Job Interview Preparation

© Copyright 2015. Christine Shine, M.A. All rights reserved.

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When invited to an interview be sure to ask the person contacting you for the names and titles of the person/

people conducting the interview. Additionally ask when and where the interview will take place and if they need

you to bring anything with you such as copies of your resume or list of references.

Research the Company

After receiving and accepting the invitation, you will need to begin searching for information about the company

and people conducting the interview. Search the company website and conduct Internet research as well. Impor-

tant information to gather include the mission and vision of the company and department you will be working in,

recent awards, accomplishments, and any new projects, mergers, or contracts directly relating to the company.

You also want to find out who the key players are in the company, who you will be working with, and informa-

tion about the people conducting the interview.

Practice Interviewing Begin structuring your answers to typical interview questions. The best place to start is to go through the job de-

scription and required/preferred candidate qualifications. Every question you are asked must relate to the job and

the company. You will tailor your answers just like you tailor your resume and cover letter for each position.

Check the list of common interview questions included in the guide and write down your answers to the ques-

tions. Then practice saying your responses out loud to yourself.

It is highly recommended to ask a professional career counselor to work with you on structuring your answers

and practicing your responses. Many career centers have what are known as mock interviews. During the mock

interview you will have an opportunity to practice, get feedback from a professional, and usually take home a

DVD of your session. If this is not possible, ask a friend or family member to help you practice for the interview.

Get Organized After you have researched the company and practiced interviewing you need to get prepared for the day of the

interview. At least a day or two before the interview, go through your closet and choose something to wear. If

the position is professional in nature you will always want to wear a suit. This is not the case for all interviews

but it is better to be over dressed then under dressed. Make sure your clothing is freshly pressed or ironed and

your shoes are shined.

Print out directions and note the estimated amount of time it will take to get to the company office. Always pre-

pare yourself for possible traffic delays. Get your portfolio ready with a pen, paper, business cards if you have

them, extra copies of your resume, list of professional references, and a completed generic application. Many

companies will ask you to fill out an application when you arrive and you will need to complete it before you

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Preparing for a Job Interview

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On the Day of the Interview Be prepared to arrive 10-15 minutes early. You want to seem calm and not rushed or stressed out. If you arrive

more than 15 minutes early, drive around the block or sit in your car and practice for the interview. You don’t

want to arrive too early. Always be polite and courteous to all persons in the building and the office. You

never know who you are conversing with. The person at the front desk may be one of the interviewers or even

the head of the company.

Be sure to drive slowly in the parking lot and don’t cut anyone off. A witness to your bad driving may be

someone in the company making the hiring decisions. Be sure to leave your cell phone and any unnecessary

items in your car. I suggest women leave their purses in the trunk and only bring in a portfolio. Car keys and

an ID can easily fit in your professional portfolio.

Meeting the Interviewer When the interviewer meets you in the reception area you are to stand up and greet them with a handshake and

a smile. Always begin with saying “it’s nice to meet you” or “it’s nice to see you again” which ever is appro-

priate. Don’t wait until you reach the interview room to make conversation. You want to establish rapport im-

mediately by making small talk on the way to the room. You can something like, “this is a nice office building,

how long have you been at this address”. If you can’t think of anything, you can always comment on the

weather “The weather has been so nice lately”. No matter what the topic is, you need to say something.

During the Interview If there is anyone already seated in the interview room it is polite to introduce yourself and shake their hands.

Some people may not stand up when you get into the room but it is still important to make this initial contact.

Make plenty of eye contact and smile when answering questions.

Be sincere and honest and take time to think about the question before answering. If you need a question to be

repeated you can always ask and if you don’t understand a question, you can ask for clarification. You want to

come across as energetic, enthusiastic, and generally interested in the company and the position.

After the Interview It is polite to send a thank you card, letter or email to everyone that was involved in the interview. It is entirely

up to you as to which method you choose but remember that this is simply a way to thank the interviewer(s) for

their time and consideration not a way to convince them to hire you. You do want to reiterate your interest in

the position but sending a thank you card is not your ticket to getting hired. Many times it doesn’t make that

much of a difference. Again, it is simply the polite thing to do as the interviewer(s) took time out of their


Preparing for a Job Interview




Common Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself Give a brief history of prior employment, education, and professional involvement that relate to the job you’re ap-

plying for. Point out specific personal qualities that make you a good candidate for the position.

Why should we hire you? This question gives you the opportunity to prove why you are the ideal candidate. Relate your skills and experience

to those that the job requires. Point out any skills or qualities you have that will make you stand out from the other

candidates. Show that you are motivated to perform the job, that you have the desire to do the job well and that you

have a positive attitude about work in general.

Describe your strengths and weaknesses You don’t want to be too reveling about your weaknesses so focus on your greatest strengths and give specific

examples of how these strengths have made you successful in your past employment. When pointing out your

weaknesses illustrate how you are overcoming them or improving in those areas.

How would others or a former supervisor describe you? Be positive about yourself. Talk about your contributions to previous work environments. Describe a situation that

came about, how you solved it, and why this would cause others to view you in a positive light.

Other Common Questions

Why do you want to work for this company?

Why are you interested in this position?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Tell me about a conflict you had at work and how you solved it

What has been your greatest challenge?

What frustrates you the most?

What situations do you find stressful and how do you deal with the stress?

What was your favorite part of your last job? Least favorite?

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

When do you expect to hire someone for this position?

What would a typical day for someone in this position?

Is there anything else I can tell you about my qualifications?

Who would I be working with?

What are the greatest rewards in this position?

