The Interview
The interview is the opportunity to capitalize on all your hard work. The interview is basically a one-on-one interaction, as you have already been screened according to the skills and experience you have identified in your written materials.
There are many things you can do that will help you to be successful in finding a job that is both enjoyable and rewarding. However, it is easy to fall into certain habits that are likely to reduce your chances of success.
Use the list to help you increase your awareness of yourself, to develop successful job search techniques, and to avoid failure and frustration.
Before the Interview
DO
- Know yourself (your goals, skills, interests, accomplishments, assets and shortcomings)
- Know the company (size, products and/or services, industry, reputation and future)
- Gather information about the interviewer
- Dress appropriately
- Have copies of your resume and a list of references
- Learn to talk about yourself confidently
- Prepare a list of questions for you to ask
- Plan on being early for your appointment
- Have short-term and long-term goals
DON'T
- Come un-prepared
- Be late
- Fail to inquire about the company
During the Interview
DO
- Upon entering the interview session, walk toward the person confidently and shake hands firmly
- Be prompt, neat and courteous
- Show enthusiasm; smile
- Be a good listener
- Speak clearly
- Be honest
- Ask relevant questions
- Volunteer positive information about yourself, try to lead the interview towards discussion of your strengths
- Show interest in the company and the interviewer
- Try to fix the interviewer's name in your mind, and use it occasionally during the conversation
- Tell the interviewer about your qualifications, experience and strengths
- Be confident
- Thank the interviewer for the time and consideration given to you
DON'T
- Sit down until you are invited to do so
- Begin the interview with a negative remark, such as "This is certainly a difficult place to get to", or some other personal observation which may place the interviewer on the defensive
- Condemn past companies, employers, schools, etc.
- Read from your resume
- Leave it for the interviewer to keep discussion flowing (but do not dominate the conversation too much
either) - conversation should be 50-50
- Bring up salary or benefits. Emphasize the importance of the job and the company.
- Chew gum
- Give excuses for past failures. Answer all questions honestly and show how you have actually benefited by some of your previous mistakes
- Try and ingratiate yourself by betraying the confidence or revealing trade secrets of your previous employers
Following the Interview
DO
- Record the main points you learned about the company, organization, products, problems and about the interviewer
- Write a follow-up letter expressing appreciation, continuing interests and unique strengths/abilities
DON'T
- Leave it to them and do nothing
- Be overly discouraged if no job offer is received
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