Interview Tips

I. Preparation

Prior preparation will enable you to be confident, overcome interviewing inexperience, and to sell yourself and your qualifications.

A.
One hour on the internet or in the library utilizing Standard and Poors, Dun and Bradstreet or Moody's Reference Material will enable you to know the company's products/services, markets, sales volume, locations and subsidiaries.

B.
Prior planning requires you to inventory all responsibilities performed and to state how well you carried them out.

C.
Prove your competency by stating how well you performed in the past by using the 1-2-3 mini-story technique, i.e. state the problem, describe your solution and emphasize the positive results.

D.
Strive to project eagerness and interest, and be a conversationalist by being yourself.

E.
Conclude the interview by getting a "what-will-happen-next" summary, accepting the offer on the spot if it's what you want, and by showing interest in the job offer. Write a brief follow-up letter, and report your progress to your account executive.

The question answering rule says, "Answer every question in terms of your background or qualifications or in terms of the job to be filled."
1. "Tell me about yourself" means, "Tell me about your qualifications." Pre-plan a five to ten minute answer describing your education and then mention each job in terms of accomplishment or performance indicators.

2. Personality questions attempt to determine if you have qualities being sought. "What kind of manager are you?" "Are you creative?" Answer these questions in terms of the obvious answer supported by past or present experiences as proof of your claim.

3. Motive questions are asked to determine if you would enjoy the job. "Describe your ideal job." "Would you prefer to work for a large or small company?" "What did you like most/least about your last job?" Answer these questions following the question answering rule. Be specific and emphatic.

4. Salary questions. When asked what you desire, say, "Although I would like an increase, I don't know enough about the opportunity to answer that fairly." If possible, avoid answering the question until an offer is made.

5. Prepare for tough questions. Anticipate what they will be. They will focus on: reasons for leaving; quality of performance. Be brief but factual. Write out your answers, refine and memorize.

Have a list, don't cross-examine, make them job related, ask questions that require an explanation.
1. Interest questions pertain to: job opportunities; the company; its people; its products and services.

2. Job satisfaction questions pertain to: importance of job; responsibility and authority; recognition and career potential.

3. Past performance questions concentrate on people who previously held the position, their performance and where they are today.

4. Sales questions help you determine the kind of person the employer wants to hire in terms of education, experience, future performance and personality. When you understand the kind of person the employer wants to hire, you can then say, "I can do the job you want done because I've done it before and done it well." Or describe your compensating asset and/or education.

5. Avoid questions relating to salary, fringes, vacations, and retirement until the job is offered and you accept.

1. Summarize what you've done that ties in the new position and ask, "What qualifications do you feel I have, I don't have?" (as per the client's needs).

2. Be prepared to overcome any objections.

A. For men: conservative suit, white shirt, contrasting tie, shoes shined, socks over calf.

B. For women: skirted suit, or dress with matching jacket, neutral colored hose, simple pumps, minimal make-up.

A. Contact your account executive immediately and communicate what transpired. If you're interested in the position, your account executive will help you get it.

B. Ask for the job. "I can do what you want done and I want the job!"

C. Always send a follow-up letter reiterating your strengths related to the position and asking for the job.