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THE
EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW
Interviewing
can often be an unnerving experience. In order to attain a modest comfort
level, it is important that you are prepared. Practice interviewing
with friends, family and/or your EPCS consultant. Review reference materials
on interviewing strategies. Drill yourself with those most often-asked
interview questions. Most importantly take a deep breath and try to
relax.
When you are invited
to an interview, ask what type of interview will be conducted. The style
of interview will depend on the size of the company, and the industry.
Most interviews have traditionally been of an unstructured format. The
interviewer asks questions and gives feedback based on your answers.
Recently, more and more companies are conducting "structured"
interviews. The purpose of the structured interview is to ask the same
questions of each candidate so that valid comparisons of the quality
of responses can be acquired. The questions generally take three forms:
situational, observational and conceptual. All questions, regardless
of form, are job related. There are many interviewing references available
at campus libraries and EPCS, including videos. Check with your EPCS
consultant for more details.
Interview
Dress Tips
Key
Interviewing Points:
- Be
prepared.
Be familiar with the company. Research will provide information
on company goals, products, special interests and needs. Rehearse
answers to typically asked interview questions OUT LOUD. Be aware
of the importance of personal appearance. Always dress "up",
never dress "down". Be well rested and fresh. Arrive five
to ten minutes early to relax.
- Participate
actively in the interview.
Ask questions. Describe your interests, career goals and
special skills. Take time to give thoughtful answers. Relate events
in an organized manner: state the event, what action
you took, and the outcome.
- Communicate
clearly.
Project self-confidence, enthusiasm, and interest. You
are selling yourself; this will be your one chance to do that.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
Listed below are
examples of typical questions asked during an interview. Prepare answers
to these questions, and then rehearse your answers out loud, so the
responses become natural. (See the links listed below for many more
interviewing resources.)
- What are your
career interests and goals?
- What experiences
have you had that have prepared you for this position?
- Why did you choose
our organization?
- What are your
strongest skills and talents?
- Tell me about
the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make. (State event,
action, outcome)
- What would you
expect to gain from joining our organization? What would you offer?
- What questions
do you have?
Questions
You Should Ask During An Interview
Your questions should
indicate that you are already informed about the basic goals and products
of the organization and the type of position. They would include:
- How can I participate
in the development and completion of a project or product?
- How can I be
involved in all aspects or a specific aspect (if appropriate) of one
of your productions?
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After
the Interview: Assess the Meeting
- Do you still
want the job?
- Why, or why not?
- How well did
you project your abilities, skills and talent?
- Did you ask for
the job?
Send
a Thank-You Letter
The Thank-You
letter is critical! Say something more than "thank you."
Remind them one more time how your skills will be an asset to their
company or organization. This also offers you an opportunity to
send your references, if you didn’t leave a copy during the
interview. In addition, in the Thank-You letter you can reiterate
or add anything you forgot to mention in the interview. Your letter
should be clear, to the point, and no more than one page.
The thank-you
can be sent via email as well. Some employers have said they prefer
to receive thank-yous by email. Your situation will dictate if snail
mail or email will be most appropriate.
Your letter
should contain the following information:
Paragraph
#1: It was a pleasure to talk with you yesterday
(then mention something that really impressed you about the job
or the company.)
Paragraph
#2: Mention
two or three reasons, based on your qualifications, why you would
be the right candidate for the job.
Paragraph
#3: Thank him/her
for the time spent with you and say that you will contact him/her
in a week to see how he/she is coming on the decision.Y
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Learn
From Your Job Search
The career planning
process is a life-long task. Not only do our needs and aspirations change
throughout life, but the job market is continually changing. Be prepared
to continually evaluate your progress and your options.
- Have you adequately
sized up the job market?
- Are you getting
the responses you had hoped for?
- Did you have
a professional critically review your resume and cover letters?
- What happened
during the interviews?
- Which organizations
seem to fit your needs best?
- If a company
turned you down, how did you handle the rejection?
- Did you ask them
about future possibilities and what was missing in your background
or experience that could have made a difference?
- Did you write
thank-you letters after each interview? (Even though you may not be
interested in the position now, keep all avenues open for future opportunities.)
- What are you
going to do next?
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MORE
INTERVIEW INFORMATION LINKS:
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Web
page maintained by Ann Halbach
Send comments or questions to ah@education.wisc.edu
©
2000 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
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