Interview Preparation

The Interview
Interview is an opportunity for both the employer and the applicant to gather information. The employer wants to know if you, the applicant, have the skills, knowledge, self-confidence, and motivation necessary for the job. At this point you can be confident that the employer saw something of interest in your resume. He or she also wants to determine whether or not you will fit in with the organization's current employees and philosophy. Similarly, you will want to evaluate the position and the organization, and determine if they will fit into your career plans. The interview is a two-way exchange of information. It is an opportunity for both parties to market themselves. The employer is selling the organization to you, and you are marketing your skills, knowledge, and personality to the employer.

Interview Preparation

Research is a critical part of preparing for an interview. If you haven't done your homework, it is going to be obvious. Spend time researching and thinking about yourself, the occupation, the organization, and questions you might ask at the end of the interview.

Step 1: Know Yourself

The first step in preparing for an interview is to do a thorough self-assessment so that you will know what you have to offer an employer. It is very important to develop a complete inventory of skills, experience, and personal attributes that you can use to market yourself to employers at any time during the interview process. In developing this inventory, it is easiest to start with experience. Once you have a detailed list of activities that you have done (past jobs, extra-curricular involvements, volunteer work, school projects, etc.), it is fairly easy to identify your skills.

Simply go through the list, and for each item ask yourself "What could I have learned by doing this?" "What skills did I develop?" "What issues/circumstances have I learned to deal with?" Keep in mind that skills fall into two categories - technical and generic. Technical skills are the skills required to do a specific job. For a laboratory assistant, technical skills might include knowledge of sterilization procedures, slide preparation, and scientific report writing. For an outreach worker, technical skills might include counselling skills, case management skills, or program design and evaluation skills

Generic skills are those which are transferable to many work settings. Following is a list of the ten most marketable skills. You will notice that they are all generic.

Analytical/Problem Solving

Flexibility/Versatility

Interpersonal

Oral/Written Communication

Organization/Planning

Time Management

Motivation

Leadership

Self-Starter/Initiative

Team Player

Often when people think of skills, they tend to think of those they have developed in the workplace. However, skills are developed in a variety of settings. If you have ever researched and written a paper for a course, you probably have written communication skills. Team sports or group projects are a good way to develop the skills required of a team player and leader. Don't overlook any abilities you may have

When doing the research on yourself, identifying your experience and skills is important, but it is not all that you need to know. Consider the answers to other questions such as:

How have I demonstrated the skills required in this position?

What are my strong points and weak points?

What are my short term and long term goals?

What can I offer this particular employer?

What kind of environment do I like? (i.e. How do I like to be supervised? Do I like a fast pace?)

What do I like doing?

Apart from my skills and experience, what can I bring to this job?

Step 2: Know the Occupation

The second step in preparing for an interview is to research the occupation. This is necessary because in order to present a convincing argument that you have the experience and skills required for that occupation, you must first know what those requirements and duties are. With this information uncovered, you can then match the skills you have (using the complete skills/experience inventory you have just prepared) with the skills you know people in that occupational field need. The resulting "shortlist" will be the one that you need to emphasize during the interview.

It is also in your best interest to identify the approximate starting salary for that position, or those similar. There are several ways to find out about an occupation:

Acquire a copy of the job description from the employer (Human

Resources/Personnel) or check with Student Employment Services. If you are responding to an advertisement, this may also supply some details.

The Career Resource Centre has general information files on a variety of occupations. Make sure you have read through the appropriate file and are updated on the occupation. If you belong to a professional association related to the occupation, use its resources. These associations often publish informative newsletters and sponsor seminars. It is also a good way to meet people working in the field. Conduct information interviews with people working in the field. Read articles about people in the occupation, and articles written by people in the occupation. Sources include newspapers, magazines and the internet. Find out what the future trends are in the area. Is technology changing the job?

Step 3: Know the Organization

The more you know about an organization, the better prepared you will be to discuss how you can meet its needs. Some of the characteristics that you should know about an organization are:

Where is it located?

How big is it?

What are its products and who does it serve?

How is the organization structured?

What is its history?

Have there been any recent changes, new developments?

