GLC2O7 – Career Studies
The Interview
Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: ________
Your objective in the job interview is to make the best possible impression on the employer and
“sell yourself” as the right candidate for the job. This sheet will provide you with some tips to
help you do just that, and a checklist to use as you prepare for the interview.
1. Listen
Listening is at least as important as speaking. You can’t give appropriate answers unless you’ve heard and
understood the questions. Also, listen to the information that the interviewer gives you about the company, the
position and the ideal candidate. You can return to the points when describing your own skills and experience.
Don’t forget to listen to yourself! Try to hear what you are saying about you – your interests and skills in and out of
school (e.g., you like people, you like fixing things, you like explaining things to others). How do these interests
and skills relate to the job at hand?
2. Speak Clearly and Concisely
Be specific about your work experience, whether paid or unpaid. Before the actual interview, consider the
following questions and how you might answer then:
 What, specifically, did you do in your last position(s)?
 How did you do it well?
 What was your favourite part of the job?
 Did you work with anyone else, or did your job require you to be a “self-starter”?
 If you were part of a team, in what ways were you a good “team player”?
 Did anything special happen in your past position(s) – something that was unusual or interesting, or that
required you to pitch in above and beyond the call of duty?
3. Let Your Enthusiasm Show
Besides making the connection for the employer about what you have to offer, it`s also important to express your
enthusiasm for the job. What is it about the position you`re applying for that appeals to you? It’s important to be
able to articulate more than “I want to get hired for the summer so that I can make some money.” There’s nothing
wrong with wanting money – but you also want to convey to the employer that your motivation is more than just
financial.
4. Rehearse
Ask a friend or family member to help you role-play your interview. Have them rate you on the following points:
 Are you “dresses for success”?
 Have you brought an extra copy of your resume, your references, your portfolio?
 Have you introduced yourself and made a good first impression?
 Have you used body language effectively?
 Have you been honest? (If you don’t know the answers to a question, say so. There’s nothing wrong in
not knowing.)
 Have you actively participated in the interview (e.g., asked questions, maintained eye contact with the
interviewer)?
 Have you given a good, firm handshake at the beginning and the end of the interview?
5. Believe in Yourself
Most important of all: When you actually get to the interview, be yourself. Smile. Remind yourself that this is a job
you want, and that you will do it well.
Afterwards, write the interviewer a thank-you note. Not only is this a gracious gesture, but it also gives you an
opportunity to reiterate your special skills or qualifications and your enthusiasm for the job. And it could just give
you an edge over other applicants!
Continued over
Common Job Interview Mistakes
Here are a few ways to guarantee that you won’t get hired
 Arrive late
 Say you are late because the directions you were given weren’t good
 Look dishevelled or inappropriately dressed
 Slouch in your seat
 Fail to make any connection between your skills and the employer’s needs
 Brag about how great you are, but neglect to cite evidence of your accomplishments
 Remain low-key and display no enthusiasm for the job
 Answer most questions with simple “yes” or “no” answers
 Appear desperate for a job – any job
 Or Call the interviewer by his or her first name, or use the wrong name
 Bad-mouth your current employer
Job Interview Checklist
Preparing
Dates:
Enter the date each time you use this checklist to assess you readiness for a job
interview. Place a check mark under the date when you are able to reply “Yes” to the
questions.
Have I researched the company so that I am knowledgeable about it?
Have I predicted the questions that I expect to be asked?
Have I prepared answers to these questions?
Do I have specific examples ready to illustrate my skills, experiences, interests, and
personal qualities?
Have I prepared relevant questions to ask the interviewer?
Do I have a pen and pad for recording important information?
Have I reviewed my resume and covering letter so that I am familiar with the details?
Have I prepared materials to take with me (e.g., portfolio, certificates, etc.)?
Have I prepared a brief closing statement?
Have I recorded accurate information about the date, time, and location of the
interview?
The Interview
Have I made appropriate decisions about dress and grooming?
Have I thought about how I should speak and act, and the impression I wish to
create?
Have I examined my listening skills to ensure that I get the maximum benefit from this
interview?
Have I anticipated and planned how deal with nervousness?
Have I reminded myself to say “Thank-you” at the end of the interview?
Follow-up
Have I sent a letter/made a phone call to say “Thank-you”?
Have I summarized important information from the interview?
Have I recorded details about this contact for future reference?
Have I conducted a detailed analysis of what went well what I could have improved
upon in this interview?
Summarize things I still need to do before the interview on a separate sheet of paper: