Employment

Keys to Interviewing

Interviewing can be difficult, scary, nerve-racking, exciting, educational, self-building, disappointing, and/or rewarding all at the same time.

These are keys to making it an easier process:

Before the Interview

(The interview starts long before you appear in the interviewer's office.)

Research the Employer

Thoroughly research the organization to impress those with whom you meet and to allow more time for you to tell your story and discuss specifics of the position.

Some of the information you will want to know includes:

• Size of organization
• Location of facilities
• Product line or service
• Potential markets, products, services
• Name of recruiter and others you will be meeting
• Recent items in the news
• Others you know in the organization

Know Yourself

Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and know exactly what you want to say and do not want to say during the interview.

Prepare Yourself

Know exactly how to get to the organization and be prepared to arrive early and stay late

Prepare to bring additional materials to the interview such as copies of your resume, a list of references, samples of your work, or transcripts.

During the Interview

Be Yourself!

Do not misrepresent yourself. You want to make a good fit.

Tell them what you know.

Explain who you are, what you've done and what you can do.

You are selling yourself; the Recruiter does not know you.

Be excited and knowledgeable.

Show enthusiasm. Know about the institution and position for which you are interviewing.

Look your best.

How you present yourself can represent how you think about yourself.

Be confident and present yourself well.

Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished in your life.

Be punctual.

It signifies how important a job is to you and tells the Recruiter how reliable you are.

Use good eye contact.

The eyes are the windows to the soul. Poor eye contact is unsettling and leads to suppositions.

Use proper language.

Speak clearly and properly.

Don't burn your bridges.

Do not share negative experiences about your last or current job. It gives the impression of not being able to overcome challenging situations.

Don't talk about money until the end.

Be aware of the salary range of the job and save the discussion for the end.

After the Interview

• Use the interview as a learning experience. Take notes on what you would like to improve after you leave the room.
• Send a follow-up letter to thank the interviewer, and stress points in your background that qualify you for the position.
• If you are not contacted within the specified time, call to restate your interest.

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