Interview II

We have identified that, in any interview situation, the objective of the interview must be known and understood by both parties. Interview success will occur only if suitable preparation is made by the interviewer and interviewee, rapport established early in the interview, and control exercised by the effective use of questions by the interviewer. Guidelines have been given for managers dealing with specific incidents and situations at work.

To handle an interview successfully, you must be prepared. Know about the firm, the job, the interviewer, and have the facts about yourself so that you can present them in clear, concise language.

PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Prepare yourself for the interview. Don't let the job you want slip by because you are unprepared. You've spent considerable time developing marketable job skills, but the short time you spend in the interview can determine your future use of these skills.

There are several things you should do before the interview. Job interviews can be stressful, both for the applicant and for the interviewer. The better prepared you are, the greater your chances are for a successful interview. To handle an interview successfully, you must be prepared by knowing whatever you can about:

PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

1. The firm, the job, and the interviewer.2. Have the facts about yourself in order so that

you can present them in clear, concise language.

The major emphasis is to collect data!!! Both employee and employer want to collect

enough data to make a rational decision regarding the employment position.

Review Qualifications

Once you have chosen an occupation, you must show that you qualify for the job. As a job hunter you work hard at selling yourself to a prospective employer so that she will hire you. Review the job description and be prepared to show the employer that you qualify for the job. Pick out the skills that are required for the job and be ready to tell where you used those skills. If you have not used them in a job, show that you've used them in your everyday life. Life experiences can become job skills.

Research the Company

Employers expect you to know something about the company you want to work for. You will favorably impress the interviewer by showing that you know something about the company. You can collect this information by talking with employees of the company, procuring a policy booklet from the company, using the Yellow Pages, or using the Business Directory at the Chamber of Commerce.

You might also want to look it up in the library and even check its annual report if it has one. Record the facts so you can readily discuss them accurately in the interview. Take a few minutes before the interview to review these facts.

Anticipate Interview Activities

The purpose of the interview is to allow the interviewer to learn about you: your attitude toward people and work, your education, your work experience, and your career plans. The interview also gives you a chance to gather more information about the company and the job. Interviews serve as a screening tool, so you must anticipate the interview activities.

Most interviews are similar and most questions can be anticipated!!!

Anticipate Interview Activities

For many, the interview is the most frustrating and delicate step in the employment process because it seems the applicant must be so many people wrapped into one, but this experience does not have to be frustrating if you're ready for the interview.

The interviewer will be expecting you to answer questions. Come willing to give information. This is an opportunity for you and the interviewer to see if you and the company are a good match. Anticipate the trick questions. Be aware that the answers to trick questions are not what the interviewer desires—your reaction is really what he or she is after. You should give a response that fits your personality - a response that will persuade the interviewer to like you and to hire you.

Anticipate Interview Activities

The interviewer will expect you to know something about the company so you can discuss what they do, but guard against excess verbiage. Be concise. Be assertive and attentive. Listen to the interviewer with your eyes and ears for what impresses him/her most in your resume and expand on that.

The interviewer will also expect you to ask questions, so be armed with the right

questions!!!

Come with Information that Recruiters Want to Know

1.  Basic credentials;2. Relevant background;3. Your career history and work record. Bring everything you need to the interview. Take a

pen and pencil, basic credentials, your social security card, a copy of your resume or personal data sheet, even if you have sent one. You may want to bring examples of your previous work, such as an article you wrote or a report you compiled. Remember, you are selling yourself!!!

Consider Appearance

Your appearance is an extremely important part of the interview.

Make sure your appearance is just right before you go to the interview. It may seem elementary to mention personal appearance, but it is sometimes surprising to see how people dress when applying for a business position. It is true that modern day living tends toward informality, but the importance of a neat, well-groomed appearance cannot be overemphasized.

When you appear for your interview, you make your first impression.

Your first impression is important because you will never have a second chance to make that first impression!!!

Consider Appearance

Your entire appearance should be conservative, complimentary, and stylish, but not to the degree that your appearance excludes your other abilities.

Dressing for success is an idea as old as business itself, and so is the basic business look, but dressing for success is not all about clothes. You will score a bigger hit if you concentrate on impressing the interviewer with your skills and abilities as well as with your good taste in clothes.

