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Interview Basics
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Congratulations!
You have made it past the resume screening; next step is the interview. The process of the interview is two fold. First, it provides the company an opportunity to find out if you are the right fit for their organization. Secondly, it allows you to confirm the company is right for you. Below are some general rules for interviewing:
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Be Prepared
Know yourself! Review your strengths , weaknesses, skills, career goals, etc. Be able to articulate why the
employer should hire you. Before you interview, be able to say "yes" to the following statements.
♦ Can you discuss your career goals and how employment with a particular organization fits into them?
♦ Do you know what skills you will bring to the job and in what ways you will be an asset to the
organization?
♦ Can you be clear, complete and concise in answering direct questions?
♦ Can you turn negative qualities in yourself or your background into positive statements?
♦ Are you enthusiastic about the organization/job?
♦ Do you have at least one positive thing to say about your education and your former employers?
♦ Can you listen to a non-stop talker yet "fill-in" for a quieter interviewer?
♦ Is your attitude 100% sincere? Is it focused 100% on the positive?
♦ My first goal is to secure a job offer. My second goal is to examine factors (money, working
conditions, etc.) that will help me decide if I should accept the offer.
♦ I am aware that many personality questions (sincerity, tactfulness, enthusiasm, etc.) are being
answered indirectly while I am directly answering other specific questions.
♦ Know the employer. Research the organization and position. Check the Internet for the
organization's homepage.
♦ Schedule a mock interview with Career and Counseling Services or practice interviewing with a
friend.
Before the Interview
1. Confirm the interview time, place and who you will be meeting with, including their titles.
2. Bring extra resumes.
3. Be professionally dressed and well groomed.
4. Arrive 15 minutes early so you can collect your thoughts ahead of time; you don't want to be rushed.
5. Be sure to show respect and courtesy to all levels of employees with which you interact. They may be asked
for input regarding the candidates.
During the Interview
1. Be confident and enthusiastic. This will come more easily if you are well prepared.
♦ Be honest, be yourself. Many hiring decisions are made based on personality and fit, since several
candidates may actually be well qualified for the position.
♦ Listen - follow the lead of the interviewer. Never interrupt the interviewer. Be sure that you
understand the question asked, or ask him/her to clarify it for you. If you need to pause and take
a few minutes to collect your thoughts before answering a question, do so.
♦ Ask intelligent questions. Prepare your questions ahead of time and ask for clarification on
information told to you during the interview that wasn't specific.
♦ Clarify follow-up procedures. Who calls whom, and by when.
After the Interview
1. Send a thank you letter ideally within 24 hours.
2. Keep records about the interview, with whom you talked, and timelines for following up.
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