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Interview
Tips - Be Prepared |
Interview preparation should begin at least one day ahead
of time. Learn pertinent facts about the company, such
as annual sales revenue, principal lines of business and
technologies used. Visit the company's web site to review
its annual report and recent press releases.
Below are some questions typically asked during an interview.
By rehearsing your answers, you'll be more relaxed during
the interview and appear more confident and professional.
Just be careful not to sound over rehearsed. Your responses
should come naturally.
• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about your background and accomplishments.
• What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
• How would you describe your most recent job performance?
• How do you stay current professionally?
• What outside activities are most significant to
your personal development?
You should also prepare a list of questions of your own
to ask during the interview. These will help the hiring
manager to evaluate your professional needs and determine
whether your working relationship will be mutually rewarding.
It's also your chance to show you have done your homework.
Here are some questions you might ask.
• What would I be expected to accomplish in this
assignment?
• What is the current status of the project?
• What are the greatest challenges in this position?
• How do you think I fit the assignment?
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Successful
Interviewing |
Your primary goal during an interview is to sell yourself
for the position. Follow the interviewer's lead, but try
to get him or her to describe the job and its duties as
soon as possible. That way you'll know how to best present
your background, skills and accomplishments. Stress your
achievements in a factual, sincere manner, and remember
that showing genuine enthusiasm for the job can boost
your chances of being further considered for the position.
Here
are some important "Dos and Don'ts" of successful
interviewing.
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Do: |
• Arrive on time.
• Greet the interviewer by name.
• Smile and shake hands firmly.
• Look alert and interested at all times.
• Speak firmly, clearly and loudly enough to be
easily understood.
• Look the interviewer in the eye while speaking.
• Structure your comments in a positive manner.
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Don't: |
• Exhibit overbearing, overaggressive or egotistical
behavior.
• Show a lack of interest or enthusiasm about the
position or company.
• Appear excessively nervous.
• Overemphasize your compensation.
• Make excuses for unfavorable factors in your work
history.
• Disparage past employers, managers, projects or
technologies.
• Answer only "yes" or "no"
to questions.
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Closing
an Interview |
• If you are interested in the position, let the
interviewer know. If you feel the position is attractive
and you want it, be a good salesperson and say something
such as: "I'm very impressed with what I've seen
here today: your company, its products and the people
I've met. I am confident I could do an excellent job in
the position you've described to me." The interviewer
will be impressed with your enthusiasm.
• Ask the interviewer, "Are there any concerns
you have about my background?" This is your opportunity
to readdress any objections before you leave. Otherwise
you probably won't get another chance.
• Keep a positive attitude.
• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and
consideration. If you have answered the two questions
– "Why are you interested in this position?"
and "What can you offer?" – you have done
all you can.
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