In addition to carefully preparing for a job interview, you’ll make a good impression by communicating skillfully during the interview. Keys to successfully managing a job interview include dressing appropriately, understanding every question posed to you, dealing competently with any unlawful questions that arise, demonstrating positivity and optimism, and following up promptly and appreciatively.

Dress Appropriately. It may seem unfair, but interviewers will judge you by your clothes, hairstyle, body art, and other nonverbal behaviors. In one study of applicants for a university research-assistant position, students who dressed professionally for the interview were rated higher in social skills and considered more desirable for employment than those who were informally dressed (Gifford, Ng, & Wilkinson, 1985).

Because your appearance strongly influences how a prospective employer judges your abilities, you’ll want to carefully plan your wardrobe for a selection interview—even if the interview will be conducted online or through video. If possible, visit the potential employer’s work site or Web site to see how employees dress. You can also ask someone who’s familiar with the business or someone in the company’s human resources department. However, the standard rule is to dress in a professional manner.

Understand Every Question. Even when interviewers have prepared for the meeting, they may ask confusing or assumptive questions. Rather than just spouting out a response you are unsure of, take the time to clarify the question first. It is better to make sure you understand the question than to give an answer the interviewer thinks doesn’t make sense. If the interviewer asks you a question that’s unclear, ask him or her to repeat it or to clarify it.

You can also show that you understand a question by restating it or repeating a few key words in your response. For example:

Interviewer: In this job, you will encounter demanding hotel guests who have little patience. What experience do you have dealing with difficult people?

You: My experience in dealing with difficult people can be illustrated in three ways…

Deal Competently with Unlawful Questions. Federal and state laws exist to protect citizens from discrimination when applying for a job. It is illegal for employers to ask job applicants about things that are not relevant to the job, such as their age, sex, ethnicity, national origin, and religion. For example, an interviewer should not ask you any of the following questions:

Employers may ask a question about religion, gender, age, or national origin if it relates to a bona fide occupational qualification—a characteristic essential to operating the business. For example, it’s legal to ask “Are you over 21?” for a job that involves selling alcohol, “Can you speak Spanish or French?” if the job requires interacting with suppliers or consumers in specific languages, or “Can you lift a 50-pound box?” if the job calls for physical strength.

If you believe a question is unlawful, you’ll need to decide how to respond. First, consider the motive behind the question. Is it an innocent mistake or malicious in intent? Second, think about how much you want the job. Though not legal or even fair, know that it might be risky to point out that a question is unlawful.

With these factors in mind, you could respond in a number of ways. You could answer briefly without elaborating. If the interviewer asks, “Is English your native language?” you may simply respond, “No.” Or you could direct your answer to something that’s relevant to the job. For instance, “I believe my Spanish-speaking skills would be an asset in serving many of your clients in South Texas.” Finally, you could refuse to answer any question that you believe is unlawful or inappropriate. You can do this in a way that’s assertive but polite. For example, “I don’t believe my native language is important to my ability to do this job effectively.”

Demonstrate Positivity and Optimism. During a job interview, you want to put your best foot forward. Interviewers expect you to do some self-promotion, including describing your job-related experiences positively, without misrepresenting your accomplishments (Swider et al., 2011). Focus on strengths you bring to the position. Your aim is to sell yourself by demonstrating how your experience and skills can meet the employer’s needs.

Don’t downplay or cover up negative work experiences. Instead, acknowledge a negative experience and emphasize what you learned from it. If you had a bad experience with a previous boss or job, be as diplomatic as possible in describing it. Criticizing your last boss will only make you look bad. Also anticipate questions about your weaknesses. When interviewers ask these types of questions, they are looking to see if you are self-aware and trying to improve. There may be times, however, when these types of questions may seem aggressive or overly stressful; the How to Communicate: Managing Stress Questions feature on pages A-24 to A-25 considers additional skills necessary for responding competently.

Follow Up Promptly. Even after an interview, you’ll need to continue making a positive impression as you follow up. For instance, if the interviewer asks for a list of references, send it within 24 hours. In addition to expressing appreciation at the end of the interview, send a note thanking the person for his or her time. While a handwritten note is ideal, an e-mail sent to your interviewer within 24 hours of the interview is also acceptable. A gracious thank-you note also includes specific details from the interview, such as why you continue to be interested in the job and why you might be a good fit. If the hiring manager is trying to decide between you and another applicant, a skillfully crafted thank-you note will make you more memorable and could tip the scales in your favor. Even if you ultimately don’t get the job, a follow-up note may leave the door open for future interview opportunities at that company.