Study aids and hints for your telephone and live interview, including the most commonly asked questions asked by interviewers and the list of questions you should be asking them.
Interviewing Tips
Preparation
Waiting
Answering Questions
Some Commonly Asked Questions
This Isn't Only Their Interview
The Aftermath
Thank-you's Are in Order
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Go to the library or Internet and research the company. What do they do? How big are they? If you can’t find any info, you could call the receptionist to request a brochure.
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Practice your answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you practice, you will feel more confident and will have less chance of stuttering, mumbling, or stumbling over your words.
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Write out a list of questions you want to ask the facility. Make sure you write out at least five questions, so that if a couple get answered during the interview, you can still think of a few they haven’t. It is very hard to think of a well-worded or relevant question on the spot.
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There are lots of great books that give hints on interviewing. Go to the library and read a few if you feel that you need the extra boost. Or just skim some chapters for any bullet points that sound like they might help you.
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Go to bed early, get a good night’s rest and try your best to relax.
First Impressions—Judging Books by Their Covers
We all say not to do it, but everyone does to some degree. Here are some tips to help you make a great first impression:
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You will want to be right on time. Don’t show up early or late. If for some reason you are running late, you should call. It is just as bad to get there more than ten minutes early as ten minutes late. If you are going to be more than five minutes early, drive around the block, read a book in your car, go over your list of questions again—kill time until you can walk in just a couple of minutes early. If you walk in too early you will come across as desperate and you will be perceived as a nuisance instead of a valuable asset to be sought after. If you are more than ten minutes late and haven’t called, you may as well not show up at all. Always MapQuest your destination (know where you are going) and leave with plenty of time to take in account unforeseen problems with traffic.
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You should dress professionally for all interviews. It is best to wear neutral colors. An example would be to wear a suit (black or navy with a white shirt/blouse). Men wear a conservative tie, women wear hose. Don’t wear a lot of jewelry. You want your skills, confidence, and personality to stand out, not your clothes. Don’t wear perfume or cologne; make sure your nails are clean.
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You should check your appearance just before going in. Don’t ask to use their restroom unless you absolutely have to. Don’t chew gum or suck on candy.
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You will want to have a firm, strong handshake. Practice beforehand. Your handshake gives an indication of your personality and confidence. A firm handshake lets them know you are confident, strong, and knowledgeable. If you have a limp handshake, this will make them think you are weak. Keep your things in your left hand before you go in so you can shake without having to shuffle your things.
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Know the name of the person you are interviewing with. Make sure you pronounce it correctly, don’t shorten their name. Know how to spell their name correctly. Know their gender; don’t ask for Mr. Kyle, when it is Ms. Kyle. Know all the titles and roles of the people you are interviewing with. If you are interviewing with a possible supervisor, it will be different than interviewing with the Human Resources Rep.
Waiting
If you do have to wait, follow these tips:
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Sit professionally; don’t slouch.
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Fill out all applications completely, even if you have a resume with you.
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Don’t move their furniture.
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Be courteous to everyone you come into contact with—treat everyone as though they could be pivotal in making the decision to hire you, even the receptionist. You never know who are best friends with the vice president, or the niece of the CEO.
The Unspoken Language—Body Language
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Don’t slump back in your chair or act too casual such as leaning onto the desk (you could be perceived as invading their space) or draping your arm on the back of the chair (this could be perceived as arrogant or apathetic). Don’t put or move anything on the desk.
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Don’t use your hands too much; excessive hand movement could make the interviewer remember your hands instead of your qualifications.
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Try to match your interviewer’s intonations, if they are low key you should be low key.
Answering Questions
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When you are answering a question, don’t get sidetracked. Answer the specific question as completely as you can without going into unnecessary detail or wandering into other topics entirely.
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If you are naturally open and talkative, be careful not to be overly talkative in your interview.
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Don’t interrupt your interviewers.
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Don’t offer information (negative or positive) or start telling stories.
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Don’t dominate and control the conversation. Let them control it. Only answer what they ask, never assume they want to know something they didn’t ask.
Some Commonly Asked Questions
Here are some questions you could practice answering. They (or variations along the same theme) are very commonly asked. Think of positive answers to all questions, even negative ones. For example, if asked your biggest weaknesses, one could be a desire to be a perfectionist in your work that sometimes drives you to work too hard.
1. Describe your ideal job?
2. Can you tell us your three biggest strengths? Three biggest weaknesses?
3. Why did you leave your last job? (Why are you looking to leave your job?)
4. What are your biggest achievements?
5. Can you describe your ideal supervisor?
6. What did you like most/least about your previous position (or supervisor)?
7. What motivates you?
8. Describe how you work under pressure/stress?
9. Can you describe how you work in a team environment?
10. (If pursuing management) Can you give us specific examples of your experience in a management position?
11. How do feel you can contribute to our organization? What are you goals with us?
12. How do you help motivate your co-workers? How do you deal with negative co-workers?
13. Why should I hire you?
This Isn’t Only Their Interview
Here are some examples of the list you should make of questions to ask your interviewer:
1. Please explain what my day-to-day activities and responsibilities would be?
2. Can you tell me about your organization’s management style?
3. What are the department’s goals (short and long term)?
4. What are the organization’s goals and directions?
5. What are some of the skills that are needed to be successful in this position/organization?
6. Can you please explain the organization of this facility?
The Aftermath
They like you; they decide to check your references. (Most employers do check all your references). Your offer could be contingent on your references.
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Only list professional references, don’t list family or friends.
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Don’t list co-workers (on the same level as you) or subordinates unless they have reviewed your work.
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A reference from a professor, religious leader, or a supervisor from an internship is more appropriate than your friend or neighbor.
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You should always contact all of the people on your list BEFORE you distribute their names and phone numbers.
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If your reference is no longer with the company you worked with, make sure your potential employer knows their previous relationship with you.
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You should always list at least three references.
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It is a good idea to give a copy of your resume to your references.
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References can make or break you—be careful about who you select.
Thank-you's Are in Order
It is always appropriate (and makes a great impression) to send a thank you note to all of the people who interviewed you. Thank them for their time and state your interest in the organization again. Be polite, professional, and concise. Don’t use flowery language. You can do this through an e-mail, but a hand-written one sent out that afternoon (so it is received within a day or two) is even more impressive. |