The
Job Interview
is a mutual exchange of information.
As the applicant, your main objectives are:
-
to
communicate information about your skills and qualifications
clearly and accurately
-
to connect this
information to the requirements of the job for which you are
interviewing
-
to seek
additional information about the position and employer
-
to
determine if the position is an appropriate fit.
The interviewer's main objectives are:
-
to assess how closely your qualifications match the
requirements of the position and company
-
to
present the organization in a positive manner, supplying
accurate information to the
prospective employee
Think of
the interview not as an interrogation, but as a two-way
conversation during which you and the employer determine
whether you meet each other’s needs. There are a number of
steps that you need to go through in order to maximize the
success of this conversation.
STEP ONE –
PREPARE
Prepare all necessary
documents needed for the interview - Resume, Cover Letter,
etc. You will always want to take along extra copies of
your resume, transcript, and references. Consider
purchasing a leather portfolio to hold your documents and a
pen and paper to record notes, if need be. For assistance
in critiquing your resume or cover letter, meet with a
career counselor during Counselor-on-Duty hours, or set up
an appointment.
Plan your attire
- First impressions are powerful, so you will want to
look professional. Some suggestions on professional dress
for an interview are:
-
Suits/Dresses:
Conservative, in dark colors (dark blue, black, gray, or
tan)
-
Shirts/Blouses:
Simple, in soft colors
-
Socks:
Calf-length, complimenting the suit
-
Stockings: Beige,
tan, or natural
-
Shoes: Men -
polished, should match suit; Women - polished, medium
heels
-
Ties: Silk,
coordinated with the suit
-
Handbag: Medium or
small size, in a color matching the outfit
-
Hair: Conservative
hairstyle that does not distract from professionalism
-
Jewelry: Men - no
jewelry; Women - Simple jewelry
Anticipate interview format
- Ask questions beforehand, such
as: “With whom will I be meeting?” “How long should I plan
to be at your office?” Knowing the format will help you
prepare for the
interview experience.
STEP TWO - RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION AND THE
POSITION
Learn as much about the company and position
you are applying for before you go to the interview. Visit
the company’s web site or read company literature. Analyze
the job description and try to match your experiences,
interests, and abilities to their requirements for the
position. Visit the SMU Career Services’ web site to
learn more about researching
employers and investigate links related to your
particular occupational field.
STEP
THREE - KNOW YOURSELF
Prepare to discuss your strengths,
weaknesses, educational and work experiences, personal
goals, and values. Read the job description thoroughly,
anticipating questions which focus on your qualifications,
their organization, and how the two fit together. Among
questions you may be asked are:
STEP FOUR - MAKE A LIST OF QUESTIONS
TO ASK THEM
The questions you ask (or do
not ask) will reveal much about your level of interest in
the company, and your level of preparation for the
interview. Ask questions which demonstrate a genuine
interest in and knowledge of the company and position.
Although each situation will warrant specific inquiries,
some suggested questions are:
-
What characteristics do you
look for in a person to have success at your company?
-
What are a few of the problems I will be
expected to solve?
-
What is the traditional career path for
this position, and in what ways do you evaluate an
employee?
-
If I may ask, what is your timetable for
filling this current position?
STEP
FIVE - FOLLOW UP
Write a brief letter of thanks for the
interview. In the letter you need to reiterate your
interest in the position and briefly state why you are the
best candidate. If you do not hear from anyone in a week,
then call to express your continued interest in the
position.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A BETTER INTERVIEW
|
Be Sure to |
...And Do Not |
- Arrive
early
- Be neatly
groomed
- Display good
hygiene
- Dress
accordingly
- Make good
eye contact
- Give a firm
handshake
- Demonstrate
good posture
- Speak with
confidence
- Maintain
interviewer’s pace, style of speech
- Answer
questions directly
- End
interview with gratitude and enthusiasm for the job
|
- Arrive late
without warning
- Look shabby
or disheveled
- Show poor
hygiene
- Under- or
over-dress or wear obnoxious attire
- Avoid eye
contact
- Have a weak
or overpowering handshake
- Slouch or
show bad posture
- Speak too
loudly or too softly
- Appear
hyperactive or passive
- Make answers
too lengthy or brief
- End
interview without gratitude
|
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Behavioral Questions
The most common type of interviewing style of questioning is
the behavioral interview. The questions aim
at determining how you would operate on the job. How you
responded to certain past situations is of great interest
to the interviewer in assessing your potential as an
employee. Examples of behavioral questions include:
-
Give me
an example of a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks.
-
Tell me
of a situation in which you solved a problem as a member of
a group. What was your role?
-
Tell me
about a problem you once had on the job. How did you go
about resolving the problem?
Traditional Questions
Traditional questions include questions
to clarify points on your resume, evaluate your
accomplishments and goals, and assess your expectations of
the company. Themes work into these questions also, as well
as opportunities for you to showcase your strengths. Some
traditional questions and themes are:
1. Question:
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Theme:
How well you know yourself, as well as how honest and open
you are
2. Question:
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Theme:
Ambition
3. Question:
Why should I hire you?
Theme:
Understanding of company’s needs, as well as your qualifications
