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Interviewing Skills

+Top 10 Interviewing Blunders!

Don’t prepare Dress inappropriately Poor communication

skills Cell phone goes off

Talk too much Don’t talk enough Fuzzy facts Give the wrong answer Badmouthing past

employers Forget to follow up

Prepare for the Interview

Research the company Check the website and ask around

Update your paperwork Most recent employment and education Bring several copies to the interview

Anticipate and practice interview questions

Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions

Why do you want to work for our company?

What are your future career plans?

Tell me something about yourself.

Why did you choose this particular field of work?

Describe a past work situation where you encountered a problem and describe how you solved it.

Successful Interviewing Strategies

Dress for Interview Success

Attire is determined for the job for which you’re applying

General Dress Guidelines: Clean and well-pressed clothes Clean-shaven or neatly trimmed hair Conceal piercings and tattoos Subtle fragrances only Clean nails Don’t smoke prior or chew gum during Turn off your cell phone

Participate in Your Interview Be honest and give complete answers

Be positive about yourself

and past experiences

Avoid one or two word responses

Give concrete examples

Paraphrase the question to avoid misunderstanding

Limit responses to 30 seconds

Emphasize what you have to offer the company

Participate in Your Interview Respond positively to questions about weaknesses

Use positive nonverbal communication Sit up and lean forward Make eye contact and smile Avoid crossed arms and legs Use head nods and attentive facial expressions

Ask questions and show interest in the company

Avoid questions about salary, benefits, and vacation

Express thanks and find out when a decision will be made

Follow-Up After Your Interview

Fewer than 10% of applicants send a thank you letter

May be the most important letter you write

Provides another contact with the employer

Sets you apart from those who didn’t send one

Should take place within 24 hours after the interview

Follow-Up Letter Should: State your appreciation Explain what you liked about the position Sound enthusiastic about working for the company