It just so happens that after writing this blog, I discovered that several seminar attendees requested a future seminar to be on interviewing tips. I did some research to find some really good tips to help with the interview process. Here are some of the things I found. I hope you can put them to good use and they can help you stand out from the crowd.
Tip 1: Plan Ahead - Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well as, the people you will meet with at the interview. Look the company up on the Internet. Read about them, learn some of their internal acronyms and use them in the interview. This shows that you truly have taken an interest in the company and what they are all about. Check to see if there is a “Career Opportunities” section of their website. Here you will be able to find all the requirements they want an applicant to have. Then review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready!If you know the name of the person that you will interview with, look to see if they have a LinkedIn profile and read what their peers have said about them. Then mention in the interview that you did this and you really were impressed with what you read. Doing this small thing will really impress them!
Tip 2: Role Play - Once you have finished studying, begin role playing (rehearsing). You can do this with a family member, a friend, or in the mirror. Here are some questions you may be asked. Read through them and prepare your answers based on your past experiences and what you learned about the company from your research. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know. Write down your answers and practice, practice, practice. Remember, you want to keep it relaxed and conversational…not like you memorized your answers. By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them.
Sample Interview Questions:
1. Tell me about yourself. Hint: Try to keep this answer to about 2 minutes.
2. What are your career goals and how would this position fit your career goals?
3. What do you consider to be your strengths?
4. What are your weaknesses?
5. What would your former co-workers say about you?
6. What would your former boss say about your work ethic?
7. Tell me about your most significant professional accomplishment to date.
8. Tell me about a professional failure you have had and how did you handle it?
9. Do you work well under pressure and deadlines?
10. What motivates you?
11. If hired, what do you expect to accomplish in your first year here?
12. Where to you expect to be, in your career, in 5 years? 10 years?
13. What did you like about your last job?
14. What did you not like about your last job?
15. What do you expect from your supervisor?
You may be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. Always take the opportunity to ask some questions. This shows a deeper interest on your part. Here are some sample questions you may want to ask.
1. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see accomplished this job?
2. Why is this position open?
3. How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
4. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
5. What are some of the more difficult problems that one would be faced in this position and
how should they be handled?
6. What type of support is there for this position in terms of people, finances, etc.?
7. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this
position, and within what time frame?
8. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
9. How is one evaluated in this position?
10. What accounts for success within the company?
NOTE: These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.
Tip 3: Eye Contact - Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. This shows respect for your interviewer, shows that you are interested and are confident in yourself. Tip 4: Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers, unless specifically asked what you disliked about your last job/company. This will only give the interviewer the impression that you might be a difficult employee to work with.
Tip 4: Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers, unless specifically asked what you disliked about your last job/company. This will only give the interviewer the impression that you might be a difficult employee to work with.
Tip 5: Adapt - Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation. Watch his body language. Body language can tell you a lot. If the interviewer is leaning slightly forward in his chair, he is being very attentive to what you have to say. If he is leaning slightly back and/or seems distracted by items on his desk, he is not interested in your answers. You will then need to adjust your body language, tone of voice, etc. in an attempt to gain his attention and impress him.
Tip 6: Relate - Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company, particularly when expressing your career goals and professional accomplishments. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.
Make another good impression! At the end of your interview, request a business card from your interviewer. Then follow up the next day with a handwritten Thank You note addressed directly to this person. Thank them for their time and consideration of your qualifications and let them know that you look forward to hearing from them again.
It is our sincere hope, here at Texas LoneStar Staffing, that these few tips will help you better prepare for any upcoming interview you now have, or may have in the future. Good Luck and remember…Prepare and Practice, Practice, Practice!
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