Interviews

YOU HAVE JUST BEEN CALLED TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW….

1.      Confirm the agreed upon time and date

2.      Confirm any materials they wish you to bring

3.      Confirm exact location

4.      Confirm who you should ask for when you arrive

5.      Confirm how many people will be interviewing you

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

1. Research, research, research – Get to know as much information as you can about the company you about to be interviewed by.

-         How many people do they employ

-         How long have they been in business

-         What are their product or services

-         What are the salary ranges

-         Are they local / provincial / national / international

-         Go to the company / organization and pick up any information you can

- Talk to the people who already work there.

1. Go for a dry run to find out what bus to take, where is parking, where exactly is the office that the interview is taking place.
2. Find out the dress code – business, casual, blue collar etc. Rule for dressing for a interview “find out how they dress there and just dress one step up”
3. Figure out what you will be wearing and make sure it is clean, pressed and free of loose threads / rips, missing buttons
4. Organize and have extra copies of materials interviewer requested as well as other information you wish to present.
5. Go over and rehearse answers to potential questions interviewer may ask, practice with a friend or in front of a mirror.
6. Go over researched information, picked up materials and re-familiarize yourself with the content.
7. Prepare the questions you wish to ask them.
8. Call your references and confirm that they are still ok with being a reference and let them know what kind of job you are being interviewed for.
9. Relax

 You are more than ready. Keep in mind, an interview is a chance for them to interview you, but it is also a chance for you to interview them as well. If you are being called in for an interview, they already like what they see from your resume, a lot of times the interview is just another way to see how you will fit in with the other co-workers and if you are a good fit with the company.

 ARRIVING FOR THE INTERVIEW – MAKING A POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION

You can make a positive first impression by dressing appropriately, arriving on time / early, and being friendly and courteous to everyone you meet.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE INTERVIEW

 When you were called to set up the time for the interview you may had been directed to bring along certain items such as references, certificates, diplomas, portfolio etc. Make sure these items are organized and ready for presentation. As well you may want to bring a pad of paper should you wish to take down notes or information shared by the interviewers. It is very important that should you wish to take notes request permission prior to doing so.

 DRESS APPROPRIATELY

 In your research you will have discovered what the general dress code is for that workplace. The general rule applies is  “find out how they dress there and just dress one step up”. The main emphasis should be clean and neat, along with good personal grooming.

 ARRIVING EARLY / ON TIME

 You should always try to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early for an interview. This extra time gives you a few minutes to relax, organize yourself and prepare for what lays ahead. If you are going to be late, no matter what the reason, call explain situation without to many details and request if you should still continue or should you re-schedule.

 BEING FRIENDLY AND COURTEOUS

 Always be friendly and courteous to every one you meet or pass by on the way to the interview. Receptionist and Administration are often asked of their first impression and how you interacted with them and the people around you before the interviewers came down to bring you in.

 BEFORE THE INTERVIEWERS ASKS YOU TO COME IN

 This is a last chance to look over any materials you were asked to bring, a chance to take a deep breath to relax, do a quick physical go over of your appearance.

 ENTERING INTERVIEW ROOM

 Look around wait to be seated / offered a chair. Only shake hands or offer should the interviewers initiate this process. Take a seat, put down materials that they requested or you brought along and sit up straight awaiting the questions to come. 

IMPORTANT POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND- BEFORE AND DURING THE INTERVIEW

Always try to maintain eye to eye contact.

1. Maintain good posture, sit up straight
2. SMILE.
3. Never chew gum.
4. Try not to smoke before the interview.
5. Listen carefully to the question being asked and discussed
6. If you are not sure what is being asked, request clarification, “I’m not quite sure what you mean by that question, do you mind repeating it”
7. If the interviewer just asked you a question and you have answered, and the interviewer has “a look” that they are waiting for more in your answer, it is acceptable to confirm with them, “does that answer your question?” You would not want to ask this for all questions, but just the ones where you see “that look”
8. If you are going to take notes, request permission first
9. Humor is acceptable in an interview, just be careful, as your sense of humor may differ from the interviewer, it is better to be cautious and let the interviewer set the tone and follow his / her lead.
10. Don't rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you will need to sell yourself to the interviewer
11. Don't say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers
12. Don't ever lie. Answer questions truthfully. And don't over-answer questions
13. Don't bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.
14. Don't answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager.
15. Don't inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you've received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer.
16. Do try and get business cards from each person you interviewed with -- or at least the correct spelling of their first and last names. And don't make assumptions about simple names -- was it Jon or John -- get the spelling.
17. Don't answer vague questions. Rather than answering questions you think you hear, get the employer to be more specific and then respond
18. Don't interrupt the interviewer. If you don't have time to listen, neither does the client
19. Don't wear heavy perfume or cologne

YOU HAVE JUST BEEN CALLED TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW….

1.      Confirm the agreed upon time and date

2.      Confirm any materials they wish you to bring

3.      Confirm exact location

4.      Confirm who you should ask for when you arrive

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What are you strengths and weaknesses?

1. Tell me about yourself?

1. Why did you leave your last job / why are you looking to leave your current job?

1. What did you like about your old job / current job? What did you not like?

1. How did you like your supervisor?

1. Tell me about a time you had conflict with a co-worker  / supervisor and how did you resolve it?

1. Why do you want to work here?

1. Have you ever done this kind of work before?

1. What does confidentiality mean to you?

1. What do you know about our company?

1. What are you short and long term goals?

1. Why should we hire you?

1. What type of equipment (computer systems / tools / machinery) have you used?

1. What is your greatest accomplishment?

1. Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a group?

1. What are your salary expectations?

1. What are your hobbies and interests?

1. What do you do to relieve your stress?

1. When are you available to start?

1. Explain how you showed leadership during a challenging situation.

1. Give me three words you would use to describe yourself?

1. Give three different words an employer would use to describe you?

1. Give me an example of when you demonstrated-communication skills, problem solving abilities, time management etc.

1. Scenarios – what would you do if ………

 QUESTIONS AN EMPLOYER CANNOT ASK

Are you married?

How old are you?

What is your religion?

Do have a criminal record and if so for what?

Do you have any health conditions I should be aware of?

When posed with a question you know is illegal, simply state back “may I ask what relevance this question has to the position I am applying”. This is usually enough to have them retract the question. Should they give you a reason why they are asking, then the choice is yours to answer or not.

QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK

Why was this position created?

What would be my main responsibilities?

What is the companies long term goals?

When will you be making a decision on this position?

Can I follow up with you / when should I do this?

How many people will you be interviewing for this position?

Will there be more than one interview or is this the final stage before a decision?

Does the company support and encourage personal and professional growth?

How many people applied for this position?

Any questions that may have been raised during the course of the interview.

THANK YOU LETTER / CARD

Upon the completion of an interview it is always a good idea to send that employer / interviewer a quick Thank You letter.

WHAT SHOULD A THANK YOU LETTER CONSIST OF?

A thank you letter should be just a few short lines stating –

Your appreciation to the employer / interviewer for taking the time to meet with you to discuss this position.

Any details you may have forgotten to mention in the interview.

Any additional points you would really like to emphasize

Hand written is fine if you are writing the card before you are leaving the grounds of the interview office

Email is very acceptable as well. If you are mailing a Thank You letter it could possible arrive after the decision is already made.

WHAT WILL YOUR THANK YOU LETTER DO?

-         Reminds the employer who you are and what position you applied to.

-         Reinforces your genuine interest in the job.

-         Restates your most important skills and how you can contribute to the company.

-         It acts as a courtesy to the employer, which he/she will appreciate

-         A positive way to end the interview, regardless of the outcome.

 Example

 Dear Mr. Smith

 Thank you, for taking the time to interview me today for the Sales Manager position in your Home Electronics Department. One point I did forget to mention when we met was that along with my 10 years of customer service, I was also responsible for researching into new product lines and advancements in Home Electronics and meeting with the sales reps of these products to discuss prices and availability time lines. If you have any other questions or need clarification please do not hesitate to contact me at (519) 123-4567. I will look forward to hearing from you in regards to your decision. Thank you again and have a great day.

 Bob Jones

**** A Thank You phone call is fine as well. If you get a voice mail leave a message re-introducing yourself, the positions interviewed for and include the things you were going to mention in the letter. Phone is fine, it is just that there is no record of the call, but the bottom line is do what ever makes you comfortable and is good for you.