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	Interviewing
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Interviewing
Preparing For An Interview
The 10 Most Common Interview Questions
10 Interview Do’s
Questions That Can/Cannot Be Asked
The Phone Interview
Dealing With The Panel Interview
“Do You Have Questions For Me”


Preparing For An Interview

• In The Days Before The Interview:
     • On the left side of a piece of paper, make a list of what
        the employer is looking for based on the job posting. On
        the right side, make a list of the qualities you possess that
        fit those requirements.
     • Research the industry, the company and the competition.
        Prepare your answer to the “Tell me about yourself”
        question. Keep it to 60 seconds or less.
     • Prepare at least 5 answers to behavioral interview
        questions. (“Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an
        example of a time…”)
     • Prepare 5 – 10 questions about the job, the company and
        the industry.
     • Get permission from your references to use their names

Before You Go To The Interview:

     • Make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the culture
        of the company.
     • Bring several copies of your resume and a copy of your
        references to the interview. Don’t forget to bring directions
        to the interview site!

When You Arrive:

     • Arrive early – 10 minutes before your interview time.
        While you’re waiting, try to get a sense of the company’s
        culture.
     • Announce yourself to the receptionist in a professional
        manner.
     • Review your prepared answers.
     • Stand and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake.
           Smile and make eye contact with the interviewer.
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The Ten Most Common Interview Questions

     • Tell me about yourself.
     • Why did you leave or why are you considering leaving
        your last or current position?
     • What do you know about this company?
     • Why do you want to work here?
     • What are your short and/or long term goals?
     • What are your strengths and/or weaknesses?
     • What is your most significant accomplishment?
     • What would your last boss and/or colleagues say about you?
     • Why should we hire you?
     • What are your salary expectations?      back to top


Ten Interview Do’s

     • Look great – Dress for confidence.
     • Be on time – enter the building 10 minutes prior to the start
        of the interview.
     • Do your research – Research and learn about the company
        before the interview. The more you know about the
        company, its culture and what it stands for, the better your         chance of selling yourself.
     • Be prepared – Bring extra copies of your resume, a copy of
        your references and a pad of paper to take notes. Also, have
        your end of interview questions prepared.
     • Be enthusiastic – Use a firm handshake and make lots of eye
        contact. Speak in a confident voice.
     • Listen – Also, read between the lines. Sometimes what’s not
        said is as important as what is.
     • Answer the question – Make sure you understand what’s
        being asked. Get further clarification if you’re unsure.
        Then answer the question without digressing.
     • Give specific examples that highlight your successes.
     • Ask questions – Questions indicate your interest in the
        job and the company.
     • Follow up – Don’t miss this last opportunity to market
        yourself, whether through email or regular mail. Send a
        thank you note to each person you met with. So few job
        applicants send thank you notes that you’ll stand out
        if you do!      back to top


Questions That Can & Can’t Be Asked

• Illegal Questions
     • It is illegal for an interviewer to ask anything personal that
        is not directly job related. The questions include information
        dealing with your age, marital status, country of origin,
        sexual orientation, and health status. Personal questions
        that are considered to be job related are allowed.

• Legal Personal Questions
     •  “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?”
     • “Can you show proof of your eligibility to work in the US?”
     • “Can you perform the essential functions of the job with
        or without reasonable accommodations?” (This question
        must be accompanied by a job description that outlines
        the essential job functions).      back to top


The Phone Interview

• Some companies use the phone interview as an initial
   screening technique. In some cases this serves as an alternative
   to bringing an out of town candidate in.

• Prepare for a phone interview as you would for an in –person
   interview. Research the company, study the job description,
   and prepare your answers to anticipated questions.

• Have your resume in front of you.

• Write down the questions you want to ask at the end of the
   interview.

• Don’t use a cell phone or any phone that cuts in and out.

• Dress up a little!

• Stand or sit up straight at a desk or table.      back to top


Dealing With Panel Interviews

• There is a positive side to panel interviews! Since you’d
   probably have to interview with all of these people
   individually, you’ll get it over with all at once.

• The best way to deal with multiple interviewers is to take
   them one at a time. The panel is nothing more than several
   individuals who have a common goal – hiring the best
   person for the job.

• Look at the person who is asking the question and then shift
   your eye contact to each member of the panel. Make
   contact with each set of eyes while you answer their
   questions.

• Remember that everyone on the panel is working toward the
   same goal, so treat them equally without appearing to favor
   one over the others.

• Try to get each person’s business card at the beginning of the
   interview, so you can address each person by name.       back to top


“Do You Have Questions For Me?”
• The purpose of the first set of interviews is to learn about the
   position and the company. It’s not the time for questions about
   benefits or raises. It is a good time to ask about the job
   responsibilities, the company’s culture and where they’re going
   in the future.

• It’s okay to ask about the interviewer’s background but don’t
   grill the person!

• What should be asked:
     • May I see a job Description?
     • Why is the job open?
     • What’s the next step?

• Prepare 5 to 6 questions in advance and take them with you. Taking them out when asked if you have questions will show that you’ve prepared for the interview.      back to top

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