How to Prepare for a Job Interview. GetsYouHired.com All Rights Reserved

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1 How to Prepare for a Job Interview GetsYouHired.com All Rights Reserved

2 Introduction So, you need to prepare for a job interview? If you are nervous or unprepared, job interviews can be a dreaded part of the process of looking for employment. However, with a bit of preparation and practice, you can boost your confidence, and you may even look forward to job interviews. Even better, is that one successful job interview (even if you don't land the job) can boost your confidence further, and set you up for success in all future job interviews. Before the Interview Preparation for a job interview begins days, weeks, or even months in advance. Really, it began when you put in your application. Your interviewer will be looking over your application or resume, and will have many questions relating to it. Long before the interview, they will be analyzing your resume to determine some of your strengths and weaknesses, your experience level, and your work history. First off, good job. Landing a job interview means you've passed the application process. The company now wants to know more about you. They are interested in your skills and abilities, and want to meet you in person (or speak with you over the phone) to further determine if you may be a good fit for their company. Researching the Company and Position Before going for an interview, you should know as much as you can about the company, as well as the position you are applying for. Knowing about the company will help you determine what questions you will need to ask during the interview. Yes, you will be asking questions! Researching the company and asking questions demonstrates that you are actively interested in working for the company. It also demonstrates that you are serious about your career, and you want to move forward in your career with a top notch company. Having as much information as possible about the position you are applying for gives you discussion points during your interview as well. It demonstrates to the interviewer that you are interested in understanding and performing a job function as well as possible. It also allows you to fit your skills with the position, both in your resume and in your interview. So what should you research? Start off by carefully reading the company's website. In most cases, it will be the best resource for information about what the company does and how it operates. Most companies also have information

3 about employment on their website. As you're navigating the website, write down any questions you think of. These questions will be valuable during your interview. If the company does not have a website, try a google.com search for the company. You might be able to pull up some online news articles, press releases, or other information about the company. Go to any sites that refer to the company, but pay attention to the credibility of each source. Your public library is also a good resource. Look up the company in the business periodicals index, and read any articles where the company is mentioned in business publications or trade magazines. If you can, get information from someone who already works there or has previously worked for the company. If you heard about the job from a friend or acquaintance, find out what they know about the company. Ask them if the know what the company values in it's employees and what might help you during the interview process. If you come across any negative information, just remember that every company may have some disgruntled customers or past employees. Don't take non-credentialed information too seriously, and focus on the company's image as a whole. It's probably not the best idea to bring up largely negative feedback during the interview. However, you can use this information to frame questions about the company in a positive manner. What to find out: What is the companies mission, vision, and values statements? What products and services do they offer? What are their strategic goals, special projects, or new developments? Do they have any recent company achievements? What is the job description and do you meet the qualification guidelines? While you're researching the company, it's not a bad idea to do a quick google.com search of yourself as well. Go ahead and put your name (and city, if you need to narrow down search results) into the search bar, and see what comes up. Many employers google potential employees. Make sure that information that comes up portrays you in a positive light, and be prepared to discuss the top search results in your interview if it comes up. What Qualities Employers Look For What particular qualities a company is looking for can vary. Obviously, employers are looking for the best candidate for the job. However, things get a bit more complicated than that, especially if it's a smart company that sees it's employees as an investment. Companies are also looking for different things from an entry-level employee than they are from a mid-level or supervisory level employee. Smart employers are looking for qualities that demonstrate to them that you will grow with the

4 company and be a valuable asset to them. When possible, they want to make the best return on their investment. Here are some of the top qualities that employers are looking for: Reputation Employers are always impressed if you have some type of reputation in a certain skill or field. Whether it be from previous employment, people you're worked with, or achievements. It may just be that everyone is impressed by your team leadership skills, or that you were the go-to guy for fixing computer problems at your previous job. If you have a reputation for something that appeals to this particular company, make sure they know about it during the interview. The Right Contacts Employers like to see if you know and are connected with people within your field. Networking with people is a valuable skill that demonstrates good interpersonal and corporate skills. Intelligence Your intelligence is not necessarily measured by how book smart you are. What employers want to see is that you have strategic thinking skills that give you the ability to plan, organize, set priorities, and otherwise get a job done with little outside help. They also like to see that you have common sense and a practical ability to deal with challenges. Demonstrate your intelligence by asking questions during the interview, as curiosity is a key indicator of intelligence. Leadership Ability Do you have strong leadership skills? Most employers like people with the ability to take charge, who are willing to volunteer for assignments, and who take responsibilities for the results of their work. When possible, talk about your skills in these areas, and highlight positions in your previous employment when you took leadership. Integrity Most companies like a person who has values and ethics. They especially look for individuals who are honest about themselves and others. Demonstrate integrity during your interview by being honest about your strengths as well as your weaknesses, and my owning up to any mistakes you may have made in past employment, while explaining how you've learned from past mistakes. Likability Last, but not least, the interviewer will be impressed if you demonstrate that you are a likeable person. How can you be likeable? Simply, be upbeat, be courteous, and be genuinely interested in what the other interviewer has to say. Not all of these qualities may be your strong points, but as long as you focus on demonstrating even a little bit of each quality, you can up your chances of making a good impression during the interview. Questions to Ask the Interviewer During the interview, don't let the interviewer ask all of the questions. Asking questions shows the

5 interviewer that you are truly interested in the company and the position, and thinking about your future. Your research of the company and the job position should have given you a list of questions to go off of. Start by organizing this list by putting the most important questions at the top. Then, narrow this list down to the top 10 questions you have about the company or the job. This doesn't mean you can't ask the other questions if they come up or there is time at the end of the interview. But, these top 10 will be some of your main talking points during the interview. In addition to the questions that came up during your research, here are a few ideas to add to your list. Questions to ask during the interview: What are the responsibilities of this position? What does a typical day/week look like for this position? What opportunities for advancement are available? Who will be my supervisors? If I am offered the position, when will I get to meet him/her? How many people work in this department? How much travel is expected? Is relocation a possibility? What are the typical hours? Is overtime expected? If I am offered the job, how soon would you want me to start? Do you have any questions about my qualifications? When can I expect to hear if I got the job? Do you have any further questions for me? There are some questions you should avoid. Especially avoid questions that clearly show that you haven't done your research. Questions NOT to ask: What does your company do? (If you did your research correctly, you should already know this!) If I accept this position, how soon can I take time off? (Wait until you are offered the job to mention prior commitments.) Is the schedule negotiable? (Don't try to negotiate until you're offered the job, and now is not the time to mention transportation issues.) Did I get the job? (Most companies will let you know one way or another whether you landed the job. Now is not the time to be impatient.) Overall, be genuine. If you are unclear about something, be sure to ask for clarification. This is the time to learn what you can about the company as they learn what they can about you. In a sense, you are also interviewing the company. And, you might just find out something that turns you off about the job. Interviewing Skills

6 It seems unfair that you could be judged on something other than your work skills, but your ability to answer questions effectively and do well in the interview can significantly set you apart from other applicants. So, prepare to brush up on your interviewing skills. It could make the difference between landing a coveted job or not. You can practice interview questions by yourself or with a friend or family member. Either way, think about how your answers might be perceived by the interviewer. Having someone else give you feedback on your answers can help you come up with ideas or see problems in your answers that you didn't realize before. Common Interview Questions Each interview will be unique, but some questions are common no matter what. You should answer questions as succinctly as possible, while still answering with clear information. Don't ramble or keep talking after you answer the question. If you need more information to answer, ask for clarification. Here are some questions you will likely encounter, and a quick synopsis of how you should answer. Question: Where would you like to be in your career in 5 years? Companies asking this question want to get a feel for whether you could grow with them long-term. You will need to be careful in how much you share with them, especially if you have ambitions outside of this company or industry. For instance, if you would like to be starting your own company in 5 years or working in another industry, it would be best if you just shared some general career ambitions of yours. If you can see yourself in the same industry or with the same company in 5 years, tell them about it. Question: Why did you leave your last job? This question is used to gauge whether or not you had any problems with your previous employer. If you didn't have problems, you should give a simple answer such as: I relocated, I was laid off, it was a temporary job, etc. If you did have problems with your previous employer, try to explain simply what the issue was. Frame it in a positive light, by explaining what you learned from the experience and how you will use the experience to perform better at your new job. Whatever you do, don't say anything bad about your previous employer. Question: What are your best skills? This is when your research of the position and the company will come in handy. Try to match your strengths and best skills as closely as possible to the job description and what the company is looking for. You should ideally have an idea of what you will say before the interview.

