Interview Preperation

Interview Preparation

You've just landed an interview for your dream job. How do you prepare?

Research should always be your first step. It is important to gather some initial information to create a job search strategy, but even greater preparation is required before the interview. You have made the "small pile" cut of candidates who are actually being interviewed. The following steps will help put you at the top of your game.

• Know as much as you can about the organization. Be prepared to answer the questions, "What do you know about our organization?" and "Why do you want to work here?" Knowing as much as possible about the employer's past performance and future plans can make your interview more interactive and could be just the edge you need in a competitive job market. Before the interview, review the organization's website and don't be afraid to make contact ahead of time to request details on the position you're applying for or to ask for organizational literature.

• Practice! Go over the likely interview questions with a friend, or videotape your responses so you can replay the practice interview and see how well you did. Prepare responses to expected questions ahead of time. Doing so will help you analyze your background and qualifications for the position. The best way to prepare is to think of examples where you have successfully used the skills you've acquired. Take the time to compile a list of responses to questions about your skills, values, and interests, as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize what you can do to benefit the organization rather than just what you are interested in. Use the self-help exercises on the following pages to help clarify and prepare your thoughts.

• Develop questions to ask the interviewer. You aren't simply trying to get the job. You are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this organization and the position are a good fit.

• Dress for success. The most important rule of thumb is to be neat and clean and wear clothes similar to those worn by people who do similar work. Solid colors, coordinated pants and tops, and tailored suits are all good clothing choices. Your shoes should be moderate, and your hair should be well groomed. Don't overdo perfume, makeup, aftershave, or jewelry. Try on your outfit before the day of the interview. Check yourself carefully in the mirror - it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, and if clothing is too tight or too loose, don't wear it.

PREPARATION FOR AN EFFECTIVE INTERVIEWThe following is a self help exercise to help you in organizing your thoughts in preparation for a successful interview. Respond to those questions that are relevant to your background. Elaborate as much as you can, but be specific. The questions in parentheses can guide you in responding to the primary question.

1. What information do I have concerning the organization, department, and job? (Where did I obtain this knowledge? Why am I interested in this position?)

MOTUS 4800 SW. Meadows Rd. Ste #460 Lake Oswego, OR. 97035 t: (503) 496-1310 f: (503) 496-0719

2. What is my educational background or training for this position? (How is my background relevant to the job? Specific classes, degrees, on the job training experiences?)

3. What is my work experience background? (How are my experiences relevant to the job? What skills did I use in previous experiences that are relevant to this job? What did I contribute to organizations in my past jobs?)

4. What are my career goals? (How are my goals related to this organization?)

5. What are my personal skills and abilities? (How do my skills relate to this job? What are specific examples of how I used these skills?)

6. What prompted me to seek this job? (How are my goals related to my interest in the position? What knowledge do I have concerning the job? How does my background relate to the skills required in this position?)

7. My strengths are... (How did I develop them? In what activities? How do I maintain them?)

8. My areas for improvement or further development are... (How am I improving them?)

9. What additional information would I want the interviewer to know? (Summarize if appropriate or add information that seems essential.)

10. What questions might I want to ask the interviewer? (What are the opportunities for promotion? What kind of training is provided?)

THE INTERVIEW

Some behaviors make a greater difference than others when it comes to positive interviews. The following behaviors are some of the most important. Each of these affects the way the interviewer sees you as a person. It is critical that you think through how comfortable you are with these, and work to improve your responses in these areas.

Ability to Describe Skills

Use at least three statements to support job choice. Describe work skills, naming machines and using appropriate terminology. Supply information about skills early in the interview. Respond to vague or hostile questions by quickly citing skills and abilities.

Ability to Answer Problem Questions

Be able to explain answers to questions on your application. Respond to the employer regarding "negatives." Be positive about doing work despite problem. It may be helpful to mention any obvious disabilities within the first few minutes of the interview, stressing why they do not affect your ability to do the work. While it may work to your advantage to openly discuss any disabilities, remember that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) employers cannot discriminate against you on this basis.

Appropriate Mannerisms

Maintain good eye contact and refrain from exhibiting distracting, nervous mannerisms. Lean forward to show interest, and be easy and fluid with your gestures.


Enthusiasm for Work

State sometime during the interview that you want to work or indicate a desire to work by asking appropriate questions. Employers are interested in applicants who want to do this job, not just any job. They want the applicant to demonstrate enthusiasm for them as an employer, not just as a provider of work.

Opening and Closing

Be on time! Walk in and out of the interview situation confidently, greet people by name, have a firm handshake, ask specific questions, and use a "call back" closing. Be considerate to receptionists and others who are involved in setting up and coordinating interviews. You may be working with them soon, and the interviewer may ask them their opinion of you.

Follow-Up

"Thank you" is a powerful statement that is heard too seldom. Every thank-you is an opportunity to re-sell your qualifications, and to leave a fresh impression in the mind of the interviewer. Send a thank-you letter or note to each person who was involved in the interview process. Thank-you's should be brief and to the point, and should thank the person by name. Always restate your interest in the position and the organization and why you think you are the best qualified. Vary the content of your letter to each person involved in the process. Finally, send the thank-you as quickly as possible after the interview is complete. The best approach is to drop off thank-you's the same day or the day after. If you wait for the mail, it may be too late to make a final impression.

