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Preparation

Preparing for an interview is the most important part (and most commonly overlooked)

Even if you’re interviewing for several positions in the same company or industry, prepare for each one individually

Tweak your resume to fit every job you’re applying for

Self-Analysis

Ask yourself some important questions Who am I? What are my goals? How will I reach my goals? Why do I want this job? Why am I qualified What are my strengths? Weaknesses?

Interview Attire

Dress conservatively! Don’t wear flashy or gaudy clothing

Try to keep a professional image

Men’s Attire

A dark suit is ideal. Suitable colors include blue, gray, and dark brown.

A neatly ironed long sleeve shirt should be worn. White is a good, safe color to choose

Make sure socks match outfit. Shoes should be formal black/brown shoes.

Shave before the interview. Make sure hair looks presentable

Women’s Attire

A conservative dress or knee length skirt is preferable.

Hose should not be darker than the skirt. Bring an extra pair just in case

Wear simple, tasteful jewelry Close toed shoes that match the outfit

should be worn. High heels should be avoided

Keep long hair pulled up, away from face

Other Clothing Notes

Be sure to take out any extraneous piercings. Women can wear a pair of simple, tasteful earrings

Make sure any tattoos are covered fulled.

Job Research

Make sure you completely understand what the company does and also what your job entails

Read up on the history of the company as well as its current state in the market

If possible, find out information about the person who is interviewing you (name, position, etc)

Other Importants Notes

Make sure to use the bathroom before you go into the interview

Turn off your cell phone before you start. If you forget and it rings during the interview, don’t answer it

Make sure to set your facebook or blog to ‘private’

The Interview Location

Usually held in a quiet room with little to no chance of distractions

Location often a reflection of the company and position

Sometimes will have more than one interviewers

Interviewing in a Foreign Country Make sure that you know any local

customs or traditions that might affect your interview

Do some research into body language in the cultures; some have a lot, some have very little

Find out if religion might affect your chances of getting the job

Research the attitudes towards the different sexes in the country

Before the Interview

Arrive at the interview at least 15-20 minutes early

Try to relax before you go in Bring an extra copy of your resume Bring a notepad and pen to take

notes

Introduction

Look the interviewer in the eye when he meets you and give a firm handshake

The interviewer may try to make small talk to break the tension. Remember to remain polite and professional

Start off confident right from the beginning

Answering Questions

Answer questions fully, but don’t babble

Be confident with your answers. Avoid phrases like “Maybe…” or “Possibly…”

If you don’t know an answer, don’t pretend that you do

Don’t make jokes, don’t flirt, don’t badmouth previous employers

Answering Questions (cont’d) Focus on positive aspects of previous

jobs Do not belittle yourself or previous

coworkers/employers Avoid answering with just “yes” or

“no” Feel free to ask follow-up questions

to the interviewer Be passionate! (but not crazy)

Some example questions

What are your career plans? Why are you interested in this

organization? How did you choose your major and

this university? Tell me about yourself. With what other employers do you

plan to interview? What are your greatest strengths?

What are your chief weaknesses?

Questions that you can ask What are the day-to-day

responsibilities of this job? To whom would I report? Under

whose supervision would I be assigned?

Would I be responsible for supervising other staff? If so, how many and what positions?

Body Language

Try not to touch your face or hair Maintain eye contact with

interviewer for the entire length of the interview

Be friendly and enthusiastic Sit up straight in your chair

Interviewing in a Foreign Language Avoid using overly overly formal

“book” language Avoid any slang you might have

learned, no matter how comfortable you are with it

If you do not understand a question, do not pretend to know the answer

Make sure that you can pronounce the interviewer’s name correctly

Some “Don’t do” ’s

Don’t ask about salary unless first brought up by the interviewer

Don’t sit down until asked (its more polite)

Don’t chew gum or smoke Don’t use flattery Don’t interrupt the interviewer Don’t drink alcohol if the interview is

during a meal

After the interview

Do not linger after the interview Ask if there’s anything else the

interviewer wants to know Thank the interviewer for his time Be sure to send a ‘thank you’ note as

a follow-up to the interview

How to Improve your Interview Skills Practice with a friend Videotape yourself doing a mock-

interview Go on the internet Read books about interviewing

Interviewing is an art, not a science. The best way to improve is to have experience.