There are a number of ways in which you can access this information. Most medium- to large-sized organizations publish information about themselves. You can access this a number of ways:

On campus at the Student Employment Services (company literature and business directories) or at the Drake Centre Library

The Winnipeg Centennial Library has a business microfiche with information on over 5000 Canadian companies and business directories

Many companies have internet home pages which you can locate by searching by industry and company name

Finally, you can visit or phone the organization and request some information on their products, services or areas of research

If the organization is fairly small, or fairly new, there may not be much information published. In this case, it will be necessary to do an information interview. Contact someone within the organization, introduce yourself, explain that you are considering moving into the field, and ask if it would be possible to meet with him/her to inquire about the company/organization and about what exactly the position would involve.

Step 4: Prepare Questions

Having completed your background research, you are now ready to prepare questions to ask the

interviewer(s). Try to think of questions for which the answer was not readily available in company

literature. Intelligent well thought-out questions will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position. Be

careful how many questions you ask, however, as too many can imply you feel the interview was not

successfully run. Pick your questions with care - this is your chance to gather information, so ask about

what you really want to know. Avoid sounding critical by mentioning negative information you may have

discovered. This is one of the most effective ways to compare different employers, so for issues of

particular importance to you (for example, whether they support staff upgrading), you should ask the same

questions of each employer. Some sample questions are:

What are the most significant factors affecting your business today? How have changes in technology most affected your business today?

How has your business/industry been affected by the recession?

How has your company grown or changed in the last couple of years?

What future direction do you see the company taking?

Where is the greatest demand for your services or product?

Where is most of the pressure from increased business felt in this company?

Which department feels it the most?

How do you differ from your competitors?

How much responsibility will I be given in this position?

What do you like about working with this organization?

Can you tell me more about the training program?

Have any new product lines been introduced recently?

How much travel is normally expected?

What criteria will be used to evaluate my performance?

Will I work independently or as part of a team?

How did you advance to your position?

What are the career paths available in this organization?

When can I expect to hear from you regarding this position?

It is very important to ask the last question because employers want to hire individuals who are interested in the position - and asking this question definitely helps to demonstrate interest on your part. Exercise judgement when asking questions to an employer. When being interviewed by a large company that has a high profile, one would not ask the question

"What is the history of your company and how was your company started?" You can find the answer to this question in the company's annual report or articles in magazines/newspapers. However, small- and medium-sized companies do not always produce publicly available annual reports and it may be difficult to access information on the company and its role in the industry. This question is appropriate if you have exercised all other ways to find out the answer.

Etiquette that you should have

Go for a mock exercise before the real talk at the job table

Hone your interview etiquette................ Churn the right mix of deportment, attitude and dressingskills for a great job talk !

Never make the big mistake of treating an interview lightly. It's not an impromptu thing where you depend on your improvisation skills. An interview requires careful thought and planning before you take it. Keeping in mind some basic attitudes and presentation techniques will help you sail through it with panache.

So if you thought that going for an interview just meant pulling your best suit out of the wardrobe and updating your resume, please think again. You are forgetting the other essentials: body language, basic etiquette and attitude.

Remember that you are actually selling an entire package and the packaging, in this case, is as relevant as the product inside. Ultimately you are presenting yourself as a valuable professional to a new job environment. And you can't do that without minding the basic interview etiquette to get you ahead of the rest of the pack.

An interview is the sum total of many parts. It's not just what you say but how you say it that matters equally. So it's good to brush up on more than just your training skills when you do go in for an interview.

ATTIRE

How you dress for an interview is perhaps as relevant as the way you lay out your resume. Says Nina Kochar of Upgrade Management Services, an organisation which coaches' executives in the basic rules of corporate etiquette: "A person who is sloppy in appearance shows a sloppy personality, so you have to be decently dressed." Of course, decently dressed does not necessarily mean being dressed to the gills. In most cases, this would mean you would wear long sleeved shirts and a pair of formal trousers. In fact, Nina Kochar does not recommend suits, especially for younger people. "A lot of young people do not have the money to invest in suits, consequently, they wear ill-fitting or borrowed suits and that looks even worse. A tie, shirt and pant should do the trick for most junior level positions."

Most HR experts would also tell you to mind the accessories like ties, belts and shoes. To be sure, badly matched shoes and ties can have a jarring effect on an interviewer. Similarly, please avoid heavy jewellery or personal accessories as they would look incongruous on you.

