I Got an Interview! Now What?

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Prepare for Your Interview
Common Interview Questions
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Nail the Interview
What to Bring to Your Interview
Types of Job Interviews
Dress for Success
Interview Dos and Don’ts

The interview is your best chance to make a great impression on an employer, so be prepared. Identify your strengths, weaknesses, goals and skills, and frame them so that they will best fit the employer's needs.

Prepare for Your Interview

• Practice your answers to common questions. Likewise, prepare a list of questions to ask the employer. Most interviews follow this pattern: First, you answer questions about your experience and qualifications, and then you ask questions about the job.
• Rehearse your interview with a friend. You should be able to convey all pertinent information about yourself in 15 minutes.
• Prepare your interview materials before you leave. Bring a copy of your resume, a list of references, and, if appropriate, any work samples. Make sure they are all up to date.
• Dress professionally and comfortably. You will be judged on what you wear. When in doubt, dress conservatively.
• Bring a pen and a notepad to jot down any information you may need to remember, but don't take notes during the interview.
• Find out exactly where and when the interview will take place. Be there at least 15 minutes before your interview is scheduled to begin.
• Make sure you have done your research

Research the Company
The more you know about the company, the better you will appear in the interview. An interviewer will be impressed by your interest and motivation, and you will be able to explain what you can do for the company.

Make sure you know the following information before arriving at the interview:

• Home office location, names of parent company or subsidiaries. Example: Hardee’s parent company is Boddie-Noell.
• Organizational structure, type of supervision and type of training program.
• Philosophy, goals and marketing image.
• Financial information, including sales volume, stock price, percent of annual growth in earnings per share, recent profits.
• How the company compares to competitors within the industry.
• The products or services marketed by the company, including recent media coverage of them.
• The career path in your field and what opportunities for growth you might have.
• Recent news items regarding the company or the industry.
• The recruiter's name and how to pronounce it correctly.

This information should be determined by reading the company’s annual reports and brochures, following the industry news, speaking with people already employed by the company and searching the Internet.

Research the Job
Get ready for the interview by finding out as much as you can about the specific job for which you will be interviewing. Before the interview you should know:

• Specific job duties and responsibilities.
• Physical requirements.
• Necessary qualifications.
• Where the job is located.
• Work environment - clean/dirty, noisy/quiet, etc.
• Shift (hours) and days worked.
• Job advancement opportunities.

This information should be found in an official job description. If this information is not provided to you, try asking someone in the company’s human resources department before the interview.

Common Interview Questions
Be sure to be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
  Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and contributions you could make to the organization.
• "Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"
  Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company. Unless your work is in sales, your answer should never be simply: "money." The interviewer will wonder if you really care about the job.
• "Why did you leave your last job?"
  The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. Tell the truth. Common reasons include: relocated away from job, company went out of business, layoff, temporary job, no possibility of advancement and desiring a job better suited to your skills. If you did have problems at your last job, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had with an employer, but don't describe the employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.
• "What are your best skills?"
  If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, and then give specific examples in which you have demonstrated these skills.
• "What is your major weakness?"
  Be positive. Try to turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."
• "Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
  The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.
• "What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"
  The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be as specific as possible about how you will achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
• "What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"
  The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
• "What salary are you expecting?"
  You probably do not want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer. However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet, and check the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are paying. This information can help you negotiate compensation once the employer makes an offer.
• "What have I forgotten to ask?"
  Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.
• "Why are you thinking of leaving your present job?"
  Be honest, be brief, but be prepared. Internal politics, dead-end job, too much pressure and too little salary are all acceptable, understandable reasons.
• "When could you start work here?"
  If not working — immediately! If working, play fair with your present employer — a week to two weeks notice are sufficient if in a non-supervisory capacity, but one month minimum notice should be given if in a management or supervisory capacity.

More sample interview questions:

QUALIFICATIONS
What can you do for us that someone else can't do?
What qualifications do you have that relate to the position?
What new skills or capabilities have you developed recently?
Give me an example from a previous job where you have shown initiative.
What have been your greatest accomplishments recently?
What is important to you in a job?
What motivates you in your work?
What have you been doing since your last job?
What qualities do you find important in a coworker?

