Interview Tips

Before the Interview
During the Interview
After the Interview
More on Getting Ready the the Interview
Questions to ask

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Get all of your paperwork in order.
Sample application blank
Copies of your resume
List of questions that you want to ask
Portfolio (i.e.; favorable records from school, etc.)

Know what the company does.
Know how to get to the interview.
Know with whom you will be interviewing.
Know what you are going to wear. Be clean, neat, and conservative.
Get a good night's sleep.
Plan what you are going to say and ask (See "More on Getting Ready for the Interview").

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Go alone.
Don't take friends or relatives.

Be early.
Allow an extra 10-15 minutes.

Greet the receptionist or secretary with respect. A good greeting should go like this
Greeting "Hello"
Your name "My name is Clayton Smith"
Why you are there "I have an interview"
Time of your appointment "at 9:00"
With whom you will be interviewing (if you don't know - ASK NOW!) "with Mrs. Wade."

Greet the interviewer with the same type of greeting AND
Shake her hand.
Greeting "Hello"
Her name "Mrs. Wade."
Your name "I am Clayton Smith."
Why you are there "I am applying for the Child Care Aide position."
Look at the interviewer when you talk to her.

Don't sit down until asked.

Be polite. Don't interrupt.
Say "Please" and "Thank you"

Present the employer with your resume and/or portfolio, if they haven't asked for it already.
Don't walk out with it!

Don't smoke or chew gum.

Be as relaxed as possible.
Don't tap your fingers or jiggle your foot.

Be honest when asked questions (See "More on Getting Ready for the Interview" for commonly asked questions).
Don't dodge troublesome questions.
Answer them as positively as possible.

Keep an attentive, relaxed posture.
Don't slouch in your chair.
Don't sit like a statue either.

Keep good eye contact with your interviewer
Wandering eyes show that you are not interested in what is being said.

Ask questions (See "More on Getting Ready" for suggested questions).
An interview is a two-way street
You need to know about the job too

Don't ask about money until near the end.
If you ask about money first, you will sound greedy.
A good way to ask is "What is your salary schedule for beginning employees?"

Sense when the interview is over.
Don't try to drag the interview on.

Throw the "HOOK."
Try to "HOOK" the interviewer into committing to call you and let you know if you got the job.
If they won't say when they will get back to you with an answer, then ask when you can call them back.
This shows responsibility and good planning on your part.

Sign off should be just as good as your greeting.
Thank the employer "Thank you for talking to me."
Repeat her name "Mrs. Wade"
Tell her you want the job "I would really like to work for Sunshine's Day Care Center."
Tell her you are anxious to hear from her "I hope to hear from you soon."
Shake her hand.
Keep good eye contact.
Say "Good-bye."

Say "Good-bye" and thank the secretary as you walk out.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Send a thank you letter to the interviewer for taking the time to talk with you.
If you made any commitments (to provide additional information, to make a follow-up call), be sure to keep them.

MORE ON GETTING READY FOR THE INTERVIEW

Common Questions: Most interviews contain some common questions, and you should be ready to answer them. Why prepare? If you don't, you could appear unorganized, not knowing what you want to do or where you want to go in life; you will lose eye contact with the interviewer, because most people look down or away when they have to think; you will appear generally unimpressive to the employer.

Practice your answers to these questions:

"Tell me a little about yourself."
Any education from high school on.
Training programs.
Work experience.
Career goals.
Your career goals should be related to the job you are applying for.

"What do you want to be doing in five years?"

"What jobs have you had?" "Why did you leave?"
Reasons for leaving should be tactful.
Do not bring in personal conflicts with past employers or fellow workers.

"What salary do you expect?"
Be general; don't pin yourself down yet.
Let them tell you what they are going to offer.

"What is your main strength?"
It could be a strong competence in a technical area.
It could be a strong work attitude.
It could be both.
Don't brag! Be prepared to back up anything you say with examples or facts.

"What is your major weakness?"
Everybody has some weak area think of yours.
Be honest.

"What can you offer the company?"
What they are saying is, "Why should I hire you?"
List your work experiences and technical skills that relate to this job.
Tell them your best work attitudes, such as willingness to learn, dependable, hard worker, etc. Be honest.

"What was your least favorite subject in school?"
Your least favorite subject usually results in your poorest grades.
Be honest and tell the interviewer why this was your least favorite subject.

"What do you do in your spare time?"
Saying "not much" or "nothing" may be an easy answer, but it also shows that you could be lazy.
Pick something that shows that you are able to use your spare time in a constructive manner.

Questions to ask employers or interviewer: Employers expect you to ask questions; this shows you are interested in the job. Be ready to ask at least two good questions about the job or the company, but be sure they are not easily answered.

Preface questions with a statement showing that you did research on the business or company. Ask "telling" questions. Example: "I noticed in your brochure that. Does this mean.?" Stay with the subject at hand.

Some suggested questions (when appropriate):

Could you please tell me a little more about the duties and responsibilities of this job?
Is there a training period? How long?
Is there a probationary period? Are there opportunities for advancement?
Where does this job lead?
What would be my working hours? Would they change?
What additional training is necessary?
How often will I be evaluated? By whom?
Are there opportunities for overtime?
Does the job provide any benefits?
Be careful about questions asking information about pay.

If you have any questions about the interview process, contact your counselor, school coordinator, or talk to your parents for advice