Preparing and going through an interview can be a daunting task. The links below provide you with brief but beneficial guidelines to help you to successfully land your next job.
When you interview for any position,
remember to be prompt, be prepared and be positive.
Do your homework: It's always best to know as much as possible about the company you'll be interviewing with. You'll be demonstrating your interest in the position, giving you a distinct advantage over other candidates. Most importantly, your interviewers will likely be very impressed that you've done the research. Most companies have an Internet web site which will give you a company overview and history. Our Smart Staff consultants will also be able to assist you with any information on the company or position. Types of information to look for:
- Key people in the organization Major products or services Size in terms of sales and employees Locations other than your community Organizational structure of the company Major competitors View of the company by clients, suppliers, and competition
- Latest news reports on the company or on local or national news that affects the company
Getting there: Know where you're going in advance is always a must. Leave yourself plenty of time to get there and park. You want to arrive at least 15 minutes early, not just on time and never late. Remember - first impressions are the ones that last.
Bring to the interview: A list of the names of the people you are meeting and the address with directions. You may also want: a comb, tissues, and breath mints.
Questions to ask: Prepare five or six questions before the interview and take them with you. This is where researching the company comes into play. Ask questions about your day-to-day responsibilities, the expectations of this particular position, and how your performance will be evaluated.
When the time comes for you to ask questions, take out your list. This will show good preparation on your part, and it demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm to the people interviewing you.
In a first interview, DO NOT inquire about salary, vacation, bonuses, perks or retirement; you may be signaling that you're interested more in your personal gain than the company's interests. There will be more appropriate time to ask those questions if and when you receive a job offer.
If you want the position and you are willing to except an offer from the company, make sure it is clear to your interviewers. You'll be more likely to get an offer or one may come quicker if you express direct interest in the position. Look your interviewer in the eye, and simply say, "I want to work for your company. I want the job."
It is natural to feel a little nervous when you interview. Preparation is the key to overcoming this; the more prepared you are, the less likely you'll feel tongue-tied if you come across any unexpected questioning.
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- Be on your BEST manners.
- If asked to fill out an application form, fill it out in its entirety. Do NOT write "see resume" anywhere on the form. Put "Negotiable" in the salary requirement blank.
- Shake hands firmly. Smile genuinely.
- Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair; look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker.
- Do not chew gum during your interview. Maintain good eye contact with the employer and don't fidget.
- Follow the interviewer's leads, but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
- Never answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain your answers whenever possible, but don't ramble on. Keep your answers to one or two minutes. Tell those things about yourself which relate to the situation. Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make the interviewer realize the need for you in their organization.
- It's o.k to be confident, but never cocky or arrogant.
- It's very important to not to say anything negative about former employers or co-workers.
- 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. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction.
- Never be too discouraged if no definite offer is made or a specific salary is discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with the office first, or interview more applicants, before making a final decision.
- Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible.
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Telephone interviews help the employer
to determine who they should take their time to sit down with at length.
A telephone interview is similar to an open book test. Notes are mandatory, not optional. In order to do a good telephone interview, six things are required:
- A resume or a written data sheet on yourself (including key accomplishments and achievements)
- A list of your strengths
- A list of your weaknesses
- A list of your specific qualifications for THE POSITION being discussed
- A list of questions about the interviewer, the interview process, and the company
- A written-down closing statement
Do not discuss salary. Do not bring up benefits. If salary is brought up by the interviewer, state that you are willing to entertain their best offer.
Closing Statements - This is very important. Have something written down so if the telephone interviewer says something in closing that catches you off guard you can close out your interview with a positive ending, such as: "Thanks for giving me the opportunity to discuss this position with you. What's the next step in the interview process?" "I am very interested in joining your team in this position. Do you need any additional information from me or from Smart Staff?" "Is it possible to discuss this in person soon?"
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What kind of job are you looking for? Relate this answer to the position at hand. Do not answer that you are looking for a different position once you get into the company.
What are your strengths? Provide them with at least 3 strengths pertaining to the company and position at hand.
Your weaknesses? Let them know that you know everyone has weaknesses, but answer this in a positive manner. Say something like “I tend to spend too much time trying to perfect things – almost a perfectionist.
What do you know about our company? This is where your research comes into play. Touch on the company’s products, size, growth, revenue, etc.
What are your qualifications? Relate this answer to the position at hand. Certificates, licenses, degrees, courses, etc.
Why are you leaving your present job? Do not say anything negative about your current employer. Be vague in your answer – “looking for a challenge or looking for more stability in an employer”
Why haven't you found a new position before now? If your job search has been long, you need to explain what you have been doing since your last job. One of the best ways to answer this question is to point out that you have not wasted the time - you have been involved in other jobs, consulting, community projects, continuing education, or travel. You could also say that you have deliberately taken your time in order to fully explore your options and to avoid making the wrong decision.
What will you do for us? What will you do for us that someone else cannot? Relate your past skills to those that the company is looking for. Talk about past experiences where you have improved processes or saved your past employers time and/or money.
What are your objectives? Answer this question in a few segments. Such as, 1 year, 5 yrs & 10 years.
Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment. If you could create your own job, what would it be? Talk about things like stability, positive working environment, teamwork, room for growth, employee relations, etc
Do you see this position as a step down for you? If you think it is; tell them that you see this opportunity as a position to grow to where you want to be in your career. Sometimes you have to take two steps back to make a large leap forward. Make sure the answer fits into the position you are applying for.
Why should we hire you? Point to the match between your personal goals and what you think the companies goals are.
Never lie during an interview. It’s very important to answer questions truthfully, frankly and as "to the point" as possible. Never "over answer" questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics. Since this can become a sticky situation, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say any more than is necessary. Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. It is better to be in the position where you can choose rather than the company saying no.
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