewing for oil and gas careers. Leave extra early and wait for an hour in the parking lot if you have to. When you meet the interviewer, be polite and pleasant. Use a firm handshake and make eye contact. Make sure you are dressed appropriately when interviewing for oil and gas careers: no jeans, shorts, T-shirts, tennis shoes, or ripped clothing. Also, limit the amount of cologne or perfume you wear as many people are sensitive to strong smells.

During the interview, answer the interviewer's questions as completely and concisely as possible. Be sure to inform the employer as to why you are the right person for the oil and gas career you are interested in, but don't make your responses too long or drawn out. Be sure to have some background information about the company. You may be asked why you want to work for the company. Be prepared to share your future goals in the petroleum industry and talk about your accomplishments. In addition, show enthusiasm for the job. Show that you are truly interested in an oil and gas career. There are many people interested in the same job, so if you're not passionate about it, someone else will be. Toward the end of the interview, be prepared to ask questions about the oil and gas career in which you are interested. This is where doing some research on the company comes in handy. Ask the interviewer about the company culture and the company's history or goals. Ask the interviewer to clarify some of the job responsibilities if you are unsure of what you would be doing. Not asking any questions may seem as though you are uninterested in the job. After the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time and follow-up with a thank-you note.

Follow these rules when interviewing for oil and gas careers:

• Turn off your cell phone. It would be very rude for your cell phone to ring in the middle of an interview.
• Don't chew gum or play with your face or hair. These habits are all distracting to the interviewer. They show immaturity and lack of confidence.
• Don't tell jokes. An interview is an opportunity to sell your skills and accomplishments to potential employers and should be taken seriously. It is not the place to test your comedy routine.
• Don't say negative things about a previous boss or company. In many industries, including the petroleum industry, it makes you sound like a complainer or someone with a bad attitude. These are traits that no company wants in an employee.