Your role in the conversation is to provide adequate, and accurate information that will assist the prospective employer in evaluating your skills, experiences, goals, objectives, and personal traits for the position he/she is trying to fill. Your other role is to listen and obtain information from the employer regarding the position and work environment.  Recognize that the product you are selling is--yourself--and that you have very limited time (26 minutes average) in which to convince the potential employer that you are the best person for the job.

PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW

Being prepared for the interview will make you feel good about yourself.   Preparation tells an employer that you are ready to work.  Being ready for the interview helps the interviewer know where you will fit in the company.

RESEARCH THE POSITION AND THE COMPANY

Find out as much as you can about the position that is available and the organization's purpose.  Request job descriptions and contact the organization's public relations department for any information the organization publishes.  Visit with employees of the organization and contact persons who are familiar with company operations.

ANTICIPATE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Think about interview questions you will be asked and how you will answer them.   Formulate well developed answers to communicate effectively.  This is an opportunity to sell yourself and let the prospective employer know what you can do for his/her organization.

The twelve most often asked interview questions and examples of good answers.

1. What type of job do you want?  Tell the employer what work skills you have and the type of job you can do with those skills. 

Examples:

"I would like the office job because I am good at keying, filing, letter writing, and other office work."

"I would like this car repair job because I am good at changing oil, filters, tires, and other car work."

2.  Why do you want to leave your job? or why did you leave your last job?   Tell the truth.  Tell something good about why you left your past job.   You might say:

"I want to try another kind of work."

"I would like a job that has more opportunities."

"I left my last job to go to school."

3.  What pay do you want?  Answer this question with another question.   First ask:

"What is the pay range (the lower and highest pay) for this job?"

After you hear one: "yes, I will accept a job within this range," or, "No, I will not accept that pay rate.")

Do not answer this question with an answer in dollars, such as $7 an hour.  The pay range for the job might be more than what you say!

4.  Why do you want to work for our company?  Always learn some facts about the company before your job interview.  From your job research you should know about the company.  Answer the question directly.  Show that you have done some research.  If you know about the products a company makes, you might say:

"Miss Doe, I have learned about the things your company makes.  I think that you make the best copy machines there are.  I would like to work for a company that sells quality products."

5.  How long do you want to work?

Companies do not want to train someone and then see that person quit.  Show that you are interested in getting and keeping the job.  A good answer might be:

"If I am hired, I see no reason to leave."

6.  Do you have references?  References are people who know you and like you and the work you do.  Having good references shows that you really want a job.   A good answer is:

"Here is my reference list.  Jane Doe knows how well I can keyboard."

7.  Are you willing to move?  Are you willing to travel?  You may have to move to a new city for a job or you may have to travel to do a certain job.  Let the employer know how you feel about moving or traveling.  Be honest.  The employer will then know what jobs you could do and where you could fit into the company.   You might say:

"Yes I am willing to move.  Can you tell me what part of the country?"

"I like to travel and would enjoy that part of the job.  How much travel time does this job have?"

8.  Are you looking for a full-time or part-time job?  Full-time jobs are 40 hours a week.  Full-time jobs offer you sick leave, vacation, and holiday pay.   Part-time jobs are less than 40 hours a week.  However, part-time jobs can lead to full-time jobs.  You are more likely to be hired full-time if you are already working in the company.  Employers often hire trained workers from inside the company for full-time jobs instead of hiring someone from outside the company.  To answer these questions, you might say:

"I'm looking for a part-time job.  I would like to work between 20 and 25 hours a week.  I can work other hours and any day of the week."

9.  Why do you think we should hire you for this job?  Tell the employer about your work skills.  Tell how your past schoolwork and other jobs or activities will help your work in this company.  Tell the employer some facts about you that would make you the best person for the job.  You might say:

"I can bring to the job good spelling skills,  computer technician skills, and the ability to get along with others."

10. What are your short-term and long-term job goals?  A safe short-term answer might be:

"My goal is to learn my job in a short time. I want to learn all I can about working on computers."

A safe long-term goal answer might be:

"My long-term goal is to become a computer technician."

11. What are your strong and weak points?  Always talk about your strong points first.  This shows that you fell good about yourself and your skills.  It also shows that you have a good attitude.  A person with a good attitude looks for the food in things.  Talk more about your strong points than your weak points.  You must say good things about yourself in an interview.  Do not be afraid to do this.   Employers like workers who feel good about themselves!  Here are ways to talk about your strong points:

"I work well with people.  On my last job our station worked as a team."

