INTERVIEWING
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Before the Interview
 During the Interview
 After the Interview
Why do an Interview?
 The job interview provides an opportunity
for you to sell yourself verbally to the
employer on why you are the best
applicant for the job.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
 Call to make an interview
appointment
 Research the company
 Practice, practice, practice!
 Know your do’s and don’ts
 Plan your outfit ahead of time
Make an Appointment
 While on the phone, you should…
Speak clearly
• Say it with a smile
• Repeat time and location of the interview
 Remember, you make your first impression
when you talk to employers on the telephone
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Research: Ask Questions
 Research — Be able to ask intelligent questions
• Library books
• Newspaper and magazine articles, brochures
• Talk to employees and customers
• Visit the company Web site
• Check the Human Resource Department for press
and company history
• Visit the local Chamber of Commerce
 The more information you know, the better you
can showcase yourself
Practice, Practice, Practice
 Interview with a friend
 Practice typical questions using a mirror and tape recorder
 Create a 30-second “commercial” that highlights your
unique talents and skills
 Questions you might be asked…
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What is your experience?
What activities did you participate in in your school or in your
community?
What are your career goals?
Why do you want this job?
What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
How well do you work in teams?
Are you willing to work overtime?
When can you begin to work?
Tell me about yourself.
To Do and Not To Do
 Do…
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Act natural
Be prompt
Carry out promises
Ask questions
Allow employer to express
ideas
Read company literature
Follow procedures
Be clear and precise
Listen effectively to the
interviewer
 Don’t…
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Be late
Come in extreme dress
Come unprepared
Oversell yourself or criticize
yourself
Become impatient
Try to be funny
Put an emphasis on salary
Control the interview
Dress For Success: Women
 Professional Dress for Women
• Wear a business suit in solid colors, such as blue, gray or
black, or a nice dress and blazer or cardigan
• Skirt and dress hemlines should be no shorter than the
bottom of the knee
• Wear quality fabrics and shoes that match
 Avoid extra jewelry
• Wear one to two rings per hand
• Only wear one set of earrings
 Wear perfume and makeup sparingly
 Keep hair pulled back from your face
 No gum, hair, cigarettes, or pockets full of coins
Dress for Success: Men
 Professional Dress for Men
Wear a business suit in a solid, conservative color, such
as blue, gray or black
• Avoid wearing a suit that you can tell is from an
expensive designer
• White, collared shirt
• Choose a conservative tie — no cartoon characters!
• Your socks should be dress socks that
match your suit
 Shine your shoes
 Keep hair and fingernails neatly trimmed
 Don’t wear accessories except for a watch
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AT THE INTERVIEW
 Know how to make a good first impression
 Remember the questions in your practice
interviews
 Be prepared to answer tough questions
 Come with questions to ask
 Know there are some questions the employer
should not be asking you
 Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for his or
her time!
How to Mess Up an Interview
 Making jokes that make no sense
 Sitting against the wall to fill out an application
 Listening to music, eating, talking on the cell
phone, or reading text messages during the
interview
 NO CHEWING GUM
 Displaying your hobbies, especially if they are
irrelevant to the job
Some Things to Remember
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Dress appropriately for the job
Be neat and well-groomed
Go to the interview alone
Be on time
Use good manners and appropriate gestures
Pay attention to the interviewer
Ask appropriate questions about the job
Have necessary personal reference information with you
Smile and relax
Ask some opening questions
Have good posture
Sound enthusiastic
Make eye contact
Avoid distracting habits (rocking, etc.)
First Impressions Count
 Proper handshake
 Proper introduction
 Good posture
 Neat appearance:
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Proper attire for your job market
Be groomed
Personal hygiene
First Impressions: Body Language
 Good Posture
Sit up straight on the edge of the chair and
avoid crossing legs and arms
 Inviting Gestures
• Firm handshake
• Nod your head — indicates you are listening
 Eye Contact
• Indicates confidence
 Speak Clearly
• Standard English, not slang
• Not only what you say, but how you say it
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Tough Questions
 When you’re faced with tough questions,
remember to not be defensive, stay calm, and
focus on your skills.
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What qualities do you have that offset your lack of
experience?
Are you going to move to a better job as soon as
you gain experience here?
If you are faced with a deadline you can’t meet,
what will you do?
Situations: A New Trend
 Lately many employers ask interviewees situation-based
questions to determine their decision-making skills and
processes, as well as to see how they react under
pressure.
 Examples:
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If someone (describe a typical conflict situation in the
department), what would you do?
As we still have some time left, can you tell me a story?
Outline in very broad terms how you would create a
strategy for a public interest campaign.
“Genius is attention to detail.” Do you agree or disagree
with this statement?
Closing the Interview
 Watch for cues the interview is about to be over,
such as the employer standing up or saying who
will be in contact with you.
 Thank the interviewer for the interview
 Decide a convenient time you can call on the
hiring status
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
 Evaluate the interview
 Write a thank-you letter or e-mail
 Accept the job…or deal appropriately with
rejection
Evaluate the Interview
 Were there any issues you had during practice
interviews that were corrected during your actual
interview?
 Did you speak clearly?
 Did you forget important information, or forget to
ask any pressing questions?
 What was your overall opinion of the job?
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Write out pros and cons
Will you accept or reject the job offer?
Writing a Thank-You Note
 Things to include
• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and effort
• Reinforce your skills and abilities
• Insert added information you may have forgotten
• Restate your interest in the company
 Make sure you’re spelling the interviewer’s name
and address (e-mail or street) correctly
 Proof-read the letter for spelling and grammar
 Remember to call back at the appropriate time
If You’re Offered the Job…
 And you want to take it:
Ask for a day to think about the job offer
• Review the pros and cons list you created before you
accept the job
• Ask for a formal offer letter for your files
• Send and keep a copy of your acceptance letter
 And don’t want to take it:
• If you don’t want to take it because the salary is too
low, try negotiating.
• If you don’t want to take it because the job isn’t what
you expected, be tactful in your response.
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If You Don’t Get the Job…
 Consider it a learning experience
 Be respectful and tactful when speaking with the
employer.
 Ask why you were not hired. Feedback will help
you in future interviews.
• Do I need more training?
• How can I improve in my interview?
Activity: Mock Interviews
Split into groups of two and practice
interviewing one another from the interview
questions on the Mock Interview Worksheet.
Write down your partner’s answers. Follow up
with a group discussion on your classmates
answers.