preparing yourself for a job interview

Preparing Yourself for a Job Interview

Allyson ThompsonINCO 3006April 2011

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Objectives

Explain the nature of structured, unstructured, stress, group, and virtual interviews.

How to prepare and participate effectively in a job interview.

Prepare effective answers to questions often asked in job interviews, including illegal interview questions.

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Introduction

The job interview is perhaps the last step before being hired for a job. Succeeding in an interview, is to get the job you requested. However, if that was not the result, learning from these experiences can help you improve for future interviews. In this decade, the applicant must be prepared for a long distance interview, because cyber o video interviews are now a reality. In a job interview it’s important for you to demonstrate your skills and perform you job efficiently ones you have been selected for the job.

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Types of Employment Interviews

Structured Interviews

Unstructured Interviews

Stress Interviews

Group Interviews

Virtual Interviews

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Preparing for a virtual interview is different than a traditional interview

Suggest a preliminary phone conversation with the interviewer to establish rapport.

Arrive early and familiarize yourself with the equipment.

Concentrate on projecting strong nonverbal skills: speak clearly, don’t slow down, be centered in the camera frame, sit straight, look up and use gestures to communicate.

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Preparing for an Interview

The success of any interview depends

on the communication skills of the

participants and how strongly each

wants to practice them.

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In order to have a successful interview you should fallow these four steps:

1. Study the Prospective Employer Name

Status in the industry

Latest stock market quote

Recent news and developments

Scope of the company

Corporate offices

Products and services

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When gathering information about the

company you should also look for

information about the job you are seeking:

Job title

Job qualifications

Probable salary range

Career path of the job

In order to have a successful …

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2. Study Yourself3. Plan Your Appearance

Your fingernails, shoes, and hair, must be clean and well kept.

Wear appropriate footwear, and select appropriate clothing for the interview.

Females should avoid heavy makeup, and select conservative clothes.

Avoid smoking, drinking, or wearing heavy fragrances.


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Clothing

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4. Plan Your Time and Materials.

Resume & cover letter

Transcripts & training certificates

Certificate of good conduct

List of references

Letters of recommendation

Letters of recognition and achievements

Company’s employment application

Copies of:


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Practice for the Interview

A job interview is probably the most

important face to face interaction you

could ever have.

When preparing for an interview, you

should gather all the question you can

possible find, and think about how you

would answer them.

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Additional steps you can use in the preparation process:

Make a list of key points that you want to

emphasize on.

Be prepared to answer standard

interview questions:

Why do you want to join our company?

Why do you think you're the right person for

the position?

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Additional steps you can …

Be prepared to answer behavioral

questions:

Describe a time you worked well under

pressure.

What was the most difficult problem you had to

overcome in your last job? How did you cope

with it?

Be prepared to demonstrate logical

thinking and creativity.

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Be prepared to discuss salary and benefits.

Be knowledgeable of interview questions

that might lead to discriminatory hiring

practices.

“The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

(EEOC) and Fair Employment Practices Guidelines, state

clearly that an employer cannot discriminate against a

job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, age,

religion, national origin, or disability.”

Additional steps you can …

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The following topics should not be introduced in an interview or small conversation: National origin and religion:

“You have an unusual accent; where were you born?

What religious holidays will require you to miss work?”

Age: What year did you graduate?

Could you provide us a copy of your birth certificate?

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The following topics should not …

Disabilities, health conditions, and physical

characteristics not reasonably related to

the job. Do you have a disability that would interfere

with your job?

Have you ever been injured on the job?

How much alcohol do you consume in the week?

Are you taking any prescription drugs?

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Marital status, spouse’s employment, or dependents: Are you married? Who is going to watch your children? Is your spouse employed? Do you plan to have children?

Arrests or criminal convictions that are not

related to the job: Have you ever been arrested other than for traffic

violations?


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Be prepared to ask the interviewer questions. What is a typical day like in this job? What type of people would I be working

with? Would you describe the initial training

program for people in this position? When do you expect to make your

decision about the position?


Thank you…