7 Question: What are some of your weaknesses? Name a couple of your weaknesses, but try to frame them into something positive. For example, if you struggle with worrying over doing your job correctly, you could say, I have been known to worry about my work. I sometimes work late to make sure that my job is done well. Question: Do you work best by yourself or with others? Be honest with this question, but try to give examples of your strengths in both situations. You might answer, When working with others, I benefit from other perspectives and ideas, and I can usually find my role easily and fulfill it. When I am working by myself, I love that I can really take an idea and run with it, without worrying about stepping on anyone's toes. Question: What are your hobbies? When asking this question, the interviewer is probably looking to get a feel for how your hobbies might play into your job skills. For instance, if you enjoy computers outside of your job, you will likely be good at computers at your job. If your hobbies include card games or chess, you likely have good analytical skills. It's possible that the interviewer just wants to know if you have a life outside of work. It's been shown that people who play sports, are social, or otherwise have hobbies outside of work, are happier, healthier, and more productive at work. Other Questions No matter what questions you are asked during the interview, make sure that you tailor your answer to fit the specific job you are interviewing for. Don't give too much information for more personal questions, and always frame each answer in positive way if possible. Interview Tips & Tricks People often ask, what are the best tips and tricks you have for doing well in an interview? So, here are some pointers to remember first and foremost during the interview. 1. Be Yourself Through this entire book, I've been telling you how to prepare for and do your best in an interview. But, the thing you never want to do is make yourself out to be someone that you are not. Always be yourself. Making yourself out to be someone else not only makes you out to be a liar, it shows that you are not confident in who you really are, and in your true abilities. Instead, be comfortable with who you are; your strengths, your weaknesses, and everything in between. If you have average knowledge of something, say so. If you are better than most people at a certain task, by all means, tell the interviewer about it.

8 2. Be Friendly Always go into an interview with the impression that the interviewer is on your side and wants to help you land the job. You are not a salesman, so don't go in trying to win them over. Just be friendly and down to earth, and chat about why you think you are the best person for the job. Never get defensive or sly. It's not attractive. 3. Relax Relax and allow yourself to be okay with the fact that the interview may not go well. You may have thought this job was perfect for you, but in the interview you may find out that it's not (or the interviewer decides that it's not). Take some deep breaths and know that it's okay. That's what interviews are for: To find out if this job is a good fit for you. Finish the interview on a good note, learn from the experience, and move on. 4. The Interview Is Only One Part of the Process Sometimes, it's easy to forget that first impressions are not just made during the interview. Be aware that every interaction you make with the company and it's personnel is a reflection on you and your candidacy, from the first phone call, to your interaction with the receptionist and human resources department, to your first meeting with future coworkers. Be friendly and respectful at all times. If you can remember these four things during the interview (be yourself, be friendly, relax, and remember to be respectful to everyone at all times), you have a good head start on the process. The Day of the Interview All of the interview preparation in the world won't do you any good if you are not prepared for the day of the interview. Showing up on time, in the proper attire, with the right documents in hand, with a calm and professional demeanor and a respectful attitude, shows that you value the interview, the interviewer's time, and know how to manage your time and resources well. Would you hire someone who showed up late, in extremely casual dress, stressed out and unprepared? I know I wouldn't! This is your once chance to make a good first impression. What to Wear The biggest questions you will have in what to wear is whether you should dress business formal or business casual. Rarely will you dress more casually than that. A good rule of thumb is to think about the level of the position you are applying for. If you are applying for an entry-level or mid level position, business casual should suffice. If you are applying for any type of supervisory or management position, or a position that requires extensive experience and education, you should consider wearing business formal to the interview.

