Before the Interview

1. You should be able to explain everything on your resume.

 Pull out your resume

On a legal pad, make notes starting at the beginning of your college education and work history.  List your accomplishments, achievements, and objectives that made money, saved money or time in your organizations and extracurricular activities.  Remember how your organization increased performance and production and your contributions that led to positive results.  List the reasons why you were hired by each organization.  What did you bring to the table that led to an offer that others didn’t?  List the reasons why you have been asked to be a leader or manager of projects and people.  List all of the projects in which you’ve been involved.  List the names and the titles of people per activity or organization that you worked with closely.  (This includes supervisors, peers, and faculty members/teachers.) 

2. Know What Employers Look For

• Interview Preparation/ Knowledge of the Employer
• Self-Confidence/Verbal Communication Skills
• Goals/Motivation
• Qualifications
• General Personality
• Work Ethic

3. Research the organization prior to an interview 

•  Find out where the organization home office is located

• Annual Sales

• Total # of Employees

• Products and services

• How many facilities and their locations

• When the organization was established

4. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.

 REFER TO QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER

Candidates who don’t ask questions are typically graded as laid-back or non-motivated.

 Anticipate your answers to typical interview questions.

REFER TO SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Your goals in the interview

• Learn as much as possible about the organization and the position.
• Build trust with the organization and the people conducting the interview.  Establish two-way confidence.
• To be asked for a re-visit or to receive an offer. Do not cancel or miss the interview. Aim your sights for an offer.  The organization and the job are for real and they only want to speak with motivated candidates.

*Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early*

 During the Interview

• Be on time
• Give the interviewer a firm handshake
• Be enthusiastic, interested, and confident
• Be articulate -Be aware of your non verbal behavior
• Ask relevant questions -Listen to the questions carefully and give clear, concise, and thoughtful answers
• Use WE often in your answers so you are perceived as a team player.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Don’t argue or disagree; agree but offer suggestions.
• Promptly send a thank-you letter

What to avoid

The value you place on your organization, school, and the people you work with and for, is the value the interviewer will place on you!  DON’T BE NEGATIVE ABOUT YOUR PAST OR PRESENT ORGANIZATION, SCHOOL AND WORK EXPERIENCES.   (Remember:  The people, organizations, school and your experiences contribute to why you have been successful.)

NEVER ASK THE ORGANIZATION ABOUT!

Their salary
Their benefits
Their relocation reimbursements
Their retirement programs
Their vacation policy
Holidays

How many people are they interviewing?

What until you know you are going to receive an offer.  Then, ask to find out this information.

After the Interview

Send the interviewer a thank-you letter as soon as possible after the interview.  Be sure to restate your interest in the position and the organization. 

Summary

Your goal is to get an offer or to be invited for a second visit.  Ask yourself: how many opportunities will I get in my career to advance?”  Prepare will; it could be months or years before an opportunity of this caliber (internally or externally) will be presented to you.