Congratulations! You have finally made it to the most exciting and stressful part of your college career, the job interview. The interview is the last step in the hiring process and the most important. It offers you and the employer the chance to meet, share information and come to conclusions about the opportunity to work together. It also gives the employer the opportunity to evaluate your "total package", including areas such as attitude, appearance, personality, confidence, knowledge about yourself, and knowledge about the company, as well as your basic ability to do the job.
For many college students, the mere thought of this process makes them weak in the knees. This "handbook" gives you hints and answers questions you may have about how to survive and achieve success in a job interview. Take the time to browse through the information so you can sit back, relax and put your mind to rest about your next big interview. Good Luck!
Jessica Dykstra
B.S. 2000, Agricultural Communication
Purdue University
Before the interview
The time before you actually do an interview is crucial to your performance during the interview. Before the interview, consider what you want to communicate and how you are going to communicate it. Areas I recommend you focus on include your personal qualities, skills, and special knowledge and interests that relate to the particular organization with which you are interviewing. Four main areas you should concentrate on before entering the interview itself are: research, getting to know yourself, preparing yourself, and practicing.
Research the employer
Thoroughly research the company with which you are interviewing. Going into an interview knowing important details will impress the interviewer(s), as well as give you more time to focus on your qualifications and discuss the specifics of the position.
Some of the information you will want to know includes:
- Size of organization
- Location of facilities
- Structure of organization
- Types of clients
- Product line or service
- Potential markets, products, services
- Price of products or services
- Present price of stock
- Who the competition is
- Name of recruiter
- Training guidelines
- Relocation policies
- Length of time in job assignment areas
- Recent items in the news
- Other contacts you have in the organization
It is also important to talk to people who are already in the field, and to read through company literature, trade journals, business magazines, or directories. Look for information on issues, trends or problems in the field. Finally, when you feel your research is complete, prepare a list of questions for the interviewer.
Know yourself
Although it may sound silly, it is essential that you really get to know yourself before you go into an interview. It will be awfully difficult to present yourself to another person if you don't know whom you really are and what you have to offer. Before the interview:- Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Know what you do and do not want to say during the interview.
- Evaluate your problem areas. Be ready to offer a strong argument for these if necessary. Do not volunteer negative information about yourself!
Prepare yourself
Once the hard work is done, it is time to prepare for the interview. This is a matter of paying attention to detail and should include the following.- Know the name, role and responsibility of each individual with whom you are to meet.
- Know how to get to the interview location, and be prepared to arrive early and stay late.
- Dress professionally. Project an image of confidence and success.
- Bring copies of your résumé, a list of references, transcripts, and portfolio, along with the list of questions you want to ask and pen and paper for notes.
Practice, practice, practice!
As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. This holds true in interviewing. Before an interview, practice. Do mock interviews with friends or relatives. Have them critique you and give you feedback on what you could do to improve. Although this may seem weird at first, it will make the actual interview process a little less awkward.
During the interview
The time has come, and you are sitting in the room with the interviewer. What do you do? Where do you start? Go back to the time before the interview when you determined how you want to communicate what you have to offer. During the interview, you must get these points across. How you communicate your personal attributes and background information is shown by your attitude, nonverbal behaviors and verbal responses. Your first goal during the interview is to build rapport with the interviewer. Building rapport involves your attitude as well as your verbal and nonverbal responses. In order to build a strong rapport with the interviewer, remember the following points.- Keep an open mind and attitude to the interviewer's style.
- Think positively.
- Pay special attention to your nonverbal behaviors, including your dress and posture, eye contact, handshake, voice level, and gestures. (Don't watch the clock!)
- Remember that your verbal behaviors, such as courteous observations, initiating discussion, or disclosing personal qualities, also help to build rapport.
- After you begin to build rapport, the questions will begin. It is very important not to lose control of yourself at this point in the interview. When a question is asked, take a deep breath and begin to develop a strong answer in your mind. Do not be afraid to take some time and think about your answer. A strong answer should be concise yet original, or "uncanned". The components of a strong answer should:
- Back up your statements with a specific example.
- Share your challenges, accomplishments, and roles in past experiences.
