1. Prepare- You should know more than just the job description before going to the interview.
a. Know the name of the company and where it comes from. This is not of the utmost
importance when interviewing with a big corporation. It does make a difference when
the company is a locally owned or family oriented company. It shows that you care
about the company and its roots.
b. Know the name and position of the person who is interviewing you. It is important to be
able to address the person appropriately. If this person is a doctor, it is very important
that you at least address them as this once. It is also important to know what the
position of the person is so you can ask some more direct questions. Direct Questions
will be covered later.
c. Know the position that you are applying for- If you arrive to an interview and you do not
have a full understanding of the job description it will appear as though you are not
invested or dedicated to the position.
d. Know your strengths and weaknesses- Most employers will ask you some version of this
question. “What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?” The trick to answering this
type of question is to make sure you talk about both. If the interviewer asks about your
weaknesses it is important to show how your weakness could be seen as a strength as
well. For example, “My weakness is that I am very direct. In times where a gentle hand
is needed I struggle. However, when a situation needs to be handled head on I strive.”
2. Dress appropriately- First impressions are a huge influence on the decision of the person
interviewing. The way that you present yourself can tell the employer a lot about you. It can
show you off as a presentable, professional person. If you arrive in something too casual it may
display to the employer that you do not value the company.
3. Arrive on time for your interview- If they indicate to you that they have some preliminary papers
to fill out it may be a good idea to show up a few minutes early. It is better to have the employer
wait for you than keep the employer waiting. This may seem like a small issue, but do not
underestimate what a good impression it can make to be early.
4. Review your resume- The reason this step can be vital to the success of the interview. It can give you chance to update. Sometimes there are things that are outdated or things that may not be exactly clear. Reviewing will give you a chance to get a solid idea of what you would like to
highlight during the interview. It can also help you to figure out the best way to describe your
experiences that are valuable to the position you are applying for.
5. Have a good attitude- A lot can show from your attitude; from body language and bad habits to
appearing confident and friendly. When you enter the company be sure to look happy and
relaxed. You want to be confident and strong. The interviewer will be able to sense this. The
same goes for your body language. Try to avoid doing things like biting your nails or moving too
much. Also try to avoid saying negative things about your previous employers. You do not want
to give the impression that you are not loyal. The company you are applying for will want to
know that you will be loyal to them as well.
6. Listen as much as you speak- You should leave the interview with as much information as the
company has. They are asking you questions but also giving you indirect answers. It is important
to try to be able to read between the lines in terms of meaning.
7. Ask Questions- A good thing to show employers that you are invested and interested in the
position. Ask questions about the company. It is better to ask ‘open-ended’ questions. People
typically respond well to questions that are either about them or about something that they do.
A few good questions to ask employers while you are in the interview are these:
a. What type of environment does this company uphold?
b. What projects can I contribute to right away?
c. How can I fulfill the duties of the position that the last person doing it was?
d. What would you like to see this position become?/ What can I do in addition to the duties that the last person was doing to make this job better for the company?
8. Follow-up- Call or email the company to ask if they have made any progress on their decision or if they want to schedule a second interview. It is customary to wait anywhere from 3 days to a
week. Calling too soon will make you seem desperate. Calling too late and you may have lost
your chance.