Interviews

Interview Tips:

Prepare Before Interview Day Interview%20Attire.jpg

When you are called for an interview, ask for all the names of the people you will be interviewing with (ask for the spelling of difficult names). This will help you learn their names so you can address them by name during the interview.
Research the company, industry and position, including skills and other job requirements and job listing on their website, if available
If the job listing is not on their website, request a job description when you get called for an interview or when you apply for the position
Identify your skills and accomplishments (review your resume, your portfolio, letters of reference, former job descriptions)
Practice interviewing with someone or go to your campus Career Center and request a mock interview
Know the types of questions you can ask
Ask “What are looking for in the person you hire for this job”. Then follow up by talking about how you can meet those needs and give examples of similar duties, personality traits and accomplishments.
Talk a little about your research about the company and job into your answers (don’t overdue it or you will sound like a know it all!)
Know the questions not to ask, including salary benefits, personal questions, those already asked and talked about. If the interviewer does not bring up these things, don’t until you are offered the job.
Know how to handle illegal questions
Locate the building day before the interview day (get good directions when you are called for the interview). Use Yahoo or other Internet source to get an on-line map. Take a drive by the building and parking area on a day before the interview, notice where you can park. Don't forget money for parking if you need it. See how long it takes you to get there and allow plenty of time if you are arriving during heavy traffic.
Call to confirm your appointment the day before and verify the date, time and place. Sometime they forget to put it on their calendar!
Plan ahead to dress well and make a great first impression.
Contact your references. Let your references know you are interviewing and ask if you can use them as a reference. Provide them with your resume and let them know what types of jobs you are applying for. Make sure you thank your references whether you get the job or not. If you didn’t get the job, it is always a good idea to call your references to see if they were called and to thank them.

Interview Day

Take name and phone number of interviewer (know names of any other interviewers)
Take address and directions to the place of the interview, including suite number
Take extra copies of your resume in a professional leather portfolio
Typed list of references (name, title, company, address and phone number, if a personal reference you don’t need to include company)
Take Paper and pen
Take your Social Security Card and Driver’s License (just in case you get hired and need to complete an I9 form)
Take a professional portfolio with examples of your work (if applicable) (Drafter, Graphic Artist, Editor, Public Relations Specialist, etc.).
Take Information you may need to fill out a job application if you have not already done so
Be on time (Arrive about 15 minutes early. Drive safely and follow traffic laws on the way. You don’t want to get a traffic ticket on the way there!)
Greet the receptionist and others with a friendly hello and introduce yourself

During the Interview

Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and say hello. Use Mr., Ms. or Mrs. (unless the interviewer asks you to use their first name)
It is polite to sit when you are asked to or after the interviewer sits
Relax and listen carefully
If you don’t understand the question, let interviewer know you don’t understand the question and ask if they can rephrase the question
Look at the interviewer and smile once in a while (don’t look down or away)
Don’t just say “yes” and “no” or “I guess” when you are asked questions
Give short explanations, examples and mention your accomplishments
Don’t memorized your answers
During an interview, talk about your skills, abilities, education fit the job requirements.
Don’t swing your leg, tap your fingers or other nervous movements
Keep your arms comfortably on the chair or on your lap but don’t folder your arms in front of you
Don’t smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink
Use good grammar and speak clearly
Don’t bring friends, children, boyfriend or relatives to the interview
Be truthful, enthusiastic and but don’t appear desperate
Don’t avoid questions, be direct and answer them
Don’t talk about personal life and problems
Show your willingness to learn new things and to be flexible
Don’t ask about the salary and benefits until interviewer brings it up
Interviewer may ask you if you have any questions so ask a few good questions
Ask for the job! When the interview ends, let the employer know you really want the job and you hope you are selected
Ask when you can follow-up
Thank the interviewer for their time and firmly shake his/her hand
The interview is a good time for you to determine if you want to work for the company, the boss, work environment and the position

After the Interview Day

Send a formal typed thank you letter to each person you interviewed with
This letter should go out the day after the interview
Follow-up after sending letter with a phone call (in about five days or when the interviewer said a decision would be made)
Ask if a decision has been made and let them know that you are still very interested in the job
Ask for feedback if you didn’t get the job and let them know it will help you with future interviews
Don’t get discouraged. The right job is out there waiting for you!

Withdrawal from Consideration:

At some point, you may realize that this job is not a good fit for you. Let the employer know via a phone call, e-mail or letter that you appreciate their time but after talking with them about the position, it was not a good fit for you. Sometimes, you may even realize this during the interview and if you are sure, you may simply let the interviewer know that it was not the job you thought it was or it is not what you are looking for. Remain very polite and thank them for their time. If you want to be considered for other types of jobs within the organization, let them know what would be a better fit for you and if they know of anybody who may be hiring.

