Interview
Assistance
- Prepare
for the Interview
- Dress
for the Interview
- Interview
Do's & Don'ts
- Interview F.A.Q.s
Prepare
for the Interview
The more prepared you
are, the more confident you become and that confidence shows in your interview.
To prepare for an interview, you may want to:
- Investigate/research the
company/department you are interviewing with. Even if you are applying
for positions in SRS, know what the position is responsible for and what
the program does.
- Review your resume
and application. Refresh your memory on your past experiences and
accomplishments.
- Identify how your
skills fit the position. Be prepared to offer information that will
demonstrate that fit. Be prepared to describe what you do and the knowledge/experience
you can bring to the position. Never assume anything - The interview
team can only score you on information you supply in the interview.
- Know who you are
interviewing with, when and where. Be sure of the location. You may
want to make a trial run to determine how long it will take you to reach
the interview site.
- Practice. Practice.
Practice. You may want to enlist the help of a friend/coworker or
practice in front of a mirror, but whatever method you choose, practicing
will build confidence. Some applicants use a video recorder to review
the way they interview and make adjustments in their presentation. You
won't know the questions, so it's hard to be to specific as you practice,
but you can practice your body language, and the general way you present
yourself.
- Take a list of references with
you to the interview. The list should be complete with names and current
phone numbers.
Dress
for the Interview
Neat and appropriate
are the best ways to summarize appropriate appearance for an interview.
Professional positions require a suit or a dress of professional style
while laborer positions require applicants to be clean and neatly dressed.
Dressing appropriately says you have a clear understanding of what the
job does and what is expected.
Guidelines for
dress:
-
Cleanliness
and neatness says you are aware of the importance of the job.
-
Attire
can be stylish, but conservative.
-
Dark
colors such as black or navy are considered appropriate
- Don't wear colors that
are distracting from the interview
- Large, colorful prints
should be avoided.
Guidelines for accessories:
- Jewelry should be small
and tasteful. Avoid large items or noisy ones.
- Earrings for men could
be risky. You should weigh the decision carefully.
- Hair should be conservative
in style, color and clean.
- Wear no cologne/perfume/after
shave or something very light.
- Makeup should be conservative,
natural looking.
- Nails can be tastefully
polished, in subtle colors.
- Shoes need to be clean
and polished.
If you aren't sure something
is appropriate, avoiding it is always best. Making sure whatever you wear
is comfortable, is very important. The feeling you get when you know you
look nice and are comfortable is great for your confidence.
Interview Do's & Don'ts
Now that you are "prepared" and
the interview is starting, here are some suggestions that will help you
be sure you have a good interview:
-
Be
Confident. Be aware of your Nonverbal communication. Posture, walk,
facial movement, energy and gestures are nonverbal communications that
send a message of your confidence, enthusiasm and eagerness to go to
work. Arrive on time and allow enough time for the interview.
-
Smile. Have
a firm handshake.
-
Be
courteous to everyone you meet before and during the interview.
-
Make
Eye Contact with the interviewer asking the specific question,
but with the rest of the team, also. Make sure the entire team is aware
of your qualifications and abilities.
-
Use
notes. Bringing notes to an interview is all right, and using those
notes is OK, too. BUT, notes should be organized so you can retrieve
them easily, without fumbling and shuffling.
-
Speak
distinctly, and avoid "yes/no" answers. Give complete
and concise answers, don't ramble. Stay targeted and address the question.
-
Take
time to formulate answers the way you want to present them. If
you don't understand the question, ask for clarification. It's OK to
take time to be sure of a question before you answer and to be sure
the answer is what you intended.
-
Be
prepared to discuss weaknesses as well as strengths. We all have
weaknesses, but it's not always easy to talk about them. When we discuss
them in interviews, we need to be willing to take responsibility for
them and not attempt to put the blame elsewhere -"they wouldn't
train me" or "I didn't have enough time". Although,
these may be true statements, stating them in an interview may not
be to your advantage.
-
Answer
the questions and give information that explains what you can contribute
and give to the position. Assume nothing in any interview. Knowing
the information was in your application or resume does not relieve
you of the responsibility of restating it in the interview.
-
Never
take anyone with you to an interview, unless you need a personal
attendant or interpreter.
-
Don't park
in a place where you will have to leave to "feed the meter".
Interview F.A.Q.s
At Should I get my
hair cut for the interview?
If a hair cut will improve
your appearance, yes. If you are ready to try out a new style, after the
interview may be a better time.
I have non-refundable
tickets for a cruise I've been planning for 2 years. The cruise is scheduled
1 month after I would start this new job? Do I talk about this in the interview?
No. It is appropriate
to talk about this vacation when you are offered the job.
I have a disability
that is not readily visible. What do I need to say about it in the interview?
Unless a disability
affects your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, information
about a disability is not relevant. If the disability requires an accommodation,
it is relevant information in the interview. Focus on your ability to do
the essential functions and stay away from "I can't."
I am only interested
in this job if it pays more money than I am currently making. Is the interview
the appropriate time to let the new employer know my salary needs?
Once you know the employer
is interested in hiring it is appropriate to negotiate salary. Employers
are more interested in negotiating salary with candidates they want to
hire.
I get so nervous in
an interview setting that I have trouble remembering important information
about my skills and abilities. Can I bring notes?
Absolutely yes. Explain
in the interview that you have notes to help you focus on your skills and
abilities.
Its been awhile since
I have had to interview for a job and I'm apprehensive about my performance.
What can I do?
Practice is always a
good way to improve confidence and mock interviews can provide you an effective
opportunity to ease your apprehension.
What should I be talking
about when the interviewers ask if there is anything else they should know
about me?
Talk about any experiences
you've had that you think would help you on the job. This is usually a
last chance to sell yourself. Use it.
What if I'm asked a
question about my age? Or, child care arrangements, etc.?
Try neutralizing these
questions with statements like "I find that a person's attitude, enthusiasm
and ability to learn and adapt is more important than age. I'm 54".
What if a question
requires only a yes or no answer?
There are some purely
yes/no questions in an interview such as "Do you have a current license
to practice?"
What if I can't think
of an answer?
Be honest with the interviewer.
Don't make anything up!
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