Preparing for Your Job Interview

During a job interview you need to constantly looking to make a positive impression on the person doing the hiring. But even more important than that is your attitude and your ability to sell the idea, that you can make a valuable contribution to the organization.

The next ten pages will reveal some very insightful and valuable ideas about doing a perfect interview. Also make sure to check out our article on resume writing as well.

Let me know how this information helps you in your job interviewing.

The hour that you spend in your job interview could be the most important hour that you ever spend.  This is because your job interview is the time frame that you have to get that job that you really want.  But you need to have some winning strategies in place so that when you’re sitting in that interview room you put every minute to good use.  You need to be as prepared as you can for any number of questions that come your way and you need to have the right answers at your fingertips so that you exude self confidence and credibility.

One of your main goals in your job interview is to stand out from the rest of the people who are applying for the same position.  One of the ways that you can do this is by finding out as much as you can about the companythat you want to work for and the position that you’re applying for.  The more knowledgeable you sound about the job that you want the better the impression you’ll leave with your interviewer.

During your interview avoid using words that sound unprofessional such as “cool” and “awesome”.  Most companies are looking for a professional attitude and this attitude should be displayed in your job interview to show your seriousness about getting the job.  Try to be as prepared as you can for the interview by guessing at some of the questions you’ll be asked and coming up with some answers.  There are some questions you can be sure that you’ll be asked, such as “why do you want this job”.  Try to come up with something better than the standard answer which most interviewees will give.  Be unique in your presentation so that you leave an impression that is going to be remembered.

When you’re asked to talk about yourself try to limit your response time to about a minute.  You want to talk too much about yourself yet you also don’t want to give too little information about who you are.  It’s important that you listen to your interviewer so that you show that you have listening skills as well as speaking skills.  Interviewers want to see a well rounded individual in front of them who is ready to tackle all aspects of the job.  Your interview is your chance to score a few points.  Try to slip in a few comments about work ethics and team work to show that these ideas aren’t foreign to you.There may be times when your job interview is conducted over lunch or another meal.  This is because many employers have busy schedules and they will try to kill two birds with one stone:  a meal and your interview.  There are some interviews that will put at breakfast with one interviewer followed by lunch with another and then dinner with yet another.  And in each “meal” interview you’ll be required to answer questions over and over again with confidence and reliability.

One of the reasons why many employers will conduct a meal interview is because they want to see you in a variety of social settings particularly if this is something that is part of your job description and you’ll be required to meet with clients on a regular basis.  Or your interviewer may simply have only a limited amount of time to spend on your interview and is trying to fit as much as possible into their schedule.  No matter what the reason is for the meal interview you need to be as prepared as possible for anything that comes along.

Wait for your interviewer to sit down before you do.  This shows respect and courtesy and will leave a lasting impression that is positive.  Your interviewer wants to see how you conduct yourself in a social setting so take the opportunity to show off your best professionalism.  Sit up straight while keeping your feet flat on the floor.  Crossing your legs can come across as too casual.  Unfold your napkin and place in your lap when your meal arrives.  Proper etiquette is another way that you can score points in the meal interview.  When it comes time to order your meal choose something that is less expensive than what your interviewer is ordering.  If you’re asked to order first, choose something that is in the medium price range.  Again, this is all about common courtesy and your interviewer just wants to see how you handle yourself in this type of a situation.

Eat slowly by taking small bites.  You’ll most likely be asked questions while you’re eating and you want to be able to answer without food spitting out of your mouth or choking on large pieces.  Keep your arms off the table and remember to use the correct cutlery as dictated by what you’re eating.  Remember the purpose of your meal: this is a job interview and you want to do the best that you can so that you get the job or move on to the second round of interviews.Job interviews are the end of a long road of getting the right education and deciding what type of a job is right for you.  Are you looking for an employment opportunity in your chosen career and find that you’re having trouble exactly the right position that you trained for?  These days it’s important that you research exactly what types of employment opportunities are out there before you spend thousands of dollars on your education.  Patterns in the past years indicate that the once lucrative technology industry has slowed down and those computer and other tech employment opportunity jobs aren’t as available as they once were.  This means that if you want to work in the computer industry that you need to specialize and educate yourself in a niche of the tech industry where there is still a high demand for employees.

