Helpful Interviewing Guide

How You Really Sound in a Job Interview How You Really Sound in a Job Interview

Commonly Asked Interview Questions

Before the Interview…. Know Yourself What do you have to offer? 5-10 work or school experiences that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments What do you want to do? How are you perceived by others? Research the Employer Learn key information Review responsibilities of position Utilize JOBSs to review company profile & visit prospective websites Practice Meet with a career counselor for a mock interview Be aware of questions that may be specific to company Know the position responsibilities and the skills needed to be the ideal candidate PRACTICE with family or friends Make a Good Impression Dress professionally Cover piercings and tattoos that may not be appropriate Be well groomed! Wear simple jewelry Bring a portfolio or briefcase

During the Interview…. Be Prompt and Prepared Arrive minutes before the scheduled interview time Turn OFF your cell phone Give a firm handshake and sincere smile Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references Answering the Questions Answer thoroughly and concisely Speak slowly and clearly Be honest! Smile and be enthusiastic Ask meaningful questions! Closing Be prepared with closing statement by reiterating your interest Be prepared to ask questions to the interviewer Thank the interviewer and ask for a business card!

After the Interview…. Send a thank you note right away- formal response Jot down analytical perspective about your interview, and also begin evaluating if this is the right job for you Prepare a potential salary negations by researching salary information. Available in JOBSs and on the Career Service webpage is an excellent resource for up-to-date salary ranges for most occupational areas (NACE)

Myths & Facts Myth: If the interviewer asks if I have any weaknesses, I should indicate I have none Reality: You should be honest. Everyone has negatives. If you indicate you have none, the interviewer knows you are being less than candid. But neither should you blurt out your worst negatives. Identify a weakness and talk about how you are working to overcome it. Myth: The candidate with the best education, skills, and experience will get the job Reality: Employers hire individuals for many different reasons. Education, skills, and experience are only a few of the several hiring criteria. If employers hired only on the basis of education, skills, and experience, they would not need to interview candidates. Such static information is available on applications and resumes. Employers interview because they want to see how you look and interact with them, how you would handle various work situations, and how well you fit into the organization. Myth: I’ll be at a disadvantage because I’ll be nervous Reality: If you practice some stress reduction techniques, such as taking deep breaths and focusing attention on the questions, you should be able to project confidence in the interview. Keep in mind, many interviewers are under pressure to hire the right candidate.

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