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Interview Preparation
The best way to prepare for an interview is
to practice interviewing with friends, relatives or a Career Counselor.
If you practice with friends, be sure to make an audio tape of
the session and listen to yourself afterward. Viewing yourself
on video tape can also be a very effective way to improve your
interviewing skills. CSC offers video-taped mock interviews with
a career counselor after which you review the tape and discuss
your interviewing strengths and weaknesses. Using this checklist
to prepare yourself prior to any interviewing situation will help
you stay calm and focused during the session.
Know Yourself
- What 2 or 3 functional skills do you have
to offer? (e.g., organization, leadership, communication, analysis)
- What specific content skills do you have
to offer? (e.g., bookkeeping, financial planning, computer knowledge)
- What 2 or 3 adaptive skills do you have which
will increase your value as an employee? (e.g., dependability,
flexibility, creativity, sense of humor).
- What are 1 or 2 of your weaknesses and what
have you done to successfully overcome these weaknesses and improve
yourself?
- What aspects of your relevant work experience
contributes to your qualifications for this particular position?
(Include any volunteer work, special training or community experience.)
- What special interests or activities do you
participate in which indicate your further capability to perform
the job. (Overall career goals, clubs, organizations, outside
interests)
Know the Employer & the Position
- List 2 or 3 points about the employer that
you want to mention in the interview. (e.g. product, organizational
structure, training program)
- List 2 or 3 points about the position that
you may want to mention in the interview.
- List 2 or 3 reasons why you want to work
for this employer--project your enthusiasm and your real desire
to be hired by this employer.
Prepare Questions
An interview is a two way process; you are
interviewing the employer while you are being interviewed. Spend
some time thinking about what further information you need about
the employer and the position. Good questions are ones that have
been formulated through your own insight. Be sure, however, that
your questions are not answered somewhere in the company literature
or the job description.
You can interject your questions at any appropriate
times during the interview. The interviewer may signal that the
interview is ending by asking whether you have any additional
questions If you do not have any concluding questions you may
take this opportunity to summarize your value to the employer
and repeat your sincere interest in the position based on the
additional information you gained during the interview. Before
you leave the interview be sure to find out the next step in the
interview process. If the interviewer has not told you, it is
appropriate to ask "When may I expect to hear from you?"
Present Yourself Professionally
- Dress appropriately for the organization
you are interviewing with.
- Arrive early (5 to 10 minutes).
- Offer a firm handshake at the beginning and
the end of the interview.
- Maintain eye contact throughout the interview
(it is natural to look away briefly while you are speaking).
Do remember to smile and be friendly. Employers appreciate enthusiasm.
- Sit comfortably (back straight, leaning slightly
forward) -- don't fidget, squirm or wring your hands.
- Allow yourself time to think before you answer
questions. It is appropriate to rephrase a question, or ask the
interviewer to repeat a question that is unclear.
- Follow up the interview with a thank you
letter to the interviewer (see CSC Guide to Writing Resumes &
Cover Letters)
Return
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