|
Job/Work
Interviews
Interview Preparation
Interview Questions
Twelve Steps to First Year Success on the Job
Thank-You Letter for Job Interview
Job/Work
Interviews
Purpose
The interview is a mutual exchange of information between an employer
and a candidate for a position. The primary objectives are:
- To supply information
about yourself that is not contained in your resume; to show that
you understand yourself and have a sense of direction in your career.
- To enable the
employer to evaluate your personality and attitudes in terms of the
demands of the organization and the possible position.
- To enable you
to gain information about the organization and the job which is not
available through other sources.
- To give you
and the employer an opportunity to discuss the desirability of further
contact or an offer of employment.
Interview
Preparation
Knowledge
of Yourself
To impress an employer you must be well prepared and understand the
value of what you have to offer. Be able to relate your assets to the
position and the organization.
Knowledge
of Company/Organization
You must be familiar with the position and the organization so that
you can demonstrate how and why you will be an effective employee. Try
to find out as much as you can about the organization prior to your
interview. Ask the company to send you material, e.g., annual report,
brochures, in-house newsletter or magazine. This knowledge will also
help you to decide whether you want to be associated with a particular
organization. Obtain information, if you can, on whom you will be meeting
with and the schedule for the interview period. If you can find out
about your interviewer(s) in advance (e.g., name, title, background),
you will be able to commit their names to memory and use them during
the interviews.
Your
Physical Appearance
Your success or failure in the interview can depend on your appearance
and the interviewer's first impression of you. If it is not good, it
will be much harder during the rest of the interview to change the interviewer's
mind. Look neat, clean and well groomed. Select proper clothing for
the type of organization interviewing you. If in doubt, be conservative.
During
the Interview
Don't worry about being nervous during the interview – this is
normal and will be expected. Just remember, the interviewer wants to
hire you if you have the right qualifications and interest in the position.
Interview
Questions
- Why don't you
tell me about yourself!
- How does your
previous experience relate to the jobs we have here?
- What are your
professional goals for the future?
- What are your
major strengths?
- What are your
major weaknesses?
- Why are you
looking for this type of position?
- What will your
former employer (or references) say about you?
- Why should I
hire you?
- What sort of
pay do you expect to receive?
- Why would you
like to be employed here?
Twelve
Steps To First-Year Success On The Job
- Adopt the right
attitude.
- Adjust your
expectations.
- Master breaking-in
skills.
- Manage the impressions
you make.
- Build effective
relationships.
- Become a good
follower.
- Understand your
organization's culture.
- Develop organizational
savvy.
- Understand your
new-hire role.
- Develop work
savvy.
- Master the tasks
of your job.
- Acquire needed
knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Source:
"The Critical First Year on the Job," by Ed Holton. Planning
Job Choices. 1996; National Association of Colleges and Employers, Bethlehem,
PA: 1995.
Thank-You
Letter for Job Interviews
Use
this letter, the most neglected of all letters, to inform an employer
of your interest in the position, summarize your chief credentials,
and express your desire to be included in the next step of the interview
process or to receive the job offer.
Promptly
(within 24 hours) after an interview, send your letter which builds
upon the strengths you discussed in the interview. You can also mention
additional information that you forgot to include in your interview.
Remind the interviewer of your qualifications for the position and how
the company could benefit.
Express
appreciation to the interviewer(s) for the time and courtesy shown to
you, (e.g., tours, lunch).
|