When you’re looking for a specific employment opportunity you’ll have your work cut out for you since there are so many people across North America who are educated and over qualified for many of the lower paying jobs that are available. If you have a diploma or certificate and are looking for a job in what you trained for you’ll need to take some initiative to find the right employment opportunity for you.  This is why the process of the job interview is so important.  You need to stand out among the crowd so that interviewers take a chance on you.

You might want to consider using an employment agency to help you find your perfect employment opportunity.  Employment agencies have the tools and ability to work with you and employers to match you up for the right job.  You can put the employment agency to work doing all the leg work for you.  You’ll be paying them a fee but it may be worth your while so that you can take the pressure off yourself as you look for a job.

With so many other people looking for their own perfect employment opportunity you’ll have to make sure that your resume is top notch, up to date, and filled with enough great information to boost your credentials and make your potential employers think that they can’t go on without you.  Be prepared to adjust your schedule at any time so that you can fit into any company’s schedule when it comes to job interviews.  With time and patience you’ll soon find the employment opportunity that you’ve been looking for.  If money is an issue you may need to take a lower paying job for some time while you continue to look for the job that you really want. It isn’t just your job interview that is going to get you that job you want.  Employment screening is becoming more and more popular among employers who are trying to find the perfect employee for their company.  Employment Screening is all about background checks and other screening that employers use to determine if they want to hire you based on your clean record.  Other screening tests include drug testing and physical exams. There are many companies that specialize in employment screening that offer great service, a very fast turnaround time of result, and available legal advice when tests come back positive.  Employment screening companies will also provide accurate reports and records that you can rely on if you’re an employer trying to determine if you should hire someone based on their test results.  There are many companies around the world, everything from Fortune 500's companies to the small business that rely on employment screening to give the final link to a hiring decision.  

Employment screening services have one goal: to address the many employment problems that companies that face as well as problems in the workplace that are linked to drug use and other issues such as employee theft, violence,  false employment records and applications, a high turnover rate, and other employee problems.  Most employment screening companies will be able to advise you as to the nature of the reports when they reveal any past criminal history as well as false social security numbers.  This can also include resumes that aren’t accurate as well as employment application forms that have been falsified.  

Other types of employment screening include background checks for potential employees, employee drug testing, and employment physicals for families.  When your company uses employment screening you can be sure that the people that you’re hiring are clean, honest, and don’t have the potential to cause future problems.  Of course this can always change and can never be a solid indication of the future behavior of any employee.  

When your future employees know that you use employment screening they’ll be prepared to meet the standards that your company expects from employees.  More and more companies are relying on employment screening to help them make the right choices about who they want to hire based on honesty and a clean track record.  When you use employment screening you know where your future employees have been and what they have done.  This allows you to build a company of employees that you can count on to work well together as a team and be a success. During any job interview there are different ways that employers will evaluate your skills, your experience, and your capabilities.  When you’re in the middle of your interview you need to remember that your answers to questions need to clearly stated and relevant to the question that was asked.  If you’re unsure of how to answer a question there is nothing wrong with stopping for a moment and taking a deep breath before you continue.

When you’re asked a question make sure that you listen carefully so that you understand what is being asked of you.  If you’re unsure of the question ask for clarification before you answer without thinking.  Take a minute to think of all the facts and issues before you open your mouth to speak.  You want to give the best answer that you can in a positive and confident manner.  Get to the point as quickly as you can so that you’re not wandering off into details that your interviewer isn’t interested in listening to.  The facts are the only thing that you should be talking about.

The goal of an interview isn’t to have the right answers to certain questions but to be able to convince the person interviewing you that you’re the right person for the job.  Always be truthful in the information that you provide since anything that you say might be verified.  Try not to get yourself into areas of questions that you know might be difficult for you answer.

Many people who are looking for a job think that “winging it” in an interview is the only way to go.  This may be partially true since you want to appear relaxed and unrehearsed during your interview.  However it helps if, ahead of time, you think through some of the answers you might be asked and have some form of an answer ready to go.  This can apply to standard questions such as “why do you think you’re best for this job” or “why do you want this job”.  By having some answers in your head you can enter the interview feeling confident and poised.  

