Job Interview

Although many of us spend countless hours reading newspaper job ads or standing in line to fill out applications, we often invest too little time in the process that really nets us that job: the interview.

Not only is an interview crucial to landing the job, it also helps you find out crucial information about the job: from salary and health insurance to vacation and working conditions.

For any interview, there are three steps that must be followed to increase your chances of landing the right job:

1.	Preparing for the interview
2.	Conducting the interview
3.	Following up on the interview

Preparing for the Interview

	Put together a file of background information which may include:
	Necessary licenses
	Diplomas
	Resumes
	Examples of work
	Social security card, etc.
	Ask employer what you should bring to the interview.
	Always bring a pen.
	Practice answers to most commonly asked questions including:
	Why are you qualified for this job?
	What are your strengths and weaknesses?
	Why did you leave your last job and why are you looking for a job?
	Why do you want to work here?
	What type of salary are you looking for?
	Research company as much as possible in advance to prepare for above questions.

What to Wear

	Pay particular attention to dress when you prepare for the interview.
	Dress conservatively at interview, regardless of the type of business.
	Men should be clean shaven, without excessive jewelry.
	Women should not wear too much make-up, jewelry or perfume.
	Simple is better.

Conducting the Interview

	Arrive a few minutes early: being late to the interview implies that you will be late for work.
	Assume an aura of confidence.
	Offer a firm handshake with a dry palm.
	Keep gum, cigarettes and other nervous habits at home.
	Smile and be upbeat.
	Sit when asked and do not slouch.
	Immediately establish eye contact.
	Maintain eye contact throughout interview, switching back and forth if there is more than one interviewer.
	Don't blurt out answers without thinking.
	Take a moment to consider answers to questions.
	Answer questions with assurance.
	Cite past experience when answering questions.
	Stress why you want the job and how you are qualified.
	Give specifics of training and/or work experience which qualifies you for the job.
	Asking relevant questions about company shows interest.
	Don't ever criticize past employers.
	Don't offer cocky suggestions on improving the company interviewing you.
	Don't interrupt interviewer.

Closing and Following Up on the Interview

	Do not act dejected if you are not immediately offered the job (most companies complete all interviews before making a decision).
	You may inquire whether they will contact you or if you should call in a week to find out status.
	Send follow-up letter or short thank you note expressing your interest in the job.
	If not chosen for the position, ask if they will keep resume on file.
	Inquire whether they know of any other employment for which you may be suited.
	If appropriate, ask to be advised why they did not hire you and what skills you could develop to improve your chances in the future.

Interviewing

Learn by Doing. Practice job interviewing by going out and doing it rather than rehearsing in front of a mirror. The give and take of a real interview will be very instructive - as will the rejection that comes along with any job search.

Present a Positive Attitude. No matter how well your cover letter and resume have been received, you will be judged largely by how well you perform in the interview. This is the manager's best opportunity to gauge your interpersonal skills and potential fit with the company. Be yourself, but be sincere, direct and resourceful with your answers.

Never Say a Discouraging Word. Think belittling your ex-boss will build you up in the eyes of a new employer? Think again. Even though you may have grounds for your anger, a new employer tends to identify with management. Your negativity may do nothing more than categorize you as a malcontent, a label that will short-circuit your chances.

Be Ready for the Interview. Preparing for an interview is not as complicated as you may think. First, realize that if you've been selected for an interview at all, you've probably made some sort of positive impression. No matter how nervous you feel, this fact alone should boost your confidence. Be sure to brush up on your qualifications and be well versed about the company and you'll be able to speak competently and confidently during the interview.

The Mock Interview. If the idea of interviewing for a job terrifies you, maybe you should try a few practice runs. Have some willing friends give you a mock interview. A videotape of the session will help you evaluate your performance. Do you tend to mumble? Is your posture upright and alert or do you look bored and intimidated? Are your answers sincere and succinct? Is your handshake firm? For a professional evaluation, check with your local One-Stop Career Center for a job club that offers this service. Or contact a career counselor near you.

