During an employment
interview you will be evaluated on your
knowledge, skills, abilities, experience,
and specialized training for the position.
In addition, you will be assessed on
personal qualities that would be beneficial,
for example motivation, professionalism,
flexibility and self-confidence. Be prepared
to respond with clear and relevant
experiences that best represent you. Listen
carefully and respond once you have
formulated a concise answer. Do not offer
more information than is necessary to answer
the question, but be truthful in doing so.
The interviewer will want to
learn about your experience and your reasons
for seeking a new position. You may also be
asked about your plans for the future and
your motivation for applying for this job.
Remember that an interview is a two-way
conversation. For you, the interview has two
purposes: One, to sell yourself, and two, to
evaluate the position. After asking
questions, the interviewer may invite you to
ask questions. Be prepared to ask informed
questions that may help you determine
whether this position is right for you.
Most interviewers form an
initial impression within the first five
minutes of meeting you. Important indicators
for a positive first impression may include:
-
arriving a few minutes
early for your scheduled time
-
a well groomed
professional appearance
-
conservative use of
make-up, jewelry or strong scents
-
a firm handshake
-
a warm smile
-
introduce yourself in a
relaxed and confident manner
-
sustain eye contact
-
refrain from chewing gum
16 Job Interview Tips
Prepare for the interview
The best way to ace your next
job interview is to prepare for it. This may
sound obvious, but it's not. Too many
applicants walk into an interview without
knowing as much as they should about the
industry, the company and its problems.
Remember: You are there to solve a problem.
Otherwise, the company wouldn't be hiring.
Follow these steps:
1. Know the
company. Find
out as much as you can about the position,
the company and its needs, so you can show
how your background meets those needs.
Telephone the receptionist and ask for
copies of company brochures. Be friendly and
professional on the phone and when you go
pick up those brochures. (A receptionist who
takes a liking to you can be one of your
most important allies in getting a job.)
Whenever possible, get a copy of the
company's annual report. Research the
company at your local library and on the
Internet.
2. Know
yourself.
Mentally review the skills and character
traits you have that will help the company's
bottom line. Think in terms of the value you
can add to the position and the company.
3. Know your
job history.
Mentally review your past achievements and
be prepared to describe your work experience
in detail. Gather letters of reference and
samples of your work to present to the
interviewer as proof of your past
accomplishments. Practice describing your
experience in terms of your responsibilities
and accomplishments at each job.
4. Know the
questions.
You can almost bet on being asked: "Tell me
about yourself." Approach this from the
employer's point of view. Ask yourself, "If
I were hiring someone for this position,
what would I want to know?" Then answer
those questions. And be ready for tough
ones, too. Think of the worst questions you
could be asked about your experience and
abilities, then prepare positive responses.
5. Prepare
questions of your own.
Employers are as interested in your
questions as they are in your answers. And
they'll react favorably if you ask
intelligent questions about the position,
the company and the industry. (Examples:
Where does this position fit into the
company as a whole? Is there any problem on
this job with waste/accuracy/meeting quotas,
etc.? What is the largest single problem
facing your staff now?)
6. Get the
big picture.
Visualize the entire interview, from start
to finish. See yourself as performing with
style and confidence. How will the interview
end? Will you get a job offer or be called
back for a second interview? How much salary
do you want? What kind of benefits? The
research you did in step 1 will give you an
idea of what to expect. Be ready for any
eventuality.
Make a
Good First Impression
The outcome of the interview
will depend largely on the impression you
make during the first five minutes. To
succeed, you must project a professional,
competent and enthusiastic image. Your aim
is to convince the interviewer that you
would be an asset to the company. Keep the
following in mind:
7.
Punctuality.
Do whatever it takes to arrive a few minutes
early. If necessary, drive to the company
the night before and time yourself. Allow
extra time for traffic, parking and slow
elevators.
8. Dress.
Your clothing should be appropriate for the
position you're seeking. Attire must fit
well within the office and be immaculate. If
you don't know what the typical attire at
the company is, call and ask! Shoes should
be polished; pants/skirts and shirts
pressed.
9. Grooming.
Clean hair and fingernails are essential.
Hair should be styled conservatively. Avoid
excessive make-up, jewelry or cologne.
10.
Handshake. A
firm handshake is appropriate and projects
confidence. Make eye contact when you shake.
11. Body
language.
Send the right message by standing straight,
moving confidently, and sitting slightly
forward in your chair.
Conduct the Interview
Have your own agenda and know
where the interview should be heading. This
will give you confidence and help you move
from one area of questioning to the next.
Remember: Most interviewers are as
uncomfortable as you are. They just want the
position to be filled as fast as possible.
If you can put the interviewer at ease by
helping things move smoothly, you'll improve
your chances of being hired. Remember the
following:
12.
Enthusiasm and eye contact.
Show your enthusiasm by making eye contact
and keeping an interested expression. Nod
and gesture in moderation; excessive body
movement can distract and annoy the
interviewer.
13. Listening
skills.
Listen carefully and ask questions to probe
deeper into what the interviewer is telling
you. Most interviewers are delightfully
surprised by a question such as, "How could
I help you solve the problem you've just
described?"
14.
Communication skills.
Good grammar and articulate speech are
essential. If this is an area where you're
weak, work on it. Practice on your family,
practice in front of a mirror, record your
voice, take classes -- do whatever it takes
to become a more effective communicator.
15. Negative
statements about previous jobs or employers.
NEVER make them. Instead, be diplomatic. No
matter how bad your last job or boss was,
there's probably something good you learned
from the experience. Emphasize the positive
-- with a smile.
Follow Through
This is a crucial and
often-overlooked final step in the
interviewing process. Remember: No home run
or 350-yard golf shot was ever hit without a
proper follow-through.
16. It's
essential that you write a thank-you note to
every person you met at the company.
Your most important letter(s) should go to
the interviewer(s). In your letter, be sure
to summarize your conversation and
re-emphasize the skills you would bring to
the position. Thank them for their time and
ask if it's all right to call later in the
week to see how their search for a candidate
is going. That candidate may well be you!