Some of the more traditional questions that you’ll be asked are (1) What are your strengths and weaknesses, (2) What are your long term goals, (3) Where do you want to be in ten years, (4) What do you of team building, (5) How do you handle stress on the job, and (6) Tell us a little about yourself.  Knowing some of the traditional questions that you’ll be asked can help to prepare you that little bit. Many more employers are asking “behavioral questions” in the job interview.  This means that rather than focusing on your resume and your accomplishments the interview will focus more on questions that are open ended.  This means that there won’t be one single right answer to a question but a wide spectrum of answers instead.  You’ll be given real life circumstances and your response to these situations is what your interviewer will be looking at.

For instance, you might be asked to describe a certain event, experience, or project.  You may have to talk about how you handled a particular situation and what the end result was.  The goal behind this type of interviewing is to rate your performance in everyday situations that may arise while you’re on the job.

It will more difficult for you to prepare for behavioral questions than it will for traditional questions that have a right or wrong answer.  There are, however, some things that you can do to prepare for questions that focus on your behavior.  Take some time to review your past performance as well your own personal workethics and how they might apply to the company that you want to work for.  Always answer behavioral questions with a great deal of honesty and candidness.  Employers want to see you exactly as you are so that there are no surprises if they decide to hire you.
 
Your interviewer will be asking you questions that require detail, understanding, and depth in your response.   For example you might be asked “what were you thinking when that happened” or “tell me more about how you handled that incident and why”.  There is no way that you can truly prepare for these types of questions but you can be ready to answer all questions with enthusiasm and integrity.  Ask someone to give you a practice interview by coming up with questions that are open ended such as (1) talk about the riskiest decision that you’ve made, (2) describe a time where you were in danger of missing a deadline, or (3) give an example of a bad decision that you’ve made and what the end result was.  These questions require that you take a moment to think about your answer before you open your mouth.
 
Behavioral questions in the job interview give employers a good idea of how you think and how you’ll fit into their company view.  The key to a good interview is to take your time before answering and to be as candid as you can. In every job interview there will be an opportunity for you to ask your interviewer some questions.  Take some time to come up with some questions that you want to ask ahead of time so that you don’t fumble around for something to say.  

When you don’t have any questions ready to ask it sends the message that you haven’t really put any thought into the job.  You want to avoid asking questions that answered on the company website or in any written literature that you’ve been given prior to the interview.  You want to ask questions that you’ve put some thought into so that you show your interest in getting the job.  The two questions that you shouldn’t ask unless your interviewer brings them up are about salary and job benefits.  These are issues that an interviewer might or might not bring up.  Many times talk of salary and job benefits is left for the second interview.

The interview process should be looked at as a two way interview.  Not only are you being asked questions about yourself and your job experience, you are also the one asking questions so that you can sell yourself.  When you ask informed questions you leave a good impression with the knowledge that you bring to the interview table.

Some of the questions that you can ask include:

•    What are the values of the company?
•    What is the company’s mission statement?
•    What are the goals of the company and were these goals met last year?
•    What will be my biggest challenge if I get the job?
•    What is it in my resume that attracted me to you?
•    When can I expect to hear back with a decision?
•    If you offer me this job, why should I accept it?
•    What things do you expect me to accomplish if you give me this job?

Don’t forget to ask questions that involve the management of others if you’re looking for a mid level entry position.  Some of these questions include (1) how much authority will I have to run my own department, (2) how many employees will I be supervising, (3) may I please see the company organizational chart, and (4) will any employees be let go or transferred from my department?
 
The better prepared that you are to ask questions at the end of your interview the bigger impact you’ll leave with your interviewer.  Questions show that you are interested in the job and have taken the time to be ready for your interview. When it’s time for that big job interview there are some things that you need to do so that you’re as ready as you can be and so that your presentation is top notch.  

Perhaps the most important thing that you can do is learn as much aboutthe company that you’re interviewing for as you can.  When you know something about the company you show that you have a big interest in getting hired.  If you don’t look like you’re interested in the job your interviewer is going to forget you the minute you walk out of the room.  When you research the company you’ll be able to ask intelligent and relevant questions when it’s your turn in the question seat.

Dress appropriately for the interview. Make sure that your choice of clothing is professional looking and clean.  You want to be a bit on the conservative side to show your respect for the interview process.  Your entire appearance should be polished so that you exude confidence and charisma.  Dressing nicely is a big compliment to the person who is interviewing you since it shows that you appreciate the time they are taking to interview you.  

