Before you even think about going to an interview, make sure you Google the company and know who you’re interviewing with. Is it the marketing manager or their assistant? Make sure you know the company’s products, especially if you’re planning to go into sales and marketing.
Most interviewers make their decision about whether or not they’re going to hire you within the first minute. Having said that, it is imperative that you make a good impression!
To make a good impression, here are some simple steps:
1. Dress professionally: Please review this advice from Career Service's website: Dress for Success
2. Arrive 10-15 minutes early: This gives you time to people watch and to get a feel for the work environment. Also, avoid arriving any earlier because the interviewer many feel rushed.
3. Come prepared: Bring at least 2 copies of your résumé, even if you already emailed one to them before your meeting. If relevant, bring a portfolio and CD/DVD copies of work you've done. Providing the portfolio on a disk, will be easier for viewing and allowing the employer to keel a copy without permanently handing over your portfolio.
4. Most importantly, stay off your cellphone/tablet/computer unless you're turning it completely off.
When interviewers ask unusual questions like, “If you were an animal, what animal would you be?” Take a breath and think of the best way to answer the question. In this case, they’re not necessarily interested in the animal you pick, but rather the way you answer the question. They are looking for the quality of your answer.
Not only will the interviewer ask unusual questions, there will be the most common ones such as, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Always be prepared to answer this. When it comes to listing your weakness, make sure you add a positive spin, like how you’re working on making your flaw into a strength. Another major one is, “Why should I choose you for this job?” Please take this moment to politely brag about why you would be the perfect candidate for this job. It is helpful to use examples from your own experience to show credibility.
Preparing for Interviews: A great way to help prepare for interviews is to practice! I have a few apps on my iPhone that list sample questions and answers, like InterviewPrep and JobInterviewEdge. Depending of the job you’re seeking, many websites also offer the same service. I have even found some sites that list questions interviewers have asked for the exact interview I was preparing to have. LinkedIn, Career Builder, and Simply Hired are also great resources to help prepare you for your next interview.
Types of Interviews: There are many different ways one can be interviewed: face-to-face, phone, Skype, in front of a panel or in a group setting with other applicants. Although, face-to-face and phones interviews are the most common, both require a different kind of preparation. It is important you know what kind of interview you will have in order to help you prepare appropriately.
When taking part in a phone interview, make sure you have sent your resume to your interviewer ahead of time. When it comes time for the actual interview, make sure you have a copy for yourself for reference. Just because it’s a phone interview, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to prepare and do your do your homework on the company. Lastly, if you’re the one calling, make sure you’re on time (but no earlier than 5 minutes), and make sure you have quiet surroundings and strong reception.
When is the time to talk about salary?: From my experience it is not something to be brought up in a first interview, unless the interviewer asks. However, you should always be prepared to answer the question if it is brought up. Make sure you research salaries for the type of job you’re applying with the appropriate geographical area. Salaries differ greatly from one city/state to another, depending on taxes and standard living.
Lastly, make sure you thank the person with whom you interviewed. Perhaps you’ll be surprised to hear that most people never send a “Thank you” letter to people they’ve interviewed with, which shows poor follow through and lack of interest. This should be done within a few days after having met with someone, especially if you’re interested in the job position.
Please visit the site listed below to get some interviewing practice. There is an optional video portion, which I recommend doing so you can see your body language. Yes, I know it’s awkward, but it can be really helpful.
When taking part in a phone interview, make sure you have sent your resume to your interviewer ahead of time. When it comes time for the actual interview, make sure you have a copy for yourself for reference. Just because it’s a phone interview, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to prepare and do your do your homework on the company. Lastly, if you’re the one calling, make sure you’re on time (but no earlier than 5 minutes), and make sure you have quiet surroundings and strong reception.
When is the time to talk about salary?: From my experience it is not something to be brought up in a first interview, unless the interviewer asks. However, you should always be prepared to answer the question if it is brought up. Make sure you research salaries for the type of job you’re applying with the appropriate geographical area. Salaries differ greatly from one city/state to another, depending on taxes and standard living.
