Daiva Kuncaite
CEP121
Prof. Larry Trager
05/ 28/ 09
How Successful Pass the Job Interview?
After you submit carefully prepared resume, which catches the attention of your potential employer, you might be called for the interview. You are one more step closer in achieving your goal. However, you need to acquire special strategies and skills in order to amuse your potential employer with your personality, knowledge, achievements in eye to eye based interview. The all interview process I would like to divide in 3 groups, before, during and after, which each of them required some amount of homework done. Whit the proper preparation you will always be ahead of the game.
Before the interview it is crucial to prepare yourself well for upcoming event. First, and most important, you should research the company and the position, the competitors if possible, history, marketing tools they use, revenue, products they sell or buy, mission statement by using internet sites. Most of the big companies have their websites, which provides a good source of primary information. Newspapers and magazines are the other useful source of information. You also can ask questions about the company to people who are related with it and whom you can trust. Think and write down some questions you want to ask your employer, which you can use later during the interview. For example, if I will be looking for the job at Elmhurst hospital as register nurse I would ask: According to your website, your hospital serves to the most diverse community in the city, what techniques do you use to accommodate multilingual and multicultural people in order to provide excellent healthcare? The research not only shows to your potential employer that you interested in the job, but also it will provide information to help you to decide whether you are interested in that company or not. You also should review your work experience and be prepared to talk about your accomplishments and strengths with the specific examples from your former job. After you did your homework it is good to do dress rehearsal by asking your friend or family member to interview you. That helps you to make your presentation more clear.
During the interview it is crucial to arrive on time. Dress appropriately and always smile. Make a happy face, which makes impression of your positive attitude. Put out your hand to shake first even you are the female. In this way you show the respect to the potential employer. Maintain the eye contact with your interviewer during all time of the interview. Think and be prepared to talk why someone should hire you. Be confident and focus on your major strengths and achievements related to the position you are seeking. Have memorized few specific success stories and tell them at the right time. For example, in the interview for nursing position I would mention that I am hardworking person, that can withstand up to 12 hours physical work, and that would be very useful as a healthcare provider since the hospital staff is always on their toes throughout the day. Listen carefully what the interviewer asking you and give direct, detailed but concise answer. Be prepared to talk about your education, previous jobs, yourself, even your weakness and limitations. A good approach to handle the weakness question is to answer honestly. Come up with the problem that you could not to solve due to some weakness and how you learned from it. For example, I would say that when I came to America I had difficulty speaking fluently in English, I put time and effort and improved my speaking and writing skills, that opened the door to the college. Ask questions to your potential employer from the homework you did as well as other questions related to the position. For example, what would by my duties and responsibilities? What does the future look like for this hospital? The question about the salary it is better to keep for the next interview, or when the position is being offered to you. During the interview it is useful to take notes, because it shows that you interested in the new information you just received. You also can use your notes for writing follow up thank you letter. At the end of the interview always ask if they need any additional information and what would be your next step. Let them know once again that you are interested in the position. Don’t forget to get their business card in order to keep in touch.
After the interview, regardless of how the interview went, it is important to send a follow up thank you letter. It will help to develop a respect among perspective employers. You can also restate again your skills and stress what you can do for the company.
In conclusion, the key for the successful interview is being prepared. If you done a great job in researching the company, formulated questions of your interest, thought about the specific examples of your achievements that supports your strengths you have a chance to succeed in the interview. The knowledge you have and the rehearsal of the interview with the friend gives you confidence. During the interview the most important is be on time, smile, be confident, listen and ask questions. Despite the outcome of the interview it is essential to send thank you note, reminding them about your strengths and what you can do for the company.