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Interviewing Tips
The interview is
when employers will get to know your personality, interests, goals, and
objectives. You will no longer be a list of skills and experiences on a piece of
paper; this is your opportunity to give specific examples and anecdotes and
explain how these experiences make you the perfect candidate for the position.
It is the perfect time to demonstrate your interest in the position and your
knowledge about the company and the industry. This is the time for the employer
to find out who you are, so be yourself.
What Employers Are Looking For
Interviews can be very stressful, but the best way to overcome this is to be
prepared and know what employers are looking for:
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Job candidates with a definite idea of their goals,
objectives, strengths, and skills.
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Candidates who are knowledgeable about the position
they are interviewing for, the company and its products, and the industry
overall.
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Candidates who can match their own skills and
experiences with the needs of the company.
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Candidates who are confident in themselves and their
ability to contribute to the company.
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Candidates who can discuss past experiences and give
specific examples that demonstrate their skills and accomplishments.
Prepare Beforehand
Another way to decrease the stress of an interview is to prepare beforehand.
Review your resume and make sure you know your skills, experiences, goals,
interests, accomplishments, and objectives inside and out. You'll be asked a lot
of open-ended questions, and you will need to be able to give specific examples
and articulate yourself clearly and concisely.
Familiarize yourself with the most common Questions Asked by an Employer.
Develop answers to these questions, but do not memorize your answers. Make sure
all of your responses are positive and highlight your skills and
accomplishments. When asked about difficult or negative experiences, describe
those experiences as learning experiences.
During the interview, the employer will not be the only person asking questions;
you are expected to ask questions throughout the interview, as well as at the
end when the inevitable question is asked: "So, do you have any questions for
me?" Always ask questions. If the employer has answered all of your questions
already, come up with something else to ask about. Your questions can
demonstrate your interest in the position and your knowledge about the company
and industry. Keep all of your questions job related.
Interview Format
Interviews can be one-on-one or you may be interviewed by a panel of people. You
may interview with the hiring manager or recruiter for screening purposes or you
may interview with people you will be working with and for.
During the interview, the employer will ask you about yourself, your background,
and your experiences. These will often include open-ended questions that you can
use to relate your experiences to the needs of the company. Always give specific
examples that highlight your skills and accomplishments.
The employer will also present information about the company. This is a good
opportunity for you to ask questions and demonstrate how you would contribute to
the organization.
At the end of the interview, the employer will typically ask if you have any
questions. Make sure you have a few questions to ask during this time. You can
also take this time to add any information that you didn't get a chance to
mention earlier. Find out the next step in the interviewing process. Thank the
employer for his/her time.
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