Interview Tips and Advice

The interview is a dialogue or conversation. It is your opportunity to personally present your qualifications to an employer and to show how your skills and experience match the employer's needs. Its purpose is to allow an employer an opportunity to see if you will fit into their work environment and it gives you a chance to evaluate your potential employer.

Goals of an Interview

To convince an interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job.
To demonstrate how your qualifications best match the job qualifications.
To show that you have researched the organization and have an understanding of the position and organization, and know how you will fit in.
To finding out if the position and organization will meet your needs and career goals.

Types of Interviews

Interviews range in format from structured to unstructured, formal to informal, and can involve one interviewer or several.

Initial Interview

Usually short in duration (30 minutes to an hour).

First impressions count.

Time is usually spent discussing your qualifications, goals, and knowledge of the organization and what interests you most.

There is usually time left for questions that you have prepared.

Second or Third Interview

Final stage of selection process and an additional opportunity to make a favorable impression.

Typically various supervisors, managers and officials interview a candidate with a break for lunch or perhaps a tour.

Preparing for an Interview

Research the organization. It is necessary to have a solid understanding of the position and organization. Research the organization's philosophy, products/service, goals, hierarchy, history, problems, financial standing, employee statistics.
Know your abilities and qualifications and how they relate to the position for which you are applying. Also know your interests, work values, and career goals.
Be prepared for possible questions the interviewer(s) might ask. Be especially prepared for illegal/personal questions.
Prepare a brief list of questions so you can gain more information about the organization and position. Asking questions conveys your interest in the job.
Practice! Interviewing is a skill. To gain experience interviewing, practice with a friend or counselor in the Career Services Center. You may want to tape yourself on a cassette or video. Play it back and critique yourself.
Appearance. First impressions are important, pay attention to your dress, posture, and neatness. Dress appropriately for the interview according to the standards for the organization. Conservative business attire is recommended. Men: two or three piece suits. Women: two-piece skirted or pant suit.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the site. Allow for traffic or other delays. If you're not sure of the location, try a "dry-run" (drive to the site before hand). Having a few minutes to spare upon arrival will help you calm and give you time to double check your appearance before meeting with the interviewer. Enter the office approximately 5 minutes early to show punctuality and eagerness.
Use positive self-talk prior to the interview. Believe in yourself and your ability to get the job. Your self-confidence (or lack of it) will show.

During the Interview

Bring extra copies of your resume and supporting material.
Introduce yourself and shake hands firmly with the interviewer.
Be sensitive to your non-verbal behavior: maintain good eye contact, formal yet comfortable posture, and a confident tone of voice.
Allow the interviewer to show you where she/he wants you seated.
Use the interviewers name 2-4 times during the course of an interview.
Be a good listener - listen to what the interviewer has to say. Be alert to cues indicating when you should start or stop talking.

Closing the Interview

Follow - up: Send a handwritten thank you note on a card or stationary. Thank the interviewer again, emphasizing any major points or add anything you forgot to mention during the interview. Restate your interest in working for the organization and close with "I look forward to hearing from you" or "I will call ' you next week ".
Evaluate you performance and pat yourself on the back. Think about ways you could improve future-interviews, and write them down in an interviewing journal.