Interviewing Guidelines
A job interview is essentially a two-fold proposition. It is an opportunity for you, the candidate, to sell yourself, expand upon your resume and learn more about the potential employer. Indeed, what you learn from an interview often determines whether or not you want that job. Simultaneously, the interviewer will ask questions to extract information that reveals whether you have the experience and personal qualities to do the job. In that first “face-to-face” interview, what can you expect? For some candidates, interviewing is a reasonably comfortable process; for most others, it doesn’t come naturally and can be nerve-wracking. In any event, lack of preparation often spells poor performance. Conversely, proper preparation boosts your confidence, helps you feel more in control and generally results in a positive experience. The more organized and prepared you are – armed with specific facts, figures, brief examples of past work experiences, as well as an honest self-appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses – the easier it will be for the hiring manager to picture you in a particular position. Landing a new job requires investing time before, during and after the interview. The following suggestions are intended to help guide you in your efforts:
Prior to the Interview
Research the Organization
This step is vital. With today’s available technology, there is little excuse for not checking out an organization’s website and familiarizing yourself with its history, mission statement, etc. Brochures, catalogs and other promotional literature are also excellent sources of information. Second, find out as much as possible about what the position requires. If you are working with a recruiter, ask for a copy of the job description before hand. You should match your skills with the requirements of the position and the needs of the hiring organization.
Know Who You Will Meet and Where
Find out precisely where and when you need to report for the interview and with whom you will be speaking. Know the exact spelling of the interviewers’ names and titles as well as their phone numbers.
Arrive Early
Always arrive at least fifteen minutes in advance of your appointment. This allows you time to collect your thoughts, relax and observe some of the dynamics of the facility. Arriving late, regardless of the reason, affects everyone’s schedule, upsets the tone of your interview and, most important, leaves the interviewer with the impression that you don’t care enough to be there on time.
Come Prepared
Bring a clean copy or two of your resume. Remember, an effective resume is your most important self-marketing tool, designed to convince the employer you will be able to meet his/her particular needs, help with his/her problem and “fit” in with the culture. It should be the best description of your work history, education, skills and abilities – concise, simply formatted and, above all, grammatically correct. Typos are unacceptable! Second, bring a list of questions you want answered (they should be memorized). At some point, you probably will want to ask the interviewer “what makes your organization different from your competitors?” and “how would you describe the organization’s culture/environment?” In addition, if you have samples of your work, you possibly may introduce them during your conversation. Bring the information you need to complete the application – street addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, current licenses and certifications as appropriate and at least three references with complete addresses. Never write “see resume” on the application. This is a legal document that is signed to signify its validity, so it is critical you consider it important.
Dress
Appropriate dress remains an important factor in creating that favorable first impression. Never underestimate that. Although it is a clichéd expression, “you never have a second chance to make a first impression” applies in every interviewing situation. The initial impression you make on an interviewer creates a presumption in his/her mind that strongly impacts the rest of the interview. You do not want to negate your chances for a promising job before you even get a chance to answer a question. Always dress conservatively. You don’t need an expensive suit but being neat, clean and presentable is critical because, whether you like it or not, you will be judged on your appearance.
During the Interview
Watch Your Body Language
While most interviewers work to provide a comfortable interviewing atmosphere, the first few minutes often determine the tone. You want to make a good impression from the moment you enter. It is natural that you may be nervous but greet the interviewer cordially and confidently. Try to project a positive, interested attitude by smiling, making eye contact and offering a firm handshake. Furthermore, how you appear and relate to that individual speaks volumes about your communication skills and your attitude towards others. All of these factors help the interviewer ascertain something about you and suggest, in part, whether you would be a good “fit” culturewise and whether you really want to be part of the staff. As the interview begins, find a comfortable position so you don’t appear tense. Lean slightly forward; this posture shows an interest in what is being said. Do not, under any circumstances, sit back, cross your legs, fold your arms across your chest or handle objects on the interviewer’s desk. Such mannerisms suggest an overconfidence that rarely plays well with the interviewer. Be aware, too, of the interviewer’s body language. When he/she straightens in the chair, or leans forward and makes definite eye contact, you have gotten his/her attention and are making an excellent impression. Move on to your selling points. Fidgeting motions, however, indicate you are losing the interviewer’s interest and it may be time to change tactics. Take a couple of deep breaths and ask one or two questions.
Be Enthusiastic
If a candidate accomplishes nothing else in an interview, he/she must project enthusiasm. Nothing derails one’s chances, more, for getting that job offer than a perceived lack of fire. While you don’t want to come across as being overly hungry or desperate, you have to convey a sense of excitement about the job for which you are applying. Use action verbs, such as improved, solved, developed, instituted, implemented, etc.
Observe Etiquette
Even if invited to do so, do not smoke, eat or drink during the interview. Address the interviewer as “Mr.” or “Ms.” unless invited to call him/her by their first name.
Evaluate Your Strengths
During the interview, you will be asked questions about your work experience, education, skills and interests. It is important to be prepared for a performance-based interview. Smart interviewers are looking for answers to demonstrate a proven track record of achievements and you can’t get away with just saying you did it. You have to prove it by illustrating, as quantifiably as possible, specific accomplishments. This is also the time to stress your strengths. Always mention your most impressive qualifications first and prepare some success stories ahead of time. If the interviewer asks you “what would you do in this situation?”, keep in mind that you need to convince him/her, via specific examples, that you can positively impact operational performance. If you come across in a consultative manner, you will be favorably viewed. 5. Frequently Asked Interview Questions Interviewers use a variety of approaches and questions to learn more about you. Some are very prepared and skillful and some are less so. Some are friendly and animated; others show little or no reaction to what you say. Some will ask pointed, rapid-fire questions while a few will tend to ramble and tell irrelevant stories. Whatever the style, never let your guard down. Look the interviewer directly in the eye and respond as positively and as confidently as you can.
After the Interview
1. Evaluate the interview.
2. Send a thank-you note.
3. Follow up.
In evaluating the interview, you need to determine if the job is a good fit and will meet your expectations. You may have certain criteria to measure this and also an intuitive sense if the job is right for you. Opinions are mixed regarding sending a thank-you note. However, most experts agree that they are a must – within 48 hours. It is common courtesy and employers expect it; failure to do so is considered unprofessional. Nevertheless, many applicants still don’t write. Being one of the few, you can gain an edge. 200 Cordwainer Dr,. Suite 100 Norwell, MA 02061 Telephone: (888) 837-1300 Website: www.navingroup.com Page 6 Emails are acceptable if they are written in formal business letter form. Handwritten notes should be brief, first expressing appreciation for the interviewer’s time, second reinforcing your understanding of the position requirements and reemphasizing why you believe your qualifications and strengths are a fit for the position and third reiterating your interest in the job. Call a week after you send the thank-you note to confirm that the interviewer received it. This also gives you a perfect opportunity to speak with the hiring manager and/or the recruiter to discuss key points from the interview, ask additional questions if necessary and get a feel for when the hiring decision will be made.
Copyright 2006 – Navin Group, Inc.