CAREER GOALS
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
How will you judge yourself as successful? How will you achieve success?
How will this job fit in with your career plans?
What do you expect from this job?
Do you have a location preference?
Can you travel?
What hours can you work?

YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE
What have you learned from your past jobs?
What were your biggest responsibilities?
What specific skills acquired or used in previous jobs relate to this position?
How does your previous experience relate to this position?
What did you like most or least about your last job?
Whom may we contact for references?

YOUR EDUCATION
How do you think your education has prepared you for this position?
What were your favorite classes or activities at school?
Why did you choose your college major?
Do you plan to continue your education?

Questions to Ask the Interviewer
NOTE: Never ask about salary or benefits until the interviewer brings the subject up or until you are offered the job. If the interviewer asks if you have any question, and you feel that you do not, simply state, "Thank you. I don't have any questions. You covered them all during the interview." Generally, you should have one or two specific questions prepared, to demonstrate you have done your research.

The following are appropriate questions to ask a potential employer

• Are there any other special duties in this job?
• What are the hours?
• Is there much or any weekend or overtime work?
• What clothes would I need to wear on the job if it were offered to me?
• Would I be working with other people?
• Would I be closely supervised?
• Does this appear to be a stable, long-term position? (Never ask if the company is stable)
• Are there chances for career growth with this company?
• If hired, would I be filling a newly created position, or replacing someone?
• Was my predecessor promoted?
• Would you describe a typical work day and the things I would be doing?
• Which duties are most important for this job? Least important?
• How would I be trained or introduced to the job?
• How long should it take me to get my feet on the ground and become productive?
• How does the job contribute to the company?
• What are the department's goals for the year?
• How many people work in your department? In the company?
• Can someone in this job be promoted? If so, to what position?
• Has the company had a layoff in the last three years? If so, how long was the layoff and was everyone recalled?
• What major markets does this company (or parent company) compete in?
• Are annual sales for the company ahead of last year's sales?

Nail the Interview
Arrive approximately 15 minutes early; nothing starts the process off worse than making the interviewer wait. Greet the interviewer by his or her title and last name, and offer a firm handshake and warm smile. Throughout the interview, sit up straight, look alert, speak clearly and forcefully, but also stay relaxed, make good eye contact, avoid nervous mannerisms and try to be a good listener as well as a good talker. Follow the interviewer's lead, but try to steer him or her into describing the position early on, so that you can relate your background and skills in context. Be concrete, detailed, truthful and frank in your answers — the more information you volunteer, the better the employer gets to know you. However, if the interviewer poses tricky political or social questions, try not to say more than is necessary. Offer examples of work and references that document your best qualities.

Don't be discouraged if no definite offer is made or if no specific salary is discussed. If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, stay positive. Sometimes an interviewer may be genuinely interested, but discourage you to test your reaction. Don't forget to ask the questions you have prepared when given the opportunity. At the close of your interview, ask when the hiring decision will be made, and thank the interviewer for his or her time, expressing your interest in the position. Do not discuss salary until you are made an offer.

What to Bring to Your Interview

DO BRING

Social Security Card.

• Government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license.
• Résumé. Although not all employers require applicants to bring a résumé, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training and previous employment.
• References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Avoid using relatives as references.
• Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance and highest grade completed or degree awarded.

DO NOT BRING:

• Gum
• Cell phone, unless it is turned off
• Ipod
• Coffee or soda
• Excessive jewelry
• Uncovered tattoos

COMMITTEE INTERVIEW
Committee interviews are common practices. You will face several members of the company who have a say in whether you are hired. When answering questions from several people, speak directly to the person asking the question; it is not necessary to answer to the group. In some committee interviews, you may be asked to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. The committee will outline a situation and ask you to formulate a plan that deals with the problem. You don't have to come up with the ultimate solution. The interviewers are looking for how you apply your knowledge and skills to real-life situations.