Lastly, make sure you thank the person with whom you interviewed. Perhaps you’ll be surprised to hear that most people never send a “Thank you” letter to people they’ve interviewed with, which shows poor follow through and lack of interest. This should be done within a few days after having met with someone, especially if you’re interested in the job position.
Please visit the site listed below to get some interviewing practice. There is an optional video portion, which I recommend doing so you can see your body language. Yes, I know it’s awkward, but it can be really helpful.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/
1. Please write a 150-250 word response about your interviewing experience with the Perfect Interview.
2. Are there any specific interview questions you’re unsure how to answer?
3. What is another helpful tip for interviews that I might not have mentioned?
1. Please write a 150-250 word response about your interviewing experience with the Perfect Interview.
2. Are there any specific interview questions you’re unsure how to answer?
3. What is another helpful tip for interviews that I might not have mentioned?
I've been on a number of interviews and actually conducted quite a few also. Most of the time the interviews I had been on went well, but some not so much for whatever reason. I cant say i've had a perfect interview but I can say I've had a few great ones, which ultimately led to me getting hired. Like for this job I have now, which is a manager of a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteIt started off by me applying to the restaurant, by submitting my resume via email. I then called the Human resources to verify they received it. A few days later I got a call for an interview. I then began to do research about the company. And brushed up on interviewing techniques, like responses to questions they may ask, to printing extra resume's for me to take, to having the proper outfit ready.
Basically I was as prepared as one could get. I was dressed well, prompt, excited, had questions pre-scripted, maintained eye contact, knowledgeable of the company I was interviewing for, and sent a thank you email for the interview.
Information is key, which i believe leads to confidence. A key component to portraying yourself positively in a interview.
I have never conducted an interview before...that must be interesting to be on the other end of the scenario.
DeleteI agree when you say to portray yourself positively. I made the mistake when I was 16 years old during a job interview at Target in a not positive way. The interviewer asked me what my teachers in school would say that my weaknesses are. I told the math skills, which is stupid for someone who is applying to be a cashier!!! I didn't mean for it come out that way. I don't think a cashier at target has to do factorials and limits and calculus problems, which is what I did mean!
Eli:
DeleteIt sounds like you know how to handle interviews very well. Is that something you have learned from school or life or someone taught you?
Rosalind King Miller
Oh Ive had bad interviews Maria and said things I regret but I too was young and really wasn't prepared and know what they wanted to hear. Things have changed now, if I have a bad interview it's mostly for things I couldn't control......No Rosalind, I didn't have any formal training. All of my interviewing skills have come from my peers over the years my past employers. And in the Hospitality industry there is a lot of turnover so im constantly conducting interviews.
DeleteI absolutely agree that information is key. I recently went for a job interview, and literally printed out everything from their site and memorized it. My interviewer was very impressed, and even more impressed when I told him what I found out about him after searching his name in Google. If you don't know the proper information, you totally look unprepared, and who wants someone like that working for them?
DeleteI must say that I find that I am great at interviews. I suppose that it simply comes natural to me and I have been well trained in that area. I always try to give them what they want to hear and at the same time stay true to myself. I recently did an interview for a possible internship with the public relations team at United Way. I remember that they asked me some odd questions. Sometimes I felt that I was answering them like a beauty queen on the Miss America Pageant. Come to find out they were very impressed with my answers and I was hired as an intern.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, the lady that was doing the interview and I got along so well with our personal and professional interests, we sat there and chatted for an hour after the interview. I didn't know if that was considered unprofessional in an interview setting, but she seemed to want to get to know me before I got on board.
The most important advice I can give to someone is to always tell the truth because if you try to embellish or make yourself look better than you really are than you may not live up to those expectations. You should tell them the truth and be your fabulous self. Let them like you for you!
Maria:
DeleteI loved your post. It goes to say that there really is no one way to do an interview. It sounds like you followed your intuition and stayed after the interview to chat. You would not have been able to do that if you were not being true to yourself - that is key.
