INTERVIEWING SKILLS
By Jack Stair
BEFORE INTERVIEW
1. Ad/Job Description Analysis—list the knowledge, skills, and abilities they are
looking for. Then beside each, list those items which in your background and
experience enable you to satisfy the job requirements.
2. Adapt your resume accordingly to emphasize those traits. Restate objective in
resume to address the specific job you are applying for.
3. Research the company.
a. Website: probe for culture, mission, immediate goals, mergers, problems
facing, workforce downsizings, etc.
b. Internet search for articles, info about the company—third party reports,
10-Ks, annual report, analysts comments, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s
reports.
c. Know anyone who works there? They can fill you in and possibly
recommend you.
4. Send in resume w/cover letter which addresses:
a. How you heard about the job
b. Why you’re interested in it
c. How you are qualified to fill the job
5. Be sure to sanitize your personal web sites of any unflattering pictures or material
(Facebook, MySpace, etc.) as these may be used by prospective employers. A
good test: Google yourself.
6. Interview preparation
a. List likely questions you will get and make sure you have the answers.
Some typical ones:
i. Tell me a little about yourself.
ii. Why do you want to work for us?
iii. Have you ever used drugs, been arrested, or ticketed for drunken
driving?
iv. Give me examples of teamwork, overcoming obstacles,
accomplishments, and your strengths and weaknesses.
b. Make a list of questions you will ask the interviewer. Focus on the job,
not your own agenda.
c. Make sure you have the appropriate wardrobe and that it’s clean, shoes
shined. (Website may give you a look into the company’s dress code.)
Check appearance (haircut?, get rid of facial jewelry, except earrings for
females) Clean shaven or neatly trimmed beards.
d. Check directions to interview site. Have a traffic plan, and if possible
rehearse travel route if it’s new to you.
e. Plan to arrive early, about 15 minutes or so.
f. Bring at least two copies of your resume, your list of questions and a
notepad for taking notes during the interview.
g. Review resume and key points you want to make.
05/20/2011
INTERVIEW PROCESS
1. Likely to be a process rather than a single event. It’s also a two way street: it’s as
much for the interviewer to find out about you as it is for you to find out about the
company and the job. Expect the initial interview to be a rough cut used to make
only an initial assessment.
2. Initial interviews can be via phone, and often will include personality tests, skills
tests, and aptitude tests.
3. Turn off your cell phone before going into an interview.
4. NO GUM CHEWING.
5. For in person interviews, it’s very important when meeting the interviewer to
offer a firm handshake and look them in the eye when speaking to them. And
smile!
6. Dress appropriately. Clean, wear deodorant, shoes polished.
7. Wait to be asked to sit.
8. Bring out your notepad (the one that has your list of questions on it) and take
notes during the interview. You may want to refer to these later to ask questions
of the interviewer.
9. Sit up, don’t slouch in the chair.
10. Be alert to your surroundings as you can often get a feel for the culture by just
looking around.
11. At the end, ask 2 or 3 questions about the job/company—not how much vacation
you’ll get!
12. Thank them for their time, and if not otherwise told, ask what the next steps are
and their timing.
POST INTERVIEW
1. As a courtesy, send the interviewer a handwritten thank you note the same day or
next day. Email may be acceptable, depending on company culture.
2. It may be appropriate for you to call the interviewer for an update if you haven’t
heard anything within the expected timeline.
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
1. A way to meet someone in the company or type of position you may be interested
in and find out more about what it’s like.
2. Ask the person how they got the job, what’s good about it, what’s bad, what a
typical day is like, etc. Can be a good way to sort out career paths.
05/20/2011