- Share outcomes or solutions.
- Summarize to emphasize your strengths to the interviewer.
By using these components and providing a strong answer every time, you will be making a significant contribution to the overall success of the interview. If your mind goes blank and you cannot think of an appropriate answer to a question, do not be afraid to ask the interviewer if you can come back to that question later. Once the interviewer has completed his/her questions, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. Be ready to ask questions from the list you created before the interview. Once the interview has begun to come to a close, find out when the next contact will be made. You can do this tactfully by asking questions such as "When can I expect to hear from you?" or "What is the next step?"
Closing the interview
This area often makes interviewees uncomfortable. Closing the interview professionally and tactfully can be less awkward if you take the following into consideration.- If you are interested in the position, let the interviewer know. Say something like, "I'm very impressed with what I've seen here today, and I am confident I could do a great job in the position we've discussed". The employer will love to see your enthusiasm about what he has to offer you.
- If you get the impression that things didn't go well and you sense rejection, don't let your discouragement show. Stay confident.
- Most important, thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.
After the interview
Whew! You have finished the interview, and now you can just forget about it. Right? Wrong! What you go through after the interview is just as important as what you went through in preparation for it. In fact, the time after the interview is when a lot of self-evaluation and learning takes place. After you complete an interview, go home and consider the following suggestions.- Write down areas that you would like to improve upon for next time.
- Send a thank-you letter to the interviewer. Use it to stress your qualities that fit the position.
- Don't get too discouraged if contact is not made immediately.
- If the company does not contact you within the time they promised, call them and restate your interest.
- Do not accept a job offer on the spot. State your appreciation for the offer, and request an amount of time to think about it.
- Evaluate all aspects of the job before accepting it, rather than afterward, when it is too late to turn back.
- If you do not get the job, ask the interviewer for some constructive criticism or recommendations for future interviews.
Some "do's" and "don'ts" of interviewing- Do plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early.
- Do greet the interviewer by last name if you are sure of the pronunciation.
- Do smile, shake hands firmly, and be glad to meet the interviewer.
- Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.
- Do look your prospective employer in the eye while speaking.
- Do stress your accomplishments and positive attributes in a sincere manner.
- Do conduct yourself at all times as if you are determined to get the position.
- Do show enthusiasm for the job and the company.
- Don't forget to bring a copy of your résumé.
- Don't chew gum or smoke.
- Don't answer questions with just "yes" or "no". Explain in detail when you can.
- Don't over-answer questions.
- Don't inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement or other similar areas on the initial interview unless you are sure that the employer is interested in hiring you.
Types of interviews
When most of us think of interviews, we think of the standard face-to-face interview with the interviewer on one side of the desk and us on the other. However, there are several different types of interviews. In this section, you will find information on the more common types of interview formats.
Screening interviews
These are the interviews with which most of us are familiar. They are typically done at the company's personnel offices or, sometimes in the case of students, at the university. Screening interviews have the following characteristics.- They are done by a trained interviewer.
- Their purpose is to weed out candidates and make the hiring process easier for the company.
- These interviews are usually brief, lasting around a half an hour.
- They are based primarily on facts.
On-site interviews
These interviews are conducted at the company or place of prospective employment. These are much different than screening interviews. This type of interview has the following characteristics.- They often involve a whole day or longer.
- These interviews offer you an opportunity to see the physical plant.
- They will provide you with the opportunity to meet different people within the organization who will have input into the hiring decision.
One-on-one interviews
These interviews are a bit uncommon for new graduates. They are usually with the person who will be making the hiring decision, which is often the supervisor. Approximately 50% of supervisors who conduct interviews have no professional training in the interviewing process.
Panel interviews
These interviews are a great source of stress for individuals who are used to the more common interview techniques like those previously mentioned. Although a bit stressful, this type of interview has its positive points. A panel interview can best be described as follows.- They are less subjective, and the applicant has a better chance of overcoming any individual biases.
- The interviewee can get a better idea of how the staff works together.
- If the interviewee is not expecting this type of format, it can be huge source of anxiety.
- The questions can be more rapidly paced because some panel members can be constantly forming questions as you are answering those of other panel members.