Rosalind King Miller
Being yourself is so important during an interview. If you're not relaxed, they're going to be able to see that. There's a line between being nervous in a polite manner and being so nervous that you look like you could never handle a stressful situation. However, sometime it is important to embellish yourself, so that you set yourself a part from the crowd. I remember being asked my strengths in an interview, and wanting to be polite I didn't state them as strongly as I probably should have. Nevertheless, it was all a learning process, like anything else.
DeleteRosalind, Elizabeth you are both right. Interviews are tough. We all get nervous, especially if it isa position that we really want. Sometimes things can be perceived in a way that you may have not wanted them to. Its all about being true to yourself!
DeleteMaria, I like how you mentioned how it can sometimes feel like you're a contestant in Miss America. It's hard to stir away from forced generic answers that are known to please. And as you also stated it is very important to stay true to yourself, don't force answers. Be candid and spontaneous, I believe it will get you further in the end!
DeleteInterviews can be fun, a learning experience, and land you that dream job. I think that it is crucial you look the part for the job you are going for. Always be very well groomed, have manners, do your homework. Be excited and passionate as well as articulating what your background is and relay that into how you could be a asset for the company. Sometimes just being you and being sincere will get you the job over someone else that is more qualified on paper. I always felt that if I did my best, didn't get the job offer, then God had something even more wonderful for me. Always send a thank you note. I use to carry one in my brief case and on the way out of the interview, find a spot, write the thank you and put it in the mail box. Sometimes just doing that will get you a second interview. Remember it is not just one sided. You need to feel comfortable with the Company, who is interviewing you, who you would be working for and with. What is your gut telling you. Go with it.
ReplyDeleteRosalind King Miller
Ya Rosalind, I totally agree with you on the "Be yourself" part. I've found that if you just go into an interview calm, in control, and yourself, it helps. The conversation moves a little more fluidly. And have a mindset to interview them as well. So, just like when you meet someone for the first time, you do know if you really want the job or feel comfortable with the interviewer withing the first 10 minutes. So definitely go with your gut!
DeleteIt really is all a learning experience. I actually used to take on any interview I could get just for the experience. I love your attitude about interviewing. That's what I try to be like. I think that especially when I don't get a job, I review my answers more and more in my head and then perfect them for next time.
DeleteI always think I am total dork for liking job interviews, but I have done so many I am now fully prepared. I always am very well dressed (which was noted on my last interview) and ready to answer questions. I am always interested in what they are going to ask me. The thing I always try to remember is to think..."they are not trying to trick you..this is not a trick question. Just be yourself and see what they have to offer you and what you have to offer them."
DeleteRosalind, you are so right. It is very crucial to look the part, as your attire is the first thing they see. Being a girl I'll take any excuse to play dress up and look my best. Although interviews can be nerve-racking, they can be fun too!
DeleteRosalind, that is a great idea about carrying a thank you note with you! I always mean to send a note, and remember most of the time, but if I had it with me and did it immediately afterward I think I would do it every time. Thank you for that little tip, I am definitely going to start doing that! :)
DeleteI found the interview simulation to be pretty helpful. I liked the coach giving tips on how to answer the tricky questions. Although I have very little interview experience as I am still very young, the couple that I have had seemed to go very well. My first interview ever was with a very handsome man who ended up just talking with me about things completely unrelated to the job, so it was nice to have a pretty relaxed first interview experience. On my second interview they asked some of the more general questions that were pretty easy to answer, and I suppose I did it well because I landed the job and have been working with the company for the past year and a half. I definitely plan to use the Perfect Interview simulator when I start interviewing for different positions. As far as advice, like others have stated, just be yourself and answer truthfully. There's nothing worse then a potential employer calling your bluff and your embellishments coming back to bite you in the end.
ReplyDelete-Brianna Erlacher
I think you make a great point about being honest! I remember seeing a statistic once about how many people embellish their resumes and lie about skills they don't have, and it seems so silly to me! For example, if you say you are proficient in a certain software and they hire you and you can't use it, you are starting off at a new job looking like a liar! Not really the first impression you want to make!!
