Interviewing

Purpose of an Interview

If you have an interview, the employer has agreed that you can do the job. That's good news. Of course, it also means the other interviewees also meet the minimum qualifications. The interview is the employers chance to test three things in a face-to-face meeting:

• "Fit" - Is the applicant someone the interviewer wants working for or with them? Will the applicant work well with current employees? Does the applicant understand his/her role within the company?
• Motivation - Is the applicant excited about the job and company? Does the applicant want to grow and excel in his/her field? What are the applicant's career goals?
• Professionalism - Is the applicant truly able to do what he/she claims, in a professional manner?

The applicant chosen will be the one who is best fits the employer's ideal employee. The top candidate on paper may not be the first choice after the interview. In fact, the interview may be seen as an "even field", where all applicants have an equal chance to show that they best meet the employer's needs.

Preparing for an Interview

Good preparation is key to a successful interview. Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally by reviewing what you know about the company and how that fits into your career plans. Practice answering questions you think may be asked during the interview. DO NOT MEMORIZE ANSWERS. They may ask different questions that you expect or ask questions in a different way than you prepared for. But know generally what you want the employer to know about yourself.

Self-Assessment

Reconsider your motivations in applying for the job and for the company.

• What do I have to offer the company? Think about your skills, tools, experience, training, interests and professional goals.
• Why do I want this job? What interests you about the job duties, products/services, customers, company organization, corporate culture, etc.
• What do I expect from this job? What are your basic needs for salary, schedule, benefits, etc. How does this opportunity fit within your professional and personal plans?
• What SARs can I describe in the interview? Interviewers want more than general statements of ability. You will need to demonstrate your skills through Situation - Action - Result (SAR) descriptions. What projects (school, work, hobbies) have you completed? How did you complete these projects? What was the result?

Research

Review what you learned about the company and positions. If you need additional information about the company or job, get it.

• Job Description. A good job description will provide clues to duties and qualification, opportunities for training and advancement, and basic information about salary, schedule, etc. These will give you a good idea what the employer will ask about during the interview.
• Company Information. The company history, products/services, organization, opportunities and goals all are relevant to the interview. The personality of the company also will provide insight into how the company will interview and what they will be looking for.
• Questions to Ask During the Interview. Prepare 3-5 questions to ask the interviewer during the interview. These questions should be informed questions demonstrating your knowledge of the company, its clients and markets, and the job. Focus on gathering "inside information" not readily accessible to those outside the company. Also, use these questions to gather information helpful in deciding whether or not to accept a job offer. Sample questions to ask are here.

Readiness

The better prepared you are, the better you will perform. Practicing good interview skills and focusing on "professionalism" will help you get ready for the interview.

• Appearance. Your image should be professional. Consider the enviroment you will be working in if hired. A setting in an office or interacting with customers will require more formal dress. Work in a shop or factory setting will be less formal. Your interview attire should reflect your professional image in the work setting. Dress a notch above what you would wear on the job. Although you may not need a suit for all job interviews, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
• Timing. Be early or, at least, on time. If you plan on being at the interview 20 minutes early, you will leave yourself time to deal with any minor problems (like parking or changes in interview location.) You will want to get good directions to the interview location, and may want to drive by the site the previous day to make sure you know where it is. Any extra time you have to wait you can use to review your interview materials.
• Interview Materials. Bring extra copies of your resume, work samples, portfolio, etc. But do not bring excess materials. If it will fit into a briefcase or portolio, and can be removed and presented neatly, you may bring it. If tools or work clothes are required for your job, you may have them in your car (but not in the interview.)
• Psychology. Your attitude should reflect the Three P's: Prepared, Positive, Professional. During the interview, it is your job to show the employer why you should be hired. It is the employer's job to find out why they should not. (Don't do the employer's job for them by stressing the negative or underplaying the positive abilities you possess.)

The Interview

Interview Formats

Employers may use a variety of interview formats or a combination of formats. Often their choice depends on the size of the company.