Types of Interviews:

There are many ways an employer can conduct an interview or series of interviews. For example, an employer may use any one or combination of the following types of interviews:

First Interview or Pre-Screening: This is interview is utilized to determine if you fit the position. It is used to determine if you should move on to other interviews or the next step in the process. This interview may be conducted over the phone or in person. The person conducting the interview may be a recruiter or the hiring manager. The interview may seem to be kind of cold and robotic because they are just asking questions in a rapid fire style. It will probably appear that they are just collecting information. Remember to be friendly and communicate how you can fill their job requirements.
In-person interview: This may be the only interview you have to go on before getting a job. You usually meet with the your future supervisor. During this interview, they are just trying to find out if you can do the job. It also gives you an opportunity to determine if you fit the job and organization and if you want to work for the company and/or boss.
Group: These interviews are often utilized for state or federal job opportunities or for jobs that require you to interact with staff members. When you get called for an interview, make sure you ask who you will be interviewing with. Write the names down and ask for the spelling of difficult names. Group interviews usually consist of your supervisor and co-workers and/or staff from other departments you would work with. Greet each person and shake his or her hand. Use the names of the people when you speak to them and answer their questions. Remember to look at each person when answering the question, not just the person who asked the question.
Behavioral (can also be part of any interview): This is when an employer asks you specific examples of your skills, accomplishments and education. Most interviewers will ask at least one type of behavior question during any type of interview. They generally start off by asking you “tell me about a time….” Or “give me an example….. or “how would you……” For example: “Tell me about a time when you didn’t agree with your boss and how did you handle it? They want to see you can solve problems, if you can give clear explanations and if you can do the job.
Structured Questions (can be part of any interview): In this type of interview, the interviewer(s) have a set of standard questions they ask. It is best to answer the questions and remain friendly even if everyone else seems a little robotic.
Phone (can be part of the initial screening interview): The employer may give you a phone interview to determine if you will make it to the next stage in the process, which is the face-to-face interview. The telephone interview is used for screening out applicants that don’t qualify. You should prepare for it just like you would an in-person interview except you can keep all your materials out (resume, research, questions you can ask, information on questions you may be asked, etc.). Have a quite area were there will be no distractions. Call waiting is going to be a problem if you get other calls. Remove your cell phone from the area so it does not ring while your one the phone or put it on silent. Don’t answer the door if the door bell rings. Keep your answers short and to the point and remain friendly and personable. Try and come across and friendly and interest in the job. Make sure you close the phone interview by asking for an interview and telling the person that you want the job and are excited about the prospect of working for them. As what the the next step is and if you can follow up. Send a thank you letter to the phone interviewer.
Stress (can be part of any interview): This is not a typical interview format but you may be tested at some point during the interview regarding how you handle stress. Keep your cool! The interviewer is either a jerk or they are just trying to see how you handle stressful situations. Do not take it personally and remain calm.
Breakfast/Lunch: Some employers may invite you to breakfast or lunch, particularly if you job will require you to meet with clients or customers during breakfast, lunch or dinner. This may be a somewhat informal setting but you should still follow the appropriate dress code and behavior for interviewing at the employer’s office. Study up on dining etiquette (put you napkin in your lap, no elbows on the table, no chewing with you mouth open, etc.). This is not the time to order sloppy, noisy or finger foods. Don’t order an alcoholic beverage or the most expensive think on the menu. Relax during the interview and be enthusiastic about the job. The employer should pick up your tab and tip so you don’t need to offer to pay for it. Conduct yourself just like you would in an interview. Remember to be polite to the waiter or waitress.

Company Research:

The interview may ask you what you know about their company. Can you imagine not being able to answer this question? If you can answer the question, it will set you apart from the other candidates and shows you are very interested and enthusiastic about the job.

What do you want to find out?

Name of the company or organizations
Major Competitors
Services/Products Offered
Future Plans and challenges they face (are their any law suits? Are there merger talks? etc.)
Company History
Sales/profits

Research Tips:

Check out their company website and look for information under “about us”, news or other similar headings. If they are a public company, look for their annual report on their company website.
If they are a public company and you are not able to find what you need online, contact the corporation and ask if they have an annual report. Call their public relations department and tell them that you are interviewing or applying for a job and would like more information regarding the company.
Call your local Chamber of Commerce as they have directories of local business and often publish information regarding largest employers in the area. Also check the Chamber's website for information.
Check out InfoTrac and other on-line resources at your college or community library. This is a great place to find articles and news stories about companies.
Go to your campus Career Center as they may also keep a file with information on companies in the area
Ask the reference librarian for resources that may be helpful to you.
Hoovers is a great on-line resource to do company research.
Finding out the skills and educational requirements, salary and outlook is also an important part of your research. This will help you determine if you fit the position. After identifying job duties and educational requirements you can then emphasize your matching skills and education in your cover letter, resume and interview.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook and O'Net are great online resources to help you identify, salary, job requirements for particular career fields, etc.

Cost of Living:

To find the cost of living for your area, go to the Chamber of Commerce in the area and through Internet searches using “cost of living” along with the name of the city in the search box. It is also very important to find out if there is a State Income Tax if you are moving out of state. It is important to know that $35,000 a year salary in Charleston, South Carolina will not be equal to $35,000 salary in San Francisco, California.

Don’t be afraid to turn down a job if it does not meet your salary requirements. In fact, you may be able to utilize your cost of living research to negotiate a higher salary.

Mock Interviewing:

Work with a friend, relative or your college Career Center. This will give you an opportunity to practice interviewing. Dress appropriately and act just like you would if you were going in for a real interview. Some Career Centers may be able to help you prepare for an interview by videotaping you so your mock interview can be played back and critiqued.

Sample Interview Questions:

Tell me about yourself. Keep your answer short and simple. Discuss your accomplishments, skills, abilities, personality traits, job experience and education that relate to the job you are applying for.

What is one of your weaknesses?

You can mention a weakness that would not be a requirement of the job. For instance, if you are applying for a job as an accountant and are not a very good public speaker. You could discuss how you have joined some self-help groups to practice your public speaking skills. Remember to let the interviewer know how you have or are overcoming the weakness that you have mentioned.

Why do you want this job?

Talk about your career goals and how you have prepared for the job you are applying for. Also, discuss how your skills, personality and abilities fit the job requirements. You can also discuss why the job and the company fit what you are looking for. This is where your research comes in handy.

What would your previous employer or co-workers say about you?

This a good place to mention your personality traits (eager, polite, organized, etc.), work ethic, and a your related skills and abilities.

Tell me about your last job.

Talk about your responsibilities and accomplishments and concentrate on those things that are related to the job you are applying for.

Why are you leaving your employer?

Keep it brief and don’t be negative about the company or your boss. You can say things like, seeking more job growth or job stability, or company is downsizing, or seeking a challenging position that is more in line with your skills and abilities, etc.

What did you like most about your last job?

When answering, give examples of job duties and responsibilities and provide a shot explanation. Don't just say, I liked working with people. You may say something like "my favorite part of the job was working with customers and helping them find the merchandise they were looking for and I was really good at selling them additional complementary products" or "I enjoyed planning and organizing events. One of my favorites events that I helped to organize was our fund raising event for the marketing club".

What are your goals five years from now?

If you know the career track that is appropriate for your field and it fits with the job and company you are applying for, then discuss that. You may ask what has been the typical career track of someone in this position with your company. Elaborate on how that career fits with your career goals.

Give me an example of a problem, a conflict, multi-tasking, time management, etc.

Be prepared to give actual examples and tell a short story. Discuss how you utilized your skills and abilities.

Here are some more questions, how you would answer before the interview.

What do you do in you spare time?

Are you available to work overtime?

Why did you choose your college major?

What salary are you looking for?

What type of boss are you looking for?

What did you like most about your previous job? Least?

Do you have any questions?

Job Gap:

The employers concerns are “what did he/she do during his time off?” and “was he/she productive?”, “why did it take them so long to find a job?”. You may talk about how you were seeking the right fit, returned to school full-time, relocated, or volunteered during your job search. If the economy has been poor or there was a drop in workers in your field may also explain that is why it took you awhile to find the right job.

Job Change:

The employer will ask about career change because he or she may be wondering, “does this person know what he/she wants to do?” “Are they sure that this job is a good fit for them?” If your educational or work background does not seem to match with the job you are applying for, be ready to answer this question. The key is to emphasize how the job you are applying for fits your skills and abilities and career goals.

I’ve Been Fired:

If an employer asks you if you have ever been involuntarily terminated, they want to know why and how you have overcome the problem you were fired for. Keep it brief and don’t be negative about your boss or company. Tell the employer what you learned from the experience and how you have changed or corrected the situation.

Short-term/Temporary Work:

Employers want to know that you are going to stay with their company so answer the concern of this question. Let them know if any of your jobs were temporary or contract labor or if the company closed or down sized. Let them know that it is important to you that you find stable long-term employment.

