Interviewing Tips

Interviewing Tips By: Myla Crenshaw & Clinton McCarver

Before Interviewing… Research the company you are applying for. Search the internet for recent press releases regarding the company. Check out the company’s website. Know what they do and develop an idea about how the position you are hiring for fits within the company.

Insert picture Magazine computer

Before Interviewing… Look at the job posting and your research about the company and think of 3-5 questions you can ask during the interview. Some sample questions are… 1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this position? 2. How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom? How often? 3. What qualifications are you looking for in the person who fills this job?

Before Interviewing… Lastly, prepare answers to these frequently asked questions and demands: -Tell me about yourself. -Why did you leave your last position? -Why are you looking for a new job? -Why should I hire you? -What can you do for us that someone else can't?

Before Interviewing… You should finish an employment application before going to a job interview if you haven’t already turned one in. An employment application asks basic questions such as name, birth date, social security number, honors, awards and past job experience.

Before Interviewing… Complete a resume and cover letter before going to the interview. A resume usually contains the applicant’s educational background and job experience, and a cover letter allows one to elaborate on the positive points in your resume and a demonstration of your writing skills. Templates can be found on Microsoft Office Word 2007.

Cover Letter
When applying for a job a cover letter should be sent or posted with your resume. Your cover letter is your first (and best) chance to make a good impression!

Your cover letter should be specific to the position you are applying for. An effective cover letter should explain the reasons for your interest in the organization and in the job you are applying for. Relate your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting

Completing a resume… A resume is a document that outlines your skills and experiences so an employer can see how you can contribute to the employer's company. The Main parts of a resume are…

Completing a resume… Contact Information Your name, phone number(s) and email address should be prominently positioned at the top of the page. Aim for the right-hand corner, so it's easily found.

Completing a resume… Objective This is your job search mission statement. It identifies to the prospective employer, in concise terms, the exact position you seek. It should include a broad definition of the job title and a mention of the skills that would be utilized in this position. You can and should tailor this to each employer you contact.

Completing a resume… Education/Training/Certifications/LicensesThe schools you attended. The degrees earned. Your graduation date. Your GPA if a 3.0 or higher.Related certifications and professional licenses.

Completing a resume… Experience/Employment HistoryTraditionally done in reverse chronological order, your history should be more than a list of job titles and descriptions. It should include quantifiable results like numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact you had on an organization.

Completing a resume… SkillsThis is where you can list any special, job-related skills you have. You can tailor this list to fit the needs of the position for which you're applying, or simply change the order of the list to present your most valuable skills first.

Completing a resume… AwardsWhen others recognize your efforts, it says a lot about you and your work. Awards can be both personal and professional, and should be listed in reverse chronological order.

Completing a resume… AffiliationsBeing a member of a professional association speaks volumes about your interest in your field, and can be an instant conversation starter. The same goes for affiliations with non-profit organizations. If you're a volunteer PR rep for a local food pantry, or a member of the Ad Association of Greater Milwaukee, chances are your interviewer is, too.

Preparing for an interview… 1. Try on all clothing items (shirts, shoes, pants) before going to your interview. Make sure to be simple. 2. Adjust your attitude 3. Learn all you can about the company and position.

LIKE THIS NOT THIS!!

Preparing for an interview… 4. Practice what you’re going to say in response to the obvious questions that are going to be asked with a friend 5. Be sure to bring along at least 2-3 copies of your resume and cover letter (don’t forget identification.. Birth certificate, social security card, etc.)

Things to avoid when interviewing… Talking too much Showing up late or too early Treating the receptionist rudely Asking about vacation time Verbal ticks ("umm," "like," "you know“) Not enough/too much eye contact Discussing salary Acting too familiar with your interviewers

Things to avoid when interviewing… Fidgeting, biting your nails, drumming your fingers or showing nervousness Chewing gum Poor Hygiene Talking on your cell phone or read text messages Using foul language Talking poorly of others Interrupting the interviewer Being ill prepared Not asking questions - and asking too many

Picture of a person interviewing

Follow up letter
You send follow up letters within 24 hours of an interview. This is your last impression and can often be the determining factor.

SOURCES http://www.us.manpower.com/uscom/contentSingle.jsp?articleid=25 http://www.businessschooledge.com/35-things-to-avoid-at-your-job-interview http://www.career.vt.edu/Jobsearc/interview/AskQues.htm http://www.dartmouthbiz.com/images/fortune_cover.jpg http://www.datsi.fi.upm.es/~frosal/docs/25mdq.html http://detr.state.nv.us/images/computer%20guy%20ui.jpg http://www.esquiregroup.com/jobs_career_35.cfm http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Things-You-Must-Do-Before-a-Job-Interview&id=143470 http://hr.dop.wa.gov/jobtips/prepare.interview.htm http://images.forbes.com/media/magazines/forbes/2008/0519/forbes_0519_p082_f1.gif http://www.networkworld.com/includes/ads-pre2.html http://www.pohly.com/interview-2.html

Interviewing Tips