Traditional Interviews
Adapted from Job Hunting Strategies Guide
Research
Don't underestimate the importance of doing your research before you interview. If you effectively prepare for an interview, your confidence will promote a positive interaction. You should not only understand your own goals and abilities, but have an understanding of the company's products/services and organization. The following outline will help you do both.
The Basics
What are the name and title of the interviewer, and the formal name of the company? What is the address and location of the interview? What is the phone number? What are the time and date of the interview? Who are your references? What are the company's products? What services do they offer? What is their organizational structure? Where are the home office and branches? How old is the company?
Personal Information
How do your interests, values, skills, personality and goals match the organization? How do your education and work history relate to this organization? What are your achievements? Accomplishments? What are your personal strengths? Weaknesses? What are your plans for the future?
Interviewing Research Techniques
Read literature on the employer, including annual reports. Read periodicals and newspapers to learn of current newsworthy issues at the organization and especially, within the field. Talk to people who work there or at a similar organization. Find out what are considered personal success factors in the organization and be sure that your presentation includes them. SHA faculty, alumni and members of the Advisory Board are a good place to start. “Informational Interviewing” is an invaluable skill Thoroughly understand the requirements of the job or training program. Don't waste time in the interview asking for this information if it is available elsewhere. The Internet!! Most companies have homepages, and this can be a very useful tool in researching companies.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Don't use your first interview as a proving ground – practice is a no-risk situation. Once you get started, practice interviews quickly feel like the real thing. Seeing yourself as others see you is the single most effective and efficient way to learn interviewing skills. Get feedback.
Since it is virtually impossible to predict the questions an employer will ask, have a flexible agenda. You should have a short list of items in mind which link the needs of the organization to your experience. Don't rehearse for a script that is bound to change, but do be prepared for the questions that recruiters might ask you. A list of the most commonly asked interview questions is included in this section.
The Day of The Interview
Before the Interview
Dress professionally. Don't be eliminated in the first few seconds because your appearance is inconsistent with the “culture” of the organization. Being conservative is the safest bet. Arrive early and allow a generous amount of travel time. Use the extra 15-20 minutes once you arrive to relax and collect your thoughts and observe what is going on around you. Get a “feel” for the work environment. If unsure about the meeting place, go a day or two ahead of time; see how long it takes you to get there, and make sure you know where the office is located. Take extra résumés to the interview. You may unexpectedly be asked to meet with additional interviewers. A clean copy of your résumé on bond paper is more impressive than the Xeroxed copy your interviewer might pass along. Bring a typed list of the names and phone numbers of your references. Take a pen and paper along for any notes you may wish to make immediately after the interview. Use them to write your thank you letter.
During the interview
Be calm. Most interviewers expect applicants to be slightly nervous, so try not to worry about it. Employers use different interviewing styles and may be inexperienced at interviewing. Be friendly and enthusiastic. Establishing rapport is as much your responsibility as the employer's. Be aware of body language. Maintain good eye contact, but don't stare. Control distracting and/or nervous habits, and don't slouch. Practicing your interview techniques beforehand will help you spot and reduce any distracting mannerisms. Don't wait for the right questions in order to talk about your skills and experience and how they qualify you. If the employer fails to ask the questions you want to answer, attempt to steer the conversation tactfully, using the employer's questions as a springboard. Be direct and don't ramble; introduce a point, develop it, give an illustration and move on. Speak through your experiences at every opportunity. Concrete examples which “show” are much more compelling than broad generalizations which simply “tell”. Listen. Good communication skills mean listening as well as speaking.
Phases of the Interview
Most interviews will pass through the following phases:
The Ice Breaker: This is the “how's-the-weather” polite conversation. Relax, participate, enjoy it. You are showing a basic social skill, which is important in virtually any job.
The Heart of the Interview: The interviewer will want to talk about your experiences so that she can evaluate you on the organization's criteria.
You will often be asked if you have any questions about the organization, program or job during this phase. Think of something you would like to know and ask it. Don't ask a question just because you think you have to. And don't ask questions which should have been answered in your research.
Questions you may want to ask:
What specific tasks does the position require? Where does this job fit into the organizational structure? How will the work be evaluated? What kind of supervision will there be? Whom would I be working for and with? Where is the organization going? What opportunities for advancement exist? What kind of orientation and training are available to new employees? Are there any long-range plans for the office or department?
The Closing: The interviewer will likely be watching the time and will give overt cues that the interview is approaching the end. They will often tell you what will happen next and when. If they don't, you should ask. Be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and restate your interest in the job.
After the Interview
Write the interviewer a brief thank-you note. In this note, you may refer to specific issues which were discussed, express your thanks, and restate your interest in the position. Also provide whatever credentials, references, or employment applications the employer may have requested. Think about the interview and make some notes on what you learned about the job, organization, or career field. These will be helpful if you are invited for a second round of interviews. If an interview doesn't go well, learn from your mistakes (another reason to plan practice interviews).