9 Your interview attire is not necessarily supposed to reflect your every day work attire, but is rather your best foot forward, and your first impression on the company. Your interviewer will look at your attire to judge whether you can accurately dress for the occasion. Business casual is pretty standard in modern day offices. For men, dress slacks, pants, or suit pants, with a collared shirt, either casual or dress, is standard. For women, dress slacks, pants, suit pants, dress or skirt, along with a sweater or top, is standard. Dresses and skirts should be cut at or below the knee. Business casual shoes include loafers, conservative tennis shoes, flats, heals, or slightly-open toe shoes. Nothing too casual or too formal. Your clothes should be clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free. What NOT to wear: Jeans, sweatpants, workout pants, wind pants, etc. Anything form fitting, revealing, or unusually low or short-cut. Anything with frays, stains, holes, etc. Tank tops, spaghetti straps, halter tops, t shirts, or anything with potentially offensive words, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans. Business formal usually consists of neutral or subdued colors. A clean and pressed suit, buttoned up stiff collar shirt, and tie for men; business suit, or skirt suit for women, including stockings. Dress shoes (closed toe for women) should also be worn. What to Bring Just as important as your wardrobe is showing up with the right documents in hand. It shows that you are prepared for the occasion, and it also avoids any confusion if the interviewer is missing a document or any information. Consider carrying your documents in a folder or briefcase, as it often looks more professional. What you should bring: 2-3 copies of your resume. Your references and their contact information A pen and notepad to take notes Directions and contact information, just in case you have trouble finding the interview location In addition to these documents, consider carrying some gum or breath mints with you. Use them to freshen your breath just before the interview. Just make sure you throw away your gum just beforehand, as it would be considered rude to keep it in your mouth during the interview. Time Management

10 Proper management of your time on the day of your interview is crucial. Being on time is one of the biggest first impressions you can make for your interview. And if you are not careful of your time, you run the risk of being late. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before and wake up in time to eat a proper breakfast and prepare for the day. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview, accounting for traffic and any other possible unknown factors that could delay your arrival time. There is a very North American saying: If you're on time, you're late. Showing up a bit early gives off a positive image. It's a good idea to arrive at the interview at least 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled. This leaves you enough time to account for clocks being different, and hold ups with getting into the building or finding the right place to go. Some interviewers will prefer to start a bit earlier, too, and may be pleased to see you arrive before the allotted time. When you first arrive, let the receptionist know who you are and what you are there for. If you get to the interview on-time and you have to wait, remain patient and respectful. Don't keep reminding the receptionist that you are waiting. Don't slouch or looked bored and uneasy in while waiting. Remember that every moment you are portraying an image to future employers. Stress Management Going to interviews can be stressful. Because of the extra stress, it's not uncommon for people hunting for a job to get sick during their job search or during the first week or so on the job. To stay healthy, it's important that you are able to remain relaxed in your daily life and lessen the stress on your mind and your body, in order to take care of your immune system. Stress management can also help you during the interview, as you will appear more calm. Being relaxed during the interview let's the interviewer know that you can do well under pressure. The day before, and the day of the interview (if you have time), you should get a moderate amount of exercise and fresh air. Taking a short walk is sufficient. Any amount of sunlight, even during the winter months, will boost your mood and your immune system. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep the night before. If you are having trouble relaxing the night before, try a hot bath, some calming hot tea, and reading a book in bed. Getting adequate nutrition is also important. Eat a good meal the night before; something satisfying but not too filling, and make sure it's something you eat on a regular basis that you are sure won't give you gas or digestive issues. You should also eat a balanced breakfast (and lunch, if your interview is in the afternoon). Calm your nerves before the interview by taking deep breaths and clearing your mind. Stressing out about the interview will not make it go well. Things will go much smoother if you are relaxed.

