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What is the objective of an interview? For the employer, it is to see if your paper image and portrayal stand up in real life: to see if you are a "match" for the position at hand. Your objective should be to explore whether or not this is a place you'd like to work. Formulate open-ended questions and probe. Look for indicators. Ideally, you should be interview¬ing to obtain as many offers as possible, so that you have a choice between offers.Do I have to dress up? Yes, although more formal dress is usually most appropriate, you want to gear yourself to the dress standards of the workplace. When in doubt, dress up to show you take the interview seriously.
How do I make an impression? Don't try to be anyone but yourself. Smile. Use a firm handshake and frequent eye contact. Elaborate on information from your resume that indicates you will work out well, that the risk in hiring you is small, and that you have a steady, predictable record of dedication to those things that are important to you. Be confident yet modest.
What should I bring? Anything that can support your case, but don't bring items to light until the appropriate time in 40 the flow of conversation. A few well-placed examples of your work are far more effective than proving you have skills that may not be necessary for this particular job. You don't want to seem overbearing.
What is the best way to prepare? You must have a good understanding of your abilities as they relate to the job you are applying for. You can do this simply: (1) List all of the questions that you think you'll be asked. (See sample questions, pages 45-46. (2) Talk to someone in the held, in a similar position, or someone who is knowledgeable about interviewing. (3) Role-play the interview with a friend, roommate, or fellow job-hunter.
How do I get information about the position? Many firms are willing to send you a job description if you ask for one. It is possible to get a wealth of information about companies and even some individuals from a library. Your college placement office has brochures, annual reports and related information.
How do I get information daring an interview? You will always be given a chance to ask questions. Remember, though, that good interviewers will control the interview so that they first get all of the information they want about you before they tell you too much about the job. In this way they avoid "telegraphing" the right answers to their questions.
What do you mean by "telegraphing"? Giving the best answers to their questions. For example, "This job requires good communication skills. How are your communications skills?" Obviously you would know to reply that your communication skills are strong.
How can I get them talkingflrst? After you answer a question, ask a question. This will tend to make your interview more conversational and natural. Ask open-ended questions that can't be answered with a "yes" or "no." For example, in what direction is the company moving? How would a typical day on the job be spent? What training opportunities exist? Ask about the interviewer. How did he or she join the company? What does he or she like best about working for the company?
What other techniques might the interviewer use? If the interviewer has been trained in interviewing, he or she might "runnel" questions from the general to the specific. This is a way to get the interviewee to walk through a situation as if it were actually happening. For example: "Did you deal with customers on your last job?" "Did you ever deal with a negative customer?" "How did you handle that person?" "What if they still didn't respond to your approach?" 'And if that didn't work?" This is a way to find out what you were thinking while you were in that situation.
What questions will most likely be asked? You can guess a lot of them. The questions will focus on how you could meet their needs. The employer might ask about gaps or ambig-uous information on your resume. Some other questions to expect include: Why do you want this job? What will you do you don't get it? If you're interested in business (government, education, etc.) why did you major in history (English, sociology, philosophy, etc.)? ("I took history to improve my verbal skills, to learn how to research problems, and to analyze leadership theories of yesteryear.") Will you relocate? (Will you really?) When are you available? Will you be willing to wait two months for this position? Three months? Six months? Do you plan to go to graduate school? ("Possibly, but I want to obtain some work experience first.") What salary do you expect? ("Competitive or appropriate to my experience and potential.") See the list on page 45 for additional questions.
What are the unspoken questions? Will this person fit the job? The group? Can I justify hiring this person? Will the value outweigh the cost of hiring this applicant? Will he or she accept the position if it is offered? Does the applicant really want the job?
How honest should I be? Be honest, but not blunt. Don't offer negative information that is unnecessary. At the same time, you'll fit in best if you leave no surprises, especially about your abilities. Answer the questions asked.
What if I am asked a question I can't answer? You more than likely will not be quizzed during your interview. A question that throws you can be handled by asking for clarification or for an example. If you don't know, say so, but too many of these replies may indicate that you did not prepare enough for the interview.
Will I be asked any trick questions? Maybe. They will probably be concerned with how serious you are about this career, profession and job. A typical question might be: "What other alternatives or positions are you considering?" You want it to appear as if you are hoping to receive a job offer from this company. "Well, since this is exactly what I'm looking for, I've postponed looking at other positions. If I'm not accepted, I would probably check with . . . (name their leading competitor)."
What should I ask about? Whatever is necessary to meet your criteria for selection, and to give you a good feel for the job, the people, and the working environment. Examples might include: What are the basic responsibilities of this position, and how much time will be spent on each? With whom will I be working? What are the major problems faced by this area of the company? How much travel, and of what duration, is expected? How much pressure might I encounter? What style of management prevails in this area or in the company? What's the next step in the selection process?
Any other advice? Try to project yourself into the job as much as possible. This is a way of looking past the offer and presuming an acceptance. Find out what you'd be doing the first day, week, and month of employment. Be able to explain how you would initially approach these responsibilities. If the interview has gone well, ask for the job while you're there.
Interviewing Questions
There is no way to be able to predict all of the possible questions you may be asked in an interview: The following questions have been taken from inten'iew evaluation forms used by several different employers.
- Why should I hire you?
- What are your current job expectations?
- Describe your educational background.
- What was your favorite course in school? Why?
- Describe the previous jobs you have had, beginning with your most recent.
- What were your major responsibilities in your last job?
- What are some of the things you did particularly well in your last job? (Or achieved the greatest success in?)
- Why did you leave your last job?
- Most jobs have positive and negative qualities. What were some of the negative qualities of your last job?
- What did you like most/least about your past jobs/academic work?
- Describe something you did that was not normally part of your job.
- Do you like working with figures?
- What do you think are the qualities of a good supervisor?
- What do you consider to be the perfect job for you?
- What do you feel have been your most significant accom-plishments?
- Give an accurate description of yourself.
- Would you have any trouble making it to work by 8:00 a.m.?
- Describe what you see as your major strengths and weaknesses for this position.
- Are there certain things you feel more confident about doing? What are they, and why do you feel the way you do?
- If you had a choice of responsibilities within this department which would you prefer?
- How do you perceive your role in interacting with other department members?
- What key factors attract you to this position or company?
- What do you see yourself doing in five years?
- How much independence and flexibility do you like in a job?
- What do you expect for a starting salary?
- When can you start?
What are my strongest assets in relation to this position?
What do I need to learn about the position, company or interviewer before the interview? How can I do that?
What should I take to the interview?
- Additional resumes
- A list of references with telephone numbers
- Papers and projects
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Four-year education plan (describing and tying your
- education to your future plans)
- Other:
