ACE YOUR INTERVIEW

Step One - Know Your Target Research the company that you are applying to. Find out information about the company - use the internet or call the company for a brochure. Find out the organizations purpose, products and any recent news or company developments.

Step Two - Know Yourself Your job is to sell yourself. Your skills: list your accomplishments and then think of which skills it took to do them. You the Person: they are looking for honest, smart, friendly, motivated, and responsible employees.

Step Three – Practice Ask people to interview you – asking the hard questions. If you get a question you don’t understand, ask for clarification. If you don’t know the answer, simply say that you don’t know the answer. Body Language – Don’t fidget, watch your hands, and don’t slouch.

Step Four – Dress The Part The way to dress is the way you would dress if you got the job, plus one step up. Consider getting a hair cut/trim. Clean fingernails Pleasant breath Go easy on the aftershave/perfume

Step Five – Arrive Early Take some time to collect yourself. Organize your notes Refresh your memory on your selling points Use the restroom and have a chance to do any last minute grooming. It gives you a psychological edge to be early!

Step Six – Make A Good First Impression Look the interviewer in the eye as you offer your hand to shake Shake his or her hand firmly... but not like a vice and only if they offer their han first. Smile at the same time, and say something enthusiastic like, “Hello Mr. McGillicutty, it is great to meet you.”

Step Seven – Answer Well Don’t Ramble – It’s better to give short answers with strong points. Look the interviewer in the eye when answering. Gather your thoughts. Feel free to say I need a minute to think about before I answer.

Step Eight – Ask Questions Be prepared come with questions. Ask about job responsibilities. What are the next steps in the hiring process. Emphasize that you are interested in the job. When leaving shake the persons hand, look them in the eye and thank them for their time.

Step Nine – Be Yourself Let who you are really shine through. Be proud of your talents, motivations and skills, that make you who you are. Show the real you.

Step Ten – Follow Up As soon as you get home, write a thank you note to your interviewer. Keep your note short.

Now it is your turn… Choose 10 of the Frequently Asked Interview Questions On a separate sheet of notebook paper, answer those 10 questions as if you were being interviewed.