11 Respect and Courtesy Tips No matter how well you do answering questions, you can completely ruin an interview if you aren't respectful and courteous. Here are some simple etiquette rules you should follow at every interview: Courtesy Tip #1 While waiting for the interview, stand up when someone approaches you about the interview. The receptionist may come and announce that the interviewer is ready to see you, or the interviewer may come and greet you themselves. In both instances, you should stand up to receive the news. Courtesy Tip #2 When you first meet the interviewer, briefly introduce yourself and shake hands. If there are multiple interviewers, extend your hand to each one upon entering the room. Let them know you are glad to meet them. You should also wait to be seated, which is usually a signal that the interview has officially begun. Courtesy Tip #3 Make sure you turn off your cell phone or silence it during the interview. Better yet, leave it in your vehicle. If it rings during the interview, you risk offending the interviewer. If you forget to turn off your phone and it rings during the interview, don't just ignore it and let it ring. Apologize to the interviewer and turn it off immediately. Say something like, I am so sorry. That's my phone. Please excuse me, I'm going to turn it off real quickly. Then, let them know you have their full attention again. Courtesy Tip #4 Plan to take notes. At the beginning of the interview, ask the interviewer if they mind if you take notes. This shows that you want to be mindful of their comfort. Taking notes is generally not considered rude, and it shows that you are listening. Most interviewers will be okay with this, but you should still ask. Courtesy Tip #5 When the interview is over, thank the interviewer for their time, let them know again that it was nice to meet them, and let them know that you will be looking forward to hearing back from them. Say goodbye by wishing them a nice day or some other pleasant sentiment. Whatever you do, don't hang around and chit chat, even if it seems the interviewer is okay with it. Leaving immediately when the interview is over demonstrates that you understand the formality of the meeting. A Note About Phone Interviews:

12 If you are doing a phone interview from home, courtesy is just as important as an in-person interview. Make sure you are in a room or location without background noise, such as a home office or bedroom. If you have set up a time beforehand, make sure you honor it and prepare for it just as you would an inperson interview. If the interviewer calls and you are not available during the agreed time, you may have just lost your chance at getting the job. Follow the same guidelines as above for greeting the interviewer and exchanging sentiments. Here are some more tips for interviewing over the phone: Don't chew gum, eat, or drink Keep a glass of water handy in case you need a quick sip to wet your mouth If you cough, sneeze, or need to clear your throat, clearly say excuse me Smile. The interviewer may not be able to see it, but it will brighten your demeanor over the phone. Speak slowly and clearly Don't interrupt Give short, succinct answers You goal during a phone interview is to get a face-to-face interview. Near the end of the call, ask if there is a good time you could meet in person. As you can see, these are just common courtesies that you should try to follow at any formal or semiformal meeting. If you are nervous about what to say or what sentiments to exchange, practice a bit at home. Follow-Up The interview is not over when you leave the building. In order to make the best impression, you should plan to do some simple follow up activities. Thank You Even if you didn't do well in the interview, you should still follow up with a thank you note. It won't be a typical thank you note that you send to a friend or family member. Your thank you note to the interviewer should be more like a letter, and it should be tailored to fit what the employer is looking for. In short, your interview thank you note should express to the employer that you listened during the interview, that you understand their needs and challenges, and how you can help meet those needs through your knowledge, skills, and experience. If you don't have time to write out a long thank you letter right away, consider sending a quick note thanking them for the opportunity and letting them know that you have more thoughts, and you'll be sending them later in a longer letter. If you do this, make sure that you do actually send a second letter as promised.

13 If you had more than one interviewer, consider tailoring a thank you note for each one. In case you are wondering, is now preferred over hand-written notes. Don't worry about it looking unprofessional. It won't, as long as you use proper format in an . Follow Up Communication In addition to your thank you note, you should follow up with an or a phone call within a couple of weeks of the interview if you haven't heard anything back. You want to let the employer know that you are still interested in the position, without appearing desperate. Make the or phone call short. Say who you are, that you interviewed with them (and when), and that you are still very interested in the position (tell them which one), and that you are looking forward to hearing back from them soon. You may hear right away if you got the job or not. In other instances, it could take several weeks to hear back. One or two follow-up s or phone calls is okay (no more than once every week or two). Anymore than that is probably too much, unless you have been told to call back at a certain date. As you can see, with just a little bit of practice and some common courtesy and etiquette techniques, the interview process doesn't have to be daunting. In fact, it can be quite enjoyable. I wish you the best of luck in your job hunt, and I know that these tips will help you have successful job interviews.