Tips for a Successful Interview
Interviewing Materials
Before the Interview
During the Interview
After the Interview
Questions You Should Be Ready To Answer
Open-Ended Questions
Situational Questions
INTERVIEWING MATERIALS
So you have an interview? You need to be prepared so that you can get that job! The first 30 seconds (Yes! half a minute) can make or break that job for you. Many time a decision to hire you is made that fast, so you have to present yourself well. As soon as you have an interview, you need to start thinking about how you can stand out among the others being interviewed. Here are a few tips to help you have a successful interview.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
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Find out as much information as you can about the job. Be ready to answer the question, "Why do you want this job?"
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Practice answering the questions frequently asked in an interview.
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Prepare a list of questions you want to ask
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Put together all the items you should take with you :
-Your social security card and student ID or driver's license
-Your resume. If you don't have a resume take a note card with names of employers, address, phone numbers, a brief list of job duties, and dates that you worked for each employer.
-Two ink pens
-Name, addresses & phone no.'s of people who would give you a good recommendation (not peers or relatives). You will need 3 references.
- Make sure you know how to get to the company. You might want to go there once before the interview as a practice run so you know where to go (when you're not nervous). Add an extra 15 minutes in case you run into some traffic, parking or other unexpected problems.
- If you can't make the interview CALL ahead of time so they can reschedule. If you are going to be late CALL.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
- Be honest, tell the truth. Be willing to learn new things.
- Dress appropriately
Women: skirt (not too short) or dress slacks with a nice shirt or sweater.
Men: dress slacks and shirt (tie adds a nice touch)
Try not to wear tennis shoes
Make sure items are neat and clean
- Go alone. Don't bring friends or relatives with you.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to have time to relax before your interview.
- Take along some change for parking, bus fare or telephone. Take your resume or note card.
- Be friendly and polite to everyone you meet. You never know who you are talking to.
- Shake the hand of the person you are interviewing with. Stand until you are asked to sit.
- Be prepared to complete an application. Use your resume or the note card you prepared at home.
- Do not smoke or chew gum, play with keys, hair, your earring, pen/pencil, change.
- Use good eye contact. Watch your body language, what is it saying?
- Smile.
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AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Some interviews may offer you the position during the interview, others will choose to call you or call the COE Coordinator. If you haven't heard from an interviewer in a week, you may contact them (unless they specifically gave you a longer time frame).
- Don't show disappointment if a job is not offered during the interview. Be positive about having some chance to interview. You want to leave a good last impression.
- Leave as soon as the interviewer indicates that the interview is over.
- ALWAYS thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity to interview. You might say, "If you have further questions, I'll be glad to come back or you can reach me at the number on my resume. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk with you."
- Thank any one who might have helped you before the actual interview (receptionist, etc.).
- Check your answering machine (is it professional?)
- Send a follow-up letter within 2 days. (This may be your ticket in)
- Call back if you haven't heard anything for a week. (Be Persistent)
- Evaluate yourself. How did you do? Where you prepared? Dressed appropriately? On time? Was I able to answer all the questions? Which could I have answered better? What would I do differently next time?
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QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE READY TO ANSWER
OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS
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Describe your activities during a typical day on your last or current job.
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What were your major responsibilities?
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Describe the best boss you ever had.
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How would your co-workers describe you.
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What have you done that shows initiative?
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Tell me about the most boring job you ever had.
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What did you like most about your last or most recent job?
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What does this job offer you that your last job did not?
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What is your school schedule? What type of hours are you able to work?
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What courses did you like the best and least in school? Why?
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What are your hobbies or interests? How do you spend your free time?
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What would former employers say about you?
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What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
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Why are you applying for this job? Why do you want to work for this company?
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What type of training or experience have you had that relates to his job?
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Why should I hire you?
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Why did you leave your last job?
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What are your plans for the future?
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Who is your favorite teacher at school? Why?
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What did you like most and least about your last job?
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SITUATIONAL QUESTIONS
Situational questions are developed to see how you problem solve and give an employer the chance to evaluate your communication skills. Here are two examples: You are watching the neighbors kids. You agreed to watch the children until 5:30 p.m. and you have plans to meet your friends at 6:00 p.m. The parents have not arrived back to the house and it is now 6:05 p.m.. What do you do? One of your fellow employees always comes to your desk during your supervisors lunch break and talks negatively about your supervisor (whom you get along with). You have a deadline to meet and have to finish the project you are working on by 2:00 p.m. You are in a rush to complete the job. What do you do?
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