If you don't have self-confidence, the poise, and the positive self-image, you won't wear the clothes well anyway!!!

Here are some tips for a conservative look:

♦     Wear a suit or a basic dress (simple style) with "covered-up" look.

♦       Wear conservative jewelry that doesn't jangle, no shining baubles.♦       Wear nylon hosiery rather than ankle sox.♦ Remember that gloves look right with or without a hat, no matter

what time of year.♦       Wear simple shoes. Open sandals are for resort and vacation

wear; this is no picnic.♦       Carry a handbag that has been cleared of clutter. You should

have a pen and note pad for on-the-spot use.♦       Should you decide to wear a hat, be sure it does not hide your

face. Keep it simple and uncluttered. Don't wear hair ornaments such as flowers or fancy combs to an interview.

Appearance

Makeup. Cosmetics should be used sparingly. Office makeup usually includes foundation, blush, small amounts of eye makeup, powder, and lip color. Conservative makeup or the natural look is excellent.

Hair. A well-groomed and styled haircut is appropriate and indicates cleanliness and efficiency. For both men and women, the most important rule for business hairstyles is neatness. To keep your hair looking neat, no matter what style you choose, you need a good haircut.

A good haircut will give your hair manageability and line.

Appearance

Scent. Scent should be subtle or nonexistent. However, if you want to wear a fragrance while at work, follow these two guidelines:

1.Keep the scent light.

2.Make sure that you don't wear conflicting aromas, for example, aftershave that has one scent and cologne that has another.

PREPARE FOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Your interview may be long or short, formal or casual, warm or cool. Whatever its form or character, it's really a game of eight questions. Learn—and understand—the implications of these fundamental areas of inquiry. Then prepare your prime responses.

(Have subsidiary answers ready, too, in case the interviewer probes a given area from many angles.)

Here are some of the basic questions you'll encounter in one form or

another in almost every job interview.

And here, too, are the answers that can help you get the job.

How would you best describe yourself?

The hidden question here is, "What can you do for us and how well would you fit in here?"

“What qualities and skills do you need for this job?” If it's a sales representative job, you'll concentrate on sales experience you've had at school or in an organization or in another job.

Emphasize any personal characteristics that fit the target occupation. "Even when I sold part-time during school, I enjoyed developing strategies that would move the product faster.“

"I like the give-and take that goes with selling.“ "When I was in school, I always sold the most tickets to our

club's dances."

In any job, basic traits that are useful to mention in answer to any variation of this question include, "I'm never sick. I work well with all kinds of people." And instead of reciting an unbroken list of talents, spice up your response with quotes from others: "My professors and summer bosses always tell me I'm quick to learn and a hard worker, good at organization" (whatever is appropriate for the demands of the desired job).

What makes you interested in this job?

Behind the smokescreen this time is the query, "Do you have a realistic idea of what's involved in this job?" If you pay attention, interviewers often hand you the perfect answer. In their opening comments, interviewers usually say what's uppermost on their minds. When, for instance, they talk about all the pressures and deadlines involved, you can understand what they're hoping to find in you. Though there may be many reasons you want this job, you'll concentrate on what they've told you is most important to them.

What makes you interested in this job?

So you'll explain you're interested because you understand that the job offers what you enjoy—fast work pace, deadlines, and a chance to demonstrate ability under pressure. If possible, you'll cite examples of having put these abilities to effective use. They don't have to be earthshaking. Something like the semester you carried more courses than usual, worked part-time, yet managed to earn excellent grades would make the point.

Tip: If you come to the interview through an ad or agency referral, you'll probably be shown a written job description in advance!

How would you best describe yourself?

Use it to ferret out other clues to the responsibilities that interest the prospective employer and shape your replies accordingly. Wherever you can during the interview, find a place to tie your desire to work for them to the company's goals.

Perhaps during your pre-interview research you learned they're coming up fast in the industry. Maybe they're now number three. When you declare you'd enjoy helping the organization advance to number two or even number one, you're moving away from the role of an outsider looking for work.

Instead you're becoming a possible teammate—one of us!

What is your experience?

In other words, tell me what you know, what you've learned in any part of your life that will be useful in handling this job.

Again target your reply! Focus on the areas of expertise that fit the job, the company's problems, and its goals. Once more, draw on your research. If supervising and delegating responsibilities are important for this position, perhaps you can talk about your success in training and supervising new clerks at your summer job in a supermarket.

Or maybe you can prove your cost-cutting and supervisory abilities by telling how,

during the year you were house manager of your sorority/fraternity, you instituted new food purchasing methods that saved 15 percent on annual food bills. And how, at the same time, you worked so well with the cook, house porter, and maids that turnover in those jobs dropped to zero.A typical mistake: citing examples and experience that are irrelevant.

What do your family and friends criticize or tease you about?

Confess anything serious and you're finished. There are many variations of this question ranging from "What are your greatest weaknesses?" to "What areas of your professional development would you like to work on?" to a friendly interviewer's "After all, nobody's perfect. What do you think your friends would object to about you?"

No matter how sweetly it's put, beware. Your new "friend" will definitely count it against you if you reveal a genuine flaw. Confess to a fault that really is an asset for this kind of job. For instance, "Sometimes friends tease me because I get so involved in my work that I forget to go to lunch."

Which of your accomplishments have given you the greatest satisfaction?

By now you realize you're really being asked, "Are you good at any of the things we have a problem with and/or are important for the job?" The interviewer wants to know the kinds of tasks and work climate you function best in. For a job where you'll have to work with many different kinds of people, you might be able to report that you worked very successfully during summers and vacations as a temporary. Now you tie this accomplishment into the company's needs.

Which of your accomplishments have given you the greatest satisfaction?

You mention that though many people find temping exhausting because of the constant changes in locale, coworkers, and duties, you enjoyed it. Temping showed you that you can get along well with all kinds of people and adapt easily to different situations.

Does the job demand problem-solving skills? Then among your proudest accomplishments you might bring up with convincing detail—the times you solved problems at school, on the job, or elsewhere.

What are Your Outside Interests?

Tricky translation: Will your lifestyle or leisure activities embarrass us or keep you from giving your best? If the purchasing agent for the firm's biggest customer is your tennis partner, by all means mention it. If you're on speaking terms with some of the town's business tycoons because of your work on an environmental committee, do tell them about it. Indeed, any no controversial community activities can be helpful as an indication that you work well with a group or have leadership qualities.

Also worth mentioning are leisure pursuits which reinforce your job

credentials. Most experts warn against talking about religious or political

activities. No interviewer can control reflex prejudices and you never know what you'll trigger when religion and

politics enter the discussion.

If your leisure activities afford you no business clout, then bring up only those

which won't alarm your interviewer, such as swimming, photography and soon. Better

ignored are diversions like motorcycle racing, hang gliding— anything that could cause an injury that might keep you off the

job and increase the company's group medical costs.

How would you define your long-range career goals?

If we hire you, are you likely to stay for a while and is this job really the kind of work you're interested in? It's usually best to indicate general goals rather than specific. Naming a particular job, a definite salary, or even the bold, "I want the president's job" usually work against you. Interviewers generally see such answers as indicating an inflexible, narrow view of your future. Better to say something to this effect: "I hope I'll have had promotions and will be making steady progress in this field." Or, "As hard as it is to predict the future, I'm very committed to a career in this field and I hope to stay here as long as I can make a useful contribution."

Do you know what salary we're paying for this job?

Two possible meanings: (1) Maybe we can get you at the bottom of our salary range. (2) Are your expectations realistic? Try to delay the answer to this question as long as you can,

preferably until you get the job offer. If the question comes early in the interview, sidestep with the reply that you understand that salaries are commensurate with the responsibilities and opportunities of the position, and you'd like to explore them further. If you ask for a high salary before you've convinced them that they need you that often ends the interview. But once they've made up their mind and invited you to join the organization, they're in a different mood. At this point they're inclined toward making some salary concession to get you.

Do you know what salary we're paying for this job?

