CANDIDATE INTERVIEWING TIPS
A good interview is based as much upon your ability to answer an
interviewers questions as it is on good, solid preparation. Have you put time and
thought into WHY you want to interview with this company for this position? Do you
know what they will be looking for from you? When you walk through the interviewers
door, are you as prepared as you can be? The guideline below is geared to point you in the
right direction and to help you to put your best foot forward. There are three
primary stages to an interview. Please select one of the tabs below to go to that
particular stage, or scroll down to view all information pertinent to a successful
interview.
Preparing for the Interview
The Interview
Non-verbal Communication
After the Interview
PREPARING
FOR THE INTERVIEW
Research, Prepare & Be on-Time!
Gather
as much information as you can about the company that you are interviewing with.
Does the company have a
webpage? Go check it out, it could be full of valuable information.
Is the company publicly
traded? Get your hands on their last few annual reports.
Do you know anyone who
works for this company? Get their insight into the corporate culture and philosophy.
Have they received press
coverage? Look at recent trade publications & business periodicals or newspapers. The
local public library or university library can be a great resource for this information.
After you know all you can
about the company, make sure you know the specifics of the position you are interviewing
for.
How did you find out about
the position? Make sure you have reviewed all information from that source.
Do you know someone who
has worked for this company? What can they tell you about the position?
Do you know someone who
has held a similar position? What were their responsibilities?
If the interview is
in-person, do you know where you are going? Make sure to get directions to employers
office. It is then a very good idea to get a map out and make sure you know the route. If
you are unsure about how to get to the interview it may be a good idea to drive the route
a day or two before.
If the interview is
over-the-phone, do you know where to reach the interviewer?
Be sure to have the phone
number and name of the interviewer. It is also a good idea to get the name and number of
the interviewers assistant in the event that you cannot make the interview.
What should you bring
to an interview?
Your
attention! The interviewer should receive 100% of your attention, this means put all other
worries and concerns out of you mind for the length of the interview.
Bring a
clean, professional looking copy of your resume. It is a good idea to bring more than one,
you never know who else the interviewer may want to pass your resume to.
Does
someone in your profession generally have a portfolio? If so, make sure you have one that
has received your time and attention. You dont want to bring something that was put
together the night before.
Pen and
paper (generally in a presentable folder or portfolio). You may have to take notes
regarding the position, the other people you will have to interview with, the names of
people who were introduced in the course of the interview, etc.
Anything
else the interviewer indicated that he/she would want to see. Not being prepared is
tantamount to not being interested.
THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW
details, details, details!
Your appearance says a lot
about you!
Have a
polished appearance--dress conservatively.
The only
time to "dress down" or go "business casual" is when an interviewer
offers (never ask this question!) that you should come dressed so. In all other
circumstances professional dress is a must.
Practice
good hygiene and good grooming.
If you
carry anything into the meeting (e.g., briefcase or purse), place it on the floor by your
chair.
Other
pre-interview tips
Be well
rested and alert. For early morning interviews be sure to have a good breakfast
beforehand.
Use the
facilities before you get to the place of the interview, you dont want to have to
excuse yourself for a restroom break.
BE ON TIME,
but don't be more than 10 minutes early.
THE INTERVIEW
Getting through the basics of the
interview
If someone
offers coffee, water, etc., accept or decline gracefully.
GIVE A FIRM
HANDSHAKE, but dont go overboard.
Wait until
a seat is offered before sifting down.
Maintain
good posture, lean slightly forward in your chair. Remember that body language says as
much about you as your appearance and presentation.
MAINTAIN
EYE CONTACT!
SMILE
NO gum
chewing or smoking (even if the interviewer is).
Here come the
questions
Let the
interviewer ask their questions! Do not interrupt or "step on" the end of an
interviewer's statements or questions. Let the interviewer complete their question or
statement before issuing your response.
Use action
words to describe your accomplishments, such as: I planned, created, originated,
initiated, developed, conceived, implemented, formulated, organized, directed, led,
supervised, guided, managed, was responsible for, contributed to, demonstrated, saved,
reduced, collected, achieved, provided for, increased and evaluated.
Be prepared
to ask good questions. Good questions reflect that you have an understanding of the
company, the position and/or the industry.
The questions
themselves...
It is impossible to know exactly what questions are going to be asked.
Following is a list of some of the questions that might be asked:
Past work experience. How did you
get your last job? What are/were your responsibilities? Why did you leave your
past position? Why are you considering leaving your current position? What
have you liked the best/least about your past & most current positions?
