Interview TIPS

All interviews need to have 4 key ingredients:

• Showing enthusiasm is essential. Even if the opportunity does not seem to meet your expectations, every candidate should leave an interview conveying a strong desire, energy, and enthusiasm for the work. If the employer has other candidates, often the candidate who shows the most interest, desire, and drive will get the job. Or they may steer you toward another opportunity in the company for consideration.
• Open the interview so that you create a positive first impression. Thank them for their time and mention your familiarity with the company from what you have learned on their website and articles. (You might want to refer to a specific article that you read about the company or a major initiative.) Go to Google or other search engines and seek out articles that mention the Employer.
• Sell your strong points and strengthen your weaknesses. This is done by discussing accomplishments, providing details, and emphasizing the difficult challenges and how you overcame them. If you are asked questions around weaknesses, provide answers that will have little impact on the hiring decision. If you are interviewing for a senior level position, understand that employers are interested in candidates who work well in a matrixed organization. Describe your leadership approach and how you have motivated and driven change in your prior positions.
• The closing: Thank the interviewers and ask for direct feedback on how the interviewer views your background fitting the opportunity. This offers you the opportunity to address any concerns while you are in front of the employer. You want the employer to perceive you as a confident, well rounded, take charge individual who, if given the opportunity will be successful in exceeding their expectations.

General Tips

• Be Prepared! Research the company thoroughly before the interview, prepare to answer tough questions, and be prepared to ask intelligent questions.
• Dress conservatively! Business Attire: Men - Suit, Tie, etc. Women - Equivalent Attire
• Avoid garlic, etc., even the night before the interview. Mouthwash or breath mint before the interview. Use deodorant and apply no strong cologne or perfumes.
• Arrive at the proper time- definitely not late, and not real early. Leave early enough that heavy traffic does not make you late. If you cut the time too close, you will arrive too tense.
• Be nice to the receptionist- they are sometimes asked for input on candidates attitudes.
• Shake hands firmly, and smile when introduced.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Verbally expand on the achievements listed on the resume, to show how you made money or cut costs for your previous employers.
• Be enthusiastic- show your interest in the position!!
• Bring extra resumes.
• Ask intelligent questions- not basic ones about the company. (If you did your pre-interview research on the company, you should know the basics.)
• You can take some notes, but do not let the note taking distract from the interview
• Ask during the interview for each person’s card, or write down their name (and position) if they did not have a card, so you can follow up later.
• Closing the Interview - Express your understanding of the position, your interest in it, and ask what is the next step. Smile, shake the interviewer’s hand and thank them for their time and consideration.
• If the company asks you for references, make sure to call the references to clear it with them, before they get a call from the company.

Following are a few of the questions that you may face in a job interview.

• What are your goals?
• Why did you leave your last jobs? (do not be negative)
• Why are you considering a job change?
• What do you know about our company?
• What attracted you to this position?
• What would you and your background bring to this position? What contributions could you make on this specific job?
• What parts of your current job do you find most/least satisfying?
• Do you prefer working by yourself, or with others?
• What would you say has been your proudest accomplishment(s) so far?
• What has been your greatest disappointment?
• What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?
• What have you learned from your mistakes?
• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses? (Technically and otherwise)
• What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this position? (Be prepared to mention the qualifications even if not directly asked)
• In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?
• How do you handle deadlines?
• Do you handle stress well?
• What have you done on the job which shows initiative and willingness to work?
• What are your short/long-range goals? Where would you like to be in 5 years?
• Why should we hire you instead of someone else?