Job Interview Tips
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:
Learn about the organization.
Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
Review your qualifications for the job.
Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Practice an interview with a friend or relative.
Personal appearance:
Be well groomed.
Dress appropriately.
Do not chew gum or smoke.
The interview:
Be early.
Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
Use good manners with everyone you meet.
Relax and answer each question concisely.
Use proper English—avoid slang.
Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
Send a short thank you note.
Information to bring to an interview:
Social Security card.
Government-issued identification (driver’s license).
Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
When a job interview doesn't produce a job offer:
Poor personal appearance.
Lack of focus. Be clear about what you want & what you don't want.
Appearing too eager or too anxious. Listen 75% of the time & talk 25% of the time.
Poor references. Always contact your references before you attend interviews & if you are not sure of what they will say, ask them. It's also a good idea to give them a copy of your resume.
Poor attitude. Don't be arrogant.
Very high salary expectations.
Lack of common sense.
Qualified, but not the most suitable for the job.
Lack of potential.
Late arrival to the job interview.
Inflexibility.
Insincerity.
Not being self motivated
Below are questions you may be asked in the interview:
Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)
What do you know about our company?
Why should we hire you?
What can you do for us that someone else can't?
What do you look for in a job?
What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?
How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
Describe your management style.
What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
Why are you looking for a new career?
How would your colleagues describe you?
How would your boss describe you?
How would you describe yourself?
What do you think of your present or past boss?
What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignment?
What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?
Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
Why do you want to work for us?
What other positions are you considering?
Have you kept up in your field with additional training?
What are your career goals?
What are your strong points?
What are your weak points?
How did you do in school?
What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?
If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?
What was wrong with your current or last position?
What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?
Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don't give it out unless it is asked for).
Can you explain your salary history?
What questions didn't I ask that you expected?
Do you have any question for me? (See Questions for the Interviewer that you might want to ask below).
Below are questions you may want to ask the Interviewer
Why is this position open?
How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months.
What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
How do you think these could best be handled?
What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
How is one evaluated in this position?
What accounts for success within the company?
These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.
By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them. Most importantly, relax, go with the flow, and before you know it, you'll be in your next job.
