Interviewing Techniques

An interview is really a conversation; a mutual exchange of information. Your role during the interview is to promote yourself, and sell your skills to the employer for a specific position.  The interviewer will be trying to learn more about you and determine if you will be a good fit for the job.

Remember you want to use the interview to:
1. Discover information you may not have found during your research
2. Provide information that will highlight your accomplishments, and expand upon your resume
and cover letter
3. Learn more about the job, position, and company
4. Make the interviewer see you as an asset to the company, and reaffirm the decision to meet you.
5. GET A SECOND INTERVIEW!

Self -Assessment
"Do your absolute best to be prepared for specific questions about your previous academic and/or work achievements and shortcomings, but don't pretend to be knowledgeable/ experienced in areas you are not."
                                  -Senior Recruiter, Marsh
This is the most important kind of research.  You must know yourself: your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals.  Make some notes to yourself beforehand so you will be able to communicate these clearly to the interviewer.  Be able to explain your skills as they apply to the position.  What contributions can you make to the organization?  Be able to give descriptions of how you have and would handle difficult situations professionally. 

Research
"Ask noteworthy and relevant questions concerning the prospective employer derived from research the employer's website, annual report, business periodicals or newspapers."
                         -Director, Deloitte & Touche
Make sure you know something about the organization that you are interviewing with as well as the position you are interviewing for.  Start at a company website, for a basic organizational overview along with details from the Human Resource department.  The website will give you contact information, as well as a style and image.  Check newspaper and magazines for recent news and activity about the organization.  An annual report, which is usually included on a business website, can give you statistics and a global perspective.  Check out industry and professional association websites to gather more specific information on salary ranges, and job descriptions. 

Dress for Success
Dress like you were "the boss"…professional business attire.
Both men and women should typically wear suits.  The jacket should be an exact match to the slacks or skirt.  Safe colors are black, navy blue, brown, or gray. Men should wear a pressed shirt and tie.  Women should wear a skirt (not too short) or a pantsuit, with a simple top (nothing low cut) and neutral pantyhose.  Your shirt color does not have to be white, but it should be solid.  Men should not wear earrings or cologne.  Women should be conservative in make-up and earrings and not wear perfume.  Bring a briefcase or portfolio, not a backpack. In conducting your research, find out what the typical office attire consists of.  Even photography studios may want to see you in a suit. 

Some companies have a "business casual look" every day.  The "casual" look consists of khakis, a solid shirt with a collar and tie, no sneakers, for men, and slacks with a shirt or sweater and shoes for women.  Jeans, spandex, shorts, mini-skirts, tee shirts, flannel shirts, team logos, sweat suits, hats, halter-tops are not appropriate.  Sandals, sneakers and hiking boots are not appropriate for a first interview.   Consider who the clients might be; are they young 30-somethings or established corporate leaders?  You may be the "boss" someday, so show the employer what you have to offer.

For more information visit www.symsdress.com.

Interview Day
Before the interview
Get to the interview location 15 minutes early so you have time to take in the surroundings, culture, climate, and complete an employment application if necessary…."
- Director of HR, Doubleday Select, Inc
Know where you are going.  Have your directions written down from the day before.  Be sure to bring the name, address, and phone number of the person with whom you have the interview, and bring it with you. Have extra copies of your resume and a list of references printed on bond paper.

Face to Face
"The three most important things to project about yourself when interviewing are; 1) You want to work for the organization, 2) They need your skills in the organization, 3) You will fit in with the organization."
- Senior Designer, DareStep
When your name is called, stand up, make eye contact, smile, give your interviewer a firm handshake and introduce yourself (they will appreciate the correct pronunciation of your name).  Be enthusiastic and show your self-confidence.  Sit after being asked; maintain your posture with feet on the floor, and smile, as it will hide any nervousness.  Don't play with your hair, or bite your nails. Keep your eyes on the interviewer.  Be yourself, and remember there are no right answers.

Closing the interview
Ask the interviewer if there is anything else they would like to know about your skills or experience.  Make sure you let them know how interested you are in the position.  Be sure you get a business card from all the people you meet, and ask what the next step in the hiring process is.  Find out what the time frame is for making the decision.  Shake hands, say "thank you" and smile as you say good-bye.

Follow-up
"Write a thank you note or a short email.  Follow up skills are key for any job and what better way to show that you have them."
              -Corporate Recruiter, DoubleClick, Inc
You should follow-up twice after the interview.  The first should be a card within 24 hours.  Keep the card very simple (Thank You in simple lettering) on the outside and blank on the inside (filled in by you). The second should be a week later (if you have not heard from the company) with a phone call to inquire about the progress of the search.  Remain professional at all times. For basic thank-you note set up look at our link Thank You Letter.

Interviewing Websites
For further information on interview preparation take a look at the following sites:
www.hotjobs.com - Job search information   
www.salary.com - Compare salaries by location, and job
www.wetfeet.com - Job search information for recent graduates   
www.vaultreports.com - Corporate reports and information   
www.collegegrad.com - Job search information for recent graduates  
www.myjobsearch.com - Job search information

Interview Questions and Answers
Interviewers ask "open ended" questions and do not want a "yes" or "no" answer.  Below are questions that are frequently asked in an interview situation, develop short, concrete answers to have ready for your next interview.  For a more extensive list of typical interview questions come to our "Interview Techniques" Career Workshops.

1. What can you tell us about yourself?
2. Why are you interested in working in this company?
3. What skills do you have for this position?
4. What do you think are your greatest strengths?
5. What do you think are your greatest weaknesses?

Questions You May Ask The Interviewer
An interview should be an exchange of information.  You should have questions prepared to ask an interviewer in order to demonstrate that you have taken an active role in preparing for your interview.  If you do not get a chance to ask questions during the main portion of the interview, you will likely have a chance at the end of your discussion.  The specific questions you should ask will vary from one organization to another, but be sure to ask questions that focus on the job, its responsibilities and opportunities.  Questions about salary, fringe benefits, vacation days, and health insurance should not be asked until you receive the job offer.

Some Questions To Ask The Interviewers
1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this position?
2. Do you have a formal training program?  If yes, could you describe it?
3. What is a typical career path for an employee entering your organization?
4. Who would I be working with?  Who would I report to?
5. What qualities does a person need to do well in this position?
6. How do you see this industry developing in the future?

Handling Illegal Interview Questions
There are various federal, state, and local laws that regulate questions you can or cannot be asked in an interview situation.  Any question you are asked should be related to the job you are seeking.  Personal questions with a basis on sex, age, race, national origin, disabilities or religion are illegal. 

If asked a question that you feel is illegal during the course of an interview how do you deal with it?  You may still want the job, and you may feel that the interviewer is not really aware that the question is illegal…be polite and straightforward and try to return the conversation to your skills and abilities.  You can ask, "Could you explain the relevance of that question to the position?" 
Get through the interview, and then decide if this is truly the company you want to be affiliated with.

Other Ways to Prepare - Practice Interviews
If you feel you need more preparation to interview comfortably, you can set up a meeting with a career counselor for a mock-interview, where you can practice answering difficult questions, describing your strengths and qualifications, as well as good ettiquete. Call the Career Center at (914) 251-6370 or email us at career.development@purchase.edu to schedule a meeting.

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