A successful interview is key to landing the job!
Steps in the interview process:
Before the interview
- Understand your personal goals, traits, characteristics, and interests
- Analyze the position requirements and skills required for the job opening
- Create some questions you would like to ask during the interview
- Rehearse your opening and closing
- Confirm the logistics for the interview, e.g., address, time, special parking, dress code, etc.
- Anticipate questions you may be asked during the interview and develop potential answers
- Practice, practice, practice answering those questions in front of a mirror
During the interview
- Arrival
- BE ON TIME!
- dispose of chewing gum
- turn off cell phones/pagers
- be well-groomed
- be CONFIDENT!
- Greeting the interviewer
- offer a firm handshake
- wait to be offered a seat
- SMILE!
- introduce yourself using a confident opening statement
- Keys to success
- maintain eye contact
- watch body language (crossed arms, leaning backward)
- positive body language (raised eyebrows, leaning forward)
- have a copy of your resume with you
- use interviewer's name in conversation
- think before you talk
- avoid the word "No" - interviewer may tune you out
- LISTEN! - draw upon earlier comments from the interviewer
Closing the interview
- Gain clarification on job itself or how you may fit into role
- When will interviewer make decision, how will they notify applicants
- Offer to be contacted after the interview if any further questions arise or clarification is required
- Thank the interviewer for their time. If you are interested in the position, be sure to indicate your interest and why you feel you would be the best candidate
- Close by saying you would welcome the opportunity to work with their team and look forward to hearing from them soon
- If meeting in person, ensure to once again use a firm handshake in closing
After the interview
- If provided with the interviewer's contact information, within 24 hours, thank the interviewer again for their time either by phone or email, comment that you enjoyed your discussion, are definitely interested in the position, and look forward to hearing their decision shortly
- LEARN FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE!