| Nine Steps to Interview Success | | | | Step 5: Review interview questions: |
| These days, the average person changes their career | | | | Interviews may be pretty scary but they’re also |
| seven to ten times within their life span. This means | | | | pretty predictable. It doesn’t take much to predict |
| that the average person is going to send out several | | | | the basic questions you’re going to be asked. Here |
| hundred copies of their resumes in their lifetime…and | | | | are some examples: |
| yes, they’re going to have to go through several | | | | Tell me about yourself? |
| interviews in their lifetime. | | | | Tell me about a time you failed miserably in your |
| Scary, huh? | | | | career? |
| If the interview process makes you nervous, well, | | | | What is your greatest strength/weakness? |
| you’re not alone. But right now, it’s time to stop | | | | Where do you see yourself five years from now? |
| worrying. You’re about to learn the nine vital steps | | | | What are your salary expectations for this position? |
| for interview success…how to pass any interview | | | | Why should we hire YOU? |
| you face! | | | | Prepare sample answers to these questions. |
| Step 1: Research the Company that you are being | | | | Memorize a couple of key responses. Remember that |
| interviewed for: | | | | no matter who you’re interviewing for or with, if |
| It’s a pretty obvious trick: research the company | | | | it’s a job interview, the basic focus is going to be |
| you’re interviewing for and be prepared to show | | | | on your experience, your goals, and your potential to |
| off what you know about them. Way too many | | | | contribute to the company. Be sure you can argue a |
| people show up for an interview without having the | | | | case for yourself on these key points. |
| first idea about what the particular company stands | | | | Step 6: Let the interviewer lead you: |
| for. The truth is that you should know at least | | | | The interviewer is the one running the interview but |
| something about the company’s mission, its general | | | | you can set the pace. Wait for the interviewer to ask |
| business process, and its particular needs. Know how | | | | the questions. Take your time to listen to the questions. |
| long the company has been in business and whether | | | | Give your answers carefully; make sure they are |
| they’re financially sound and profitable. Research | | | | considered. That said, each of your answers should be |
| the company with a view to determine what you can | | | | given with an energetic and enthusiastic voice. Above |
| do to help them achieve their goals. Be prepared to | | | | all, smile and enjoy the interview. Be courteous and |
| say specifically how your personal goals and | | | | always thank the interviewer at the end of the |
| experience are going to be valuable to the company. | | | | interview. Tell them that you’re well qualified for the |
| Step 2: Know your resume: | | | | job, and that you will prove it to them upon being hired. |
| In virtually any interview situation, you’re interviewer | | | | Don’t be afraid to be confident in yourself and your |
| is going to ask you questions about your resume, | | | | abilities. |
| about your experiences and even about the quirky | | | | Step 7: Ask for the next step: |
| stuff you’ve listed to pad it out. You should read | | | | The interviewer will ask most of the questions but you |
| your resume over and over, and know the details of it | | | | will have a chance to get a word in shortly. Find out |
| because you never know when you’re going to be | | | | what will happen next, and what you should expect |
| asked about your chess playing experience or your | | | | after the interview. When should you be hearing from |
| interest in literature. Make sure there’s nothing | | | | them about the job? When will the hiring decision be |
| detailed on your resume that you’re uncomfortable | | | | made? |
| talking about. | | | | Step 8: Send a thank you note: |
| Step 3: Dress for Success: | | | | Everything you do regarding your interview has |
| Appearance can become nine-tenths of the law if you | | | | consequences. Just as a good sales person follows up |
| don’t pay attention to it. For every interview, make | | | | on a lead, after each interview you attend you should |
| sure you wear garments that are professional and | | | | be sure to send a thank you note to the employer and |
| appropriate the position that you’re seeking. Your | | | | the interviewer, thanking them for their time. Going the |
| clothes should be comfortable, clean, and pressed. | | | | extra mile in this way will generally show that |
| Don’t create a crisis for yourself on the morning of | | | | you’re qualified for the position, or at least that |
| the interview when it comes to your clothes. Pick out | | | | you’re a serious and diligent person. |
| your outfit and make sure it’s ready the night | | | | Step 9: Follow-up: |
| before your big interview. | | | | Of course, sending a thank you note is something you |
| Step 4: Make sure that you wake up early and are on | | | | do immediately after the interview. A reasonable |
| time: | | | | period after, usually a week or two at least, you should |
| Just as you shouldn’t let your wardrobe run you | | | | take one further step to follow up. Call the company |
| down on the big day, you shouldn’t let traffic or | | | | offices and ask if you can speak to the hiring manager |
| public transport delays upset you either. It’s also | | | | who interviewed you. You can start the conversation |
| crucial that you don’t get lost on the way so have | | | | by asking if they received your note. Then you can |
| directions –and confirm them if you have to – | | | | ask them if any decisions were made and, if not, |
| well before you set off. These days, with MapQuest, | | | | approximately when you should call back or otherwise |
| you have no excuses. Make sure you leave the house | | | | expect to hear from them. Don’t be pushy; above |
| early, and plan to be at the interview at least ten | | | | all, be polite and courteous, even if a response is not |
| minutes early. | | | | forthcoming. |