Illegal Questions:

You should know what questions are illegal and how to answer them. Remember to think about what the employer’s concerns may be when he/she asks questions. If you are comfortable with answering the question, then answer it or the concern.

Here are some examples of illegal questions and remember to ask yourself what the employer may really be concerned about and answer their concern. For instance, if he/she asks “Do you have children?” They want to know that you are reliable and have made plans for the care of your children while you are working. Be sure to give examples of you attendance records at other jobs and convince the employer you are dependable.

More illegal questions, you may be ready to respond to:

Are you married?

What does your spouse do for a living?

How many children do you have?

How old are you?

Do you have any disabilities?

Are you going to have any kids?

Questions You Can Ask:

You may ask a couple of questions. This gives you an opportunity to ask question that can help you determine if you want the job. For instance, if you need more clarification of your job duties and responsibilities or what projects you would work on, this is a good time to ask.

Ask questions that will give you an opportunity to talk about how you can fill the employer’s needs. One of the most important questions you can ask is “What are the skills and abilities you are looking for?” Then you can turn around and sell yourself by mentioning how you can fill each of those skills and abilities. Make sure you give some examples.

Another great question to ask is “Are there any concerns you may have about hiring me for this position that I may be able to address?” Then answer any the concern.

Here are some more examples of questions:

Is this a new position?

What happened to the person in this position?

Describe a typical day in this job?

What would be some projects I would be working on?

Who would I work with?

Who would I report to?

What will the training be like?

What is the career path for this job?

What is the most challenging part of this job?

Questions Not to Ask:

Don’t ask about salary or benefits. Let the interviewer bring it up first. If you are offered the job, then you can discuss salary. It is best to be focused on the employer and how you meet what they are looking for.

Don’t ask the interviewer personal questions about their life.

Dress for Success:

Men and Women

Get plenty of rest the night before the interview
Shower before interview
Brush and floss teeth and use mouthwash or mints
Cut your hair and style it nice
Don’t wear hair colors that are too extreme
Don’t overdo sticky or smelly hair products
Be safe and don’t wear cologne (your interviewer may be allergic)
Remove visible body piercings
Manicure your nails and keep them at a conservative length
Wear a conservative watch
Shine shoes
Take a small leather portfolio with copies of your resume, letters of reference and information for job application
Tattoos should be covered with clothes, if possible

Men

Business suit (solid or small pinstripe)
Suit should be dark navy or gray
Long sleeve white or light blue shirt
Conservative tie (no bow ties)
Clothes should be clean and neatly pressed
Dark complimentary leather dress shoes (lace up is best)
Leather belt (should complement shoes)
Dark calf-length socks
Leave the pocket scarf at home
Don’t wear earrings, gold chains/bracelets or other body piercing
One conservative ring is ok (when in doubt, don’t wear it!)

Women Woman%20In%20Interview%20Suit.jpg

Business suit (solid or small pinstripe)
The best suit colors are dark (dark, navy or gray)
Skirt length should be at or below the knee
Skirt should not be tight fitting
No thigh high slits
Conservative buttons on jacket
Pantsuits are acceptable to wear
Solid white or neutral shirts
No plunging necklines or big ruffles
Classic closed-toe pump that matches your skirt or pant
Heals should be l-2 inches. Leave stilettos at home
Small leather handbag that complements or matches your shoes
Natural hosiery or hosiery that matches your skirt
Light makeup
Light natural eye shadow
Light application of eye liner
Light application of mascara and eyebrow pencil
Light natural lipstick
Light natural blush
No body glitter
Light nail polish (pink or natural)
Tasteful jewelry should be kept to a minimum (no dangle earrings or noisy bracelets)
Conservative gold or silver jewelry is fine (one watch, one ring on each hand, stud earrings, one small chain bracelet)
Leave the hair scrunchies at home!

Evidence of Your Abilities:

You may be asekd to take an assessment or perform an actual work sample so they can see if your skills and abilities fit what they are looking for. You may be told ahead of time if a test will be given or you may be surprised. Here are a few examples of tests or that may be given:

Personality assessment: are used to see if your personality type fits the job and the job requirements. They usually determine, for example, if you are extroverted or introverted.
Proficiency or Sample of Work: are used to see if have work related skills. You may be asked, for example, to type a spreadsheet using Excel (typing, computer, e-mail, Microsoft Work, Excel, and other software skills, etc.).
Medical Exams/Drug tests: these should only given once an offer has been made. They want to make sure you are in good physical health if it is a job requirement. You may also be asked to provide a sample of urine at a Dr. Office or clinic so they can test for illegal substance use.

Interviewing Guide:

Download FREE Interviewing Guide from the U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Interviewing

Also see books about job interviewing and job searching from Amazon!

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