Interview Tips
- DO NOT tell the person interviewing you
for a job all of the things you cannot do! Tell them what you CAN do!
- Only Interview for jobs you want
and can do or can learn to do.
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.
Because interviews are such a
critical part of your job search, you want to get the most out of each one. The
following information is presented to help ensure that your interview is a
success:
Why People
Don’t Get Hired
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
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 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.
How To End the
Interview
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.
Following
Up After the Interview
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 on thank-you letters and
notes, go to
Send Thank-You Letters.
Source:
Creative Job Search from the Minnesota Department of Economic Security