INTERVIEWS

A job interview is similar in many ways to a social conversation, but it requires more than just conversational skills. How well you do in a job interview will depend on how well you can elaborate on your accomplishments and qualifications as they relate to what the employer wants and needs. Let’s consider next what employers are looking for in a job interview and what your main objective should be…

WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR:

• Qualifications
• Positive attitude
• Interest in the company and position
• Stable work history
• Clear sense of purpose
• Communication skills
• High performance standards
  

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR:

A job offer. This is your number one goal, and it cannot be stressed enough. You are not interviewing to evaluate the company or broaden your knowledge of available opportunities. You are interviewing to see if you are good enough to get a job offer. An undecided or tentative attitude has no place in a job interview. Leaving an employer with the impression that you are just shopping around is a fatal mistake.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW:

Proper preparation can make the difference between receiving and not receiving a job offer.

Do some research about the company (size, products, annual sales revenue, principal lines of business and locations, etc.). Check their website or find company information. This will not only make you feel more comfortable during the interview, but it will also prepare you to show genuine interest in the company.

Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer’s full name, the correct pronunciation and his or her title. Find out how many people are involved in the interviewing process and who the final decision maker is.

Be prepared to ask questions during the interview. Your questions allow the hiring manager to evaluate your professional and personal needs. Insightful questions help both of you determine if your relationship will be mutually rewarding. Avoid questions that relate to salary, benefits, vacations, and retirement.

Allow sufficient time for the interview. Plan to arrive exactly ten minutes before your actual appointment. There is no excuse for tardiness at an interview.

Dress appropriately. Plan how you will dress for the interview, remember that there is only one chance to make a good first impression. Men should wear a dark suit, white shirt, a solid or striped tie, and black shoes. Women should wear a knee length skirted suit or tailored dress with matching jacket, neutral colored sheer hose, dark pumps, and a minimum of make-up and jewelry.

Keep a positive frame of mind. Set other concerns aside and focus on what you are going to accomplish at the interview. Relax.