Interview Tips
Interviews can be stressful, however, they shouldn't be. Remember you are evaluating the company as much as they are evaluating you. Interviews are about correctly assessing needs, opportunities and skills on both sides. It is only when those things fit together that a job will work out for both parties.
Remember too, that you have already impressed the company through your resume and cover letter. They have the hard facts about you – where you have worked, how quickly you have advanced, etc. The interview is to assess your more subtle skills – the softer skill sets related to how you interact with people. It is important to portray polite, sincere enthusiasm for the job opportunity they have available. You should not interview with companies that you can not honestly feel enthusiasm for.
How to Prepare
- Research the company. Most companies have web sites or have been in the news – start there. Here are some key facts you should know about the company beforehand.
- Key people in the organization
- Major products or services
- Size in terms of sales and employees
- Locations other than your community
- Organizational structure of the company
- Major competitors
- View of the company by clients, suppliers, and competition
- Latest news reports on the company or on local or national news that affects the company
- Research the interviewer, if possible. Many companies list their governing board and short biographies on their web sites. Be sure you know how to pronounce your interviewer's name correctly, receptionists and secretaries can usually help in this arena.
- Know why you want the job.
- Identify your wants and your needs both monetary and personal, be ready to speak to both.
- Be able to express, specifically, the marketable skills you have to offer the organization.
- Be prepared for the standard interview questions and know your answers to them. Here is a list of possible questions. Practice your answers.
- Prepare questions you wish to ask—only ask questions you can't find answers to yourself. Otherwise you can appear unprepared and as if you have not researched the company. A good question to always ask is “Can you tell me about the position and the type of person you are seeking?"
- Find out the standard dress for the organization and dress on the conservative, yet professional side (Limit jewelry, conservative makeup, etc.).
- Arrive early. More than likely you can find a close-by shop or café to wait in.
- Bring extra resumes, cover letters, notepad and pen. As well as any materials that you may use to answer potential interview questions.
- Be polite to everyone you meet there. They all count.
- Do not chew gum, smoke, swear or use slang.
- Be aware of your body language. Do not send the wrong cues to your interviewer.
- Assume all questions are asked for a good reason and answer accordingly .Answer all questions honestly, but in the best, most positive light. Job interviews are about matching needs - if there isn't a good match, then chances are that the job won't work out.
- Do not speak poorly of previous employers regardless of the circumstances.
- Be specific – don’t speak in generalities, back up what you say with specific examples from your past work experience.
- Don’t talk too much. Communication is a two-way street.
- Make some notes about the interview right after you leave.
- Send a thank you letter via email if possible ASAP to each interviewer and copy your recruiter. If interviewing at a hotel, you can also leave a handwritten note at the reception desk.
- Be sure to know how to spell all names and know correct titles.
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