It's
natural to be nervous about an interview, but you
can combat the impulse
to go over the edge with just a few easy tips...
Research
the organization before the interview.
A common mistake most interviewees
make is failing to do the proper research on the
organization with which they are interviewing.
Researching an organization before the interview
gives you an impressive edge in the job search
process. Find out what the overall mission or philosophy
of the company is. Check out recent trends in the
business. Has the company recently down-sized?
Has it been awarded any special recognition for
its role in the community? An easy way to get the
scoop is to simply check out a company's website
or even call the Human Resources Division for information.
Practice makes perfect.
Practicing your interviewing skills outloud,
by way of a mock interview with a friend or career counselor
or by just sitting before a mirror, is an ideal way to
perfect your technique. It is important to be prepared
to talk with employers and answer questions thoroughly
and articulately. Be prepared to explain why an
employer should hire you by being able to
discuss three basic areas:
- I am...: be prepared to
convey personal characteristics such as being ambitious,
assertive, detailed, etc...
- I know about..: be able
to talk about content areas such as solar energy, cost
accounting, etc...
- I can...: discusss transferable
skills such as design research instruments, negotiate
with angry people, etc...
Practicing helps you learn how to give clear
and concise answers as well as become more aware of your
body language, which can send messages to employers without
your even realizing it.
Dress
for the occassion.
Look like a professional; be a professional.
It's important to make a great impression when
going on an interview. You want to present yourself
as someone who takes a job seriously-- someone
who is together, in-the-know, and ready to make
things happen. One way to achieve this is by dressing
for the occassion in a nice business ensemble and
appearing clean and neatly dressed. Remember, the
only thing you completely control before the interview
is how you look!
Be
courteous and polite.
This includes everyday courtesies
like smiling, shaking hands, and using your listening
skills. Never interrupt the interviewer while he
or she is speaking. Use body language to convey
that you are engaged, such as nodding your head
and making eye contact.
Be
calm.
If you have any interesting habits
like playing with your hair or unconscoiusly tapping
your foot, try to control them during the interview.
Giving in to these little quirks may seem harmless,
but they will only emphasize that you are nervous,
and they tend to be interpreted as unprofessional.
Ask
questions.
It's inevitable that you'll be asked
if you have any questions, so its a good idea to
have some questions in mind, even if the interview
is quite thorough. Asking questions shows that
you're interested, and it is important to remember
that you are interviewing them as well to see if
you are a good fit for their organization.
Send
a Thank You note.
This act should actually be a common
courtesy. It is often underestimated how much a
thank you letter can mean. Sending a thank you
letter after an interview achieves three often
overlooked imperatives:
- Reminds the employer who you are and helps
to set you apart
- Illustrates an important social grace
that communicates two important characteristics sought
by many employers--politeness and respect.
- Presents a great opportunity to briefly
restate your qualifications and compatibility with the
organization.
Thank you notes also provide an opportunity
to express your continued interest in the position for
which you interviewed. A thank you letter also gives you
a chance to say the things you might have forgotten during
the interview.
| Interview
Questions that Employers Might Ask Candidates |
Use
the questions below to help organize your thoughts
and prepare yourself for
the interview. Practice giving coherrent
answers outloud in the mirror. In this way, you can not
only get your thoughts together, you can also moniter your body
language-- a very important, yet often
overlooked aspect of any interview.
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your long-range
and short-range goals and objectives?
3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
4. Why did you choose this career direction?
5. Why are you interested in this position?
6. What do you consider to
be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
7. What specific skills do you have that relate to the job?
8. How would others describe you?
9. What experience have you had in connection with this type of
work?
10. How has your college experience prepared you for this position?
11. What led you to choose
your field of major study?
12. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular
activities?
13. What kind of work environment do you prefer? Working by yourself
or with others? Why?
14. What two or three things are most important to you in your
job?
15. How well organized are you?
16. How do you work under pressure?
17. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
18. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal
with it?
19. Describe a relationship that should exist between a supervisor
and subordinates.
20. Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
21. What do you know about our organization, company, agency, etc.?
22. How do you spend your spare time? What are your non-work activities?
23. What salary are you expecting to make?
24. Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
25. Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
26. What are the most important rewards you expect in your business
career?
27. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
28. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like
ours?
29. If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what qualities
would you look for?
30. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your
academic achievement?
31. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which
you hope to work?
32. Why should I hire you? |
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| Questions
Candidates May Ask Employers |
It's always a good
idea to have a few questions in mind to ask the
employer as the interview comes to a close. Asking
educated questions illustrates an interest in the
organization and provides an opportunity to show
employers that you've done your research.
1. Where do you see this company
five years down the road?
2. What would be my key responsibilities?
3. Can you describe a typical day?
4. To whom would I report? Will I get the opportunity to meet that
person?
5. Who had the job before me? What was his or her reason for leaving?
6. What would my first project be?
7. What type of training is needed for this position?
8. How much travel, if any, is required?
9. What opportunities do you offer for professional development
of your employees?
10. What makes your firm different from its competitors?
11. How is the current department organized?
12. Why is this position not being filled by someone from within
the company?
13. Is there a formal evaluation system?
14. What characteristics does a successful person have at your
company? |
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| Questions
That Employers in Education Might Ask Prospective
Teachers |
Use
the questions below to help organize your thoughts
and prepare yourself for
the interview. Practice giving coherrent
answers outloud in the mirror. In this way, you can not
only get your thoughts together, you can also moniter your body
language-- a very important, yet often
overlooked aspect of any interview.
1. Why do you want to teach?
2. What is your philosophy of education?
3. With what kind of student do you most (least) like to work?
4. