Interview Tips

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It is not always the best qualified person who is offered the position. It is often the person who prepares and interviews best who gets the job.

Before the Interview :

Discuss with your recruiter the duties and requirements of the position. Discuss with your recruiter on what to expect on this interview. Personality of interviewer, possibility of testing, etc.

Your recruiter will give you information about the company prior to interview, but it is advisable to learn as much as you can on your own.

Know where you’re going! If you have any doubts, call the company and ask for directions. If necessary, drive the route the day or evening before the interview. Expect traffic delays so give yourself plenty of time. Being late for an interview is a deal breaker the majority of the time.

Professional Dress Tips

For men: Crisp, starched, long-sleeve shirt with tie. (Power tie, solid color, preferably in a red tone.) For Assistant Management unit positions a jacket is optional. If a jacket is worn, wear a dark jacket. Dark pressed dress slacks. Again, for a unit position below GM, starched Dockers are appropriate. Dress shoe, preferably black; dark socks.

For women: Skirt or Dress Slacks; wrinkle-free blouse and jacket; dark colors preferably; professional dress pumps. Make-up should be moderately applied, especially eye make-up (No blues, purples, or high fashion colors.) Long hair should be put up or at least pulled back.

Some of our companies will prefer a more casual look more in line with their corporate culture. Unless otherwise instructed by your recruiter, follow the above advice.

Before the Interview

Plan to arrive on site 10 to 15 minutes prior to the interview. This shows the appropriate enthusiasm and preparedness. Arrive any later might indicate time management problems. Arrive any sooner might indicate latent anal-retentive qualities.

Be prepared! Before entering, take a deep breath. Relax. It’s Showtime! Put a smile on your face and walk in with confidence. Introduce yourself to whomever greets you and inform the person the reason for you being there.

Make eye contact and always have a firm handshake.

Take a seat. Relax, but sit up straight. Don’t fidget. Act like you belong there.

Resumes

Always bring a brag book, accomplishments, accolades, stack rankings, etc., if you have a business plan or action plan detailing how you would attack the position in the first 30,60,90 days that is always great to bring. It shows the employer that you have a plan to be successful!

Always bring at least 2 copies of your resume. Often the employer is working from a faxed copy or has misplaced it or in some cases hasn’t received one. Offer a clean copy to your interviewer. Keep the other copy in front of you to assist you in remembering dates and details as the employer goes through your resume.

You are going to do such a good job on this interview that the interviewer may want you to meet and interview with the next level of interviewer that day. So be prepared!

References

Have a typed copy of your references. Minimum of 3. These must be professional references. Not your Aunt Heather who has always thought you have the most adorable dimples!

Provide names, position, company and phone number of each reference.

The less work you make your interviewer do in squeezing this information out of you as you nervously fumble through scraps of paper, matchbook covers, cocktail napkins, etc., just might have a bearing on your candidacy.

Don’t forget to inform your references that you are using their names as references and prepare them for phone calls verifying employment.

Enthusiasm

Everyone likes the feeling of being wanted. Show enthusiasm! Don’t appear to be what we in the business call a “shopper” or a “tire kicker.” The “What can you do for me?” approach to interviewing, even in this full-employment economy, gets you a quick exit to the front door. (Sometimes the back door, if you’re particularly offensive.)

Always remember to thank the interviewer for his or her time and remember to get his or her card.

Follow-up

After an interview you want to do two things:

Immediately (within 30 minutes, if possible) call your recruiter and debrief him or her on the interview. If you have any questions or concerns that didn’t get answered during the interview express these to your recruiter and he or she will get them answered. We must have this feedback before we contact the client. We know that you will do such a good job on the interview that the client will want information ASAP on your interest level, your concerns, the possibility of hiring you.

When you get home later that day write a note of thanks to the interviewer and send it off. (Remember to ask for that business card!)

Compensation and Benefits

First interviews are a “get to know” interview. Unless the client asks you directly, never bring up salary and benefits on the first interview.

On the first interview you must convince the client that you can provide value to the company and you must show enthusiasm for the job. If asked about compensation never use what we call a “hard” number. Simply state what you are making currently or in your last position, re-express your interest in the job, and simply state that you would seriously consider their best offer.

Listen to your recruiter. Your recruiter works with these clients every day and will inform you of a realistic range to expect from the company and for your current experience level. We won’t send you out for an interview where the compensation package doesn’t fit the range you are currently receiving. Asking for more compensation than your experience or the position warrants will swiftly eliminate you from consideration.

If you are currently unemployed, don’t expect an offer equivalent to what you were making. Sorry, but these are the facts of life.

Interview Suggestions

Know your resume. Keep a copy in front of you to confirm dates, duties, etc.

Be prepared to answer questions concerning accomplishments. Companies hire people for one of two reasons: to make money for the company or to save money for the company. Translate your accomplishments into these terms and you present value to the company.

Relax. Sit straight up. Make eye contact. Smile. Be attentive and listen.

Speak positively of your previous work experience.

Make your answers thorough, but be concise. Don’t ramble.

Be prepared to ask questions: duties and responsibilities, to whom you would report, training. Also, ask the interviewer about his or her background and what he or she likes about the company. Remember, though, unless it’s brought up by the employer, don’t ask about salary or benefits on the first interview.

Express your interest in working for the company and after the interview ask what the next step is in the process and move to set a date for the next step. If it is a second or third interview and you still like what you hear, ask when you can start! 80% of all placements are based on chemistry.

Always remember to thank your interviewer for his or her time and get that business card!

Questions Often Asked by the Interviewer

  • Why have you left or why are you leaving your current company?
  • What were your duties and responsibilities?
  • Accomplishments and strengths?
  • Areas needing improvement?
  • What value can you provide to the company?
  • Long and short term goals?
  • Be prepared for a role play situation that tests your ability to handle a difficult situation: irate customer, difficult employee, conflict with a co-worker, time management, etc.