• One-On-One: The most common format. In large organizations, the initial interview is often carried out by Human Resources, and is considered a screening interview.
• Group/Committee: Another common format. The applicant is interviewed by multiple interviewers, often a mix of "technical" and supervisory staff.
• Plant/Office: The applicant is given a series of interviews, formal or informal, with a number of staff members throughout an organization's location. Even brief, informal introductions may provide feedback for the hiring decision.
• Phone: Usually used as an initial screening interview. The employer sets an appointment time to call the applicant with questions. Another, more in-depth interview will follow.
• Technical: Applicants are tested or asked to demonstrate technical knowledge and skills.
• Other: Other formats include videoconference interviews, lunch/dinner interviews, portfolio presentation, second party interviews, supplementary applications, etc.

Interview Topics

If you have done your preparation, you will be able to deal with the most common elements of any job interview. Regardless of the format of the interview (one-on-one, group, plant, phone), these topics are usually the same. Here's what to expect:

1. Introduction (Greeting & Small Talk)
   • Goals: Make a good first impression, Demonstrate competent social skills.
   • Strategies:Focus on professionalism, Practice social skills.
2. Background (Your Education, Experience, Activities, Interests)
   • Goals: Present relevant background, skills and abilities, Show knowledge of tools, Positive attitude.
   • Strategies: Prepare presentation, Provide examples with "SAR" (Situation - Action - Result).
3. Professional Plans (Your Immediate and Long-Term Career Goals)
   • Goals: Demonstrate knowledge of company, Realistic expectations, Relevant interests.
   • Strategies: Review research, Focus on mutual benefit, Empathy to company needs/goals.
4. Company Information (Corporate Opportunities, Structure, Training and Plans)
   • Goals: Informed Questions, Appropriate Interest.
   • Strategies: Complete needs assessment, Develop negotiation skills.
5. Conclusion (Further Action and Closure)
   • Goal: Express continued interest.
   • Strategies: Summarize your interest and background, Clarify decision process and timing.

Interview Questions

The employer has basic information about your background and skills (from your resume and application). In the interview, you are expected to show how your background and skills relate to the position and your interest in the job. Questions may cover your qualifications, interests or even personality. Your research should give you clues as to what the employer will be looking for in candidates.

As much as possible, give details and examples to support your statements. Keep your answers short, organized and relevant. Practice your answers using sample questions before the interview. Don't worry about memorizing answers. But think about what from your background and interests would most interest the employer. Make sure you talk about these in the interview.

Maintain a professional attitude, emphasizing the positive about yourself, the job and the company. Pay attention to interview flow. Listen to the questions, think about your answers and watch the interviewers reaction. If you need to ask for a question to be repeated, go ahead. Also, be ready to ask question, when appropriate, about company projects, training, performance reviews, etc.

Be ready to show samples of your work, e.g., portfolio, writing samples, spreadsheets, programming code,etc. Bring extra copies of your resume. DO NOT take notes during the interview.

As you leave, express your continued interest and ask for the employers timeline for a decision. Ask for business cards, or write down the interviewers' names and titles. Of course, thank them for their time and consideration.

After the Interview

The interview really isn't over when you walk out the door (just the hard part.) You will need to review your performance and follow-up with the interview soon after.

Review Your Interview

What did you learn about the job and company? Are you still interested in the job? Do you still think you can do the job? How well did you interview? Did you forget to share important information? (You can briefly include it in your thank you letter.) What will you do differently next time? What follow up was requested?

Follow-Up

Make sure you send a thank-you letter immediately after the interview. (Even if you forget and a week passes, still send it.) This is polite and professional. More importantly, it lets the employer know you are still interested and gives them one more chance to think about the interview. Samples letters are available here.

If the employer has given you some idea as to when they will be making their decision, wait for their call. Then, if they take longer that they expected, it is acceptable to contact them by phone to check on their progress. If they employer has not given you a time frame, wait a week or so, and then check back. Again, try to get some idea as to their time frame.

Job Offers and Rejections

The typical result of an interview is another interview. And a job offer may lead to further negotiations (regarding salary, starting date, etc.) Even a job rejection can be used to further your job search by opening additional job leads and network contacts. For a more detailed discussion, see the Job Offers and Rejections page.

Webmaster, 2013