Many people are unprepared for interviewing and therefore are more nervous than they have to be. Think of the interview as a three-step process, and plan the execution of each step. Remember that you have only a short time to convey your experience, your potential, and your personality. Use these guidelines to prepare for the interview, and review it frequently during your job search.
Before the Interview
1. Dress properly (to ensure that the interviewer remembers you, not your clothes).
2. Be on time.
3. Research the organization - what it does and its projects, future plans, size, and problems.
4. Be prepared to ask questions - you're interviewing the employer, too!
5. Bring resumes and examples of past performance.
6. Practice your responses.
- Role-play interviewing with a friend.
- Think through your answers aloud while you're driving or in front of the mirror at home.|
- Paraphrase. To show you're a good listener, practice rephrasing in your own words the information given by the interviewer in your role-playing exercise.
1. Create a positive, initial greeting: give a firm handshake and display a positive attitude.
2. Be truthful, but never put yourself down.
3. Speak distinctly.
4. Help the interviewer.
- Explain your experiences and skills.
- Relate your experiences and skills to the job for which you're interviewing.
6. Listen carefully and make good eye contact.
7. Be concise.
8. Do not oversell yourself.
After the Interview (often neglected but vital steps)
- Write down information and discussion points about the organization and the job.
- Evaluate your interview; determine how to improve your next one.
- Write follow-up letters.
- Follow up with phone calls to determine the status of the hiring decision.
Not all interviews are alike. Knowing about and preparing for the different types of interviews can prevent surprises and let you demonstrate your skills and convey your personality effectively.
Directed Interviews
These follow a definite set of questions. You may notice that the interviewer has a checklist. Directed interviews are usually used to prescreen applicants for another interview.
Non directed Interviews
Interviews that are less structured and less formal are often used in more informal work places, and they may allow you more room for expression and for your own questions. The questions asked tend to be open-ended and are very spontaneous.
Stress Interviews
Some interviews are designed to see how well a job candidate holds up under pressure. If the position you're applying for involves a great deal of stress, don't be surprised to encounter a high-pressure interviewer. Even interviewers for non stressful jobs may want to try to shake your poise by using rapid-fire or tricky questions. Recognize this type of interview for what it is - a test. (Consider whether or not you'd feel comfortable working for an employer who uses this type of interview.)
Group Interviews
An interviewer may ask the job candidate to work with others on a particular task or topic. Observers note your leadership abilities and skill at working as part of a team.
Board Interviews
The candidate may meet with several interviewers in a more formal setting. These interviews are most often used for hiring at the corporate level, where several people may want to be directly involved in the decision.
Informational Interviews
Some job hunters use this type of interview to gain information from a person who works in a field of interest to them. This is the only type of interview in which the candidate does not ask for a job at the end of the session.
Preparation Worksheet
By thinking through your skills, you will be better prepared to explain them to the interviewer and relate them to the position you want.
Create a Good First Impression
Studies have shown that people form an opinion of someone they meet in the first two to four minutes. For that reason, it is vital that you pay attention to detail to create the best first impression you can. Some factors that will affect the impression you make are your age, sex, appearance (hair, clothes, hygiene, jewelry, and make-up), movement, mannerisms, personal space, and manner of speaking. Good manners also play an important role.