"I work well when I have a deadline. On my last job we were asked to fill orders ahead of time.  I enjoyed doing that."

Sometimes weak points can be turned into strong points:

"I like to see things done right. I do not feel good about a job that is not the best I can do--even if it means working on it on my own time."

12. Do you prefer working alone or with others?  Say it doesn't matter (unless you really prefer one over the other).  Tell your work experience working alone or with others.  You might say,

"In my last job with Case Supply all of the shipping and receiving workers were evaluated on team performance.  Our team results determined our year end pay bonus.   As a team our goal was to achieve a ten percent year end bonus.  We did that because we worked well together.  Everyone helped."

"On my first part-time job with Big Buster Video I was the only employee on duty three days a week.  I proved to the owner that I could work alone and take care of closing the video store.  It proved to be a good learning experience.  Whatever the job needs, I will be willing to do."

Prepare questions you want to ask the employer. This is your opportunity to gather more facts about the company and increase your understanding of the employer, personnel, job, and future opportunities.  The information and answers you receive will help you know if you would enjoy working for this company. 

Example:

Why is there a job opening?

Will there be an employee trial period?

What training will a new employee have?

Have others who have had this job moved up to other jobs within the company?

When might a person expect to be promoted?

How and when is a new worker evaluated?

What is the employee turnover rate in this company?

How financially solid is this company?

OTHER HELPFUL INTERVIEWING HINTS

Relax! Concentrate on relaxing and acting naturally.  Before going to the interview, focus on your positive skills and strengths so that you project your qualifications adequately.

Dress for success by wearing clothes in which you feel comfortable, look neat, professional, and well groomed.  Research shows that the first four to nine minutes of an interview will affect the outcome and that appearance is an important factor in the employer's decision.  Be sure to consider the organizations dress code.

Bring at least two copies of your resume (even if the interviewer has one on file)   If appropriate, bring a portfolio of your work with samples of any supportive materials.

Always bring professionalism enthusiasm, and positive mental attitude to the interview.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early for your interview.

When greeting the interviewer, introduce yourself in a confident manner, smile, shake hands firmly, be pleasant and maintain eye contact.  Always greet the interviewer by their last name.

Know and learn the names of all persons conducting the interview.  Make sure to pronounce names correctly, and if possible, address these individuals in the discussion of the interview.

Upon arrival to the interview room, remain standing until offered a seat.  Let the interviewer start the dialogue and listen with reserved confidence until you are prompted to talk.

When answering interview questions, pause to give yourself time to compose your answer.   Do not be afraid to ask for clarification for questions that are difficult to understand.  Welcome all questions with a smile and give honest, direct answers.   Do not respond with only "yes" or "no" answers.

Answer questions in terms of skills and accomplishments and give examples of how you have used your skills.

Never make rude or negative comments about former employers or co-workers.

Honesty is the best policy.  Turn negative situations into positive responses and always be honest.

Body language speaks loud and clear.  Be aware of your body language, it conveys the way you feel about yourself.

Be friendly, courteous, and professional - act natural.

Know when the interview has come to a close.  The interviewer should initiate the close and you should be alert for the indications of closure.

Summarize your skills you have to offer and your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Avoid asking questions about salary and benefits until you have been offered the job.   If asked, respond with "open" or "negotiable."

If the job is offered, you do not have to respond on the spot.  Reaffirm your interest in the position and ask to be given time to think it over.

Always leave the interview on a positive note.  Shake hands, express your sincere interest in the job, thank the interviewer for her/his time.  Clarify the notification and/or call back procedure.

FOLLOW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Follow up thank you notes or letters should be sent within two days of the interview.   If you have not heard from the employer after a reasonable period of time, you may want to inquire about the status of your application.  Accomplish this either by telephone or letter.

Example Letter:

115 Sundance Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA  19107

December 1, 19__

Ms. Kathy Doe

Personnel Director

Best Corporation

198 First Street

Pittsburgh, PA 19107

            Dear Ms. Doe:

Thank You Notes    

Thank you notes indicate you are a conscientious person who takes the time to show appreciation for others.  A personal note can be hand written if handwriting is neat and legible.

Example Thank You Note: