|
Interview Preparation ------------------------------------------------ |
 |
Overview |
Interview section
Learn how to prepare for an interview, how to excel during the interview, how to write a winning resume, and how you can craft an eye-catching cover letter.
Performance section
Become and remain a respected, valuable employee
|
During a job interview, both the candidate and the interviewer have priorities:
The candidate wants to:
Gather enough information about the job and the company to decide whether to accept the position
Share information and create a positive impression to result in a job offer.
The interviewer wants to:
Gather information about the candidate
Find the best person for the job
|
Getting the Interview |
In order to get an interview you need to be invited. Your resume is a key to open the interview door.
Your Resume
A resume is a list of your education, employment history and accomplishments.
It should be concise and easy to read.
Generally the resume should be one page in length.
Form and appearance
Your resume should be printed on 8-1/2x11 white or ivory paper.
Your name, address and phone number appear centered at the top of your resume.
A statement of your career goal appears beneath your name and address.
List all of your education and job history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experience first.
If you are a recent graduate, and don’t have much work experience, put your educational experience first. If you do have considerable work experience, list that first.
List all of the education and training you have received. State the names and locations of the educational institutions you attended, and years you attended. Include any degrees and honors you earned.
List all of the jobs you have had. Include the names and locations of each company and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments in each position. Use action words and short concise phrases to describe your achievements.
Optional information: military experience, a list of organizations you belong to, and limited personal information.
You may include "references available on request" at the bottom of your resume, but do not put the references themselves on your resume.
Examples of action words:
|
Advised |
Delegated |
|
Built |
Upgraded |
|
Devised |
Achieved |
|
Designed |
Improved |
|
Resolved |
Expedited |
|
Created |
Increased |
|
Streamlined |
Wrote |
The Cover Letter
A winning cover letter is one page in length, printed on white or ivory, 8-1/2x11 paper.
Your return address goes in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Avoid abbreviations in addresses.
The date appears under your address. Write out the address completely in this format: June 17, 1998.
Below that, on the left-hand side of the page, are the addressee’s name and title, and the name and address of the company.
Underneath that appears the salutation, "Dear Mr. (or Ms.) So-and-so." If you are unable to find out the name of the person who will read your letter, use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Good Morning."
In the first paragraph of the letter, you should state precisely which position you are applying for and why you are the best person for that position.
The second paragraph gives you the opportunity to explain how your unique experience and qualifications would make you an asset to the company.
In the third paragraph, you express your interest in the company by mentioning details and information about them and how this applies to your career goals.
The final paragraph contains your request for an interview at their earliest convenience. Include your phone number and times when you can be reached.
Close your letter with "Sincerely," which appears on the right hand side of the page, aligned with your return address.
Add an enclosure line to indicate that your resume is accompanying the cover letter.
|
Preparing for the Interview |
After you have been invited to an interview, take time to do some research and become as informed as possible about the company and the person who will interview you.
Prepare questions to ask during the interview. Part of the purpose of the interview is to help you become informed enough to make a sound decision if you are offered the job.
Become knowledgeable about yourself. Review your accomplishments and assets and be ready to be your own best advertisement.
Interview Tips
Get a good night’s sleep the night before your interview.
Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Go to the restroom and check your appearance.
Be courteous to the receptionist.
Remember that your interviewer is a person too and most interviewers have little experience at it. Don’t be afraid to manage the conversation if your interviewer seems uneasy.
For women, simple elegance is the key. A single color suit is an excellent choice, with the skirt no higher than knee-length. Avoid low-cut blouses and dangly earrings, both of which will detract from your professionalism. Makeup should be natural looking and nail polish clear or light colored. If you choose to wear perfume at all, wear very little. A good suggestion for shoes is to wear low-heeled pumps, but in any case avoid very high heels.
For men, hair should be cropped relatively short (including any sideburns). Wear a white shirt, a low-key tie, and a single-breasted suit navy blue or gray, solid or pinstripe. Shoes should be either lace-up or tasseled loafers, black or cordovan. Make sure your shoes are well polished.
Interview Questions
Here are some predictable questions that will show up in almost any interview:
"Why are you interested in joining our company?"
Here is where your research pays off. It’s your chance to show them you know something about the company, and how what they have to offer fits your career goals.
"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Explain your strengths clearly and then also explain a not-very-serious weakness you have. It helps if you can also demonstrate what you are doing to remedy this weakness. (An example might be to explain that you have experienced minor time management problems in the past, but have taken a class that has helped you a great deal.)
"What would you like to be doing five years from now?"
They are trying to find out if you are ambitious, and an appropriate answer could include an explanation of how you would like to improve your skills and involvement in your chosen profession.
"Why should I hire you?"
With this question, the interviewer is trying to determine how well you understand the company’s needs and how confident you are that you can fill those needs.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
Frame your answer carefully. If you were laid off, mention the term downsizing. If you were fired, find a way to tactfully explain without expressing anger at your former employer.
After the Interview
Find out from your interviewer what you should do next and how your candidacy will be assessed.
Ask where the company is in the hiring process and when it would be appropriate for you to follow up. This isn’t being pushy; it’s being a responsible and involved candidate.
Ask for your interviewer’s business card.
If you are asked to fill out a company application, be sure and fill it out completely and in detail as needed even though that will mean repeating information contained in your resume.
If you feel this is the job for you, let your interviewer know this and why you feel this way. Be sure to express your thanks to the interviewer for his or her time.
After you get home, write a letter of thanks to your interviewer, saying how much you appreciated the opportunity to be interviewed, and how you hope to hear from them as soon as possible.
If an appropriate time period has elapsed and you haven’t heard anything, call the company to determine whether the job has been filled.
|
Why people don’t get hired |
Here are some reasons why people do not get hired, even though on paper their qualifications may fit the position:
A poorly executed resume. Make sure yours is neat and contains no errors.
Being unprepared for the interview, not knowing anything about the hiring company.
Having poor communication skills.
Displaying a lack of enthusiasm.
Poor body language
Unrealistic requirements, whether it be in terms of salary, location or schedules.
Emotional immaturity or poor attitude
Inappropriate dress and appearance
Ineffective references
|
Prove your worth and use the knowledge you gained in your studies.
As a new employee, you’ll go through a probationary period of several months.
Throughout their careers, all employees have their performance evaluated as a basis for continued employment and salary increases.
Keep in mind that you have been hired essentially to serve the company.
The company was probably considering several applicants when they hired you, but they realized you were the best. Let your commitment, attitude and accomplishments reinforce their conviction that they made the right choice.
Maintain your enthusiasm for your job and the company.
Showing a spirit of cooperation and adaptability will enhance your professionalism and competence.
Paperwork
Those working as interns should make sure their paperwork is in order.
Get authorization for any work both before and after the project.
Use the forms provided by your instructor or clients.
Always keep a copy for yourself and one for your instructor.
Success Tips
During your internship, remember to listen carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand.
Be sure to dress in a manner that’s appropriate for the work you are doing, keeping in mind company dress codes.
Be a good listener. A person who can listen well and retain what they hear is not only well liked but also usually productive and competent.
Be patient and realistic. You are new on the job and it will take you time to adjust to new conditions, new coworkers and the demands of your position.
Don’t be a clock-watcher!
Newcomers to an organization have to prove themselves in the beginning. Volunteer for your share of the less pleasant aspects of your work, so the "dirty jobs" won’t always be left to someone else.