Key Interview Questions. During a job interview, you can count on inquiries about previous jobs: What you liked or disliked about certain duties and responsibilities; what major achievements you take credit for; whether and why you've ever been fired; how you work under pressure (be prepared to cite an example or two); or how you handle special challenges on the job. The tougher questions might include: When was the last time you were criticized? How did it make you feel? What have you done to improve your weaknesses? What are your career goals and how do you plan to accomplish them? Describe your ideal job. What is the minimum time an employee is obligated to stay with a company if a better job comes along? How would you improve the company's operations?

Review Your Resume. Your resume is one of your best guides to preparing for a job interview. Use it as an outline to review your achievements and goals. Burt Nadler, onetime director of Career Services at the University of the Pacific, recommends that applicants cite three key points that qualify them for the job. Next, write three anecdotes that support those points. Finally, Nadler warns against memorizing your answers. Rather use your resume and notes as guides to being yourself.

Don't Talk Salary. Asking what a position pays before you have been offered the job is not only premature, it's probably damaging to your chances. In fact, you should avoid inquiring about vacations, holidays or other benefits. Remember, they are interviewing you, not vice versa (at least initially). They will provide information on compensation after they decide you are a top candidate for the job.

Send a Thank-You Note. Most job applicants do not bother sending thank-you notes after interviews, which is exactly why you should. A handwritten message is most impressive, but a printer-generated note is a good alternative if your handwriting is sloppy. An email will have less impact (though still positive), but the 'reply' function may facilitate an ongoing dialog or some future interaction.

The Write Way to Interview

Boost your confidence with a prepared list of pertinent details

You've been perfecting your interview skills and are feeling fairly confident about your performance, and then it happens: The interviewer asks a question that you've anticipated and prepared for, but the second the words leave the hiring manager's mouth your mind goes blank. Your palms sweat. Your mouth opens, but you have nothing to say.

For jobseekers, drawing a blank on an interview question is an embarrassing nightmare where they can only watch in horror as their confidence and hopes of a job offer vanish along with the answer they can't recall.

For hiring managers, it's a circumstance that leaves them wondering whether a candidate who struggles to answer simple questions is worth further consideration. And it's a situation that is far more common than most jobseekers realize.

Everyone, from high-level executives to entry-level rookies, has admitted to botching interviews because of a weak or wandering response to an employer's question. So how can jobseekers prevent this gut-wrenching situation from spoiling their interview?

Cheat Sheet

Katy Piotrowski, author of The Career Coward's Guide to Interviewing , encourages jobseekers to create a 'cheat sheet' of achievements they can bring with them and consult during an interview. It can expand the information highlighted in a resume or cover letter and include any information that may help the jobseeker sell themselves to an employer.

But is it really okay to let an employer see you consulting a sheet like that during an interview? "Absolutely," says Piotrowski, who recommends placing the information on the same type of paper as your resume.

"An accomplishments page is a great confidence builder or cheat sheet to use in case you draw a blank sometime in the interview. You can always pull it out if you're in a panic and say, 'I've brought a list of my accomplishments�' and scan it as you decide how you want to answer the question

Survival Kit

Other items Piotrowski recommends bringing along on employment interviews include:

	Several copies of your resume on quality paper.
	A copy of the job description.
	A portfolio, including three to ten examples of your best work, such as a sample of a well-received report, a drawing for a product you engineered, or a photograph of a bookcase you installed. Whatever you choose, be sure that it's highly relevant to the position for which you're interviewing.
	A small notepad to record names of people you meet, details of questions you're asked, and other important information.
	Business cards or calling cards.

"Although your resume is the only 'must have' item on this list, being able to easily lay your hands on some of these other items might go a long way toward helping you feel more prepared and confident," believes Piotrowski. At the very least, an accomplishments page and other items will certainly help jobseekers prevent a speechless situation that could stand between them and the job offer of their dreams.

by Selena Dehne