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Keys to successful interviews
The basic three steps of a successful interview are:
1. Establish Rapport with the interviewer
2. Gather information from you as well as you gathering information from them
3. Close and wrap up.
It sounds easy but how do you get to that point? Well, having a strong interview will set you apart from all of the other candidates and can help you obtain a new career. However, going on an interview can be a very stressful event. There are things you can do to prepare yourself so that the process can run more smoothly and can help you relax. These steps can help lead you to a successful interview.
1. Research- Find the company’s website and read about them. Find out information about the current open position and think back to your previous experience and how it could relate to this position. Be ready with facts to show your interest in the company and the position.
2. Sell Yourself- Your main goal in an interview is to sell who you are and how you can make a difference. Think about your specific skills and how they could make you successful in the position. Make sure the employer can see who you really are, for example, are you a motivated, energetic personality that will work hard in the position they are interviewing for? Be honest, be sincere and be professional.
3. Role Play- It is so important that before you head out to an interview you practice your responses to hard questions. Practice in front of a mirror to see any habits you may not be aware that you have. Have someone ask you questions to see if you are able to quickly and confidently answer each one. Practice makes perfect!
4. Dress for Success- It is important that you look the part of the professional. Casual clothing in most cases is not appropriate for an interview. Professional attire would include a business pant/or skirt suit. If you are unaware of what the office environment is like, ask. When in doubt dress the part of the position you want to obtain. And remember dressing for success means grooming for success as well. Although trendy, nose rings, large earrings, etc are not always welcome in the work force. So keep yourself and your attire looking the part of the professional. Remember you get one chance to make an excellent first impression.
5. Arrive early- This may seem like an obvious step however if you are late to interview, you will most likely not be asked back to the company. This will also take the stress of rushing out and will allow you to relax and organize your thoughts before the interview. This will allow you to be confident for your interview.
6. Make a strong first impression- Believe it or not a first impression can make or break you. A few simple things to keep in mind are to appear confident, shake your interviewers hand firmly, smile and greet them formally. It is also important to make small talk while walking back to their office; this allows you to quickly build rapport with the interviewer.
7. Have strong answers- In an interview you WILL be asked questions so some quick things to keep in mind: don’t ramble on and on, answer the question with some information and let them move on to the next question. Always make eye contact, it shows your confidence and it also is a sign of honesty. If you need a moment to gather your thoughts let the interviewer know, it’s important that your answers reflect the type of professional that you are. And remember if you role play before you get there you will feel more confident in your answers. Remember to have a story in which you had to overcome adversity, whether it was work related or possibly an injury in the field of play, explain how you were able to solve the problem and bounce back. (See interview questions section for examples)
8. Ask questions- At the end of almost every interview you will be asked if you have any questions you would like to ask, it is important to ask the interviewer questions to also see if this is the right position for you. By not asking any questions it can appear that you are not interested in the position or desperate for a job. (See interview questions section for examples)
9. Don’t be afraid to just be you! Be proud of all the things you have accomplished and any awards and skills you may have obtained. Let your personality shine through so the interviewer can get a sense of who you really are, humor and all.
10. Follow Up- When you arrive home from the interview it is important that you make the final lasting impression. A thank you note/email needs to be sent within 24 hours of your interview. It shows not only your professionalism but it shows your interest in the current open position. It’s important to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
Follow Up Example:
123 Main Street
Anytown, USA 12345
502-555-1111
Mr. Ben Smith
ABC Medical Equipment
25 Anywhere Street
Anytown, USA 13456
Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you for taking the time today to discuss the position at ABC Medical Equipment with me. After meeting with you and learning more about your organization, I am even more convinced that my background and skills would work well for what you are looking for.
I really appreciate that you took so much time out of your day to familiarize me with your company. I can see why your firm is the number one medical sales company in the United States. I feel I could learn many skills from you and would enjoy the opportunity to be able to work with you.
In addition to my qualifications, I am confident that I will bring the proper work ethic and team environment outlook you are looking for in your organization.
I look forward to hearing from you concerning your hiring decision. Again, thank you Mr. Smith for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Remember to have a successful interview, always be prepared, be professional and be yourself. The most important thing to do before going on an interview is to practice, practice, and practice!
Phone Interviews
There are many times that an employer will conduct an interview via phone. There are several reasons why, for example a phone interview can help cut travel expenses for out of town candidates or sometimes a phone interview is used to help narrow down the search of candidates that will actually be offered a face to face interview. Whatever the reason may be you need to be as prepared as you would if you were meeting face to face.
Here are a few hints and tips to make your phone interview run smoothly.
Role Play- Just as with a face to face interview you need to practice. Have someone role play with you over the phone to help you eliminate any filler words that you may say frequently (uh, um, etc.) This will also prepare you for the real call and allow you to be more calm and confident on the real interview.
Take notes- Be sure you keep track of certain things asked of you and how you answered, if you are offered another interview, possibly face to face you may hear some of the same questions. Always have a pen and paper handy!
Resume- Have your resume ready so that you can quickly answer any questions relating to time lines or a brief description, this will eliminate any time wasted trying to remember certain dates. It will also allow you to quickly access any awards or accomplishments you would like to mention.
Prepare your surroundings- Be sure to have a clean desk to sit at, make sure you will be uninterrupted (children or pets), turn off the call waiting on your phone, close your door and make sure all TV’s and stereo’s are turned off. This will keep you focused on the call.
Time- If a recruiter has called you at an unexpected time and you are not in place you can talk or able to avoid interruptions simply ask for another time or suggest a more suitable time.
Typical Do’s and Don’ts
· Do not smoke, eat, or chew gum while on the interview, just because you are not seen does not mean you are not heard.
· Have a glass of water close in case you need to wet your mouth.
· SMILE! Keep a mirror on your desk and remember, what you see is what they hear!
· Do not make it hard for your interviewer to understand you, speak clearly and slowly. And take your time answering questions; it is perfectly fine to take a moment to gather your thoughts.
· Keep your answers brief- be careful not to over talk your answers!
· Remember not to interrupt the interviewer.
· Always remember to thank the interviewer for their time and be sure to send a follow up email/letter.
Follow the other hints and tips for an interview and you will be on your way to the face to face interview!
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