Interview tips
The interviewing process can be daunting and stressful. You can ensure success by being thoroughly prepared.
Plan Ahead - Do your homework! Research the company, the positionand the people you will meet with at the interview. The Internet and company reports are a great resource. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the need of the company and position
Role Play - Once you have finished researching the company and job opportunity, role play or rehearse your answers to questions you think will be important during the interview. Write down answers to make your presentation more concise.
First Impression: A Firm Hand Shake –tells the interviewer if you are confident and self-assured. Wear a suit (if possible). Regarding appearance: No bare shoulders, low cut tops, short skirts, sandals or open-toed shoes. No visible tattoos or body piercings (cover them up or take them out). Your presentation is vital to the success of your interview!!
During the Interview:
Eye Contact - Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Show you want the job with your interest.
Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers and don't make disparaging comments about your past or ability to do the job. Focus on what you CAN DO not what you CAN”T DO.
Adapt - Listen and adapt your style to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation. Do this only to the extent that you can be authentic. Totally altering your personal style can make you appear unauthentic.
Relate - Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position. Only speak to things related to work or school experience (avoid personal life examples).
Ask valid questions - Encourage the interviewer to share information about the company. Demonstrate your interest.
DO Not……. Talk about anything personal. If asked any questions about what you like to do in your spare time – turn conversation into something that relates to the position. Don’t mention spouse, children, parents, friends, hobbies, volunteer work, etc. You are there to talk about the job and how your knowledge and skills can benefit the company. Be professional at all times! DO NOT make any jokes or off the cuff remarks.
DO NOT talk too much. (This is common in interviews due to nervousness). Keep all of your responses to 2 minutes or less. Write down possible responses and practice in front of a mirror with a timer. Talking too much can be viewed as a negative personality trait. The manager may think that you would talk more than work and disrupt others. Sit up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up. This shows confidence and assertiveness.
REMEMBER - MOST HIRING MANAGERS WANT TO KNOW:
WHAT IS YOUR WORK ETHIC? ARE YOU SELF MOTIVATED? DO YOU MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE?
DO YOU LEAVE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AT HOME AND FOCUS ON WORK? ARE YOU A MULTI-TASKER?
CAN YOU WORK WITH LITTLE SUPERVISION? DO YOU THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX?
ARE YOU DEPENDABLE (DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP PLAN TO AVOID ABSENSES)?
WILL YOU FIT OR EASILY ADAPT TO THEIR CULTURE?
Explain accomplishments that will answer these questions. Stories that focus on the S.T.A.R method. Situation – Task – Action – Result … Write out 2-3 minute stories and be prepared to work them into the conversation.
Some of the top interview questions that you may be asked: (use STAR method in responses)
Why are you interested in this position?
Speak to how your experience and qualifications could benefit this position. Mention your interest in the job, the field and why it’s work that you enjoy.
Tell me about yourself.
Prepare a 2 minute reply focusing on the qualifications required of the position. Keep it brief! Start with your education and discuss your experiences. Describe your performance (raises, promotions, innovative solutions, increased profits, etc).
Where do you see yourself in 5 years (or what are your career goals)? Be prepared with both short term and long term goals. Incorporate specifics of the position you’re interviewing for into the response. Includethings you want to learn, production/revenue goals you want to achieve and career-related educational goals.
What are you doing to achieve your goals? Include education, professional association membership, industry-related reading and any projects in which you participate that point to and enhance your goal.
What are your greatest weaknesses? Focus on something work related...i.e. “I sometimes work to hard”, “I’m sometimes too detailed, when it’s not necessary”
What are your greatest strengths? Avoid generalizing with statements like “I’m a people person”...instead qualify your statements, such as “By using praise and acknowledgement, I’m able to motivate my team”. Always use a situation and tell the positive result.
What do you do in your spare time? Present yourself as a well-rounded person. Don’t talk about too many hobbies or excessive volunteer work...you want them to know that you have plenty of time to focus on work for the employer.
How can you contribute to this company? Bringing strong technical skills, enthusiasm and desire to complete projects correctly and efficiently are good responses.
