So, I'm at that point in my college career where I need to start applying for jobs. and have. And.....have been asked to do an interview. -squeee- Now, TKO can vouch my Career Services Department is only so so, so I'm asking for y'alls help. What are the major do's and don'ts of interviewing? I've interviewed for like fast food jobs before, but this is completely different, and I want to make sure I'm not making some n00b mistake everyone except me knows not to make. Please and thank you.
It has been a long time since I interviewed for anything. But there are plenty of FAQs around the web, you might even check with the career planning office at your university. I know that the career planning and placement office at my school had tons of useful information on interviews, resumes, negotiating salaries, etc. You might even pick up a book at the library or your local bookstore to really get a thorough understanding of the topic. And it does also depend on what sort of job you are working for. Very basic rules: Do not be dishonest, they'll find out eventually Be confident! Remember they are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them Ask questions, do some research on the position, maybe even bring a notepad and takes notes to show that you are serious Be timely, dress your best, turn off your cellphone! Be prepared to elaborate on stuff you mention in your resume or application Emphasize the positives, don't dwell much on the negatives. If there is a blemish on your record of some sort, talk about what you learned from that experience, turn it into a positive experience Talk about what YOU can offer that makes you stand apart from other applicants, don't just rattle off the same stuff that everyone else is gonna mention Just some basic stuff, there is a lot more out there.
Well, I have always been pretty good at interviews. For me the key is a combination of confidence and knowledge. You have to go in there clued up and make them think that you are no dummy and you have something to give them. Research the position, find out what they do and be sure that you are able to ask the right questions and answer those they are going to put to you. The key thing to think about is what do they want to hear? They are not going to fill the role with any old joe. So find out key things, like are there budgetry/financial elements to the job? What organisational skills you will need (surely relevant to an audit office)? Will you need to work as part of a team? Will there be cause to work outside normal hours? Find out as much of this as possible and have an idea about it. If you are comfortable knowing what the job entials and than can give answers accordingly, chances are you will have more confidence before and during the interview.
Think of types of questions they might ask. Cover all the bases in your answers. Have specific examples to cite that relate to each question, if possible. If you have no relevant examples for a given question/scenario, say as much, but then explain what you perceive to be the proper course of action. Don't be afraid to state preferences if they ask what parts of a given job would appeal most to you, but also don't go overboard. Consider your weaknesses honestly beforehand. Acknowledge them if asked, and have an idea on how they can be diminished.
Be prepared to talk not just about yourself and your qualifications, but about the job and the employer. Have a few reasonably intelligent questions in mind about the employer's goals and how things work so that you can have a conversation, and not just answer questions. (Also so that if they ask "Is there anything you'd like to ask us?" you come across as engaged and interested.) I don't know anything about audit positions, but when I was interviewing candidates for news reporter positions, it always impressed me when I could see, for example, that a candidate had written down the mayor's name and some basic statistics about the town on the top sheet of his or her notebook. Bring a professional-looking folder or carrying case with several extra copies of your resume and any other supplemental material. This covers you in case the interviewer has lost your resume or brings other people in on the interview. (Also, it never impresses me when a candidate brings extra materials to an interview but I end up having to go photocopy them because they didn't come prepared.) You probably knew this already, but dress conservatively. Hopefully you have a rough idea of how people who work there dress; you'll want to be a notch or two above that. If you don't already have one, you should get an "interview suit" with a nice jacket and either nice slacks or a below-the-knee skirt. Wear it at least once before you go on an interview so you don't accidentally leave a tag on.
This has nothing to do with your question, but are you male or female? Just curious. I can't tell from your username, and I'm not really familiar with your posts here.
There's a lot of info about what to do. Here's something to avoid doing if possible: don't jump up on the desk and scream "is this a witch-hunt? What do you people want from me?" Don't ask me how I know this...just trust me.
tafkats, I do already have a suit. I actually was wearing at the career fair I met the interviewer at for the first time. Robotech, I am a female.
What Robotech said. Also, whether they ask it or not (they usually ask), the real question "why are you the best person for the job?" I could never answer this question until my present job. and the answer is, for me in this job, is that I'm the only one who knows this job and what information is needed. That may or may not be a true statement, but because I'm so damned anal retentive and have taken this job so personally, that's the way I feel. So, for you, you need to find a way to express to the interviewer that ... you are the candidate for the job because .... "this is right up your career path and you will do everything to learn the job and integrate your personal values to ensuring the job is done correct" or .... whatever other reason why you are the best person for the job.
When they ask you what your weaknesses are...and they probably will...don't answer with something like, "I'm a workaholic" or "I smile too much". They see right through that.
Well, I am a workaholic, but my real weaknesses are I crack under too pressure (though my work still gets done on time and well) and I don't tolerate imcompetence/stupidity. I say that in a positive way how?
When I was first job hunting right out of college interviewers were always asking uncreative questions about "what three famous people would you like to have lunch with" or "what three words would your friends use to describe you" or other silly little questions they probably found in some "interviewing for dummies" book. I don't know what the purpose of those is - to make talk with someone with no experience to talk about? To do a poor job gaging your creativity? To see if you have the gift of gab? I don't know; I'm not good at those kinds of things. I'd rather be talking about the actual job and company than talking about what type of soup I'd be. Maybe an HR person would not be so impressed with an uncooperative prospect - but maybe if you're being interviewed by an actual employee it wouldn't be so bad to be a bit blunt. So I'd suggest finding a list of those kinds of questions and thinking up something to say so you don't end up staring for four minutes at a bored HR person while tying to think of something that will make you look good.
When I interviewed @ buffalo wild wings way back when, they asked me if I was an animal, what animal would I be and also if I was a color, what color would I be. I generally think about the job and come up with a weakness that wouldn't have an effect on the position I'm applying for. For instance, if you are going to be working by yourself, I think it's completely acceptable to say that you are very confident in your own abilities but that you get frustrated when trying to train people who don't pick things up quickly. If you are going for a very detailed job like auditing, I think that admitting you are a bit of a control freak could work in your favor. Rather than saying you crack under pressure, try to word it like "I can get flustered if I don't have control over my own workspace because I need to keep things physically organized in order to stay mentally organized."
Also, really think about answers to some common questions so that you're not saying ummm....ummm...during the interview. Have it already rehearsed, and when they ask you, pause for a few seconds so it looks like you're thinking about it and not reciting it but you also look like you think quick on yer feet. Common interview questions: Give me an example of when you went above and beyond what was asked of you. Give an example of a time when you had a disagreement with a coworker and how did you resolve it? etc....I'm sure you can find more online. Also, what Robo said - Be positive and confident. Smile!
Firm handshake. Do not cross your arms,leave yourself open to the interviewer not closed off. And then what the others said.
