Interview Tips

Look your best! All clothes clean and pressed. Keep jewelry simple and small. Perfume or cologne very light. Lipstick and polish should be quiet.

To properly prepare for your interview, make sure you visit the company’s website to learn as much as possible about its history, products/services, and business philosophy. In addition, make sure you take all factual information you may need to complete your application. Previous work records are usually requested so make sure you have correct dates and correctly spelled names handy. Have your driver’s license and social security card available in case the application requires those numbers.

Arrive to your interview a few minutes early so you can get your wits about you before meeting your interviewer. (make sure you are polite to the receptionist. Your interview actually begins in the lobby!)

Give a firm handshake, sit when invited to do so and don’t fidget. Maintain good eye contact and sit up straight.

Have answers to often asked interview questions well rehearsed. Examples of some you can expect are:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What motivates you?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Tell me something you did at your last job that saved your company money.
• Tell me the kind of management style that works best for you.
• Why should I hire you for this job?
• Why do you think you would like to work for our company?
• What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
• Define cooperation.

When asked if you have any questions, have a few ready. Some good questions to ask are:

• Tell me how you got started in this business.
• What is it that you like about this company?
• What makes your company stand out among the competition?
• When will you be making your final hiring decision?

Thank your interviewer for their time and that you look forward to hearing from him/her.

Say good bye and thank you to the receptionist as you leave.

Write a thank you note mentioning one thing you particularly liked or learned from the interview. This is important in that shows your interviewer that you have business manners.

If you were asked to follow up on a certain day, make sure you do so. Interviewers will often do this to test your reliability and follow through.