Help! Interview Tips Please!

[AnastasiaK]

I haven't had a job interview for almost 5 years and am a little rusty! Anyone have any tips!??!?

Thanks!

[dionysia]

Be prepared to answer behavioral questions:
- tell me about a time when X happened? What did you do?
- what kind of management style appeals to you?

Also be prepared to talk about your current position, why you want to leave, and what you can bring to the new position/company. Do some research on your potential employer.

Be articulate (slow down when speaking!), positive, and professional. Don't badmouth your current company or manager.

Di

[AnastasiaK]

Thanks D!!!

[Aug2002Bride]

These are some questions I had not too long ago

What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
How would your coworkers describe you?
Some questions about management/supervision that I like/dislike
Current job/Duties/Experience

I know I had tons more but I just cant think right now. Ill edit and add as I think of them.

Good luck!! :)

[GeekGirl]

--Make sure to give lots of eye contact!

--Exude confidence - talk as if you already work for them. I mean, why wouldn't they want to hire you? You're perfect for them!

--Be sure to listen to the things your interviewer is telling you - you may be able to use them in your next interview (i.e. in my second interview for my current job, my interviewer told me several challenges my predecessor had faced. I prepared a PowerPoint presentation for my next interview outlining ideas I had as to how I would address and resolve those problems).

--Have an extra copy of your resume handy

--Bring a business folio with a pad of paper and pen with you to take notes during your interview, if you feel its appropriate. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

--If they have one, be sure to peruse the website of the company you are interviewing with. Become familiar with their mission statement (if it is published), their corporate structure, and the aims of the division you will be working for. Keep your eyes open for "catch phrases" - like "hungry" or "driven" that pop up several times on the site, and be sure to use these words to describe yourself in the interview (as long as it's appropriate, of course).

--This may sound junior high, but dress appropriately. In most situations, business casual is not appropriate for an interview. Wear a conservative, neatly pressed suit; no cleavage, no short skirts, no overly high heels, and no gaudy makeup. And no tons of jewelry. And wear a watch, even if you don't usually wear one. It gives a good impression.

--I'd recommend showing up 15 min early for your interview. It will give you time to observe the comings and goings of your hopefully soon-to-be coworkers in a work setting. You can learn alot by giving yourself time to form these initial impressions.

--Usually at the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. Be sure you're prepared with one or two, it will show that you are interested in learning more about the company.

--Unless it is already understood what your financial reimbursement will be, or you won't be going through a several interview process, I would refrain from talking money at the first interview. If they ask, you can always evade with a polite but firm, "I am sure we will be able to reach a solution that is mutually beneficial."

--If you have access to your interviewer's office address, be sure to write and mail a thank you note within 24 hours of your interview. Consideration goes a long way.


Sorry I rattled on for so long. Hope some of this helps. Best of luck to you!

[Delaney21]

I have an interview prep package that I can send you if you want. Its about 22 pages, but it has a ton of important information and sample questions with ideal answers. Email me at jessica.smith21@gmail.com if you want it.

[ruledbymercury]

Bump! I have a feeling I may be needing these tips very soon... *fingers crossed*

[ash313]

Have an extra copy of your resume handy

bring one resume for every potential interviewer

--Bring a business folio with a pad of paper and pen with you to take notes during your interview, if you feel its appropriate. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

always ask before taking notes - they shouldn't have a problem but it is just polite :)

Have a list of about 10 questions - you won't ask them all but chances are they will answer a few for you during the course of the interview so you'll still have some left over to ask at the end of the interview.

try to get biz cards from everyone you meet and send handwritten notes - drop them in the mail that same day!

once you get to the point that they will be checking references - make sure you ask the people you use if it is ok and give them a heads up they will be calling!

Good luck!

[meggers]

Just bumping this up. Any more tips?

I may have an interview coming up this week. It is with an environmental consulting company.

Thanks.

[SweetRed]

I went on my first interviews in over 9 years a few months ago (and happily got multiple offers!) I was very concerned about being rusty. Besides all the great points listed above, I found two things very helpful for me:

1. I "replayed" my career in my head in the days leading up to the interview. I pulled out old performance evaluations and reviewed them, making mental notes of experiences I had had that might be interview-worthy. It made it much easier to answer questions that started with, "Tell me about a time when..." I didn't have to fish around in my head too much for experiences I had five years ago.

2. I gave myself a little pep talk the day before and remembered all the reasons I was great for this job. Sounds corny, I know, but I wasn't the least bit nervous or worried about the interview. I knew I would do the best job I could and if I didn't get the job it was because there was super-human out there better than me. ;)

[ruledbymercury]

Bump again...I may have another chance to use some of these tips soon!