June 03, 2011 - Interview
Interviews
BE PREPARED
- Dress to impress. A suit is never a bad idea! Your manner of dress, displays the importance you place on the interview.
- Find out how many people will be conducting the interview and bring original copies of your resume, references, letters of recommendation and anything else you wish to share. However, be selective in what you bring as most of the interviewers will have limited time to read.
- Know the specific job you are interviewing for. Know who you are interviewing with and express your interest in working for them. Never use the "I just need a job" response.
BE CONFIDENT
- Make eye contact.
- Smile.
- Be courteous and pleasant.
- Don't chew gum, or have any foreign objects in your mouth.
- Be aware of 'nervous twitching'. Don't play with your hair, tug your clothes, click a pen or tap your foot. RELAX!
BE PROFESSIONAL
- Think about the questions before you answer.
- Be prepared to answer questions such as:
- "If 'such and such' problem occurred, how would you handle it?"
- "Why did you leave your last position?"
- "How do you think you can benefit our organization?"
- A good interviewer will ask open-ended questions. Don't give yes or no answers. This is the time to display your communication skills.
- Be careful not to talk bad about past employers, no matter how awful they were.
- Express to the board members your interest in a tour of the property. This will signify your sincerity in seeking a position with them.
BE YOURSELF
- Be honest.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions of your own.
- "Ask about the expectations, salary, benefits, retirement program, etc. . . "
- "Whom will you answer to?"
- "How is success measured?"
- Remember, the real you is the person that will report for work the first day!
Interview Follow-Up
A follow-up letter after the interview is highly recommended. It demonstrates the high level of professionalism and attention to detail mentioned earlier. It also shows that you will take the extra time and effort to get the job done right. Send it out within 24 hours of the interview. Address it to the head of the committee, but mention everyone's name you met. Thank them for their time. Tell them you would enjoy meeting with them again. This small step in the process will elevate you above the majority and might be the small advantage you need to land the job!
|
Letters