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interviews can cause panic. A simple way to reduce that panic is Be Prepared.
Here’s how:
Research
the company first. For each company, find out the following:
- What services
does the company provide? Or, what products does it make?
- How old is the
company? How is it growing?
- Have there been
any recent articles in the newspaper about the company?
- What is its location
and size?
- What are the
career opportunities for this job?
You can find this
information through a variety of resources. These include:
- Friends or family
already working in the field or even for that company.
- Community organizations
- One-Stop Career
Centers
- The Chamber of
Commerce
- The Internet
Practice
interviewing.
- If you go on enough
job interviews, you will find that many of the questions are always
the same. Before the real interview, role play with a friend or family
member. Review the sample questions, and then
write out your answers. Read them aloud. When you feel comfortable,
ask a friend or family member to play the part of the interviewer and
ask you the questions.
- Also, be prepared
to ask questions of your own. Most interviewers will ask if you have
any questions. It’s always good to ask two or three questions,
such as
- Who will supervise
me?
- When will you
be making a decision?
- If you hire
me, what is the first project I will be working on?
- What are the
opportunities for advancement?
Be positive
- Greet the employer
with a handshake. Smile, be polite, and be upbeat.
Arrive
early.
- Plan on arriving
15 minutes early for your interview. You will have time to take a few
deep breaths and to fill out an application if necessary.
- Bring the company
phone number and person’s name with you, along with your cell
phone or enough change for a pay phone. A traffic jam can happen anytime
and bring your plans to a dead stop.
- Go to the interview
alone. Don’t bring children, spouses, friends, or parents.
- When the interview
is over, thank the interviewer for his or her time. Ask for their business
card.
- Shake hands when
you say goodbye.
- Send a thank you
note to the interviewer. This is a golden opportunity to remind him
or her about skills you have that make you the ideal candidate for the
job.
- Neatly hand
write or type the note.
- Keep it short
– no more than one page.
- First paragraph:
thank the interviewer for his or her time. Mention again that
you are interested in the job.
- Second
paragraph: Highlight any skills you have that are needed to
do the job.
- Third paragraph:
Include your address and phone number.
- Sign the
note with both your first and last name.
For more tips, find out what California
Worksmart! has to say
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