What interests you most about this position? Demonstrate your knowledge about the company. Don’t give vague answers such as “the challenge” or “the opportunity”. Give specific examples from your research of the company and the job description.
What do you like most and/or least about your current or previous job? An employer can evaluate the type of worker you will be by the items you choose. Give specific examples. You are also providing clues about the environment you seek. What you like most can include a strong teamwork atmosphere, high-level of creativity or attainable deadlines. What you like least should include any situation that you’re unlikely to encounter in your new position, such as a specific computer system, travel which exceeds what is required of this position, public speaking, data entry, etc.
Why are you looking for another job? (if you’re currently working) or What are you looking for in your next job? (if you’re unemployed) Be positive. Don’t say you’re looking for a higher salary or fewer hours. State that you’ve enjoyed your time with your employer. Perhaps this position interests you because of the challenge to grow, opportunity to learn, team environment or company stability.
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you? Explain that you try to gather as much information and advice as you can to make the best decision possible. Give an example (work related) where you had to make a difficult decision.
Why should we hire you?Your best bet is not to answer this question with "…because I'll do a good job." While the question is broad, it's your chance to really focus and sell yourself. Take a few minutes to detail what you can contribute to the organization. Discuss your strengths and qualifications; avoid common terms like hardworking or motivated. While these terms may describe you well, focus instead on your unique God-given gifts that make you a great fit for the position. Discuss your dedication to being organized or your special knowledge or experience in an area specific to the position.
What causes you to lose your temper? Everyone has a low boiling point on some particular issue. Pick one of yours – something safe and reasonable. For example: people who are late to meetings, blame shifting and not taking responsibility, broken appointments and office backstabbing are suitable responses. Don’t say you never get angry or upset about anything...you won’t be believed.
What are your greatest accomplishments? Have a few stories prepared and memorized that demonstrate strong capabilities or achievements that will make you attractive to your new employer. A special project that you pioneered, cutting department expenses, excellent audit results, increasing productivity or receiving frequent promotions are a few examples.
How do you feel about a younger male/female boss? A question like this usually means that your boss will either be younger, or of the opposite sex, or both. Explain that you are only interested in their capability and what you can learn from them.
What type of salary do you have in mind? Don’t state a starting figure. An acceptable reply would be: “I am looking for the right opportunity and I am confident that if you determine that I am the best candidate for this position, you will extend me your best and most fair offer”.
What is your current salary? Answer truthfully. Respond with your salary package – which includes base, bonuses, commissions, benefits and vacations.
Keep your responses short/brief and to the point. Don’t oversell yourself.
Ask Questions:
- What would I be expected to accomplish in this position?
- What are the greatest challenges in this position?
- How do you think I fit the position and your company?
- What is the expected growth of the department/companyin the next 2 years?
- What is the philosophy on training and development?
- What are the goals and objectives of the position?
- Is there any reason why you wouldn’t consider asking me back for a second interview?
- Six months from now, how will you know you hired the right person?
- What are your biggest needs and how does this position help you address those needs?
- If I were hired into this position, what would my first priorities be?....and how would I work with you on that to help accomplish our objectives?
- Do you have any concerns about my skills or me? If the interviewer has misunderstood anything on your resume, or any of your responses, it is important that you find out now. If they formulates an opinion and you pass by the opportunity to correct it – it will be too late to fix it later. If the interviewer indicates you are missing a skill or lack experience in a certain area, be positive in your response. An example of a response is “No, I’ve never done X, but it is very similar to Y and I feel I would be proficient in a short period of time”.
- Remember a lack of questions may be mistaken as a lack of interest.
Closing the Interview:
Express your interest in the position. Make comments such as: "I'm very impressed with what I've seen here today; your company, its products and the people I've met. I am confident I could do an excellent job in the position you've described to me." The interviewer will be impressed with your enthusiasm.
Don't be too discouraged if an immediate commitment is not made. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with other people in the company or possibly interview more candidates before making a decision.
