PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW

Most people who have hiring responsibilities have a pretty good idea of the levels of education and experience they’d like to see in a job applicant for a particular position.

Very often - and more often than one might think - the following personal characteristics make a difference between the person getting the job and the others who applied for the job:

Presence: The applicant’s first impression is very important. In fact, it ripples through the entire interview. Do what you can to create a positive presence through manners by wearing the appropriate clothing for the interview, making sure you’re well-groomed and having a relaxed, confident manner.

Ability to communicate: How well do you communicate to the interviewer? Can you communicate your ideas clearly at the level the position requires? Your interviewer will generally assess both content and delivery of communication.

Motivation: Do you have a positive, enthusiastic approach? Do you sound and look confident that you can handle the job?

Intelligence: Your answers to the questions, your questions to the interviewer and your demonstration of creative and imaginative capabilities will all be considered by the hiring person. Although your grade levels achieved in post-secondary education are important, they are not always considered to be a reliable indicator of success on a job.

Energy levels and general alertness: These motivational forces underlie the other four traits listed here.

These traits are not measured as easily as skills, education or experience level, but they do play an increasingly important role in how- you present yourself to the interviewer.

Goal of the Candidate

Gather information on the position and the employer. Evaluate position, job-setting, co-workers.

Determine if the position is suitable - Do I want to work here?

Communicate information about yourself - convince the employer to hire you because you are qualified for the position.

Goal of the Interviewer

To promote the organization.

To attract the best candidate, gather information, and assess the candidate’s qualifications.

To determine if the candidate fits the position.

Research the Position

Make sure you understand the details, requirements, and responsibilities of the job you are applying for. This information can be typically found by reviewing interview bulletins, recruiting information, and company literature. Additionally, conducting your own informational interviews can often provide valuable information. Finally, be able to relate your skills and qualifications to the stated job responsibilities.

Research the Organization

How long has it existed?

What is its mission?

What does it produce?

Whom does it serve?

Size?

Location?

Visit the organization’s website to help you with the research. In addition, expand your search by conducting informational interviews.

Prepare and Practice

Develop specific examples that highlight your skills. Make sure that you can answer each question honestly and sincerely without sounding like you have prepared them. Remember, this is not an exhaustive list of possible interview questions, but rather some general samples to help you begin to think about what may be asked during an interview.

Anticipate Difficult Questions

Can you explain your low grade point average?

Why did you change you college three times?

Do not try to avoid these questions; answer them honestly and in a positive manner. Try to turn a weakness into strength, i.e., Yes, my GPA is low, but this is because I worked thirty hours a week to put myself through school.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer

What are the educational opportunities?

What training will I receive?

The end of the interview is usually reserved for your questions. Do not just ask generic Questions, and do not ask questions that could easily be found in company literature. Ask questions that will help you determine if you are a good match for the position and the organization, such as the questions above.

Asking questions indicates to the employer that your job search has been well thought out. Your interest in the organization resulted in thorough research and preparation.

The following are samples of questions prepared to encourage you to think about questions you can ask in an interview. Do not memorize these samples; sit down, study them and figure out how they translate into suitable questions for the organization you are interviewing. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer, such as:

What do you think are the three key skills/strengths vital to this position?

What characteristics do the achievers in this company seem to share?

Is there a lot of team project work?

What would I be expected to accomplish in the first six months on the job?

What are some of the department’s ongoing and anticipated special projects?

Identify a typical career path in your organization for someone with my qualifications.

How is an employee evaluated and promoted?

What is the retention rate of individuals in the position for which I am interviewing?

Tell me about your initial, as well as future training programs.

What are the challenging facets of this job?

What industry trends will occur in this company?

Describe the work environment.

What are the company’s strengths and weaknesses?

Who are your clients? May I talk with one?

Who are your competitors?

What kinds of computers and programs do you use? Will I have my own computer?

How would you describe your company’s personality and management style?

Is it company policy to promote within?

Tell me the work history of your top management.

What are your expectations for new hires?

What is the overall structure of the department where this position is located?

What qualities are you looking for in your new hires? Is this a new position or a replacement? What happened to the person who held it previously? Is there someone already employed by the firm who thinks he should have this position?

What is the next step in the hiring process for this position?

Do not ask about salary and benefits.

Will I work independently or with others?

Who directly supervises this position? What is his or her background? What’s he or she like? May I talk to other people who report to this person?

Are there any recent or anticipated changes in the structure of the organization (mergers, cutbacks)?

If I want to further my education, does the organization offer tuition benefits?

Can I provide you with any other information to help you in the decision making process?

Will I have a written employment agreement?

Does your company require that I sign a non-compete agreement?

How many women and minorities hold management positions in your company?

Where do the other employees live? How far away are these communities? Can you describe them? What is the commute like?

How many other candidates do you consider for this position? What can you tell me about them?

How soon can I expect to hear from you?

BEFORE INTERVIEW

It is important to be on time for an interview. It is the best if you arrive about 15 minutes early. This will give you time to relax and fill out an application, if necessary. Dress appropriately, since the first impression is a lasting one.

TIPS

Do some research on the business before the interview. (See How to Find a Job, Research the Employer.)

Practice interviewing.

Go alone. Do not take children or friends.

Greet the employer with a handshake.

Make frequent eye contact.

Smile, be polite, and try to relax.

Listen carefully to the questions asked. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused.

Answer questions as directly as possible.

Be upbeat and make positive statements.