It is best then if you request a high but realistic salary. (You should check the going rate for this kind of work in your area before the interview from newspaper ads, placement agencies, friends in the industry.) Trying to look like a bargain by naming a low salary often backfires. You may indeed land the job— but at significantly lower pay than if you'd spoken up and suggested somewhere near the top of the salary range. You'll probably have to compromise and settle for less than the sum you named; asking a higher-end figure usually brings you better final terms than you'd win with any other strategy. Ultimately you'll graciously compromise and accept "because the job offers such a great opportunity."

Do you know what salary we're paying for this job?

Tip: Try hard to draw a first salary suggestion from the interviewer. You can always name your own figure and negotiate for a very different amount if the interviewer's initial sum is unsatisfactory. But an opening salary from the interviewer protects you from the tragedy of asking for less than they expected to pay.

The Universal Link

If you look over the hidden meanings in each question we've discussed, you'll discover a common denominator. On the surface the questions all appear to be about you. In truth, they are a tool for discovering what you can do for the employer. For an organization that's thinking of putting responsibility in your hands, it's a reasonable attitude. Whatever the question, take a moment to think, "What details of my abilities and experience could be useful to them?" and you'll have your answers. You'll be giving the interviewers what they're looking for. They, in turn, will offer you what you came for—a good job!

Consider Ways to Distinguish Yourself!

Your interviewer is interested in your alertness, your ability to learn, and your willingness to adapt to new ideas and procedures. What the interviewer really wants to see is an intelligent attitude.

Distinguish yourself the following ways: ♦       Use positive information.♦       Put most important information first.♦       Show a good work history.♦       Avoid being average.♦       Be consistent.♦       Give direct honest answers.♦       Show that you have confidence.♦ Show that you can make a contribution to the company.

Expect the Unusual!!!

There will be highs and lows during the interview process. Expect the unusual. Perhaps you're always a cool, calm person, but at an interview, you might find that you're nervous. Rubbing your hands together seems to help burn off anxiety and breathing deeply provides oxygen.

Although you sent a resume to the interviewer, expect him/her to ask you if you have a copy. The interviewer might want to see how prepared you are, or he/she might have temporarily misplaced the copy you sent.

The job you discuss during the interview may not be the job you applied for. It may be an upgraded or downgraded version of the job you applied for, or a totally different job from the one applied for. Write down the technical name of the job discussed in the interview so that you can refer to it intelligently and ask questions about it when, and if, another contact is made.

Last-Minute Suggestions

1. Write down the exact interview day of the week, date, and time.

2. Write down the address of where the interview will take place.

3. Obtain the correct spelling and pronunciation of the interviewer's name and title. Record the room number and the telephone number.

4. Make parking arrangements in advance.

Interview:Beginning to Ending

THE BEGINNING

Arrival. Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes early. Announce yourself clearly and precisely. Speak in a cheerful tone and always be pleasant. Keep in mind that the clue to your personality is not only in what you say, but also in how you say it. You can make a good or a bad impression on other people just by the way you express yourself. The best way to do this is to say, for example, "I have an appointment at nine o'clock with Mr. Snow. My name is Lois Cole." Remember not to use Mr. or Ms. when saying your name. Another way to make a good impression is to display some specific concern in the person to whom you are talking. Learn the person's name and use it.

Arrival

The receptionist will probably introduce you to the interviewer. Her body language will give the interviewer a clue as to how she sees you.

The receptionist has the power to compliment or degrade you with just a subtle glance, raised eyebrow, or facial expression. She, in some cases, can make or break you. After you have let the receptionist know you have arrived for your interview, wait for his/her instructions as to what is next.

Arriving early gives you time to fill out an application, if necessary, and it also illustrates your promptness and helps you to avoid that rushed feeling!

Introduction to Interviewer

If the receptionist introduces you, you have only to say, "How do you do?" If you must make the introduction, you immediately say, "How do you do Mr. Snow? I'm Lois Cole “.

Today, it's up to the interviewer to offer to shake hands first. Always have your right hand free, just in case. Wait until you have been asked to be seated.

If the receptionist did not take your coat and if you aren't told where to place your things, put them on a nearby chair in a neat pile.

Never put anything on the interviewer's desk!

