What You Should Bring To The Job Interview
Organize and prepare all the papers you will need with you at
your job interview. Your main document is your
resume. If you
don't have a resume, take the time to put one together before the interview. There are many free
programs on the Internet that you can download to use as a template. Go to www.google.com and type in
free resume download in the search box for a listing of sites available.Have your Social
Security card, work
records,
drivers licenses, military records, dates of
employment and names of your employers available to fill
out any
applications that the prospective employer will need along with your resume. Many companies will
accept your
resume inplace of the written application.
Your References
It is also important to create a list of references. Be prepared
to give an employer the names and addresses of
three people who
are familiar with you and/or your work. You should ask your
references for the use of their
names in advance. If you think it
appropriate, ask a professional friend or former employer to
write you a letter
of reference, and include it with your resume.
If your work is the type of work you can show, take samples of
what you have done in the past.
Know The Company And The Employer
Learn all you can about the company that is interviewing you. Most companies have websites that you can read
for information about their company, products, mission statement and any other perninent information about the
company. You can also check with the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau in the town where
the company is located for other information relative to the company. Finding
out exactly what they do and what
they
have in store for you as far as
jobs are concerned will give you a leg up at the interview. Find out who
you
will
be working for. The person you will be working for will
be very
influential in your life. Make sure you
really want
to
work for this person. If your future boss doesn't tell you
about
him/herself at the interview, don't ask.
Know How Much You Should Earn
Know how much you should earn with your talents and skills. Make
your estimate a little higher so the company
benefits when they
bid you down. Don't go too high or you won't get the job. Know
approximately what the
salary scale is for the job and be ready
to negotiate the salary.
Know Yourself
It is important that you know yourself. Evaluate what you can
offer this company, whether it is education,
training or special
skills. Always tell them what you can do, not what you can't do.
Know exactly what type of
job you are applying for and what type
of job you want.
Know Your Interviewer
Prepare yourself for the questions the
interviewer may ask you. You should rehearse
the answers to
the most
commonly asked questions. Have some one ask you these
questions to practice your answers:
Why do you want to work here?
How long do you want to stay with this company?
Why did you leave your last job?
Tell me about yourself.
Why aren't you working now?
How long do you think you would stay in this present job without
a promotion?
Why should we hire you?
What is your greatest strength/weakness?
What did you like/dislike about your last job?
How much did you earn?
How much do you want to earn?
Why do you think you can do this job without experience?
Your Time
Make sure you are at least 10 minutes early for the scheduled
appointment. Don't come too early or too late.
Give yourself
enough time to spend with the interviewer--don't arrange another
appointment 15 minutes after
the first appointment. Your time
with the interviewer should be uninterrupted.
Your Appearance And Dress
Don't wear too casual or too formal clothing to the interview.
Dress conservatively without flashy colors. Be
well groomed for your interview. It is important to look very
neat. The way you look is very important
to your
interviewer. If your appearance is bad for the interview,
that is the impression an employer will have of your job
performance. A neat appearance is always a must.
What To Do At The Interview
When you shake an employer's hand, shake it firmly with a solid grip.
Don't shake their hand passively. Be
businesslike
but pleasant and
friendly. Smile throughout the interview. Make sure your
smile does not
look fake. Good
eye contact is very important. If
you can't look into the interviewer's eyes, look at the bridge of
their nose.
This will seem as if
you are looking into their eyes. Sit straight
up but toward the interviewer. This will
make it seem as if you
are very interested in what the interviewer has to say. Don't
smoke, chew gum or bring
any beverages into the interview. Do not have poor posture
during the interview. If
you are under
stress,
try to act calm.
What To Say At The Interview
Let the employer take charge of the interview. Answer his/her
questions briefly but completely. Don't ramble on
about
unimportant things and waste his/her time. Dogmatic statements should
be avoided. Tell the employer
exactly
what you expect from your
job and from him/her. Also tell him/her exactly what they can expect from
you. Stress
your
qualifications in a positive, affirmative tone.
When the employer tells you what type of person is
wanted, use
this information when telling the employer about your
qualifications. It is very important to tell him/her
what he/she wants
to
hear. When you tell people what they want to hear, they start to
agree with you. Don't over
do
it and
exaggerate with lies. Use
your resume or records to support any claim you make about
yourself. If you
don't
understand a question the interviewer asks
you, repeat it back to him/her to see if you understand it. Try to
see
what
the interviewer wants to find out about you. If you know
what he/she wants to find out, make your
answers
fit his/her needs.
What Not To Say And Do At The Interview
Talk about previous jobs if they are in your favor. Don't say
anything bad or criticize previous employers or
fellow workers.
If you say anything bad about anyone, your future employer can
expect trouble from you. Don't
say anything negative about
yourself. Try not to discuss anything personal, financial or
domestic unless you are
specifically asked. If the interviewer
questions you at a quick pace with confusing questions, he/she is
doing this to
put you under stress. Stay in control and answer
calmly. Don't be overly impatient when an employer asks you
a
question. Wait for him/her to finish the question and then answer it
completely and in a relaxed manner. You
don't
want an employer to
think that you are desperate for the job. Don't take anyone with you
to the
interview--this
makes you seem insecure.
At The End Of The Interview
If the employer does not offer you the job at the end of the
interview, ask him/her when you might expect to hear
from him/her or
when you can
call to find out his/her decision. If you are asked to come back,
write down the
time and place you
are to attend. After the
interview thank the employer for spending his/her time with you.
Ask
him/her if he knows of any
other company that may need a person with
your qualifications. A good practice
is to also thank the
employer
by mail with a "thank you" letter. Many applicants don't
do this, so this may give
you an edge on the job.
If You Are Hired At The Interview
Make sure that you understand what your duties will be. A good
understanding of what your employer expects
from you and what you
expect from your job will prevent conflicts in the future. Make
sure that you are very
clear on both of them. You should also
find out what advancement opportunities are open for you. Tell
the
employer what salary you want, but only bring up money when
the employer brings up your salary. If, at the
end of the interview, you are not offered the job,
tell the interviewer that you really want the job. Follow up with
a thank you letter to the interviewer. Tell the interviewer again
in the note that you really want the job. If you
forgot to
mention something in the interview that you thought was
important, don't hesitate to mention it in the
letter. If the
company hasn't contacted you in a week or two,call them. If somebody
else is hired for the job
ask the
interviewer if he has any other
openings in his company or if he can give you any leads.