Have all your papers in order before you go into the interview.  Take along extra copies of your resume, references, and reference letters so that you can leave them with your interviewer.  You’ll also want to take along a pad of paper and pen so that you can make notes if needed.  Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes before the start of your interview. You want to make sure that there is no chance that you’ll be late.  Greet your interviewer with respect and consideration as well as any people who you meet before the interview such as the receptionist or secretary.  You never know when one of these people will offer their opinion to your potential employer.

Even if your interviewer seems very casual it’s important that you not be.  Don’t forget your manners just because the atmosphere seems casual and easy going.  

You want to maintain your professionalism at all times so that you leave the impression that you are ready for a new job.  Don’t address the person who is conducting the interview by their first name even if you are introduced as such.  

Using their last name is a sign of respect that should be maintained at all times.  Take your time when answering questions so that you don’t rush and say something that you don’t really mean.  Remember that your interview is your one opportunity to sell yourself and show your potential employer that you have what it takes.
There may be times when you need to do your job interview over the phone.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a phone interview is any less formal than an interview that is conducted in person.  This could be one critical mistake you make that could cost you that job you really want.  Many times a phone interview is your way of securing a meeting that is face to face.  Phone interviews are one way that recruiters often narrow down their list of potential people to talk to.  You want to pass the phone interview with flying colors so that you make it to the next round.

There are some specific things that you can do to make sure that you score high in the phone interview.  The first thing that you need to do is eliminate or minimize the number of distractions that can occur while you’re on thephone.  

This includes even subtle noises such as your dog barking, your cell phone ringing, or someone in the background who is doing the dishes.  Try to schedule your phone interview in a quiet place so that you don’t have to fight against distractions.  You need to be as focused as you can be so that you can concentrate on the answers to the questions that you’re asked.

Make sure that your verbal skills are good.  You won’t have the luxury of looking into your interviewer’s eyes so you need to rely on other ways to leave a lasting impression.  Your voice should reflect your enthusiasm for the interview but at the same time you should maintain your professionalism by using language that is grown up and precise.  Avoid using words that a teen would use such as “cool” or “dude”.  

Prepare as much in advance for your phone interview as you can.  You’ll want to have a resume on hand that you can refer to as well as a notepad so that you can write down information that is given to you by your interviewer.  The one good thing about a phone interview is that your interviewer will have no idea when or not you’re using your notes.

You’ll want to follow up on your phone interview in a few days to see how you did.  Send a thank you note so that you can highlight your selling points as a new employee.  Exude as much confidence as you can so that you’ll be considered for that second interview that will be done face to face. When it comes to the job interview there are many mistakes that you can make that can cost you that job that you really want to have.  Stop focusing so much on your resume and start paying more attention to things that can go wrong and what you can do to correct them.  Most mistakes are made right in the job interview so that more prepared you are for what is to come the better chance you have of avoiding and averting those mistakes.

Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make is to arrive late.  In fact, if you arrive late for your appointment, you can pretty well write off your chances to get the job.  Employers will have little use for someone who can’t even make it to the job interview on time.  Another area where job seekers often make a mistake is in their cover letter for their resume.  You need to make sure that your cover letter is precise and accurate and that it says just enough about you to want potential employers to give you a chance in the interview room.  

The one thing that you don’t want to do is have too much attitude since this can work against you in your cover letter and in the interview itself.  As well, you don’t want to have a bad attitude about the job interview process.  Don’t be overbearing and arrogant, and always keep in mind that it’s you who is looking for the job and not the other way around.  You’re not doing your interviewer any favors by showing up for the job interview.  

Your body language should be exact.  This means a strong handshake, eye contact with your interviewer, and making sure that you don’t cross your arms during the interview since this can be a sign of aggression.  Dress accordingly.  This means a professional outfit such as a suit or good dress clothes.  Always remember that you want to leave an impression with your interviewer that is positive and unique.

Reserve any questions that you have until your interviewer gives you the chance to ask them.  This will usually happen at the end of the interview when you are given a few minutes to ask questions.  Limit your questions to a few and never ask about salary or any job benefits.  You want to seem interested in the job but not overly confident that you have the job and can ask about how much money you’re going to be making.