If you’ve worked before, talk about what you learned from it.

Use examples of how your skills and abilities would fit the job.

Bring your Fact Sheet with telephone numbers and addresses of your references and former employers, just in case you are asked to complete an application.

It is important as you prepare for your interview to anticipate what questions the employer might ask. Following are some examples of the types of questions that you may be asked to answer.

Questions to Expect (What the Employer May Ask You):

Tell me about yourself. (This is often an ice-breaker question. Keep the answer job or skill related.)

What do you know about the type of work we do? (This is your chance to tell what you know from the research you have done.

What is your weakness? (Always make this a positive answer.

For example, My spelling is not always perfect, so I always use a spell checker.)

What are your strengths? (Describe your skills in a way that will show you as a desirable employee for the company.)

Why did you leave your last job? (Answer with a positive statement. Try not to say: I was fired, terminated, quit, had no babysitter, or couldn’t get along with coworkers or supervisor. However, you can say: new job, contract ended, seasonal, temporary, career change, returned to school, to raise a family, or relocated.")

Why have you been unemployed for such a long time? (Tell the truth. Emphasize that you were looking for a good company where you can settle and make a contribution.)

Why should we hire you? (Make a positive statement, such as I would like the opportunity to work with you and believe that I can do the work.)

Do you have references? (It is very important that you contact your references ahead of time and have their name, current address, and telephone numbers.)

Before your interview find out everything you can about the company (read their annual report which can be obtained by telephoning them). Re-read your application, thinking through your own career and the questions they might ask you. You should try to anticipate the general questions which they will ask and also prepare some to ask them.

To do well at interview you will need to convince the interviewer you are technically qualified to do the job. You will also need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well, and that you will fit in with the company’s organisational structure and the team in which you will work.

You should dress smartly for the interview and should leave home earlier than you need to on the day of the interview, lest you be delayed by traffic or for other reasons. Be courteous to all employees of the company. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities - but do not waffle.

Assemble all necessary papers

Resume or personal data sheet

Know your resume well enough that you can discuss every line if necessary

Licenses, Social Security card and/or military records

Samples of work, if relevant

List of questions you want to ask the interviewer about the job

Many employers will use your resume as a source of questions during the interview. Review your resume prior to the interview trying to develop answers to questions that relate to your employment and educational experience listed on your resume. Be prepared to discuss gaps in employment. If called upon, you must be able to demonstrate the skills you have stated on your resume. Focus your answers on the skills and experience that will be the most useful to the position you are interviewing for.

Learn all you can about the prospective employer

What are the products and services?

What is its reputation?

What types of jobs are available?

What are the hiring policies and practices?

What are their salary ranges?

What are their goals?

Researching the company you are interviewing with and the position you are pursuing demonstrates genuine interest and initiative. It will be obvious to the interviewer whether you have done your research or not. Many interviewers will focus the questions on finding out how much preparation did you do for the interview.

One can research a company utilizing many different sources:

The Internet

Company brochures and year end statements

The area Chamber of Commerce

Networking - ask friends, relatives, teachers, social and business contacts

You do not need to know everything possible about the company. The information most helpful for the interviewing process includes knowing the product manufactured or service offered. You should find out the size of the company and if they have multiple locations. Who are their competitors? Have they recently merged with another company? What is their sales volume this year and is that above or below the previous year’s?

Identify what you have to offer

Your education, training and experience—what you have done, know how to do and what you can do.

Remember all the skills, abilities and talents you possess that will make you an excellent employee.

Consider your potentials as an employee

Why do you feel you can do the job?

What makes you qualified for the job?

What do you have to offer the company or organization?

Why do you want to work for the employer in question?

Pre-Interview Checklist

Before you leave home for your interview, check the following:

Have you researched the organization you are interviewing with?

Do you know the interviewer’s name? If not, get it from the receptionist before the interview.

Have you formulated answers for usual interview questions?

Do you have all necessary information for the interview? This includes items such as resume or personal data sheet, names and addresses of references, pen and note pad.

Is there someone you could do a practice interview with? You will benefit from suggestions for improvement.

Do not forget the most obvious research, simply knowing where you are going BEFORE the interview. What is the company address?

How long should you plan for travel time? Drive by the company to be sure that you know how to get there and how long it will take.

Also, remember to give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes in case they ask you to complete their job application.

Other tips on preparing for interview

Consider how the position relates to your talents and goals, such as specialty area and opportunities for advancement.

Schedule the interview at a time that will not conflict with your working hours. Most interviewers will understand you not willing to take off work at your current position to interview for other jobs.

Find out the name and position of the person you meet, and get his telephone number in case an emergency arises.

Be prepared with answers to why you want to work at that particular organization, and how you would be the best candidate for the position. Understanding the company, their mission and their environment will help you with these questions.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Interviewing process is a very important part of the companies as the companies are largely depend on the employees who are being hired through interviewing. Therefore, this process is like a pain in the neck of the Human Resource Department of companies.

They know that their interviewing process should be full proof so that the dependability of the employee in work force is cent percent and the success of company depends largely on the work force. Therefore, they have to chalk out a strategy which is dynamic and in sync with the latest trends in the market.

They have to take care of certain facts while working on the interviewing process that it has to be catering to both the organizational goal, at the same time being flexible enough to attract the requisite and experienced workforce to the company. Therefore, interviewing process should cater to these reality bugs.

The field on which the company is working is another aspect and