- This type of interview makes it more difficult to establish rapport. Although this can be a difficult situation, you must remember to use your verbal and nonverbal skills in the same manner as you normally would.
- Maintain eye contact with and involve the whole panel. Relax, be professional, smile, and have fun!
The world of interview questions
Interviewing is not a science or an art form we can perfect. Instead, it is a game, and the final outcome is in your hands. The way you take charge of the game is determined by how you deal with the questions asked. This section will deal strictly with questions you may face during an interview and will give you tips on how to handle them.
Five types of interview questions
The credential question is one type of question you may face during your next job interview. The purpose of this question is to find ways to objectively measure features in your background. Examples of these questions include:- What was your GPA?
- How long were you at your last job?
The experience question is asked as a way to subjectively look at features of your background. This could include questions like:- What did you learn in that class?
- What were your responsibilities in that club position?
Opinion questions are asked to give the employers a way to analyze how you would respond in a series of scenarios. Often, these questions result in the interviewee giving a memorized or "canned" answer. The following questions are good examples of opinion questions. - What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What would you do in this situation?
Perhaps one of the most frustrating questions is the dumb question. Such questions are often silly or strange and are used to judge your ability to think on your feet. Some of these questions include:- What kind of animal would you like to be?
- Why are manhole covers round?
The fifth and final type of interview question is known as the behavioral question. Its purpose is to anticipate how you will respond to situations in the future based upon your past behaviors. These questions could sound like the following.- Can you give me a specific example of how you did that?
- What were the steps you followed to accomplish that task?
Standard entry-level questions
There are countless questions out there that employers may ask you in an interview. That is why many of us find ourselves caught off guard when questions are asked. Not letting them catch you off guard is a key factor in your overall interview success. Take a look at the questions that follow and rehearse your answers to them in your mind or even out loud, a few days before the interview.- Tell me about yourself.
- What do you want to do with your life?
- How would you describe your ideal job?
- How do you evaluate success?
- What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
- Are you a team player?
- What motivates you?
- Why should I hire you?
- What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
- Do you handle conflict well?
- What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
- What are your greatest strength and weakness?
- If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you, what would he or she say?
- Why do you want to work in this industry?
- What do you know about our company?
- Is money important to you?
- If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
- Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
- What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
- What qualities do you admire most in others?
- What are your plans for continuing your education?
- What have you learned from your past jobs or experiences?
- What do you think would be your greatest contribution to our organization?
Ten tough interview questions & how to answer them
Tough questions are those kinds of questions that make you sick to your stomach when it comes time to develop your answer. We all have had these moments before. Fear sets in, and the interview is over. Following is my "top ten" list of the toughest interview questions and strategies on how to best answer them. Here's a hint: Answer the questions with specific examples that will provide clear evidence to help back up what you are saying about yourself.- Tell me about yourself.
Take the time to gather your thoughts on your background. Think about what you have done to prepare yourself for your career, and use that for your answer base. - Why should I hire you?
Stress to the employer that you are the best person for the job. Provide details and examples that will show what additional qualities or attributes you would bring to the job in comparison to other applicants. - What is your long-range objective? Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years?
Talk about the direction you'd like your career to take. How is this going to benefit the company with which you are interviewing? - How has your education prepared you for your career?
Discuss the classes you have taken and what you done beyond that to enhance your learning in your career area. Talk in great detail about any special projects or courses you participated in that you think will be of particular interest. - Are you a team player?
If yes, cite examples of how you have worked on teams. Use examples both inside and outside of the academic world. - Have you ever had conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Again, provide examples of situations you were in and how you dealt with them. State how you believe the conflict developed. Then, explain how you resolved it. If you think, in retrospect, there may have been a better way to deal with the conflict, explain that as well. - What is your greatest weakness?
Think of a "positive" weakness and work with it. Again, state what the weakness is and what you have done to correct it. Use an example if possible. - If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?
Before you go into an interview, ask professors to prepare letters of recommendation. Take a look at what they had to say, and paraphrase it in the interview. Bring those letters along, and show the employer. They will be impressed. - What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
Think of a person you have worked with that you admire for his or her leadership qualities. Talk about those qualities, again using a personal example. - If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
Talk about the future and what you do daily to make improvements in your life. Companies will admire the fact that you realize the past is over and you can only change what lies ahead.
