In order to land the job, you have to be an effective interviewer. Though interviews can take many forms, the basic principle is the same: your goal is to convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. To do so, you’ll need to be an expert on both yourself and the job/company to which you are applying. Thorough preparation and research is imperative.
Before the Interview
The following are steps that you should follow in order to best prepare for an interview:
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Self-Reflection: Through self-reflection, you will be able to tell the interviewer how your skills and experiences match the organization’s needs and position requirements. Highlight the experiences you listed on your resume by thinking of the transferrable skills you’ve developed through those experiences. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, values and goals. Read through
common interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Set up a mock interview with a Career Coach to sharpen your skills and learn of potential questions you may get asked in your field.
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Research: Employers advise that all students can improve their interviewing skills by knowing more about the position, organization, and industry associated with the opportunity. Doing your research demonstrates how interested you really are in a specific position or organization. Expand your research by also learning about current trends and events that might impact your future employer. Review the organization’s corporate literature and Web site. The Center for Career Services has a variety of occupational literature and career resource links that can provide much of this information.
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Connect & Practice: Understand how your background and interests connect to the position and to the employer and practice articulating this connection. Many people practice for an interview by writing down or rehearsing answers to common interview questions. It is incredibly valuable to set up a mock interview with a Career Coach to get feedback on your interview style, presentation and body language.
A WEEK BEFORE the Interview:
To make sure you are ready for your interview, make sure you can answer the following questions:
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Have you thought about your goals, values, skills, and how they match the opportunity?
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Have you researched the field, organization, and position?
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Have you identified the time and place of the interview and the best method of getting there?
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Have you completed a mock interview with a Career Coach at the Center for Career Services
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Did you bring along extra copies of your resume and a reference list?
THE NIGHT BEFORE the interview:
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Examine your clothing for stains and wrinkles, and look for scuffs on your shoes.
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Set your alarm clock so that you have enough time to get to the interview without rushing.
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Read through your notes, the job description, and your application one last time.
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Get a good night’s sleep.
DURING the Interview
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Make sure you arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.
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Turn off your cell phone.
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Discard any chewing gum, breath mints, etc. Do not smoke right before your interview as the smell of smoke on your clothes might be distracting to an employer. In addition, you should not wear excessive amounts of perfume, cologne, or aftershave as many employers cite these smells as an annoyance.
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Have several copies of your resume on high quality resume paper.
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Be enthusiastic, and convey this enthusiasm to the interviewer.
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Listen to the interviewer when he or she speaks. Make sure you answer the question that your interviewer had asked.
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Prove why you are the best candidate for the job, and demonstrate to the interviewer what makes you different and better than the rest.
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Provide examples whenever possible. This strengthens your answers.
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Do not apologize for your experience, background, or lack thereof. Focus on the positive.
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Be aware of body language. Your posture, eyes, hands, and language all contribute to the impression made on the interviewer. The following examples of proper body language and behavior may help you assess your presentation:
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Posture: Your posture conveys your level confidence or insecurity. Sit up straight and send a message that you are comfortable and confident.
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Eyes: Look the interviewer in the eyes. In addition, be sure to make eye contact with everyone in the room. If you focus all of your attention on one person, you may not engage the other interviewers.
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Hands: Avoid fidgeting because it is extremely distracting. Only use your hands to express yourself if you can do so in moderation.
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Language: Be clear and direct. Avoid the use of filler words between words or phrases. Do not ramble. When you finish making your point, stop!
Common Interview Questions
AFTER the Interview
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Send a thank you letter or email within 24 hours of the interview. Convey your enthusiasm for the position, and provide any additional information that you might not have mentioned in the interview. You may wish to reference the conversation you had with the employer so that he or she remembers you and knows that you valued your opportunity to interview. Address the note to the correct person, using his or her title.
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Evaluate your performance. Did any questions stump you? Now is the time to improve your answers for next time.
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Follow up if you do not hear from the employer after the date that the interviewer indicated. Call the interviewer and inquire about the position.