GROUP INTERVIEW
A group interview is usually designed to uncover the leadership potential of prospective managers and employees who will be dealing with the public. The front-runner candidates are gathered together in an informal, discussion-like interview. A subject is introduced and the interviewer will start off the discussion. The goal of the group interview is to see how you interact with others and how you use your knowledge and reasoning powers to win others over. If you do well in the group interview, you can expect to be asked back for a more extensive interview.

LUNCH INTERVIEW
The same rules apply in lunch interviews as in those held at the office. The setting may be more casual, but remember it is a business lunch and you are being watched carefully. Use the lunch interview to develop common ground with your interviewer. Follow his or her lead in both selection of food and in table etiquette.

ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW
In a one-on-one interview, it has been established that you have the skills and education necessary for the position. The interviewer wants to see if you will fit in with the company, and how your skills complement the rest of the department. Your goal in a one-on-one interview is to establish rapport with the interviewer and show him or her that your qualifications will benefit the company.

SCREENING INTERVIEW
A screening interview, often conducted over the telephone, is meant to weed out unqualified candidates. Providing facts about your skills is more important than establishing rapport. Interviewers will work from an outline of points they want to cover, looking for inconsistencies in your resume and challenging your qualifications. Provide answers to their questions, and don’t volunteer any additional information.

STRESS INTERVIEW
Stress interviews are deliberate attempts to see how you handle yourself. The interviewer may be sarcastic or argumentative, or may keep you waiting. Expect this to happen and, when it does, don't take it personally. Calmly answer each question as it comes. Ask for clarification if you need it and never rush into an answer. The interviewer may also lapse into silence at some point during the questioning. Recognize this as an attempt to unnerve you. Sit silently until the interviewer resumes the questions. If a minute goes by, ask if he or she needs clarification of your last comments.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Telephone interviews are merely screening interviews meant to eliminate poorly qualified candidates so that only a few are left for personal interviews. You might be called out of the blue, or a telephone call to check on your resume might turn into an interview. Your mission is to be invited for a personal face-to-face interview. Some tips for telephone interviews:

Anticipate the dialogue: Write a general script with answers to questions you might be asked. Focus on skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Practice until you are comfortable. Then replace the script with cue cards that you keep by the telephone.

Keep your notes handy: Have any key information, including your resumes, notes about the company, and any cue cards you have prepared, next to the phone. You will sound prepared if you don't have to search for information. Make sure you also have a notepad and pen so you can jot down notes and any questions you would like to ask at the end of the interview.

Be prepared to think on your feet: If you are asked to participate in a role-playing situation, give short but concise answers. Accept any criticism with tact and grace.

Avoid salary issues: If you are asked how much money you would expect, try to avoid the issue by using a delaying statement or give a broad range with a $15,000 spread. At this point, you do not know how much the job is worth.

Push for a face-to-face meeting: Sell yourself by closing with something like: "I am very interested in exploring the possibility of working in your company. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person so we can both better evaluate each other. I am free either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Which would be better for you?"

Try to reschedule surprise interviews: You will not be your best with a suprise interview. If you were called unexpectedly, try to set an appointment to call back by saying something like: "I have a scheduling conflict at this time. Can I call you back tomorrow after work, say 6 p.m.?"

Dress for Success
How do you know what is right to wear to an interview? There are different ways to dress for different kinds of jobs. For example, an employer may not want to hire someone to work in a factory or warehouse who arrives at the interview "too dressed up." However, if you are going to interview for an office job where everyone dresses up, you don't want the employer to think that you are dressed too casually.

The best rule to go by is:
Dress much the same as the company employees who work in that job do — but just a little bit nicer for the interview.

After all, the interview is a special occasion, and you want to make a very good impression. Following this rule will give the employer the impression that you will "fit in."

