Job Search Tips for the Interviewing Process

Career Advice for Having a Successful Interview

Oct 16, 2009 Carol Rzadkiewicz

Today's job market is extremely competitive, which is why people who are searching for employment need to know how to present themselves at an interview.

Today’s job market is highly competitive, and for every posted vacancy, there are often hundreds of qualified applicants. Moreover, if an applicant is selected for an interview, it’s no guarantee he or she will be offered the job. On the other hand, there are steps jobseekers can take that will greatly increase the odds of their having a successful interview and, subsequently, receiving that offer.

Understand the Purpose of the Interview

According to Kenneth Zimmer, Professor Emeritus of the School of Business and Economics at California State University, and Sue C. Camp, Associate Professor of Business Administration at Gardner-Webb College, the goal of an interview is twofold. On one hand, it’s an opportunity for applicants to sell themselves, but on the other, it’s an opportunity for applicants to learn whether or not the job actually corresponds with their qualifications and career goals.

Research the Prospective Employer

In order to ensure a successful interview, applicants should know something in advance about a potential employer. This information will benefit them in two ways:

Help them decide whether or not they really care to work for the company.
Help them be prepared to respond without hesitation when asked why they want to work for that particular company.

Prepare Interview Questions in Advance

Invariably, applicants are asked if they have any questions, and it’s far better to respond with a few intelligent, well-thought-out questions than to ask pointless questions or have none at all. What types of questions should applicants ask? Here are a few suggestions:

What opportunities for advancement does the company offer?
What benefits does the company provide, for example, health insurance, sick leave, vacation time, retirement plan, stock options, etc?
Does the company provide training programs or reimburse employees for educational expenses?
Are employees expected to travel or to work weekends?
Are pay increases merit-based or automatic?

Anticipate What Questions Will be Asked

Applicants need to anticipate the questions they might be asked so they will be able to provide answers that are intelligent and considered. Normally, interview questions relate to an applicant’s education, experience, training, or personal qualities, and address such topics as these:

Areas of concentration in college
Favorite classes in college and why
Previous work experience, including what was most liked and least liked about a position
Strongest and weakest personal traits and skills
Hobbies, interests, and other leisure activities

Applicants should also be prepared to address the following topics:

Why they want the job.
Why they left their previous position.
Where they see themselves two years from now, five years from now, or ten years from now.

Applicants should also be prepared to respond to this request: “Tell me about yourself.” They should not, however, misinterpret it as a request for them to recount their childhoods, share their idiosyncrasies, or express their political and/or religious viewpoints. It is a request for them to expound upon their experience and/or emphasize their most valuable qualifications and attributes in relation to the position being sought.

Make a Positive Impression

First impressions are important. In fact, they can mean the difference between receiving a job offer and not receiving an offer. According to Zimmer and Camp, in order to create a positive first impression, jobseekers should do the following:

Be on time for the interview.
Dress professionally.
Demonstrate self-assurance by standing straight and walking confidently.
Be relaxed and greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
Do not sit down until invited to do so.
Face the interviewer and speak directly to him or her, establishing eye contact but avoiding locking eyes for prolonged periods of time.
Speak slowly and enunciate words carefully, answering questions with short, precise responses.
When asked for qualifications, be specific.
Be noncommittal about controversial issues. For example, if one’s opinion of a former employer isn’t necessarily favorable, don’t criticize but instead emphasize the valuable experience gained at the company.
If asked why one left one’s former employment, do not complain but instead be objective and specific.

Additional suggestions for interview success, according to Tory Johnson, of GMA Job Club, include these:

Avoid fidgeting. Strive to appear confident and avoid nervous mannerisms such as “averting one’s eyes, shifting in the seat, playing with one’s hair, chewing gum, or clicking a pen.”
Don't provide too much personal information, for example, mortgage woes or childcare challenges. Focus instead on skills and abilities and what one can bring to the position and the organization.
Don't be pessimistic. Instead project an air of optimism.

Once the interview is over, regardless of how well applicants think it went (whether well or not so well), they should send the interviewer a note the following day in which they thank the person for his or her time, but also reiterate their interest in working for the company and perhaps briefly mention their qualifications and what they can offer the company. (They should also make certain the letter is free of errors.)

If jobseekers keep the above guidelines in mind, they are far more likely to have a successful interview, meaning one that results in an offer of employment from a company for which they genuinely wish to work.

References:

Johnson, Tory. "Five Mistakes Job-Seekers Make," 2009, retrieved October 16, 2009 from abcnews.go.com

Zimmer, Kenneth and Camp, Sue. College English and Communication. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1990.

The copyright of the article Job Search Tips for the Interviewing Process in Career Advice is owned by Carol Rzadkiewicz. Permission to republish Job Search Tips for the Interviewing Process in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Job Interview Tips