If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show. You may be able to turn things around...
Don't forget to thank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration. If you have answered the two questions-- "Why are you interested in this position?" and "What can you offer?"-- you have greatly increased your chances of landing the position.
Follow up with the manager: It’s always a good idea to follow up with a thank you note to the person who interviewed you. This can be done electronically or by mail. Write a note to express interest in the company and the position in addition to thanking them for the opportunity to interview. (Often there may be other positions with the company that you will be considered for in the near future).
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Name______Date: ______
Tell me about yourself.
Why did you leave your last job? (Have you ever been fired?...... )
Can you describe for me one or two of your most important accomplishments?
How much supervision responsibility in your previous job? Describe a specific challenge you had with a supervisor or co-worker?
What are some things you would like to avoid in a job? Why?
What would you say is the most important thing you are looking for in a job? (Ideal work environment).
What are your standards for success in a job? How would you define doing a good job?
Give me an example of a problem you faced on a job and tell me how you solved it.
What is your long-term employment or career objective?
Do you consider yourself to be thoughtful, analytical or do you usually make up your mind fast? Give an example. (Watch time taken to respond)
What approach do you take in getting people to accept your ideas or goals?
What motivates you to go the extra mile on a project?
Do you feel you work more effectively on a one to one basis or in a group situation?
10 Résumé Tips
Even though your résumé took you hours to write, hiring managers will typically spend less than one minute reviewing it. If your résumé has any glaring errors, however, employers will waste no time deleting it. To ensure your résumé gets proper attention, use these 10 tips when preparing your resume:
1. Attach a cover letter. Cover letters are important in some situations and not so important in others. Make the most of your cover letter by expanding on a few of your qualifications, explaining any gaps in employment or providing other information that will entice the employer to read your résumé. It’s okay to include a salary range (but do your homework to make sure you are in the pay range of the position you’re applying for). Anything in cover letter should also be on resume.
2. Don’t give your résumé format a little "flair." Unusual fonts or fluorescent pink paper will certainly make your résumé stand out -- in a bad way. Keep your résumé looking professional by sticking with standard white or cream-colored paper, black type and a common font like Arial or Times New Roman.
3. Keep it short and concise. Your high school job scooping ice cream probably isn't relevant to your career anymore, so there is no reason to include it on your résumé. Your résumé should be no more than two pages -- and no more than a page for most professionals -- so only include your most recent and relevant work history.
4. Focusing on accomplishments, not duties. Instead of writing a list of job duties on your résumé, demonstrate how each duty contributed to your company's bottom line. For example, anyone can plan the company fund-raiser, but if you note that your fund-raiser brought in 50 percent more money than the previous year's event, the hiring manager will be impressed. Include all computer software and programs used. Hiring Managers like bullet points.
5. Don’t list a selfish objective. Employers are trying to determine whether you're a good fit for their organizations, so everything on your résumé should point to your experience. A summary of qualifications that conveniently displays your accomplishment and background is far more effective than a generic objective statement ("To gain experience in..."). Start with….. “To contribute my _____ experience and help ______”.
6. Don’t make it too generic. Always customize your résumé and cover letter for each job and employer to which you apply. This way, you can tailor your materials to show how you will be a perfect fit for the position.
7. Don’t guesstimate your dates and titles. With the proliferation of background checks, any "upgrades" you give your titles or stretching of employment dates to cover gaps will likely get caught & be eliminated from consideration.
8. Don’t include why you left. Never put anything negative on your résumé. If you left the position due to a layoff or you were fired, bring it up only if asked. This is something to discuss in interview.
9. Do not include personal information. It's fine if you enjoy fly fishing on Sunday afternoons, but unless your hobby relates to your career, it doesn't belong on your résumé. The same goes for your height, weight, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or any other facts that could potentially be used against you.
10. Make sure everything is spelled correctly. Spell-checkers can pick up many typos -- but they won't catch everything (manger vs. manager, for example). Always proofread your résumé several times, and ask a friend to give it a final once-over. Misspelled words will get you tossed immediately.