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Interviewing Tips
If you have ever looked for a job before, you have probably participated in a
job interview. The job interview is a very common and very effective method used
by employers to select people for jobs. It may be the only time in the selection
process when employer and applicant are face to face, making personal and
professional judgments about each other.
It should come as no surprise to you that there is a technique to successful
job interviewing. A job applicant who masters this fine art of interviewing has
a definite competitive edge over other applicants. This pamphlet will answer
some of the questions that are probably on your mind about interviewing. The
intent is to provide you with tools to sharpen your interview skills, giving you
a special advantage in today's job market.
How Important is the Job Interview?
The job interview is the best opportunity you have to gather facts about a
job and to sell yourself to a potential employer. In most cases the decision on
whether or not you are hired will be made based on the results of your
interview. Of course, other factors, such as your resume and recommendations,
play an important role. However, the element of personal contact, the interview,
provides the most critical information to the employer: Will you fit in? Are you
confident as well as competent? Does the employer feel at ease with you
personally and professionally? The impression you make at the interview will
remain with the employer long after the details in your resume have been
forgotten and will have a major influence on the employer's final hiring
decision.
How do you Prepare for an Interview?
You can increase the amount of control you have during an interview by
preparing in advance. A well prepared applicant is much more likely to impress
an interviewer with his or her alertness, competence and confidence. If your
answers are well thought out and direct, you will find you will be much more at
ease. The more comfortable you are, the better the interview is bound to go.
What Specifically Can you do in Preparing for an
Interview?
- Ask your placement consultant for as many details as possible about the
job for which you will be interviewing. Your consultant can tell you about
the skill requirements and overall responsibilities of the job. Both of you
can then look at your background and talents and determine exactly what
makes you right for this job.
- Know your own background and work history. The interviewer will probably
want to ask questions about things noted on your resume or job application.
Be sure you remember positions you have held and the nature of your
responsibilities in all your past activities. It will be to your advantage
if you can relate your past experience to the new job requirements.
- Develop a clear idea of your own professional goals. Many potential
employers will be interested in knowing whether a position will be
"just a job" for you or a commitment to personal achievement. This
question is usually handled by asking you your long range plans or
professional goals. Professional goals do not necessarily include a desire
to get to the top in as short a period of time as possible. Many people have
as their goal, to be productive by putting their skills to use in a pleasant
atmosphere. Discuss your goals with your placement consultant. This
information will help you far beyond the interview.
- Know your own strengths and weaknesses. Remember, in an interview
situation you are trying to sell yourself to a potential employer. Of course
you will want to emphasize your strong points and capabilities whenever
possible. You should be prepared, however, to answer a question about your
weaknesses. You can actually make your "weaknesses" work for you
in an interview by preparing a response to include both the nature of the
weakness and plans you have made to overcome it. The interviewer will be
very impressed at your ability to understand and deal with your own
professional shortcomings.
As you can see, it is important to do your "homework" before going
on an interview. A little bit of preparation can make all the difference when
you are face to face with a potential employer.
Can Your Manner and Appearance Create an Impression?
Most definitely! Your dress, attitude, tone of voice and mannerisms all
create a very strong impression. An interviewer uses this impression to make judgments
about such critical features as your reliability, confidence and
ability to adjust to new situations. Because of this, your attitude and the
visual impression you make are as important as the things you say.
How should you conduct yourself in an interview?
- Be polite, alert and calm. Surprisingly, many interviewers are just as
uneasy as you are in this situation. You can put an interviewer at ease by
indicating through your attitude genuine interest in the discussion. If you
appear calm and courteous, the interviewer's task will be made easier - a
plus for you!
- Dress appropriately for the interview. Although each situation is
different, requiring different attire, some general rules apply. Avoid
wearing outlandish clothes. Try to estimate what other people in the office
might be wearing and dress accordingly. It is most important to appear neat.
You may want to discuss appropriate dress with your consultant.
- Express enthusiasm for the job components and for your role should you get
the job. Enthusiasm is contagious! If you are sincere in your enthusiasm for
the job characteristics, working conditions and your ability to be
successful, the interviewer will be enthusiastic about you.
- Always speak positively about former experiences. A common mistake made by
job applicants is to use the interview to complain about a previous
employer. You can find something positive in any experience and that is what
you should emphasize.
- Always speak positively about your abilities. The interviewer will be
looking for someone with self-confidence. You can create a good impression
by speaking highly of your proven capabilities and of your ability to
acquire new skills.
- Sit properly, avoid nervous habits and avoid smoking or chewing gum. Your
body language creates an impression, too, about your attitude, enthusiasm
and self confidence.