ENTRANCE AND INTRODUCTION

Even though most of us are primed for the basic grilling that we would face during the interview, we seldom pay attention to the way we enter an interview room or how we introduce ourselves. Says Subhashish Mitra, deputy manager, Essar Cellphones: "A lot of people do not think it important to knock properly while entering the interview room. They assume that as an interview is taking place, the panel will be expecting them. To my mind this is a very major faux pas which really jars."

In fact, the best way to enter an interview is to knock, ask for permission to enter and then wait for a while before you actually sit down. Few interviewees know this but the interview panel needs a little quiet time to discuss the previous candidate before they get around to the next one. So your silence till you actually get seated would be very valuable. Try and keep a bag with you for all your papers and certificates; make sure this bag is an unobtrusive as possible.

ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE

This is a grey area for most interview candidates. While dressing up and resume writing are skills you can Go for a mock exercise before the real talk at the job table handle with a little practice, cultivating the right attitude as an interviewee requires a lot of patience and reading between the lines. The usual complaint of most interviewers is that few interviewees are able to stri perhaps the best thing you can do for getting your answer right. Most interviewers like to give a lead to the candidate in the way they ask the question, so it's entirely up to you to note facial expressions and the tone of the words.

Do you show your certificates immediately to the interview panel?

Not till you are asked actually. You might already have sent in your resume, so you shouldn't try and offload all your achievements and skills onto the panel till a turn in the interview leads to such a situation.

Try and take cues form the tonal variations, facial expressions and thrust of questions from the interview panel. That in itself will give you a clue as to where this interview is heading.

TEN THINGS THAT AN INTERVIEWER LOOKS IN YOU!

1. Family Background

2. Education

3. Experience

4. Stability

5. Initiative

6. General Ability

7. Interpersonal Skills

8. Confidence

9. Aptitude

10. Pleasant Looks

How one wished that an interview were a simple meeting of minds and hearts. Just one casual meeting where an employee's future gets sealed. Unfortunately, it's not something as pre-ordained as you would like it to be; it's a pre-meditated exercise which fetches you dividends only if your homework is done right.

INTERVIEW SKILLS

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Learn about the company and its operation. You'll impress the interviewer if it is obvious you've done some research. It will also help you develop good answers to the interviewer's questions.

Information you should know about the company prior to your interview:

Organizational structure
Name of the interviewer
Divisions/departments that interest you
Areas they are eliminating
Products/Services
Training Programs
Size of company
Career paths
How long have they been in business
Types of clients
Growth in the past and future potential
Job description & job title
New products and services they are developing
Employee benefits
Geographic location of home office, branches, stores

Resources for this information:

Company's annual report
Literature produced by company
Information interview
Inside source
Professional journals (library)
Magazine articles
Peterson's Guides
Moody's Industrial Manual (library)
National Job Bank
National Trade and Professional Associations
Colorado High Tech Directory (library)
Dunn's Employment Opportunities Directory (library)
Standard & Poors Industry Survey(library)
The 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (library)
Walker's Manual of Western Corporations (library)
Ward's Directory of the 51,000 Largest U.S. Corporations (library)

Prepare answers to typical interview questions. Study and practice your answers.

Memorize the name of the person who will interview you .Nothing could be more embarrasing than forgetting their name or calling them by the wrong name!

Decide what you will wear. Check out the section titled "Interview Dressing" for some pointers. Be sure your outfit is ready to go.

Find out exactly where you are going, where to park, and how long it will take to get there If you are travelling in an unfamiliar city, it is a wise idea to do a dry run prior to your interview time. Drive to the business, park, find the escalator and time how long all this takes. This will alleviate any undue stress the day of the interview.

Get a good night's sleep

Arrive 15 minutes early .This not only shows that you are prompt it also gives you a chance to gain your composure. Be friendly to the receptionist/secretary....they often are asked their opinion!
DURING THE INTERVIEW

Start it off like a winner. Offer your hand, and give a firm handshake, a pleasant smile and a positive confident attitude. Introduce yourself.

Be comfortable. Take a seat facing the interviewer, however, slightly off center. Be sure you are not facing into direct sunlight or some other uncomfortable situation.

Listen attentively. Look at the interviewer directly, but don't get into a stare down! Sit up straight. Try to relax. It's okay to take a few notes if the questions are lengthy, or you need to remind yourself of something you want to stress.

