It is said that Networking is the most essential skill needed in job searching today. It helps you connect with employers and recruiters and opens doors to potential jobs. However, getting in the door is only the first step. Your interviewing skills must be superb to get job offers at any level. You have nothing to lose but a job offer if you don't invest time in preparing for every interview, no matter how confident you are with your communication skills.
Interview Tools
| Interview Preparation |  print |
| During the Interview | print |
| Why Candidates are Rejected | print |
| Sample Questions to Ask During the Interview | print |
| Thank You Notes: Do they really make a difference? | print |
- Know why you're interested in the job/company.
- Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Sell yourself!
- Assess your major accomplishments.
- Be prepared to discuss your job responsibilities.
- Evaluate your skills and experience as they relate to the position requirements.
- Prepare your questions about the position.
- Research the company - know what you are walking into. Know why you want to work there.
- Make sure you are ready to make a professional presentation - both in appearance and in verbiage.
- Write a good resume that accurately reflects your education and work experience. It should be neat and should not have typing or spelling errors. Have a friend or mentor read it over.
- Compose a thank-you letter that you can send immediately after your interviews. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity and ask for the job.
- Make sure you understand the questions (ask a second time if you are unsure).
- Respond concisely - don't ramble - when people are nervous, they tend to chit-chat.
- Avoid "yes" or "no" answers.
- Don't bring up salary or benefits unless the interviewer brings them up. Know what an appropriate salary range should be.
- If you want the job, ask for it!
- As you answer questions, avoid use of negative terms and avoid the temptation to be negative about past employers.
- Answer questions with specific examples - avoid generalities.
- Evaluate the position for which you are interviewing. If the company is hiring for a lighter level position, don't market management level intentions, otherwise the company will worry you will be unhappy.
- Lack of proper career planning, purposes and goals are ill defined and need direction. Candidate has no idea why they pursued this field.
- Inability to express thoughts clearly and concisely - rambles.
- Inability to discuss achievements.
- Not prepared for the interview - no research on the position or the company.
- Unable to explain interest in the position/company.
- Little interest and enthusiasm - indifferent - bland personality.
- Overbearing, overaggressive, conceited, cocky, aloof or assuming.
- Interest only in a higher level or more money.
- Asks few or poor questions about the job - little depth and meaning to questions. Does not talk...
- Makes excuses, evasiveness, hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
- No confidence and poise, fails to look interviewer in the eyes, immature, weak handshake.
- Poor personal appearance, sloppy dress, lacks sophistication. Needs haircut or hair is not clean. Too much jewelry or perfume/cologne.
Sample Questions to Ask During the Interview
- What can I do to be of most benefit in this position and to your company?
- What responsibilities would you like this position to take over?
- What are some of the objectives you would like accomplished in this job?
- Is there any further education you would like me to acquire? I am willing to do so.
- What other departments does this position interact with?
- How much orientation and training will be provided?
- How do you determine work objectives and deadlines?
- Once I am trained, what additional responsibilities would you like me to take on?
- How long have you been with the company? What is your background? Why do you enjoy working here?
Thank You Notes: Do they really make a difference?
You have just left an interview feeling confident about the impression you have made on a future employer. What is your next step? The question that lies ahead is "should I send a thank you note, will it really make a difference, will it have an impact on whether I get the job or not?"
It is extremely important to send a thank you letter as a follow up to any interview. We are all busy, but it takes very little time to actually sit down and write a few words and it only costs the price of a stamp. The note should be thoughtful and contain some reference to the interview. Comment once again on what particularly makes you a good fit for the position, thank them for their time and express your excitement about the position. Ensure that the letter is professional and carries the right tone - you are thanking a future employer for their time not sending a note to a friend. This note can set you apart from other candidates who are just as qualified as you are for the job - it puts your name out there once again, especially above those who didn't bother to send one.
Email - is it appropriate to send a thank you note via email? Sending a note via email actually depends on the situation and circumstances. In some cases it is fine to send an email. If things appear to be moving quickly and there may not be time to get a letter through the mail, email can be an appropriate alternative. Again, make sure it is professional and has the right tone. Emails often tend to come off as more relaxed and informal.
Before you seal the envelope or hit the send button on your computer make sure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. This is key because the letter is a direct reflection of you. You don't want the last impression to be negative due to a silly error.
Does sending a thank you note ensure that you will get the job? Of course, the answer is no. However, even if you do not get the job, you have met a new contact or possibly started a new relationship. The impression you leave may even make the difference in receiving a future contact from the company.
