Stage I: Preparation
1. Identify your qualifications, strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities: Assess .
2. Write an effective resume. It is your best advertisement. Be able to support all statements included in the resume. Writing a Resume .
3. Analyze the position. What do you want from the job: Personal and intellectual growth, travel, flexibility, financial security, or a particular geographic area?
4. Research the organization. Learn as much as possible about the size, location, products/services, and benefits by reading literature and the annual report. Become familiar with recent events affecting the industry and specific employers with whom you will be interviewing. Virtual Career Library .
5. Demonstrate how your experience, education, and interests relate to the position. Your responses will reflect your self confidence, ability to communicate effectively, and interpersonal skills. "Why are you interested in the organization?" "Tell me something about yourself."
6. Practice interviewing. Talk to friends, discuss techniques with people in the field, practice in front of a mirror, and, if possible, arrange a mock interview with a career counselor or a professional person knowledgeable about your field of interest. Practice interview check list; informational interviewing .
7. Upon receiving an invitation to interview, verify the specifics such as names and positions of those who will be conducting the interview(s), dates, times, and location. Determine who will bear the costs of necessary transportation, meals, and overnight lodging associated with the interview.
8. Promptly confirm your acceptance of all interviews.
9. Be prepared for a drug-screening test. This might be requested at any time throughout the search process. Drug screening should not be taken lightly as positive test results or an affirmative answer to questions regarding illegal drug use can severely limit your employment prospects. Talk with a career counselor if you have questions.
Stage II: The Interview Itself
Remember that personal illness or legitimate emergency are the only acceptable reasons for missing a scheduled interview.
1. Look professional!
(for more detail on dressing for success, click here . For suggestions of places to purchase interview attire in Vermont, click here ).
For Business Interviews: Men should wear suits, ties, and dark shoes and socks. Women should wear tailored dresses or suits, stockings and dress shoes.
For Education/Not-for-Profit Interviews: Men may wear suits or sports coats, ties, pressed trousers, and polished shoes. Women may wear tailored dresses or coordinated sweaters/jackets and skirts with stockings and dress shoes. Err on the conservative side in making interview wardrobe selections. Avoid faddish clothing, flashy jewelry, strong perfume, or shaving cologne.
2. Be punctual. If you are asked to wait, use the time wisely. Try to read company literature, if it is available. Observe the working environment and attitude of the employees. If an application is required, fill it out carefully and proofread it.
3. The interviewer will be evaluating you the minute you are seen. Maintain good posture, have a firm handshake, use eye contact, show enthusiasm and try to control nervous mannerisms. Try to establish rapport immediately.
4. You will be given the opportunity to sell yourself and prove that you are the best candidate for the job. The interviewer's job is to determine if there will be a good "fit" between you and the position.
5. The interviewer wants to learn about your background and abilities. Be honest: don't oversell or undersell yourself. Don't answer questions with just yes or no; stress the positive and not the negative. Use examples. Be an intelligent listener as well as talker.
6. Show interest in the organization, demonstrate how your background relates to the position, and state how you will be able to make a contribution.
7. Affirmative Action prohibits questions that result in discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, sex, age or handicap. It is illegal for an interviewer to seek information that is not job related. NACE Guidelines .
Examples:
Question: "Do you have a disability?"
Answer: "I have no disability that would interfere with my job performance."
Question: "What are your plans for marriage?"
Answer: "I have no plans that will inhibit my job performance." You have the option of volunteering any information that will strengthen your candidacy.
8. It is important that you present yourself as a likable individual, one that works well with a variety of people. If you feel the interview is not going well, maintain your self-confidence and composure. The interviewer may be testing you.
9. Watch for signs that the interview is over (i.e., the interviewer looks at the clock, puts your resume aside, moves the chair back or indicates you will be contacted within a specified time). At this point sum up your interests, indicate your desire to work for the organization, and express appreciation for the consideration shown you.
Stage III: Follow-up
1. Keep a written record of each interview. Note your impressions, the interviewer's name, address and title, and follow-up dates or procedures that were indicated.
2. Write a thank you note . Reaffirm your interest and include any pertinent information not covered in the interview. If recommendations and/or transcripts are requested, verify the material is being forwarded.
3. Keep a calendar. Note date when you should hear about a decision from the organization. Telephone if the date passes with no word from the prospective employer.
If you were a new employee, what would you do to gain respect from peers in 30, 60, or 90 days? *Ambiguous questions are not an invitation to ramble on without direction. Stay focused; before beginning your response identify two or three key points that support your qualifications for and/or compatibility with the job and stick to these points.
If you are planning on participating in research or informational interviews, be sure to consult our Informational Interviewing page.
REMEMBER: When answering questions, be positive! Communicate clearly, use concrete examples whenever possible, demonstrate learning's you have derived from your experiences, know your "saleable" assets, and take advantage of questions that allow you to integrate points that strengthen your candidacy in your response.
Additional Resources