Clearly, your manner and appearance are important components of a successful
interview. Interviewers react favorably to warmth, self confidence, positive
attitudes, politeness and alertness.
What will the interviewer's questions be like?
Most interviewers will question you in one of two ways. Either they will
follow a series of questions and answers to get certain information or they will
ask you to talk about yourself and your skills in a less structured manner. If
you have prepared yourself as suggested earlier, you should have no difficulty
with either approach.
What general rules can be followed in responding to
interview questions?
- Answer each question directly, with little hesitation and do not stray
from the subject. Examples can frequently enhance your answer by pointing
out experience you have had related to the interviewer's question. Avoid
taking time to discuss incidents which are not directly related to the
conversation. Be as specific as possible.
- If you have no prior job experience, draw you examples from other
experiences. Your service record, school record and community activities can
be valuable attestations to your abilities. Use them in addition to, or
instead or, references to work experience.
- Be aware of the interviewer's reactions to you. If you are alert, you
should be able to sense if you are being understood. If there is some doubt,
ask the interviewer if the question has been answered to his or her
satisfaction. Always be aware of how you are being received and try adjust
your approach accordingly.
What types of questions can you expect from the
interviewer?
Of course, you can expect the standard questions (noted earlier) about your
past experiences and future goals. In addition you might be faced with a few of
the following:
- The interviewer may ask you personal questions to determine your ability
to perform the job. Be prepared to answer these questions so that your
response is job-related. Emphasize how you have very successfully balanced
your personal and professional life in the past and shall continue to do so
in the future. Cite favorable absentee records or job recommendations in
support of your claim.
- Some interviewers will want you to summarize your abilities and show why
you are right for the position. If you have prepared properly, this response
will be at your fingertips. Remember to draw parallels between your skills
and interests and the job requirements. Your argument will be very
convincing if it is based on well considered facts.
- More than likely you will be asked why you are looking for a new job in
this area. The answer to this question will stem partly from your
professional goals and partly from reasons for leaving a previous job.
Present a clear answer which shows you have given the question a lot of
thought. The interviewer will be convinced that you have a genuine interest
in the specific job.
- You will probably be asked if you have any questions. This is your chance
to interview the interviewer and should be used to the fullest advantage.
Again, prepare a mental list of questions about the job duties, degree of
office pressure, number of people you will be working with, etc. The
interviewer will be glad to take some time to answer questions to help you
make your decision. Choose your questions carefully. Avoid discussing
benefits, sick days, and the like on your first meeting. The interviewer
will be favorably impressed by someone who seeks important information
before making a decision.
Answering questions in a manner which demonstrates careful thought and
confidence is an extremely effective interview technique. Avoid speaking in
haste and always stick to the subject.
Is there a proper way to end an interview?
Your final words in an interview will leave the most lasting impression in
the interviewer's memory. However you choose to make your departure, remember to
do so on a positive note. Here are some hints for a positive close to an
interview.
- Thank the interviewer for his or her time. A genuine expression of
gratitude for being given the chance to interview is always appreciated.
- Ask for the job. You have gained nothing unless you get a job offer.
Without a definite offer, you have nothing to consider. At the least, ask
when a decision will be made.
- Send a thank you note. This is a very thoughtful touch which allows you to
thank the interviewer for his or her time and to reaffirm your interest in
the job.
In a interview, even saying goodbye makes an impression. Your comments and
attitude should be well controlled during your entire meeting - right through to
the end.
How can you possibly remember or practice all these
things before you get to an interview?
Many people who are looking for jobs are not able to practice their responses
and approach to an interview. You, however, are in a very special position. You
have a placement consultant who is willing to take the time to help you develop
your interview skills.
- Your first interview is with your consultant. The consultant's purpose is
to help you get a job. Work out any questions you may have with your
consultant so that you will be prepared when you begin talking with the
prospective employer. By thoroughly discussing your needs and desires, and
any possible problems, with your consultant, you will not be surprised
during the actual interview.
- Take advantage or your consultant's opinion of your approach. Your
placement consultant is a trained professional who can analyze the
impression you make in an interview. Be sure to discuss your interview style
with the consultant and give careful consideration to his or her advice.
- Be open and honest with your consultant. Your consultant can answer
questions that you might not want to ask the employer directly. It is very
important that you discuss any concerns about salary, location, hours or
responsibilities, before they become major problems.
As all information presented in this pamphlet has shown, the interview is a
critical component in getting any job. Having a successful interview means being
well prepared, creating a good impression with your manner and appearance,
answering all questions clearly and confidently and closing on a positive note.
When you have mastered the art of interviewing, you have mastered the art of
getting a job.
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