Pre-Interviewing Techniques
Do your homework. Find out as much as possible about the firm or agency and person who will be interviewing you.
Think of questions you would like to ask during the interview.
Be aware of what not to ask, as well.
Dress as you would if you were working for the agency, i.e., men in suits, shirts and ties; women in suits or conservative dresses and panty hose.
Make sure you are neat and presentable – hair cut to a reasonable length, clothes pressed and shoes shined.
The Interview
Shake hands (men and women) upon entering and leaving the room.
Relax as much as possible.
Never apologize, be positive.
Have an answer ready if asked, “Why should we hire you?” Think about it beforehand. Have your own sales pitch ready.
Do not take notes during the interview.
Be on time — punctuality is a must.
Smile and be responsive.
Do not be hostile. Aggresiveness is all right, but hostililty – never.
Be yourself and emphasize your strong points.
Be enthusiastic; enthusiasm can be contagious.
Hints for a successful job interview after the application & resume have been submitted
1. Be on time or up to 10 minutes early. If you must be late, call the interviewer as soon as possible.
2. Make sure you know the exact location of the interview, the time, and the name(s) of the person or people with whom you are to interview.
3. Set aside plenty of time for the interview, especially if you have more than one in a day.
4. Don’t overdress or underdress. Wear what you would for the job. Be neat and clean. Don't wear a lot of makeup or jewelry.
5. Greet the interviewers with a warm, confident “hello,” and a firm handshake. Be sure you now the interviewer’s name, and by what you should address her/him by.
6. Look alert and interested. Don’t chew gum, smoke or play with your jewelry. Keep eye contact.
7. Know as much about the job and the employer as possible beforehand. Understand the job description.
8. Think before answering questions; if you don’t understand a question, ask to have it explained. If you don’t know the answer, be honest, but let the interviewer know you will be sure to find out.
9. Be honest about your background and experience, sell yourself with enthusiasm, confidence and interest. Don’t make excuses or blame schools, employers or fellow workers, if a past weakness or failure comes up. Explain the situation and what you’ve learned from it.
10. Don’t worry about wage, salary and benefits at the interview. This information can be gotten before or after the interview. You can always turn down an offer. The important thing is being offered the job.
11. At the end of the interview, ask any questions you have that have not been answered. Ask about when the final decision will be made and how you will be contacted.
12. Thank the interviewer(s) for her/his time.
13. A follow-up call on or after the day when the final decision was to be made is often a good idea.
14. Send a thank you note for the time the employer spent in the interview.
