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The key to a
successful interview is the preparation you do even before the
interview ever starts. Preparation will give you the confidence
to handle any unexpected situation that might arise before or
during your interview.
Preparing
for an Interview
-
Research
the company with whom you are interviewing either at the
library or on the Internet. Once while researching for an
interview with a particular company, I found a typo on their
website. Then during the interview when the hiring manager
asked me if I had visited their website, I was able to
causally mention the error. At that moment, the manager
went to the website to see the mistake for himself. I was
eventually awarded the job, and the manager later told me
that this attention to detail was one of the reasons that
the company had hired me. The manager had interviewed at
least 10 other people before me, and they had either not
viewed the site, or hadn’t noticed the error, or were too
intimidated to say anything about it.
-
Get any
information from your recruiter about the hiring manager’s
style of interviewing and the types of questions the manager
will ask you. Ask the recruiter about any anecdotes that
you should share. If you aren’t working with a recruiter
that can help you prep, spend some time writing down
questions that you would ask if you were the hiring manager.
-
Organize
the night before. Check your interview clothing, briefcase,
and portfolio so that everything is prepared, and make time
for a good night's rest.
-
Be sure
to know exactly with whom you are interviewing and the
correct spelling of his or her name. Be sure to know
exactly where you are meeting and the time you are to
interview. If possible, you might even drive to the
interview location the day before just to feel comfortable.
The
Interview
-
Arriving
on time means arriving seven to ten minutes early. This
way, you can have plenty of time to fill out any application
paperwork and still be ready for your interview start time.
-
Wait
until you are offered a chair before sitting, and sit
upright at all times.
-
Be
prepared to ask the hiring manager questions such as what
his or her management style is like or why the position is
open. Also ask the interviewer to describe the job and its
duties to you so that you can properly relay information
regarding the way your skills, background, and
accomplishments will benefit their company.
-
Don’t
inquire about salary, vacations, benefits, bonuses, or
retirement during the initial interview. This is an
interview no-no. If the manager brings it up, however, you
will find that your preparation time will serve as a benefit
to you. If you are working with a good recruiter, they will
have prepared you for what to say. If you are not working
with a recruiter, you may want to reply with a financial
range based on your research of the job market; or if you
feel confident, just state that you are not prepared to
discuss salary at this time.
-
Bring
several copies of your resume and a list of references. Be
sure your references can be easily reached because their
promptness in returning the calls of the recruiter or hiring
manager (or their lack of promptness) will be a direct
reflection upon you.
Closing the
Interview
-
Toward
the end of the interview, ask the hiring manager his or her
opinion of how your background experience stacks up against
others candidates that have been interviewed.
-
Be
proactive. Reiterate your interest in the job and the
company by asking about the next step in the process.
-
 If
you get the impression that the interview is not going well,
don't let your discouragement show. Remain poised, upbeat
and professional. There could be other opportunities in the
company that would be a better fit for you.
-
Be
enthusiastic about the job and the company. The people you
meet during your job search and during your interviews can
become valuable networking sources even if you don't get
that particular job.
And always
remember: you are ‘checking out’ the company as much as they
are ‘checking out’ you. |
