The interview process is a very important
phase of your career search. Due to the
current layoff trend and projections of a
recessed economy, both recent graduates and
seasoned professionals are competing for the
most menial of entry-level positions.
Possessing sharp interview skills is
necessary if you want to maintain an
advantage in today's highly competitive job
market.
Proper preparation is key. When accepting an
invitation to interview, make sure you
obtain as much information from the
appointment setter as possible. Learn the
name and title of the interviewer and/or the
department head, the full title of the
position being recruited for and the
department in which the position will be
held. If you did not retain a copy of the
job announcement or if the advertisement was
too vague, try to secure a complete job
description as well. Visit the office prior
to your interview, identify yourself as a
potential candidate to the receptionist and
let him/her know that you just wanted to
make sure of the exact location of the
company so he/she won't be alarmed by your
impromptu arrival. You can also request
company literature and a job description if
you had not previously obtained one.
Usually, the receptionist will be willing to
oblige. You can then use the information you
have gathered to learn more about the
company and what your expected role will be.
Browse through the company website and
locate your interviewer's (or the department
head's) bio if there is one available. Take
special notice of the company's mission and
think of a statement that would allow you to
speak sincerely of how your own values align
with the company's objectives.
Don't just leave it at company-specific
research. Check out similar positions and
other companies that operate in the same
industry. Read the business section of local
newspapers and trade magazines paying close
attention to the status of public holdings.
Look at current developments in the industry
and the projected outlook of the field. Talk
with people you know who hold comparable
positions. Perform a salary comparison so
you will know what type of compensation to
expect and be in a better position for
negotiation when the topic is broached. The
information you obtain will prove valuable
in letting the interviewer know you are
truly interested in the position and will
give you more ammunition during the
inevitable small talk that occurs at the
beginning and end of an interview.
Give yourself a mock interview. Think of
answers to some of the most commonly asked
interview questions such as "tell me about
yourself?," "what are your
strengths...weaknesses?" and "where do you
see yourself in five years?" Make sure your
responses are positive. Turn negative
experiences and weaknesses into strengths.
For example, "I am very focused which is
both a strength and a weakness because it
prevents me from moving on to another task
until I have completed the one I am
currently working on" or "I am a really good
listener which often allows for people to
take advantage of my time with unnecessary
chatter." Jot down three to five facts from
your research that can be developed into a
great answer to the popular question, "why
do you want to work for this company?" Also,
create a list of questions to ask the
interviewer. This is just as much an
interview for the company as it is for you.
Knowledge is just half the battle. You must
also look the part. The popular advice is to
dress business professional. While this is
not bad advice, it is not always practical
to follow it. During your fact-gathering
visit to the company, you should have also
taken a good look at how the employees were
dressed and keep in mind what is the
industry standard. You don't want to show up
for an interview in four-inch heeled pumps
to discover that you have to walk across a
slippery factory floor nor should you be in
jeans and sneakers to sit down with the
Chief Financial Officer of a major marketing
firm. The rule of thumb is never wear less
than a pair of slacks and loafers and always
be well-groomed with minimal jewelry (you
can pull out a few piercings for a day) and
without excessive makeup. Times are changing
fast but old traditions still hold true to
form. Unless it is an acceptable practice to
the company at which you seek to be hired,
cover up tattoos and save another day to try
out that new green and purple hair dye.
This really should go without saying but be
on time. You should arrive approximately ten
to fifteen minutes early for your interview.
You don't want to be too early as this tends
to just confuse your interviewer and you
don't want to be late at all. Tardiness is
not an attribute you want to give your
potential employer as a first impression.
Now this may come as a shock to you but your
interviewer should not be late either.
Remember, you are there to interview the
company just as the company is interviewing
you so your time must also be respected. An
appropriate wait time for an interview is no
more than thirty minutes. Most employers
allow ten to fifteen minutes for your
arrival and an additional fifteen minutes
for any paperwork you might need to
complete. Anything in excess of an half hour
is an abuse of your time and grounds for you
to reconsider your candidacy at the company.
During the interview, be energetic and
upbeat. Be articulate and self-aware. Use
good attentive body language and refrain
from chewing gum, cracking knuckles,
twiddling thumbs and any other annoying
habits. Turn off cell phones or pagers. Wear
an authentic smile and maintain good eye
contact. Ask the interviewer if you may take
notes and actually do so, marking off any of
your prepared questions that get answered.
Take your time so you don't rush responses.
This will be especially helpful if you are
asked a difficult or unpredicted question
like "if you were a fruit, what type of
fruit would you be and why?" Many
interviewers like to throw these types of
questions at you to see how you might handle
stress or the unexpected. Taking your time
will allow your senses to get over the
initial shock so you can think of a creative
response to the question. Ask the remaining
questions from your prepared list. Stay away
from salary and benefits talk. Most
interviewers will bring it up themselves but
if they don't, make sure it is not among
your first questions. End the interview with
a firm handshake and request a business
card. Make sure you ask how soon it will be
before you can expect a response.
Follow up the interview with a thank you
card or letter. In the letter, you should
tie in any information you may have left out
during the interview that might enhance your
qualifications and recap significant points
of discussion to demonstrate that you were
listening. It helps to throw in a personal
tidbit using any small talk that may have
been offered up by the interviewer. For
instance, the interviewer may have mentioned
that his wife is expecting. You could say
something like, "Congratulations on joining
the ranks of fatherhood." The interviewer
will be flattered by the sentiment and more
apt to remember your name.
Interviews can be difficult but with the
proper preparation, you can set yourself
ahead of the competition. Be as sincere,
courteous and professional as possible.
Remember, skills and qualifications are only
a fraction of the screening process. Most
companies hire based on who it was they
liked the most rather than who was the most
qualified.
Copyright 2006 by Niquenya D. Fulbright,
Professional Life Coach All Rights Reserved.
Niquenya Fulbright is a professional life
coach with over 10 years experience
specializing in career, sex, love and
relationship coaching. For more information
visit
www.niquenyafulbright.com.
