The Interview

The good interview is a well prepared presentation and it requires skilled communication. Rarely do you get a second chance in an interview. From the moment you greet the interviewer(s) until you say good-bye, you want to create a favorable impression. Making a formal, personal presentation of your knowledge, attitudes and skills as related to the job you are seeking, means preparing with research and practice just as you would prepare to make a class presentation.

A good interviewer will be attempting to evaluate those qualities you have that are not revealed in your resume or cover letter, what motivates you, what kind of personality you have, what you value, whether you are a leader or a follower, what your ambitions are, how well you communicate, how much career planning you have really done, etc. The interview will be a test of the preparation you have done and your ability to communicate it.

Before the Interview

The path to performing well in a job interview is preparation, and there are a number of things you should do before the interview begins.

Research the organization: The more information you have about a prospective employer, the better prepared you will be during the interview. Knowledge of the organization's products, services, trends, and employment requirements is vital to your interview preparation. You can use the Internet and the CDC resource library to find the following types of information about a potential employer:

• Description of position for which you are applying.
• Major duties of the position.
• Geographical location of position.
• Minimum requirements for the position.
• Deadline for application and starting date of position.
• Age of organization
• Products or services of organization
• Growth history of organization
• Anticipated growth of organization (current size within industry).
• Current problems of organization (chief competitors).
• Location and number of plants, offices, and stores of organization.
• Parent company of organization.
• Subsidiaries of organization.
• Major activity of organization.
• Salary range.
• Recent related items in the news.

Self-assessment: In addition to gathering information about the organization and position, it is also important to assess your own strengths and weaknesses as a candidate for employment. Before going to an interview, you should be able to identify your relevant skills and qualifications, and other characteristics related to the position for which you are applying. You should be able to demonstrate how your experience, training and activities qualify you for the job. Be able to answer the question, "Why should I hire you?"

Verify the particulars: When you are setting up an appointment for an interview, be sure to find out the exact time and location of the interview, and the interviewer's name and title. You should also make sure that you know exactly how to get to the interview location, how long it will take you to get there, where you are supposed to park, and what building entrance you should use. You will want to avoid being late for a job interview, so plan to arrive five to fifteen minutes early.

Practice your answers: Prepare by reviewing the list of frequently asked interview questions. You should practice answering them aloud with a friend, or schedule a mock interview at the CDC.

Dress appropriately: You are not only being evaluated by what you say in an interview, but how you present yourself, and dressing professionally is essential for creating a favorable impression.

During The Interview

The Structure of the Interview

Some job interviews may be conducted one-on-one, but many times there will be two or more interviewers. The actual format of each job interview may vary, but most interviews consist of several phases:

Introduction
In this initial phase, the interviewer and candidate usually engage in a bit of small talk in order to adjust to each other and to begin establishing some rapport. The interviewer will usually extend his/her hand for a handshake. Be sure yours is firm, not too weak or too strong. Discussion topics might include anything from the weather to something happening on campus or in the area. Remember, you are being evaluated from the moment the interviewer sees you, and although this first phase is often light and casual, don't underestimate its importance. People form a first impression and you want to make sure that yours is both positive and favorable.

Background Analysis
Once the ice has been broken and some of your initial nervousness has disappeared, the interviewer will normally shift the conversation to questions about your background, often using your resume as the starting point. The purpose here is to gain information about the skills and qualifications that you have, based on your work experience, education, and extra-curricular activities. In addition, an employer will be attempting to reach some judgments as to your attitude, your self-confidence, your ability to communicate, and how you handle yourself ... in general, the kind of person you are.

Matching Candidate To Position
It may be difficult to determine where this phase begins, but after the interviewer has the background information, they will begin to match your qualifications and the kind of person you are with the position for which they are recruiting.

Closing
Normally, you will be given the opportunity at this point to ask questions or comment on what the interviewer has told you. Although the best questions are usually those that directly follow up on what has been discussed in the interview, you should have some questions in mind that you wish to ask. Be aware of time limitations at this point because the interviewer probably has others to see after you. You don't want to overstay your welcome, yet you do want to end on a positive note, knowing the next steps that follow the interview. Will you be contacted further, or are you to contact the employer? If so, when? Are you to fill out an application, and if so, be certain you know when it is due. As a general rule, the more interested the interviewer is in you, the more certain they will be that you understand the next step. The interviewer will usually indicate through some verbal or non-verbal action when the interview is over. A lot of communication breakdowns occur in the last few minutes of an interview, the candidate leaving with only a vague notion of what, if anything, is to follow. It's important to maintain your enthusiasm in the last moments of an interview, and you should try to briefly summarize the key points brought out in the interview and the procedures to follow. This technique will give the interviewer an opportunity to verify or correct your assessment of the interview and will provide assurance that there is no misunderstanding between you.

Asnwering Interview Questions

Non-verbal communication: Giving good answers is only one part of performing well in an interview; how you present yourself is just as important as what you say. You need to be aware of things like posture, eye contact, grooming, facial expression, and what you do with your hands when you speak. All of these things communicate a message about you to the employer.

Stay positive: Maintain a positive, confident attitude throughout the interview, and avoid making excuses or blaming others. Be honest when you are asked about weaknesses or past failures, but focus on positive elements such as what you learned from a past failure, or what steps you are taking to improve yourself.

Stay focused: Give clear, focused, well-organized answers to the interviewer's questions. Don't ramble or give irrelevant information. Remember why you are there - to make a presentation of your skills and abilities as a candidate for a particular job - and keep your answers on track with that purpose.

Illustrate your answers: Keep your answers brief and on point, but don't just give "yes" and "no" responses. Create a "word picture" for the interviewer by illustrating your personal qualities and strongest abilities with examples from your past. Try to address any underlying questions you think the employer might have about your suitability for the job.

Ask questions when indicated: Ask relevant, meaningful questions at appropriate times during the interview. Find out more about specific job responsibilities, what kind of training is provided, what advancement opportunities are available within the company, how much travel is required, etc. Be sure to ask about the next step at the close of the interview.

Be yourself: It is important to relax and be yourself. Don't try to present an image of someone you think they want, because it won't be genuine.

You can sign up for workshops online using the Career Development Center's Online Resource for Career Advancement (ORCA). Enter ORCA, the Online Resource for Career Advancement.

Updated: 06/2007