• If you can, set aside your interview clothes just for interviewing. If you don't wear these outfits at other times, the clothes will stay clean and fresh looking and you will feel "special" when you are wearing them. It is a good idea to have more than one outfit for interviewing, if possible, so you will not have to worry in case of a last minute spill or rip. In addition, if you are interviewed more than once by the same employer, you may not want to wear the same outfit each time.
• Dress conservatively. Men should avoid leisure suits, western wear and loud plaids. Both women and men should avoid “fads”. Classic clothes providing long-term wearability should be purchased and worn.
• If you are applying for a job as a welder or another position that could damage or soil the clothing you wear to the interview where you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, it would be wise to carry coveralls or an extra set of "work clothes" in your car. That way, if the interviewer asks you for a demonstration on the spot, you can change into the appropriate clothing and not damage your better clothes. This would also give the employer the impression that you are a well-prepared and serious applicant.
• Your clothes should be clean and in good repair without tears, missing buttons or soiled spots. Your shoes or boots should match your outfit, be polished and not look run-down or worn out.
• Last, but not least, stand and sit straight and tall — poor posture makes you look as though you don't feel good about yourself. The best wardrobe in the world can't hide a lack of confidence or low energy and enthusiasm.

• Suit (solid color — black, navy or dark grey)
• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
• Belt
• Tie
• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
• Little or no jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Limit the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

Women’s wear

• Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
• Coordinated blouse
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
• Professional hairstyle
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light make-up
• Neatly manicured, clean nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

• Blue jeans or overalls
• Pen-necked shirts
• Low necklines
• "No-bra look" or see-through blouses
• "Sexy dress" — unless you are applying to be a cocktail waitress or entertainer
• "Muscle shirts" or sleeveless men's shirts
• Black leather jackets
• Miniskirts
• Bright or loud colors or patterns such as plaids, checks, stripes and polka dots
• Too much jewelry
• Unusual neckties
• Tennis shoes, cowboy boots, sandals or no shoes

• ____ Clothing style is right for the job interviewing for
• ____ Clothes fit well—not too tight or too big
• ____ Clothes are neat, clean and pressed
• ____ No missing buttons, tears or broken zippers
• ____ Shoe style and color goes well with clothes
• ____ Shoes are polished
• ____ Jewelry is appropriate—not too much
• ____ Pants or skirts are right length—not too short or too long
• ____ No holes or runs in stockings
• ____ Have handkerchief or tissue with me
• ____ (Women) purse looks neat and well-organized

Interview Dos and Don’ts

Don’t:

• Arrive late for the interview.
• Indicate you are late because the directions you were given were not good.
• Reschedule or cancel an interview.
• Look disheveled and inappropriately dressed.
• Slouch in your seat.
• Ask questions about the position or organization that can easily be found on the company’s Web site or in its literature. Don’t ask "What do you guys do here?" – You should know this already.
• Brag relentlessly about how great you are.
• Respond in an unfocused, disorganized or rambling manner.
• Remain low-key and display no enthusiasm for the job.
• Answer most questions with simple "yes" and "no" answers.
• Appear desperate for a job—any job.
• Call the interviewer by his or her first name, or use the wrong name.
• Give memorized responses, forgetting parts in the process.
• Badmouth your current or former employer.
• Ask, "How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?"
• Blurt out "I need to make at least $35,000. I hope this job pays at least that much.”
• When asked, "Do you have any questions?" reply simply "No."
• Appear overly interested in what the company can do for you.
• Be overaggressive, overbearing or conceited
• Emphasize money as your main interest in the job.
• Make excuses for unfavorable factors on your record.
• State specific geographic restrictions.
• Use slang language.

Do:

• Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
• Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
• Express yourself clearly with a strong voice and good diction.
• Respond promptly.
• Relax and answer each question concisely.
• Use proper English.
• Pay close attention to your appearance and dress to your advantage.
• Look (not stare) the interviewer in the eye.
• Remember the interviewer's name and use it during the interview.
• Equip yourself with a strong knowledge of the company, industry and position.
• Display a sense of humor and self-confidence.
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
• Come with questions for your potential employer.
• Bring an extra copy of your resume and references with you.
• Contact the employer if you have not been contacted one week after the time from which the interviewer indicated you would be notified.
• Thank the interviewer when you leave and, as a follow-up, in writing.

Maria Rodriguez provided information for this section. Ms. Rodriquez has over five years experience in the staffing industry with expertise in career management advising, resume writing and job placement. She has also been a Board Member of the Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

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