During the Interview
Dress appropriately and comfortably:
First impressions are important and include how you look. Most employers consider a conservative dress as a sign of good judgment. Check your clothes the day before in case something is amiss. Be sure your clothing is clean, pressed, and in good repair.
Be punctual:
Know the exact location and time of your appointment. Arrive about fifteen Minutes early. This will give you time to relax and catch your breath. Go alone. To bring another person with you indicates insecurity. Be alert and prepared.
• Bring the following to the interview in a briefcase or folder:
• Pen and paper
• Social security number
• Extra copies of your résumé
• List of references (include full names, business titles, business addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three individuals who will serve as reference for you. You must ask these individuals for permission, informing them that they may be contacted by an employer. Use adults whose references will be of value to you – supervisors, professors, etc.)
Play the part:
• Stand until asked by the interviewer to sit down. Do not slouch
• Build rapport with the interviewer. That involves your attitude, non-verbal behaviors, and verbal behaviors.
• Be friendly, polite and respectful to everyone
• Show interest in the employer, the facilities, its mission and its people
• Watch your grammar. Speak with a good voice and diction. Say “yes”, not “yeah”.
• Once you have given your name, repeat the interviewer’s name, using “Mr” or “Ms” and correct pronunciation.
Non-verbal behaviors:
How you dress, stand, sit, use your hands, move your head and eyes, how you listen, all work together to provide your interviewer with information about you beyond what you say.
• Posture: Walk confidently into the room, hold your head up and offer a firm, positive handshake. During interview sit up straight in your chair and lean forward to indicate interest and attention
• Greeting: Express your gratitude when meeting someone for the first time. Maintain eye contact and smile.
• Eye contact: Be open and direct when listening, asking and responding to questions. Do not stare.
• Gestures: Try to control nervous gestures like hair-twisting, nail biting, and pen clicking. Hands should be used in a relaxed way, for animation, communication, excitement and interest.
• Voice: The sound of your voice should be warm and friendly. Project, speak slowly, and enunciate. Use good grammar skills to avoid misuse of verb tense, pronouns or other grammatical errors.
Verbal behaviors - How you communicate verbally involves your ability to:
• Use active verbs
• Use concrete examples
• Summarize and make transitions
• Be positive and specify what you have done and what you know
• Ask for more information when a vague or difficult question is put forth.
Sell yourself
This is your opportunity to prove that you are the best candidate for the job. All your preparation will now pay off. Remember, the interviewer’s job is to determine whether or not you are a good fit between you and the position for which you are applying.
If you know yourself and understand the position, you can sell yourself. Most jobs are complex and it helps to let the interviewer know that you are used to handling successfully, a number of responsibilities at the same time: academic, part-time work, community service, family obligations, etc. Use the name of the interviewer once or twice in each conversation (do not use a first name). Dale Carnegie, who made millions telling people how to make friends and influence people, maintained that a person’s favorite word is his or her name.
Be a good listener
Focusing on the interviewer and the questions being asked will lessen your nervousness and enable you to answer questions more directly and succinctly. Although you are the one being asked most of the questions you have total control of all the information your interviewer receives. When you are prepared and you listen carefully, you can make sure you answer each question with the information about yourself you want the employer to have.
Be honest and enthusiastic
The interviewer wants to learn about your background and abilities. Good communication skills are important to all employers. Respond as accurately as possible to the questions asked – in sentences, not paragraphs or yes and no answers. Use specific examples whenever possible to illustrate specific skills and accomplishments and stress the positive rather than the negative. Be positive in your comments. Express thoughts clearly and concisely. Do not ramble.
Some of the commonly asked questions are:
• Tell me about yourself
Be brief. Keep responses relevant to the position and the organization. The interviewer is interested in the following information: Your education and previous experience, your attitude toward people and work, and your future career plans as they relate to the job.
• Why do you want to work for us?
This is to learn how much you know about the organization and your chosen career field. If you haven’t done your homework the question can be devastating.
• Why should we hire you?
Know your strengths and abilities to be able to convince the interviewer that you will be an asset to the organization. Emphasize where and how you expect to contribute, not what you expect the employer to do for you.
• What is your greatest weakness?
Whatever you mention, be sure to state how you have worked to strengthen yourself in that particular area or turn it around to be a potential strength.
• What are your long-term goals?
The interviewer would like to know if you plan to stay in this career field and with this organization. General goals that confirm your commitment are best.
• What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Be ready with at least two or three concrete examples that illustrate your personal strengths. Ideally these examples will illustrate qualities that will be valuable once you are on the job.
Show that you are likable and professional
Employers hire people that they like, as well as, those they believe can do the job. Smile, be friendly, and maintain your composure no matter what. Sometimes interviewers are testing how professional and unflappable you are.
Be prepared to ask questions
Remember the interview is an exchange of information. You can ask for additional information or clarification of information you found in your research. You can also ask questions that will help you to decide if the organization can meet your goals and work needs. Your questions will demonstrate both your understanding of and interest in the position. Techniques for asking good questions begin with the use of who, what, where, why, and how.
Never speak badly of a former employer, colleague, or teacher
If there were problems with previous experiences, try to put your answers in positive terms
Wait for an offer to discuss salary
Discuss salary only after you have been offered the job. Think in terms of salary ranges and fringe benefits (insurance, pension plans, stock options, sick leave, etc.)
• Should you be asked difficult questions such as:
Have you thought about salary?
What salary are you expecting?
What is the minimum salary you would accept?
• Consider the following responses:
What is the salary range for this position?
Most of my peers who are also graduating in this major are receiving...
Offers in $________ range. What range is offered for this position?
Know when the interview is over
Signs from your interviewer such as looking at a watch, putting papers in a pile, and moving back a chair are your cues that the interview is over. At this point you can help your interviewer by providing them a summary of your qualifications, expressing your interest and desire to work for them, and thanking them for their time and consideration. If there are other steps in the application process be sure you understand them.
Don’t expect an offer on the spot.
Offers usually follow the interview, sometimes two or three weeks later. If you are not offered the job during the interview, ask about the next step in the employment process.
Reference: http://www.employopedia.com/index.php/Job-Interviewing/interviewing-the-basics.html
