Preparing for the Interview

After a potential employer reviews your resume and decides that you may be a fit for the open position, he or she will bring you in for a face-to-face interview. It is important that you are properly prepared. You have already made a good first impression through your resume, and you want that impression to carry over through the rest of the interview process.

·         Research the organization. You can do this through the company’s website, brochures, and media articles.  Familiarize yourself with the product/services, philosophy and recent news. 

·         Make sure you know where you are going and how long it will take to get there; make a “practice run” if you are uncertain of the company location. 

·         If in a metropolitan area, bring cash and expect that you will need to pay for parking. 

·         Dress appropriately and professionally.  Interviewers do take into account what you wear and your overall personal presentation.  Err on the side of conservatism.

·         Business suits are preferable even if the company does not require suits to be worn daily.  Wear clean, well-polished shoes.  Women need appropriate hosiery.

·         Hair and fingernails should be clean and well groomed. 

·         Wear make-up, perfume, cologne and jewelry moderately.

·         Cover or remove all visible body piercings and/or tattoos.

·         If you are a smoker, refrain from smoking before the interview.  Also be aware that if you smoke in your home or car, you and your possessions will smell of smoke, which can leave a negative impression on some interviewers. 

·         Know the correct pronunciation of the company name and the interviewer’s name, as well as the title of the position for which you are interviewing.

·         Have up-to-date and error free copies of your resume and references.  Also bring a pen and notepad, but do not take notes or doodle during the interview.

·         Anticipate questions you will be asked and prepare your answers (see “Common Interview Questions”).

·         Prepare questions to ask the interviewer; this shows that you are truly interested in learning more about the company and the position (see “Example Questions to Ask”).

Common Interview Questions:  

·         Tell me about yourself.

·         Why are you interested in this position? / Why do you want to work for this company?

·         Why should I hire you? / What assets can you bring to our organization?

·         What are you looking for in a job/career/company?

·         What are your biggest strengths?

·         What is your biggest weakness?

·         Tell me about the best manager/supervisor you have had.

·         Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?

·         How would your coworkers and/or managers describe you?

·         Why did you leave your last job? / Why do you want to leave your current job?

·         What are some of your past accomplishments? Of which are you most proud and why? (personal and/or professional)

·         Where do you see yourself 3/5/10 years from now?

·         How do you handle stress and pressure?

·         Tell me about a time you encountered an angry customer/problem with a coworker/etc. and what you did to resolve the situation?

·         What work environment best suits you?

Sample Questions to Ask:  

·         What is a typical day like in this position?

·         What are the main duties/responsibilities of the position?

·         What is the management style like here?

·         What are you looking for in an applicant for this position?

·         Why is this position open?

·         How do you measure employee performance?

·         What is the training for this position?

·         Who are the company’s competitors?

·         What are the next steps in the hiring process?