Illegal interview questions & how to handle them
Believe it or not, the issue of legality can come about while during an interview. Although laws differ from state to state, there are some definite sensitive areas that employers should not ask questions about. The following examples would be defined as illegal:- Any questions related to birthplace, nationality, ancestry, or descent of yourself, your spouse or your parents.
Example: "Mendez"-Is that a Spanish name?" - Any questions related to your sex or marital status.
Example: "Is that your maiden name?" - Questions related to your religion or religious days you may observe.
Example: "Does your religion prevent you from working weekends or holidays?" - Any questions related to physical disabilities or handicaps.
Example: "Do you have any use of your right arm at all?" - Any questions related to health or medical history
Example: "Do you have any pre-existing health conditions?" - Questions related to pregnancy, birth control and child care.
Example: "Are you planning on having children?" - Questions related to race or color.
Example: "Are you considered a minority?"
Illegal questions can be difficult to handle, but the answers are strictly up to you. The best thing to do is to follow one of the following courses of action.- Answer the question briefly, and move on to a new topic area.
- Ignore the question completely, and make an attempt to redirect the discussion toward a new topic area.
- If you feel the question was offensive and discriminatory, you have the right to stop the interview and walk out.
Questions you can ask employers
Now you can turn the tables and ask everything you want to know about the job and/or company. Take this opportunity to find out the information your research did not provide. A little hint before you start firing away: Avoid asking questions that begin with "is", "are", and "do". These lead to yes/no answers. Instead, begin your questions with who, what, when, where, why, how, and similar words. Following are some examples of questions you may want to ask your prospective employer.- How would you describe the duties and responsibilities of the position?
- How would you describe your typical day?
- How much evening or weekend work is expected?
- What are the possibilities for advancement beyond this level?
- What are the things you like the most/least about working here?
- What else can I tell you about my qualifications?
- When can I expect to hear from you?
- How much travel is normally expected?
- What would I be expected to accomplish in this position?
- What are the greatest challenges in this position?
- How do you think I fit the position?
Ten critical success factors every employer looks for
If you are like most folks, you spend more time trying to figure out what the interviewers really want to hear than you do developing answers to their questions. Well, stop doing that! Below you will find a list of ten success factors that almost every employer looks for.- A positive attitude toward work
- Proficiency in the field of study
- Communication skills (oral and written)
- Interpersonal skills
- Confidence
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Flexibility
- Self-motivation
- Leadership
- Teamwork
When you go into an interview, keep these factors in mind. Show your abilities in as many of these areas as you possibly can, and you will be sure to shine!
What is it really like?
The best advice always comes from those who have recent experience. I spoke to a few recent college graduates and asked them to share the most important things about interviewing that they learned as they went through the process. Take a moment to read what they shared about their experiences in the world of interviewing.
"Dress conservatively, and don't wear tons of makeup or style your hair wild. Make sure you leave the interview with all of the information you need about the company and the position. Have at least two general questions about the company you are interviewing with. Most importantly, be confident in yourself and smile!"
Julie Nicholson
B.S. 2000, Liberal Arts
Purdue University
"It is so important to be confident in who you are and what you have to offer the company. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile, and just be yourself. Make sure you come prepared to ask questions about the position and the company. Finally, don't forget to send thank-you notes after the interview."
Angie VanderVinne
B.S. 2000, Selling and Sales Management
Purdue University
"Relax and have great confidence in yourself. The first job you interview for may not be the one you get. Consider it practice if you don't get it. The interviewing process could take weeks or months. Be patient. If you haven't heard from them when they said they would call, call them back and ask if there is anything else they need from you."
Jennifer Doup
B.S. 2000, Agricultural Communication
Purdue University
"It is very important that you are aware of what is going on in the industry you are interviewing with. Be ready to take a test or perform a task that your job may entail so the company can get a feel for the type of work you do."
Allison Zengler
B.S. 2000, Nursing
Purdue University