Shrink questions relating to current or most
recent position . What is your shrink? Is shrink based on gross or
retail? What three steps do you take to control shrink?
How do you manage your time?
What is your level of proficiency in Excel?
Provide examples of spreadsheets that you have created.
What is your management style?
What is your current labor percentage?
How do you control the cost of labor?
Are you willing to relocate?
How would your employees describe you?
How do you control cash losses?
What is your average cash variance?
Give me an example of a bad cash control
situation and how you turned it around.
What three skills or attributes would you bring
to the table?
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in
your career? How did you overcome it?
How would you (have you) handle a situation that
required the termination or discipline of a long term employee?
What are your greatest strengths?
What are your opportunities for improvement?
What is the greatest lesson that life has taught
you thus far?
Tell me one word that best describes you?
Who are your heros, people who have had the
most influence in your life?
If a person cannot address shrink and their
numbers they will not be moving forward.
Clients look as much at character as they do at
job ability - they will want to hear someone talk about their personal integrity.
MOST
IMPORTANT - Be enthusiastic about the opportunity
QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO
ASK
Can you describe a typical day for someone in
this position?
What is the top priority of the person who
accepts this job?
What are the day-to-day expectations and
responsibilities of this job?
How will my leadership responsibilities and
performance be measured? And by whom? How often?
What is the companys management style?
Corporate culture? Values?
How would you characterize the management
philosophy of this organization? Of your department?
What is the organizations policy on
transfers to other divisions or other offices?
Are lateral or rotational job moves available?
Does the organization support ongoing training
and education for employees to stay current in their fields?
What do you think is the greatest opportunity
facing the organization in the near future? The biggest threat?
Why did you come to work here? What keeps you
here?
How is this department perceived within the
organization?
Is there a formal process for advancement within
the organization?
What are the traits and skills of people who are
the most successful within the organization?
EMPLOYMENT TESTING
The
tests given to job applicants fall into four categories: General aptitude tests, practical
tests, tests of physical agility, and medical examinations. You can practice for the first
three. If the fourth is required, learn as soon as possible what the disqualifying
conditions are, then have your physician examine you for them so that you do not spend
years training for a job that you will not be allowed to hold.
To practice for a test, you must learn what the test is. Once again, you must know what
job you want to apply for and for whom you want to work in order to find out what tests,
if any, are required. Government agencies, which frequently rely on tests, will often
provide a sample of the test they use. These samples can be helpful even if an employer
uses a different test. Copies of standard government tests are usually available at the
library.
Test Taking Tips.
If you practice beforehand, you'll be better prepared and less nervous on the day of the
test. That will put you ahead of the competition. You will also improve your performance
by following this advice:
Make a
list of what you will need at the test center, including a pencil; check it before leaving
the house.
Get a
good night's sleep.
Be at the
test center early--at least 15 minutes early.
Read the
instructions carefully; make sure they do not differ from the samples you practiced with.
Generally,
speed counts; do not linger over difficult questions.
Learn if
guessing is penalized. Most tests are scored by counting up the right answers; guessing is
all to the good. Some tests are scored by counting the right answers and deducting partial
credit for wrong answers; blind guessing will lose you points--but if you can eliminate
two wrong choices, a guess might still pay off.
AFTER
THE INTERVIEW
A follow-up letter to the
interviewer is an important step in the interviewing process, one that candidates often
forget to take. Sending such a letter is not only proper interviewing etiquette, but it
also makes you stand out from the other candidates competing for the position. Write your
follow-up letter as soon as possible after the interview.
Your thank-you letter should be typed in a business letter format. Address the
letter to the person with whom you interviewed. Include the interviewer's name, title,
organization, and complete mailing address.
Express appreciation for the opportunities to interview, tour the facilities,
meet other employees, etc.
Mention the day of your interview and the position for which you interviewed.
Express continued interest in the position and the company.
Re-emphasize your most important skills and qualifications and how you expect to
contribute to the organization.
Include any information you forgot to mention in the interview, if necessary (be
brief though).
Close your letter with a comment about future contact with the employer.
National
Executive Personnel
and Marketing Group, L.C.
12734 Kenwood Lane, Suite 73
Fort Myers, FL 33907-5638
(239) 931-0200 Voice
(239) 931-0204 Fax
Email: search@NationalExecutivePersonnel.com
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