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| Mastering the Interview |
You are interested in finding a new job. You have great skills, references, and experience. This guarantees that you will be hired. Right? Not necessarily. Believe it or not your work history is only a small part in determining whether or not you are hired. Some say it is as small as 40%. What makes up the remaining 60%? Read on and find out.
Most employers consider the following when deciding which candidate to hire:
- skills and experience
- references/professional reputation
- ability to fit into their work environment
- professionalism and attitude
- career goals as they correspond with the company's objectives
Create a well thought out, well presented, and well written resume to properly highlight your skills and experience. Include a neatly typed list of references that can be checked to verify your work history and professional reputation. The remainder of the evaluation criteria (60%)is covered in the interview. There are usually several qualified applicants applying for each open position. Therefore, excellent interviewing skills can make the difference between getting or not getting the job.
An interview is like a first impression. It is a common misconception that a first impression happens in the moment of meeting, when in fact the perfect first impression takes a good deal of planning. To give off the best possible impression, follow these tips and you will be on your way to mastering the interview and getting the job!
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| Before the Interview |
1. Review your resume.
You may feel as though you know your resume - after all, it is your work history and you wrote it. However, avoid the possibility of confusing dates, job duties, and descriptions during the interview by preparing ahead of time. Having the details of your resume fresh in your mind eliminates the possiblity of mistakes. In addition, being prepared will help you to feel more at ease.
2. Bring two copies of your resume with you.
There will be times when your interviewer does not have a copy of your resume. It is helpful to be able to give him/her one. Having an additional copy on hand shows that you think ahead and are prepared and professional. In addition to the extra copy for the interviewer, you should have a copy for yourself to reference if needed.
3. Research the company and prepare questions in advance that you can ask during the interview.
Researching the company and being prepared with questions shows that you have given the company and the opportunity a lot of thought and that you are serious. In addition, it eliminates any awkward moments when the interviewer asks if you have any questions for him/her. Also, keep in mind that the interview not only helps the potential employer decide if they would like to offer you a job, it also serves to help you decide if you would like to work for them.
4. Prepare statements about your goals, why you want the job, and why you believe you are right for the job
Having a prepared statement will get you thinking about your future. In addition, it can be difficult to come up with answers to these types of questions on the spot. Most interviewers will want to know about you and your goals in order to make the right decision about hiring you. Having prepared answers will give the impression that you think well on your feet, that you have given you future and goals consideration, and that you are a responsible person.
5. Know the company dress code.
Dressing the part may seem superficial but is actually a big part of the first impression. Do you look like you would fit it? One philosophy for dressing for an interview is to dress just a little bit better than the company's dress code. If the entire company is dressed casually, it is still not appropriate to arrive wearing sloppy jeans, just as it would not be appropriate to wear a formal business suit. Always dress neatly and professionally within the guidelines set by the company dress standards.
6. Leave plenty of time to get to the interview.
Avoid being late for an interview at all costs. You also want to avoid arriving just in the nick of time, flustered and out of breath. Leave a little extra time to account for unexpected traffic or delays.
7. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early (not five minutes-not fifteen minutes).
Arriving 10 minutes early for the interview gives you time to fill out paperwork and it gives the interviewer a few minutes to get ready for the interview. If you arrive exactly on time and there are forms to fill out, it may end up creating back-ups in the interviewer's schedule. You also want to avoid arriving too early. If the receptionist tells the interviewer that you have arrived and it is 20 minutes early, it is disruptive to his/her schedule. In addition, you may end up waiting 20 minutes, which can add to your nervousness.
8. Show confidence.
The moment you meet the interviewer makes a lasting impression. Appear confident and enthusiastic by making direct eye contact, shaking hands firmly, and thanking him/her for taking the time to meet with you.
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| During the Interview |
1. Make your body language work for you.
Body language is a huge part of the impression you make. The way someone stands or sits indicates a lot about them. Even if you are nervous or unsure of yourself you can come across as confident and professional by adjusting your body posture. Make eye contact and sit up straight to show that you are secure, interested, professional and listening. Open body posture(uncrossed arms and legs) gives off an air of honesty, ease, eagerness, and authority - not hostility or excessive nervousness. Crossed arms during an interview usually gives off an unfavorable impression. Avoid nervous behaviors, which can be distracting such as biting nails,shifting in your seat, touching your face or hair, or doodling.
2. Start out listening.
Listening carefully to the interviewer can give you clues as to what the interviewer feels is important. Armed with this information you can stress those qualities in yourself. Always wait for the interviewer to finish speaking before you begin. Reflect on the questions you are asked and answer them clearly and thoughtfully.
3. Treat the interview as a two way fact finding mission.
Remember that you are conducting an interview of your own. Use your prepared questions to find out as much as you can to determine whether this job is right for you.
4. Avoid any negative statements about previous employers or companies.
Find a positive way to say everything. Even if your last supervisor was extremely unreasonable and impossible to work for, you can find a positive way to answer the question, "why are you looking to leave your current position?" You can say, "I am looking to work for a company whose philosophy is similar to mine." You can say, "I learned a great deal at my old position, but I am now looking for a company with whom I can grow and learn. Or you can say, "My career goals are xyz. I am looking for a company who has opportunities where I can meet my goals, and your company seems to be the right fit." No matter what the question, state your answer positively.
5. Focus on what is important.
Feel free to ask questions about the job, department, and company. However, spend as little time as possible asking about vacations, sick leave, pay raises, and personal time off. You can find this information out quickly towards the end of the interview. Or, if the interviewer does not bring up benefits and compensation, you can ask who you should speak to gather this information. Spending too much time on these things will make the interviewer question your motivation and priorities. Compensation is an important part of the job, but it has its time and place.
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| After the Interview |
1. Thank the interviewer, shake hands, and restate that you are interested in the position(if you are).
Confidence always makes a lasting impression. Impress upon the interviewer that you are serious and enthusiastic about the position. Most candidates forget to indicate that they are truly interested in the job. It may be evident because you are interviewing, however saying it drives the point home.
2. Ask when you might be hearing back with a decision.
This gives you the appropriate timeline for following up. In addition, when you ask for a date, it also sets this date in the interviewer's mind. Do not call or follow-up until several days after the date the interviewer has given you. You do not want to rush or hound the interviewer, however you may have other options and do not want to wait for an indeterminate amount of time.
3. Send or e-mail a very brief thank you note and restate your interest and why you are the right person for the job.
Where there are many applicants for one position, sending a brief note puts you back in the forefront of the interviewer's mind. It also shows that you have follow through and enthusiasm.
Keep these suggestions in mind, prepare to make a great first impression, and you will have every advantage in your job search!
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