DeleteBrianna,
DeleteI couldnt agree with you more, to just be honest. I've conducted many interviews and have caught people trying to be more qualified than they are. Just be yourself and if your not qualified just make sure you convey that your an easy person to teach and eager to learn.
I agree with being honest. They are hiring you and who you are, and if you integrity is compromised it may be a very hard lesson to learn because most jobs will fire an employee for lying or not having integrity.
DeleteI've actually had some really easy going interviews like that before, too, but I've also had some really grueling ones. The time will come when you're caught off guard and you're not entirely sure how to answer a question. I wish when that had happened to me, I had taken a few more moments to think it out, as opposed to blurting out the first example I could think of. I learned my lesson, which is why I've drafted practice answers to 150+ questions and make sure to take a couple moments before I answer. Trust me, it has paid off being prepared.
DeleteSometimes I feel people are trying too hard to say what the interviewer wants them to say. Say what you think people! If you don't think the way that they want you to than this is not the place for you to be!
DeleteI have background experience in Human Resources, so I've done lots and lots of interviews and hiring, but I still find going to interviews a tricky thing! Even in the simulation, I always get tripped up when asked about pay. I don't want to say something too low and end up not making what I could, but I also don't want to say something too high and end up shooting myself in the foot because the interviewer thinks I want too much! That's always really difficult for me - is it for anyone else or am I the only one?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I think is really important for interviews, be well groomed! People always say dress well, but if you go to interview with sloppy hair or messy makeup (for us ladies) that can say something about you that you don't want! I was always surprised by people who would come to interviews nicely dressed but with hair that looked like it had never seen a comb, or smeared mascara or lipstick on their teeth. Make sure the whole package looks good! :)
I didn't even think about pay. That is so true, I think it important to know the value of who you are and to be honest about it. I couldn't agree with you more on dressing for success. It astonishes me to see what people think business/interview attire looks like. If your going to go one way or the other it's better to be too well dressed and groomed then a sloppy mess.
DeleteI just read an article about this situation. Before you go to an interview you should always have a ball part of what people make in that position for that area, as I mentioned in my post. The best kind of answer is something like, "This is what I've found is typical to make, however, I do not feel that I am well-equipped to give a final number, seeing that I do not know all the benefits and particulars that would be entailed with this job."
Delete1. I have only had a few jobs and I have never really been formally interviewed so this blog was really helpful for me. I have been thinking of trying to go out and get a second job and I heard that the interview process can be pretty cut throat and/or strange. I have always been interviewed in a very casual setting. I have thankfully never had to compete for the jobs that I have ever had. There has always been an opening and I was always referred by a current employee which always helps. I have never gone out and tried to get a job not based on a friends referral. I think that if I was given a weird or unusual question that I would not be unsure of how to answer it. I think that one of the factors that is important is to be honest and to be you. If I don’t know an answer I am going to be honest about it. I would like to work for a company that values integrity and honesty so I bring that to every interview I have ever had. I strive to be personable and outgoing on interviews as well as prepared. I agree show up early and dress and act professional.
ReplyDeleteWorking for a company that values integrity and honesty is always important. it's something to value yourself and it says a lot about your character. Using the UCF Career Services is always a good experience. They provide one-on-one interview practice as well as group interviews. The unusual questions are just a way to determine the quality of your answer because the question itself may not be easy to answer. It's to judge your response under pressure.
DeleteTo be honest I don't feel that the website helped at all, it seemed quite uninteractive compared to what I thought it would be like. I have been to several interview so maybe that is why I feel this way. For people unfamiliar with the interview process I can see how this website would help. It gives a good overview of the types of questions that may be asked and what good responses to those questions would be. I did appreciate the fact that you can choose your level of experience and the job level that you are applying for.
ReplyDeleteOne of the more difficult interview questions to answer is "What are your weaknesses". This is a question that should be well thought out before hand so you know exactly what to say. Employers like to see that you are prepared and can think through situations quickly and efficiently.