How_to_Ace_the_Interview

HowToAceTheInterviewCareerDevelopmentCenterC102718.368.5115Updated8-07TheImportanceandPurposeoftheInterviewTheImportanceoftheInterviewInterviewiscrucialtolandingyouridealjob.Providesyouwithachancetosellyourself&proveyouaretheidealcandidate.Givesyouanopportunitytolearnmoreaboutthejobposition&company.ThePurposeoftheInterviewEmployerscanfindoutmoreaboutyou&yourqualifications.Employerscandeterminewhothebestpersonforthejobis.Employersoftentakepersonalityanddemeanorintoaccountwhentryingtomakeadecisionbetweenequallyqualifiedcandidates.Youcanlearnifyouareagoodfitforthejob.HowDoEmployersDetermineIfYouAretheIdealCandidate?Askyouquestionstodeterminetheextentofyourskills&capabilities.Lookatyourpresentation(dress,personality)todetermineifyouwillbeagood“fit”withthecompany.Payattentiontoyourdemeanor&yourknowledgeofthecompanytogetanideaaboutyourmotivation.InterviewBasicsDressForSuccessMen:Suit(subduedcolors)withshirt,tie,&polisheddressshoes.Women:Conservativepants/skirt/suit(insubduedcolors),pantyhose&dressshoes(theheightoftheheelshouldn’tbetooextremeandtheshoeshouldbeclose-toed).Beconservativewithjewelry(NObigearrings,visiblebodypiercings,flashynecklaces,watches).Hairstyleshouldbeneat&professional.Refrainfromwearingexcessiveperfume/cologne/make-upGoForaProfessionalPresentationArrive10-15minearly.Carryabriefcaseorportfolio.DoNOTchewgum/candy.Maintainprofessionaldemeanoreveninthelobbyandwaitingareas.Bepolitetoeveryoneyouencounter!Dressappropriately.Preparation!!!The#1waytoguaranteeasmoothinterviewKnowYourselfKnowyourinterests,skills,andabilitiesThinkaboutyourgoalsfortheinterview(togetthejob,tolearnmoreaboutthecompany,etc)Remindyourselfthatyouareaspecialperson&couldbetherightpersonforthejobKnowAbouttheJobLearnaboutthejobposition&responsibilitiesAcquireinformationonthecompanyLearnthecompanymissionKnowthecurrenttrends/issuesinthefieldTrytolearnaboutthepeopleyouwillbeinterviewingwithPrepareEffectiveReponsestoInterviewQuestionsKeepyouranswersbriefandfocusedBehonestandtruthfulaboutyourskillsandinterestsUseactionadjectiveswhendescribingyourselfProvidespecificexamplesofskillsthatyouaretryingtohighlightaboutyourself,usingyourexperiencesandpersonalsuccessstoriesTellmeaboutyourself.Whatareyourgreateststrengths?Weaknesses?Whatwere(are)yourdutiesinyourlast(current)position?Whydoyoufeelyou’llbesuccessfulinthisposition?AnticipateSomeInterviewQuestionsAnticipateSomeInterviewQuestionsWhatareyoureducationalandcareergoalsforthefuture?Howdoyouseeyourfuturewiththecompany?Howhasyoureducationpreparedyouforthisposition?Whatskillsandaccomplishmentsdoyouhavethathavepreparedyouforthisposition?PrepareQuestionsfortheInterviewerCouldyoudescribeatypicaldayforme?Howdoestheofficework(teams,individually,etc.)?Arethereopportunitiesformetogrowinthisjob?Whatdoyouconsiderthemostimportantresponsibilityofthisposition?ITISALSOIMPORTANTTOASKQUESTIONSTHATARESPECIFICTOTHEINDUSTRYANDCOMPANYTHATYOUAREINTERVIEWINGWITHQuestionsRegardingSalaryDONOTASKABOUTBENEFITS/SALARY/TIMEOFF!Theinterviewisaboutwhatyoucandofortheorganizationandwhytheorganizationshouldinvestinyouandyourskills,NOTaboutwhattheorganizationcandoforyou.Reservethesequestionsforafteryoureceiveanoffer.PracticeInterviewingPracticeinamirrorTaperecordamockinterview–payattentiontotone,pauses(um,like)Videotapeamockinterview–payattentiontobodylanguage,posture,nervoushabitsPracticewithPerfectInterview–softwareprogramintheCareerDevelopmentCenterGetfamiliarwithcommonlyaskedquestions&yourresponsestothemDevelopa“personalpitch”DealingWithPre-InterviewJittersHandlingPre-InterviewStressGetOrganizedMakesureyoursuitfitsproperlyandiscleanedandpressed.Doyouhavedirectionstothesite?Ifnot,calltheoffice.Ifyouhavetime,makeapracticeruntothesite.Makesurethatyourcellularphoneischargedorthatyouhavemoneyforapayphone.Wearawatch.MaintainGoodSelf-CareSleepwellthenightbeforeEatagoodbreakfastPracticeyourbreathing(deepbreaths!)Relax!RemindyourselfthatyouareagoodpersonandandarereadyfortheinterviewHandlingPre-InterviewStressWhattoBringtotheInterviewItemstoBringtotheInterviewPrepareabriefcaseorsmallportfolioinwhichyoucarry:–Pen/Notepad–Copiesofyourresumeonresumepaper–Application(ifapplicable)–Listofatleast3references(names&phonenumbers)–Listofpreparedquestions&answerstoquestions(toreviewwhileyouarewaiting)It’sShowTime!TipsFortheInterviewMakeaGoodImpressionDuringtheInterviewBepositiveMaintaingoodposture.Situpstraight–DoNOTslouchUseafirmhandshakeMaintaingoodeye-contactandsmileSpeakclearly&professionallyMakeaGoodImpressionDuringtheInterviewReallypayattention&focuswhensomeoneisspeakingwithyouShowinterestinwhatothersaresayingtoyouinverbalandnon-verbalways(e.g.nodding.“yes”,“Isee”)Controlnervoushabits(e.g.“talking”hands,twitchingfeet)MakeaGoodImpressionLeavingtheInterviewThanktheinterviewerDoNOTpressuretheinterviewerforadecisionAskforbusinesscardtofollowupwiththankyouletterPost-InterviewEtiquetteTipsforAftertheInterviewWritingAThank-YouLetterThankinterviewerfortheirtimeRestateyours