INTERVIEWING TIPS

DO'S

Maintain your poise, body language, and eye contact. Control the interview. Satisfy an objection and then ask a well-prepared question. Listen to the interviewer's questions and seek out the real meanings behind them. Take the time to complete your homework before the interview. Dress your best!Be attentive and alert. Try to relax and keep your cool.Avoid controversy. Talk only in positive terms.Look at yourself through the employer's eyes. Be polite.Remember your "Thank you's." ASK FOR THE JOB!

DON'TS

Don't complain about anything!Don't take notes during the interview.Don't try to outguess or outfox the interviewer.Don't talk money until the last possible minute.Don't get personal with anyone in the organization.Don't use first names unless you are given the OK by the interviewer.


Don't try to sell anything but yourself.Don't be a name dropper.Don't be cute or flip. Don't talk negatively about former employers.Don't interrupt.Don't be impatient. Employers are busy people, too.Don't be afraid to ask job related questions.Don't be afraid to say "YES!" when you receive a job offer.

Questions asked by employers during interviews

Most Frequently Asked Questions

o What are your major strengths? Weaknesses?

o What is your biggest strength? Biggest weakness?

o How is your previous experience applicable to the work we do here?

o Why did you leave your former job(s)?

o Is there someone we can contact who is familiar with your activities?

o Where do you see yourself in this organization 10 years from now?

o What are your long range career goals?

o Tell me about yourself.

o Why did you choose this career?

o What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your chosen career?

o What kind of compensation are you looking for?

o What do you expect to be earning in five years?

o Which is more important to you the money or the type of job?

o What kind of salary are you worth?

o How would you describe yourself?

o How would someone else who knows you well describe you?

o How would you describe your personality?

o What are your own special abilities?

o What skills have you gained from your interests outside of work that apply to this job?

o Why should I hire you? MOTUS 4800 SW. Meadows Rd. Ste #460 Lake Oswego, OR. 97035 t: (503) 496-1310 f: (503) 496-0719

o How do you determine or evaluate success?

o What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?

o What was your biggest accomplishment in your last job?

o How do you work under pressure?

o What can you add to this organization?

o How long would it take you to make a contribution to our organization?

o How would you describe the ideal job for you?

o What jobs have you enjoyed the most? Least? Why?

o What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

o Why do you think you would like this particular type of job?

o What interests you about our product or service?

o What do you know about our organization?

o Why do you think you might like to work for our organization?

o What kind of education have you had that relates to this job?

o Do you have plans for further education?

Really Tough Questions

o Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinate.

o In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?

o If you were the employer, what qualities would you look for in a potential employee?

o Do you like to work? Why?

o What kind of people do you like?

o What kind of people do you dislike?

o What do you think of your previous boss?

o What interests you most about this position?

o What interests you least about this position?

o What do your subordinates think of you?


o What do you want to be remembered for?

o What other kind of job would you be interested in besides the one you are applying for?

o What makes you angry?

o Describe a few situations in which your work was criticized.

o Are you analytical? Give an example.

o Are you creative? Give an example.

o Can you delegate responsibility? Give an example.

o "What would you do if...?"

o What is your boss's title and what are your boss's functions?

o Can you describe for me a typical day in your job?

o Tell me about the people you hired in your last job. How long did they stay with you and how did they work out?

o What specific strengths did you bring to your last job that made you effective?

o Can you tell me how you go about making important decisions?

o What are some of the things your organization might have done to be more successful?

o What have been the biggest failures or frustrations in your business life?

o What risks did you take in your last few jobs and what were the results of those risks?

o What do you do when you are having trouble solving a problem?

o What did you do in your last job to make yourself more effective?

o Describe a time in any job you've held when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills. What did you do?

o Give an example of a time when you had to keep from speaking or not finish a task because you did not have enough information to come to a good decision. Be specific.

o Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

o Tell me about a time in which you had to use your spoken communication skills in order to get a point across that was important to you.

o Can you tell me about a job experience in which you had to speak up in order to be sure that other people knew what you thought or felt?


o Give me an example of a time where you feel you were able to build motivation in your co workers or subordinates at work.

o Give me an example of a specific occasion when you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.

o Describe a situation in which you felt it necessary to be very vigilant and attentive to your environment.

o Give an example of a time when you had to use your fact finding skills to gain information for solving a problem, then tell me how you analyzed the information to come to a decision.

o Give me an example of an important goal that you have set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

o Describe the most significant written document/report/presentation that you have had to complete.

o Give me an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

o Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person, even when that individual may not have personally liked you.

o Describe a situation in which you were able to effectively "read" another person and guide your actions by your understanding of their individual needs or values.

o What did you do in your last job to be effective with your organization and its planning? Be specific.

o Describe the most creative work related project you have carried out.

o Describe a time when you felt it was necessary to modify or change your actions in orderto respond to the needs of another person.


Interview Preperation

Education

Transcript of Interview Preperation