INTERVIEW TIPS

Before the interview…

Know yourself—Be prepared to articulate your interests and qualifications clearly and concisely. Review your resume to remind yourself of what you have done.

Know how to interview—Role play an interview with a career counselor, professor or academic advisor.

Conduct company research—Know the products and/or services the employer provides, the history, size of company and jobs. Do PPA (Potential Problem Analysis!) Make sure you know the location, travel time needed, possible traffic problems, etc. Do a practice run if that will make you more comfortable to make sure you know where you are going.

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer—Prepare at least three questions to ask the person who is doing your interview.

“Dress for Success”—Research the company dress code and take dress one step higher. Lean toward conservative. Don’t let anything you wear (make-up, jewelry, short dress, soiled or wrinkled clothing) rule you out!

Be alert—Get a good night’s sleep and eat a good meal prior to the interview….be careful of garlic and onions!

Be prepared—Make sure to have 3 extra copies of your resume and references printed out to take with you in a nice folder or briefcase.

The Day of the Interview…

Arrive early—Arrive 5-10 minutes early.

Announce your arrival—Be friendly to the people who greet you. Their impressions of you will be considered by those who are doing the hiring.

Introduce yourself to the interviewer—Know the interviewer’s name and give a FIRM handshake.

During the Interview…

Listen carefully to the questions—Give clear and concise answers. Whenever possible, give examples that illustrate your skills/qualifications.

Ask questions—Ask both the questions that you have prepared and any others that arose during the interview.

Discuss the hiring time—Ask the interviewer about the time-line for hiring. Inquire about the appropriateness of making a follow-up call in a week or two.

Thank you—Thank the interviewer and secretary when you leave.

After the Interview…

Send a thank you note—Send one within 48 hours. Restate your interest and your qualifications for the position. Make a point to include anything significant that you failed to mention in the interview. DON’T JUST SEND AN E-MAIL!!

Make a follow-up telephone call—Follow up one or two weeks later if the interviewer agreed that this was appropriate.

Second Interviews

Congratulations! You have been called back for a second interview—A second interview is a very positive sign! Second interviews are similar to first interviews except they are usually longer, involve more people, and are often held at a company’s headquarters. You may have a combination of individual and panel interviews throughout the process. The focus of the second interview is to ensure you have the necessary skills and that you will blend with the company’s culture or personality. TIP: Listen carefully to the interviewers to determine any underlying concerns and attempt to dispel them. Prove that you have researched the company and emphasize that you will work as a dedicated member of the organization.

Questions that are appropriate for an applicant to ask at a second interview…

• What is the starting salary for this job/position?
• Who would I report to?
• What is involved in the training period?
• What benefits does the company provide (i.e. insurance, tuition reimbursement, family leave, vacation, etc.)?
• What types of raises are given? Based on merit (quality of job performance) or seniority (length of service)?

Evaluating a job offer

Congratulations! After all your hard work, you have received a job offer. Your next step is to evaluate the job offer in relation to what is important to you in a job.

Do not feel pressured to accept a job offer on the spot. It is common practice to delay your acceptance of a job in order to objectively evaluate the offer in relation to your career goals. You should feel comfortable asking an employer for at least 48 hours to consider the offer. For many entry-level employees, the responsibilities of the first position and career growth potential are more important than salary in comparing offers. There are many things to consider when you are evaluating a job offer:

• Responsibilities and tasks of the job
• Work conditions and environment (colleagues, supervisor, size of company, organizational culture)
• Training and development opportunities
• Salary, salary review and increases
• Benefits (vacation, sick leave, insurance, retirement, tuition reimbursement etc.)
• Geographic location, cost of living
• Number of hours expected in a typical work day/week
• Travel on the job

When you are offered a new job, clearly there are many more things to take into consideration than just salary. Know what is important to you. This will make it easier to discern your fit with a particular job and company. For example, if you prefer working alone, it is best not to accept a job that relies heavily on team participation to accomplish its goals.

Dress for Success

Fashion trends have changed significantly over the years. However, the marketplace is still following a conservative dress code, especially for interviews and first time meetings with employers. Remember, you only have 30 seconds to make that first impression.

The following suggestions should help you DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

Men and Women 

• A conservative two-piece suit or dress
• Conservative shirt/blouse
• Conservative colors such as navy, black, tan or gray
• No gum or candy
• Bring a briefcase or portfolio
• No body piercing or excessive jewelry
• Good hygiene and cleanliness are A MUST!! It goes without saying that you must shower, brush your teeth, style your hair, clean your fingernails etc.
• Use minimal strong-smelling scents. Some employers could have allergies.

Men

• Conservative necktie (if industry appropriate)
• Dark shoes and socks
• No earring or excessive jewelry
• Clean, polished shoes
• No hats

Women  

• No high heels
• Conservative hosiery
• Clear/subtle nail polish
• Conservative make up/jewelry
• One set of earrings only

Industries vary in what is considered appropriate dress. For example, corporate industries tend to be the most conservative and the least flexible. The creative industries (arts, advertising, interior design) may allow for more “expressive” dress.

If you are unsure, call the company and ask the receptionist or the Human Resources Department what is the company dress code. You should always dress one step higher than the usual company dress code. For example, if male workers on the job wear khaki pants and polo shirts, plan to interview in dress pants and a tie as a minimum. A suit coat is always safe as it can be taken off for the interview in needed. If in doubt - dress conservatively.