INTERVIEWING: GENERAL INFO

Interviewing is the ultimate trial for securing your job. Many applicants mistakenly believe that résumés will get them jobs, but nothing could be further from the truth. Interviewing is your chance to really showcase and flesh out those skills and abilities you alluded to in your résumé and cover letter. As well, this is the employer’s opportunity to ensure that you are a good fit for their organization and corporate culture. This is where your research about culture, organizational attributes and work type become very important. Like any other activity, interviewing is something you should practice ahead of time. Be sure that your first interview is not before your potential employer. See page 39 for resources for how to prepare for your interview.

INTERVIEW CONDUCT

At some point in the interview process, you will be asked to “tell me about yourself.” Before you start launching into the short autobiographical narrative in which you catalogue the name of your brothers, sisters, household pets and favorite color, be sure to note that this isn’t what they wanted to know. “Tell me about yourself” is your opportunity to showcase to an employer why they should talk to you for the rest of the interview. “Tell me about yourself in relation to this position” — that is the question you should be answering. Many interviews will take place across a day with many different parties involved. Please note that you are always being evaluated. Just because you are presently meeting with current employees in a casual atmosphere does not mean that they are not going to report back on what you said and how you said it. CHECKLIST

INTERVIEWING IS CHALLENGING, BUT HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE GUESSWORK.

□ Do your research! □ Demonstrate during the interview, don’t state. Use facts, examples and meaningful stories to showcase skills, not merely rely on the employer trusting you to have them. □ Take your outfit to the cleaners one week prior to the interview. Furthermore, ensure that your shoes match your belt and you are dressed in a manner becoming a prospective employee, not about to commence a night at an upscale bar. Visit the Campus Career Closet if you need help with your interview outfit. □ Be sure to answer all questions asked. A question has three parts? Your response should as well. □ Bring something to write with and on during the interview for complicated questions. □ Bring copies of your résumé and cover letter, printed on quality paper. □ Do NOT talk about salary and benefits during the interview, unless the employer brings it up first. □ Arrive 15 minutes early, check yourself in a mirror (fly away hair, lipstick on teeth, missed buttons, etc.) and take a deep breath. You will be fine.