article #1 - Keys to a Successful Job Interview
Keys to a Successful Job Interview
The Job Interview
The perspective employer has now reviewed your
resume and you have been short-listed. You are now one step closer to landing that dream job, but before you step into the
job interview you must be well prepared and ready to take on all questions asked by the interviewer.
There is much more to preparing for the job interview than just memorizing good answers to the interviewers’ questions, here are a few steps that will put you ahead of the other candidates and give you the confidence to succeed.
Research the interview
Gather as much information on the company as you can. Here are some research activities that are easy to complete:
- Look at company's website. Often the company website will give you a good overview of the company's philosophy, culture, current challenges, emerging products, business concepts, fiscal reports, etc.
- Be creative with your research methods. For example, make a site visit to get a feel for the atmosphere. Look for clues that give you a sense of what the working environment is like. For example, look at the employee/union boards to see what the current employee/management issues are.
Get the interview details.
The goal is to learn as much as you can about the
job interview. Here are some questions to keep in mind:
- What are the names and job titles of the people you will be speaking to.
- How do you spell and pronounce the interviewers' names.
- What is the format of the interview? (panel interview, duration, location, etc)
- What is the interview process and timelines?
Practice Potential Interview Question
If you think about it, job interview skills are no different than any other skill. To ensure proficiency, it’s necessary to learn and practice good technique to improve both your skill level and performance. Here are some activities to help you complete this step:
- Research potential interview questions provided on employment related websites and career-oriented books.
- Get a friend to role play interview questions with you. If you cannot find someone to practice with, you can practice in front of a mirror and use a recording device. Our Mock Interview exercise contains more information on how best to practice these skills.
Many people have not had a chance to see and hear themselves responding to interview questions. For this reason, recording devices like audio recorder or video cameras are excellent tools that you can use to help identify opportunities for improvement. Recording devices do not lie and capture common mistakes such as all the “um’s” and “ah’s”, rambling, mumbling and so forth.
Present a Professional Image
Although this point appears obvious, too often applicants arrive for interviews with outfits that look sloppy, too casual or too provocative. Your appearance communicates a powerful message. Present a professional image. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- A good rule of thumb is to conform to the dress code of the work group but to be slightly more formal. This way, you look like you fit in but also you look like you are dressing for an interview.
- Smile, sit-up straight, maintain eye contact, firm-handshakes and speak clearly. Doing these things will help you portray a warm, confident and professional image and develop report with the interviewers.
Bring a Portfolio
If a picture is worth a thousand words, surely a portfolio of your work is worth at least that much. Nothing shows the interviewer the quality of your work better than an organized portfolio.
Presenting a portfolio to the interviewer is not only a great way to display your skills, but also it can help the interviewer remember you after the interview is over. So if you have a portfolio or work samples, don’t hesitate to bring it to your interview. And if you don’t have portfolio, you may want to give some thought to creating one.
Effective portfolios contain:
- Extra copies of your resume (printed on resume paper).
- Copies of your letters of reference, awards, or articles written.
- Samples of work that may have been done in a previous position and is relevant for the position.
- A pad of paper and pen to take notes.
Follow-up
Following up after an
job interview shows your interest in the position, and also serves as a reminder to keep you top-of-mind. A follow-up letter should be made within 24 hours of an interview. A tangible letter is more personal than an email and should thank the interviewer for their time. Also, it should reinforce your interest in the position as well as how your qualifications meet the job’s requirements. It's not being pushy, it's being persistent.
Remember a well prepared individual is one that practices prior to an interview; don’t sell yourself short.
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Information provided by, HRinmotion Consulting Group, more information on job interviewing is contained in our
Improving Interview Skills course and
Job Interview Guide.
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