Avoid nervous mannerisms. Pay attention to nervous mannerisms you might have such as clicking your pen, jingling change in your pocket, twisting your hair, biting your nails. Control these impulses! Everyone is nervous to some extent, the key is to appear calm and collected.

Speak clearly. Use good grammar and a friendly tone. Never answer just "yes" or "no" to a question. Always clarify, expand on your answers. Be sure not to ramble on.

Be positive and enthusiastic. You want to outshine all other candidates so "turn it on" during the interview! No matter how sterling your credentials are, you won't be hired if the interviewer isn't sold. Pump up your enthusiasm prior to the interview. Never whine, gripe or complain about past employers, jobs, classes etc.

Ask pertinent questions. Be prepared to ask a few questions. Do not monopolize the interviewer's time, particularly if you know they have appointments scheduled following your interview. Do ask thoughtful questions. Don't ask about salary and benefits, this can be discussed when the company is definitely interested in you!
Here's a sampling of questions you might ask.

What are the company's greatest strengths?
In what areas it the company trying to improve?
Who will I report to?
Could you give some examples of projects I would be working on?
How much travel is involved?
Will relocation be required?
What kind of assignments could I expect in the first 6 months?
What products (or services or stores) are in the development stage?
Is this a new position or will I be replacing someone?
What is the largst single problem facing your company now?
What qualities are you looking for in a candidate?
What characteristics do successful employees in your company share?
Is there a lot of team work?
Describe the advancement opportunities.
What growth areas do you foresee?
Will I be encouraged to attend professional conferences?
Could you describe your training program?
How frequently are performance appraisals done?
How do you feel about the company?
Could you describe possible advancements within the company?
What is the next step in the interview process?
What is the company's management philosophy?
What would a typical day be like?
How much contact is there with management?
Is this job a result of increased growth or expansion?

Watch for cues the interview is over. Don't linger if you sense the interviewer is done interviewing you. When it is over, stand up, thank the interviewer for their time and shake hands firmly. Don't forget to express interest in being hired. Say you are impressed with the company and would like to work there.

Be sure to find out the next step. Ask the interviewer when the decision will be made, when you can expect to hear from them. This way you won't be left hanging.
THE INTERVIEWER'S HIDDEN AGENDA

The following are some typical concerns interviewers have, which you need to address when answering questions. Be sensitive to these concerns, answering all questions in the most positive way to build psychological leverage and position yourself for the offer.

Does the applicant have the ability to do the job?
Can he or she manage people?
How does he or she relate to people?
What kind of a person is this? A leader?
What strengths does he or she have that we need?
Why has there been a number of job changes?
In what areas is he or she weak? How will this affect performance?
What contribution has the applicant made?
What are his or her ambitions? Are they realistic?
Does she or he have growth potential?
How is the chemistry between us?
How will other interviewers react?
Should this person get an offer?
AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Say thanks. The next day write the interviewer a brief note reiterating your interest in the job. Spell his or her name correctly!

Follow up. If you haven't heard from the interviewer within the time frame indicated at the close of the interview, call them to relay a polite reminder that you're still interested in the job. Ask when they plan to make a hiring decision.

If you aren't hired... If you continue to be interested in the company, it pays to keep in touch with the interviewer. Often, through persistence, you may be offered a position at a later date.

Chin Up. Gear up for your next interview. After all the more interviews you tackle the more polished you become. You may want to contact the interviewer who rejected you and see if you can get any pointers on what to improve before your next interview.
INTERVIEW DRESSING

DO'S

Dress conservatively

Check out what management wears and dress similarly without overkill

Practice good grooming

Do have clean, neatly styled hair

Do have clean hands and trimmed nails

Do carry a portfolio or briefcase with extra copies of your resume

Do bring a clean notepad and pen that works

Do wear basic hosiery (no textured hose)

Do wear shoes you can walk easily in

DON'TS

Don't wear torn, soiled, wrinkled clothing

Don't dress casual

Don't wear a lot of jewelry (Men should avoid earrings)

Don't wear a lot of cologne

Don't wear athletic shoes

Don't eat spicey, offensive smelling foods prior to the interview

Don't wear sexy clothing

Don't wear "cutsey" ties (i.e. a flashing Mickey Mouse tie)

Don't chew gum or smoke

Don't wear a mini-skirt

Don't wear heavy make-up

Don't carry a purse AND a briefcase