The Interview Section 4.4

Prepare Arrive early Arrive early Dress your best Dress your best Know your resume and yourself Know your resume and yourself PRACTICE PRACTICE Research the company Research the company Get a good night’s sleep Get a good night’s sleep

At the interview Be polite! Be polite! Shake hands Shake hands Follow their lead Follow their lead Be confident, positive, and relaxed Be confident, positive, and relaxed

Body Language, Appearance, and Impression DO’s DO’s Make eye contact Make eye contact Genuinely smile Genuinely smile Sit up straight Sit up straight Control emotions Control emotions Neat, clean, and smelling nicely Neat, clean, and smelling nicely Dress conservatively Dress conservatively Maintain a good voice tone Maintain a good voice tone Remain professional and poised Remain professional and poised Use proper English Use proper English DON’TS DON’TS Fake a cough to think of an answer Frequent touching of your mouth, hair or “fake” lint Fake, stiff smiles Swing your foot or leg Tapping Folding or crossing arms Slouch Chew gum Interrupt Use profanity

During the Interview Remember to listen! Remember to listen! Prepare five good questions to ask Prepare five good questions to ask Don’t raise red flags Don’t raise red flags Express interest and potential longevity Express interest and potential longevity Don’t bring up money first Don’t bring up money first Take good notes Take good notes Don’t gossip Don’t gossip

Why might these be tricky? How would you describe yourself? How would you describe yourself? Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see yourself in five years? Would you rather work by yourself or with others? Would you rather work by yourself or with others? What are your weaknesses? What are your weaknesses?

What they can’t ask Have you ever seen a therapist? Have you ever seen a therapist? Are you planning to have kids? Are you planning to have kids? What is your medical history? What is your medical history? You’re a Christian, aren’t you? You’re a Christian, aren’t you? What country are you from? What country are you from?

Law Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1964 Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1964 Forbids discrimination based on race, age, color, religion, sex, or national origin Forbids discrimination based on race, age, color, religion, sex, or national origin Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability

ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE JOB RELATED!

Closing the interview Shake their hand Shake their hand Ask for a business card Ask for a business card Thank them for their time Thank them for their time Ask if you may follow up in a few days Ask if you may follow up in a few days

Follow-up Thank you letter (sample p. 144) Thank you letter (sample p. 144) Use your notes! Use your notes! Use proper grammar Use proper grammar Accepting/declining politely and professionally Accepting/declining politely and professionally