Interview Preparation Tips

Here are some suggestions to help in preparation for your interviews.

The Five “P’s”:
For successful career development, always be:

Punctual
Polite
Professional
Positive
Pro-Active

Telephone Interviews:

Telephone interviews help the employer to determine who they should take their time to sit down with at length, but if you're local to the job, you should attempt to schedule personal interviews to give a better first impression than they can possibly get from talking to you over the phone.

A telephone interview is similar to an open book test. Notes are mandatory, not optional. In order to do a good telephone interview, six things are required:

A resume or a written data sheet on yourself (including key accomplishments
and achievements)
A list of your strengths
A list of your weaknesses
A list of your specific qualifications for THE POSITION being discussed
A list of questions about the interviewer, the interview process, and the
company
A written-down closing statement

The resume or data sheet is important so you have a chronological listing of all of employment data, including specific job duties in front of you. Under pressure, people have even forgotten their own names! Luckily, it's right on the resume! Key accomplishments are past achievements which single you out, such as: employee of the month, scholarship, high school/college honors, a significant work project you completed, etc. Write them down! Write down your top five strengths. If the hiring authority only asks for three, that's okay, but you are prepared if he asks for five.

Write down your weaknesses. If asked, your weaknesses should be stated like this, "I feel the areas that I would like to improve on are..." Prepare a list of 5 to 10 specific qualifications you have for the particular position being discussed. Do a comparative analysis of your background and THIS position’s job description. Prepare a few questions to ask the hiring authority regarding the company. Write down things that are important to you, i.e., the size of the company, growth potential, future opportunity, how long your potential boss has been with the company, where his or her next step is and why he or she likes the company, etc. Do not discuss salary. Do not bring up benefits.

If salary is brought up by the interviewer, state that you are willing to entertain their best offer. Closing Statements. This is very important. Have something written down so if the telephone interviewer says something in closing that catches you off guard you can close out your interview with a positive ending, such as: “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to discuss this position with you. What’s the next step in the interview process?” “I am very interested in joining your team in this position. Do you need any additional information from me or from Custom Staffing?” “I know I can do a good job for you. Is it possible to discuss this in person soon?"


Before The Face-To-Face Interview:

Do the following ahead of time:

Determine your long term career goals (2/5/10 years)
Research the company by visiting their website, going to the library, etc.
Prepare your QUALIFICATION list of 5 to 10 specific qualifications you have for
the position being discussed. Do a comparative analysis of your background
and THIS position.
Prepare your business clothes the night before
Prepare a folder with copies of your current resume and your professional
reference list (including daytime phone numbers) the day before the interview
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never
excusable

Here are some topics that you might consider addressing during the interview:

A detailed description of the position
The reason the position is available
Anticipated indoctrination and training programs
Advanced training programs available for those who demonstrate outstanding
abilities
Company growth plans
Your potential career path within the company


The Face-To-Face Interview:

Arrive 15 minutes early. Observe the company’s “personality” while you wait. Be on your BEST manners. If asked to fill out an application form, fill it out in its entirety. Do NOT write “see resume” anywhere on the form. Put “Negotiable” in the salary requirement blank. Greet the interviewer by surname if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you are not, ask for it to be repeated. Shake hands firmly. Smile genuinely. Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair; look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Never smoke even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette. Do not chew gum during your interview. Maintain good eye contact with the employer and don't fidget. Follow the interviewer's leads, but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position. Never answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain your answers whenever possible.

Tell those things about yourself which relate to the situation. Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make the interviewer realize the need for you in the organization. Be prepared to answer typical questions like: What kind of job are you looking for? What are your strengths? Your weaknesses? What do you know about our company? Why did you choose your particular vocation? What are your qualifications? Who has been your favorite supervisor? Why? Who has been your least favorite supervisor? Why? Never lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as "to the point" as possible. Never, ever make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies. Never "over answer" questions.

The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics. Since this can become a sticky situation, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say any more than is necessary. Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. It is better to be in the position where you can choose rather than the company saying no.

Closing The Face-To-Face Interview:

Ask for the position if you are interested in it. Ask for the next interview if the situation demands. If the position is offered to you and you want it, then accept it on the spot. If you wish some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide an answer. Never be too discouraged if no definite offer is made or a specific salary is discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with the office first, or interview more applicants, before making a final decision. If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction. Express thanks for the interviewer's time and consideration of you. Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible.