How to Interview for a Job

Interviewing for a job can be a nerve racking experience. Here are some tips to make it a bit easier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Over prepare. Before you walk through the door know who you are interviewing with, what their role with the company is and anything else you can find out about them. Research the company itself. Find out what their main source of income is, where the company is headed, and don't forget to find out any negative factors that have happened to company in the past.

2. Make yourself personable to the person that greets you. You may not know it but the person who greets you when you walk through the door may be the reason why you don't get a job. More often than not they can make a remark such as, "that person was not very friendly". The HR manager takes that into account. My rule of thumb, greet everyone you come in contact with as if they were your best friend. Don't over do it and look phony but be as nice as possible.

3. Each person you meet, greet with a firm but not bone crushing, handshake. A firm handshake says you are confident, very calm and prepared.

4. Maintain focus and eye contact. One of the best things you can do when being interviewed is maintaining eye contact with the person that is interviewing you. Eye contact says that you are focused on what they are saying, meaning that you are listening and that you are very interested.

5. Answer questions directly and in detail. The interview is a chance for the interviewer to fill in the blanks on your resume, test your knowledge and ask questions to make sure you are a good fit for the company. When they ask you a question do not make something up if you do not have the experience and credentials. They will read right through that. On the other hand if you are knowledgeable about what they are talking about then be as thorough as possible. Talk about how what you know and your previous experience (if possible) that relates to the questions.

6. As some point in the interview you are going to be asked what your weaknesses are. The popular answer is to say something like, "I can be at times too detailed oriented." Now that may be true and if it is go with it. However the HR person has heard that line about 50 times before you walked in the door. Instead point out a weakness that you had and how you are working to overcome it. For example if you develop software you could say, "my weakness is transact SQL as I have not been exposed to it very much. However I enrolled in a class at the local community college to learn more." Something like that. Everyone has weaknesses you are no different.

7. During the interview you will be asked why you are leaving your current position or why you left other positions. If you have a history of leaving jobs every couple of years that will send a big red flag up. Be honest as to why you left. The common answer is looking to work for a company with an opportunity for advancement, or more education. Just be honest.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Yesterday's answer of, "in a management position in this company" is no longer a good answer. A better one in today's fast changing world is, "to become knowledgeable about every facet of this company and contribute to new innovations that will this company grow." Being a manager doesn't necessarily mean you will make the company better and that is what companies are looking for today.

9. Interview the HR person. Remember an interview is a two way street. Not only are they interviewing you to see if you are a good fit, but you must interview them to see if they are good for you. Just because they offer you a job doesn't mean you will actually like the company. This is where your preparation in step 1 will come in. Find out where the company is going? Is it expanding or downsizing? Ask the HR person what they like most about the company. What do they like least? If you found a negative about the company in your research, ask the HR person why it occurred and what did the company do to rectify the situation.

10. If they ask you about salary don't be afraid to price yourself what you know your worth is. Notice how I didn't say what you "feel" what you are worth. We all feel we are worth more than what we are paid, but the industry will dictate what our salaries our. Look on salary.com for your profession and experience and you can find what the average salary in your area is for what you do. When they ask you what salary you are looking for you can tell them. If you give them a value that they think is high although your research shows that it is correct, then chances are you don't want to work there in the first place.

11. Now that the interview is over ask for the person's business card. Also get the business card of everyone that you come in contact with at the company. You will need that information when you send in your follow up letters.

12. Send out your follow up letters out the next day so they can receive it within a day or two after the interview. Customize each letter for each person based on any conversation or events that might have happened while you were there.

[mpodlesny]

on 7/8/2008 thanks

[emarrufo]

on 7/7/2008 Great ideas, Thanks really like your ideas.