Preparing for an Interview

Introduction

This article describes key steps you can take to prepare yourself for a job interview. Even if you are conducting a practice interview, considering each section will help you be as prepared as you can be.

Interview Questions

This is one of the one of the scariest parts of the interview. Interview questions are primarily designed to help the employer understand the value that you will add to their organization, assess your knowledge, experience and trainability, and determine if you would be a personality fit for their team. Review the article called Preparing for Interview Questions. This can help you understand what questions to expect during an interview and how to handle them.

What to Wear

People like or dislike you often in the first ten seconds of meeting you. Most of these cues are based on things you cannot control. However, your attire is something that you do have control over. You want to dress as if you work for the company and have the job. Dress professionally and appropriately for that industry and region. Here are some quick tips:

Research the dress customs for your industry and region. Observe the company culture when selecting an interview outfit. The objective is to look like you already fit in nicely with the company and its culture.
Generally, clothes should be conservative in color and fit. Nothing too tight, too flashy, or two bright. Again, follow the dress customs for your industry and region.
If in doubt, dress in business casual or business professional, depending on the type job and organization you are applying for.
- Business Casual: A somewhat less formal professional dress. Refer to dress customs for your industry and region. In the U.S. a typical business casual dress for women might be slacks/skirt and a button up sweater with blouse. For men slacks/khakis and a polo shirt or button up shirt without a sport coat. Nice shoes for both
- Business Professional: A more formal professional dress. Refer to dress customs for your industry and region. In the U.S. a typical business professional dress for women might be slacks/skirt, a blouse, blazer and a low heel. For men slacks, a button up shirt, a coat, a tie, and dress shoes.

What to Bring with You

Arriving prepared is part of the interview process. Bring a folder or briefcase with five to ten copies of your resume, your business card, a note pad, and pen (blue or black ink). Here are some quick tips:

Avoid carrying flashy items or items with logos.
Offer a copy of your resume at the beginning of each interview.
Also, be ready with multiple copies of a few relevant artifacts from your portfolio that demonstrate your skills and the value you might add to their organization.

Types of Interviews

There are multiple types of interviews and you may face several or even all of them during your interview process. Practice each type of interview in order to be most prepared.

Phone Interview: This interview is usually the hiring manager’s first contact with you. You will rarely know this call is coming, and it may be while you are at the store, on the bus or in the car with kids. Here are some quick tips:

Be prepared by practicing your Me in 30 Seconds, interview answers and power statements.
Smile when you are talking on the phone, your voice inflection changes when you smile.

Recorded Computer Interview or One-Way Interview: More and more companies are depending on computers to do the screening process for them. These interviews are generally sent via invite thru your email. You are offered a specific time or a “due by” date to complete the interview. You will follow the link provided to you and begin answering recorded questions.

For this interview you will not have the benefit of seeing physical cues of your interviewers to guide your answers. However, you will generally have the flexibility to do your interview in the evening or on a weekend without taking time off from your current job. Here are some quick tips:

Dress professionally (appropriate for your industry and region).
Smile!
Research the company before you log on.
Practice looking into the camera as you answer interview questions and share your "Me in 30 Seconds" Statement and high-impact statements.
Choose a quiet and professional setting:
- Look behind you, what will the video capture about your surroundings? Make sure there is nothing behind you that would make you an unappealing candidate. Ex. Political posters, items indicating race/disability/marital status.
- Make sure you are alone: pets, friends and family are outside and quiet.
- DO NOT sit in your bed when doing the interview.
- Sit back from the camera. You want the camera to show as much of you as they would see if you were sitting across from them at a table.
- Keep your device stable. if you are using a mobile device, use a tripod or set it on something stable.
Test your microphone and camera.
Keep a note pad and pencil next to your device and some water.

Videoconference Interview: With the increased costs of travel, less companies are flying candidates in for face to face interviews. Video conferencing allows you to meet with an individual or a panel at a scheduled time and date. Here are some quick tips:

Follow the same tips as for a one-way computer interview (above) and a face-to-face interview (below).

Face-to-Face or In-Person Interview (One-on-one): The face to face interview and panel interview take the most time (time = money) from a company. In some cases, you will do a face-to-face with the recruiter and then go on to meet with another individual for a face-to-face or go on to a panel interview.

Before you enter this interview, you should know that once you are at this stage, the company really wants you to be the person they hire. Even if they are interviewing you and another candidate for the same position, it is not unusual for them to make a position for someone they really liked, bring you in for a future position, or offer you a job you were not applying for. Here are some quick tips:

Dress professionally (appropriate for your industry and region).
Smile! People are more likely to like people who like them.
Wear deodorant, but do not wear perfume/cologne.
Make sure your handshake is strong and sweat free. If you need to, keep a tissue in your pocket to absorb moisture before offering your hand.
Research the company before you log on.
Practice looking at people face to face as you answer interview questions and share your "Me in 30 Seconds" Statement and high-impact statements.
Bring a note pad and pencil to take notes.

Panel Interview: A panel interview is when two or more people interview you at the same time. Here are some quick tips:

Follow the same quick tips as the face-to-face interview
Smile and make eye contact with the person you are answering. Do not scan the group randomly as you are answering. Finish a complete sentence or thought while looking at one person before moving to look at another.
Remember the names of the people interviewing you. A quick way to do this is to draw a quick outline on your note pad of the table or room you are sitting in. As people introduce themselves, write their names on your drawing in the spot that represents where they are sitting. Do not, draw your attention away from the person talking for more than a couple seconds.

Skills Tests: Skill tests may be used during the interview process. They are generally timed computer test that will cover skills the company wants to confirm you have. These tests range from general software packages such as Microsoft Office to specific programming language tests. Here are some quick tips:

When the interview is being scheduled, ask which version of the software the test covers.
Practice computer skill tests before your interview test.

Additional Tips

Watch this humorous video on some things to avoid while interviewing: The Interview.
Represent yourself confidently but honestly. Do not falsify or exaggerate skills or experience

After the interview: Thank you email

Follow each type of interview with a thank you email/letter. As soon as you get home, send an individual email to each person that you met with. Thank them for their time, use this opportunity to expand on a question you don’t feel you answered as completely as you meant to, and share your desire to be a part of their team. Here are some quick tips:

Send a separate email to every individual you met.
Include your contact information in the email.
Attach your resume and a professional photo so they can remember your face.