Employers conduct interviews to:
- Learn more about your qualifications for the job.
- Determine how well you will fit with in the organization.
Interviews are your chance to sell your skills and
experience. They also give you a chance to find out if the job and company are right for you.
Preparation tips
Match your skills to the job
To help ensure a successful interview, you should know in advance
how well you qualify for the job. One way to get this information is to request
a written job description. For each requirement listed in the description,
write down your qualifications—this may show that you lack a particular
skill. Plan how you will address this in the interview. You want
to be able to convince the employer that you can learn the skill. For example,
you lack skill in programming in C++ language. Knowing when and where you can
enroll in a C++ course in your community may convince the employer that you’re
the right person to hire.
Plan what you are going to say
One of the most important things that you can do to prepare
is to plan what you going to say. Try to have some stories about your work experience
that illustrate your skills, experience, and education. These stories should
relate to the skills that the employer is seeking, while emphasizing your:
- Strengths
- Leadership skills
- Ability to learn new things
- Contributions to the organizations in which you have worked or volunteered
- Creativity in solving problems and working with people
Another tip for preparing is to make a list of questions that you
would like to ask during the interview. Pick questions that will demonstrate
your interest in the job and the company and that illustrate your knowledge
of the job. For more help on planning what you are going to say and ask in an
interview, go to Key Questions and Legal Interview Questions.
Create a checklist
Don’t forget the basics. Plan a “things to do”
list:
- Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep.
- Plan to dress in a manner appropriate to the job for which you are interviewing.
- Plan your schedule and route so that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes before
your appointment.
- Bring extra copies of your resumes.
- Gather together your letter(s) of recommendation, reference list, copies
of licenses, driving record, transcripts, etc. For more information on reference
lists, go to ISEEK's Job Application Tools section, References.
- Make sure that your portfolio of work samples is up to date. For more information
on work samples, go to ISEEK's Job Application Tools section, Work Samples.
Tips for the interview
Because interviews are such a critical part of your job search, you
want to get the most out of each one. The following Do's and Don'ts are presented
to help ensure that your interview is a success.
The Do's
The Don'ts
The "Do's" - Your behavior
and how you communicate
- Display confidence through your posture, dress, walk, energy,
and eye contact.
- Shake hands firmly but only if a hand is offered to you first.
- Let the interviewer start the dialogue.
- Listen carefully.
- Welcome all questions, even the difficult ones, with a smile.
- Develop answers in your head before you respond. If you don't
understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or clarified. You don't have to rush, but
you don't want to appear indecisive.
- Give honest, direct answers.
The "Do's" - The attitudes
that you express
In answering and asking questions, you want to demonstrate that you are:
- Willing to work. Give examples of your
productivity on past jobs.
- Committed to learning. Demonstrate this
through examples of learning experiences (independent study, professional development,
education, workshops, etc.). Your plan for future development also communicates your
commitment to learning.
- Flexible. Talk about how well you work with
others and how you can adjust and fit into a new environment without complaints or special
requests.
- Willing to contribute. Emphasize what
you can do for the company.
A professional positive end to the interview is another way
to ensure your success. Now is the time to remind the employer of why you are qualified
for the job.
- Restate any strengths and experiences that you might not have
emphasized earlier.
- Mention a particular accomplishment or activity that fits the
job.
The end of the interview is also the time to let the employer
know if you are interested in the job:
- If you want the job, say so!
- Ask when the position will be filled.
- Find out if there will be additional interviews and when the
employer plans to make a decision.
- Indicate a time when you may contact the employer to learn of
the decision.
Finally, be courteous and end the interview on time.
The steps that you take after the interview are important
too. For example, take time to:
- Evaluate the interview. What went well in the interview?
How can you improve?
- Record your follow-up plans. Write the date and time
for your next contact with the employer so you do not forget to follow through.
- Send thank-you letters or notes to each person with whom
you interviewed. For more information about writing thank you letters, go
to Interview Follow-up.
There are many reasons why people fail to get hired:
- Poor personal appearance
- Application form or resume is incomplete or sloppy
- Overly aggressive behavior
- Lack of tact and courtesy
- Lack of maturity
- Lack of interest and enthusiasm
- Nervousness or lack of confidence and poise
- Failure to ask questions about the job
- Responding vaguely to questions
- No eye contact with the interviewer
- No genuine interest in the company or job
- Lack of planning for career; no purpose and no goals
- Over-emphasis on money
- Unwillingness to start at the bottom
- Negative attitude about past employers
- No sense of humor
- Arriving late for the interview
- Failure to express appreciation for interviewer's time
Other interview resources
The tips presented above are general interview preparation tips.
For more information about going on interviews, go to:
Source: Creative
Job Search, Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in August 2008.
Interview and Negotiate
