Advice On How To Interview For A Job

by maggieny

posted on 06/01/2009

OK congratulations, your resume went thru the screening process, and you have not blown the application process, now you need to actually talk to someone face to face. Interviewing for a new job or a new position in a company can be stressful. Being prepared for the interview will help alleviate that stress and help you to better answer the questions that are being put to you.

BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW:
Take a few minutes to google the company you are applying for. Understand the company's goals and philosophies prior to your interview. Remembering one or two key facts about the company such as its new projects will help you to formulate your answers and anticipate the questions that you are going to receive.

Example 1:

You are applying for a position with a hotel company. You read on their website that they are planning on opening 15 new hotels in the United States within the next year. You can bet your bottom dollar if you are applying for a management position that they are going to ask you about your ability to relocate in the future.

Example 2:

You are applying for a position as a buyer for a large retail store. You read on the company's website that they plan on changing how the buying line operates. They are going to implement new procedures where the stores have more input as to what they would like on their selling floor. You should plan on being asked about your ability to adapt to new policies and procedures because this is a new way of doing business.


EXPLAIN YOUR RESUME
Most interviewers are going to ask you to explain your resume in some way. They may be looking for clarification of job titles or gaps in employment. Be prepared to talk about it. Have 2 copies of your resume with you. One to give the interviewer in case they do not have an original and one for you to refer to yourself while you are explaining your work and education history.


DURING YOUR INTERVIEW
Many companies are going to ask behavioral based questions and they may even tell you that up front so that you respond in the format that they are looking for. A behavioral based interview will have many questions that start with, "Tell me about a time when..." The interviewer is looking for a specific story, or example that you can provide them with. Your answers will tell the interviewer a lot more about you as a person and your qualifications than a standard interview. Let me explain what I mean here.

I was interviewing a candidate for a management position in which the candidate would be in charge of the building during hours when more senior executives would not be around. I was using behavioral based questions. The applicant kept trying to respond with pat answers but I kept pushing her asking for specific examples of how she handled situations. I asked the candidate, "Tell me about a time you were faced with an emergency situation. What was the situation and how did you handle it?" She responded, "Well in an emergency I would call 911 and alert the appropriate people of the problem." I pushed her and said, "Think about a specific time you had an emergency, it could be at home not necessarily work, tell me about it and what specifically did you do?" She then responded, "A few years ago I smelled smoke in my apartment. I went into the hall and saw black smoke coming out from my neighbors apartment. I panicked and got into the elevator and left the building." Her answer told me that more than likely in an emergency situation she will panic and react wrong (i.e. using an elevator when there is a fire, not calling 911, or at the very least pounding on a few neighbors doors to alert them.) Zap she did not get the job.



WHEN ITS YOUR TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS
Most interviewers will ask you if you have any questions for them. Have something prepared! Do not just stare blankly back at the interviewer and say, "No". Here is your chance to ask a question about something you researched about the company. It shows that you prepared. Do not try to play stump the interviewer by asking a question that the interviewer probably does not know the answer to; like what is the per capita ratio of debt to assets in their foreign markets. They will think of you as an idiot for asking that type of question. Ask about the job if anything is unclear. Ask about the general philosophies, business structure even if you already know the answers. Do not come in with a laundry list of questions either save it for the second interview or prior to accepting a position if it is offered. Having a few prepared questions to ask the interviewer ends the interview on a good note.


FOLLOW UP
Usually during the interview the person conducting the interview will tell you when they are planning on making a hiring decision. Immediately after your interview go home and write a formal thank you letter. In the letter summarize your qualifications and if you can, reference something that took place during your interview. This shows courtesy, professionalism and follow thru. Do not send a hallmark card, do not send gifts. It is a business you are thanking, not your grandmother.

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terryoak says:

(173d 11h 3min ago)