Posture. Sit straight in the chair or toward the front edge of the seat. Put your hands in your lap

and clasp them together to avoid unconscious drumming of fingers or sporadic hand movements. Keep both feet on the floor to avoid that lounging look. If crossing legs for the ladies makes you more comfortable, do it in a manner that is not revealing!Smoking. Never light up a cigarette at a stranger's office without permission.Don't ask for permission, wait for the interviewer to make the offer.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Direction of the Interview

After you enter the interviewer's office some light conversation will usually take place. This is the interviewer's attempt to make you comfortable. After a couple of minutes, the interviewer will shift to the business at hand. Ideally, the direction of the interview is up to the interviewer. You'll run into all kinds of personalities, however, so be prepared.

Answer all questions honestly and openly! You can stop for a couple of seconds to organize your thoughts. You do not have to be instantaneous with your responses.

Direction of the Interview

You can create a favorable impression by using words correctly. Speak loudly enough to be heard and be specific with the pronunciation of your words. You should do your utmost to be clear and concise. You must be able to use an appropriate word, first to attract the attention of a person and then retain his interest. Never talk about yourself for more than one minute! Never fear not using big words, as most of the big long words are little things. Most great things have small names such as life and death, day and night, or love and peace. You should use little words m a big way! Be sure to smile from time to time! Be conscious of your facial expression!

Job Duties

Be sure you know exactly what the job entails —exactly what will be expected of you. You may not have all of the skills required to perform the job duties.

The interview is the best time to discover that—not the first day on the job.

Remember, you will be performing for eight hours a day so make sure you know exactly what you're getting into!

Salary

The question of salary is academic until you are actually offered a job. Ideally it is a question which should be brought up by the interviewer, however, if salary is a crucial issue for you, and it is for most people, go ahead and ask about salary if the job is offered you.

This is important to know before you accept the job! One word of warning: Many young people, with little or no experience remember that talking about money is a delicate exchange!!!

ENDING

When to Go

When is the interview over? There is no clear cut answer. Usually the interviewer will close the interview with some remark such as, "Well, Ms Cole, we expect to make a decision by Friday. If you are chosen we willin touch with you“. You have to listen for cues, and the cues are vary. They range from “Thank you for coming in," to a preoccupied stare that silently says, "Please go." Sometimes the cue is more of a feeling than a definite statement. Once you sense it, gather up your things and go into your thank-you speech.As you leave it is the interviewer who should be the first to offer to shake hands and suggest what you may expect next. If this information is not given it is acceptable for the applicant to ask how soon a decision will be made.

Interview Questions

There are two basic ways of interviewing. One method is for the interviewer to simply ask you to talk about yourself.

If this happens, you must do most of the talking!Be sure to discuss your qualifications for the job. It is also a good

idea that you are interested in the company. Give some specific reasons to work for the company. This is why it is important to learn about the company as much as possible before you go to the interview.

In the other type of interview, the interviewer finds out about your qualifications by asking specific questions. This is probably the most common type of interview.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

After each job interview, take a few minutes to evaluate your performance. Look at yourself through the interviewer’s eyes and rate yourself on the following points:

Appearance; Verbal presentation and nonverbal signals; Honesty; Determination;  Self-confidence;  Imagination;  Manners; Attitude.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW Appearance: This includes health, grooming, hygiene,

posture, dress, and social graces.Verbal presentation and nonverbal signals: This includes

your tone, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.Honesty: Tell the truth. Remember you're selling yourself.

Say what you can do, but remember you can't do everything.

Determination: A willingness to tackle a job and get it done, and take on responsibility.

Self-confidence: Self-confidence is an important trait. Believe in yourself. Program yourself for success. Develop a feeling of importance.

Imagination: Use your imagination in turning your weak

points into strengths. Focus on your assets and counter your weaknesses with them.

Manners: This includes your attitude, enthusiasm, friendliness, tact, as well as social graces.

Attitude: Your state of mind—a positive mental attitude. The way to start is to take the first steps toward being positive—change your negative attitude. Look pleasant, smile. Be interested in what is going on around you.If you evaluate yourself after each interview, you will learn from each experience. You will get better and better at making a good impression in an interview.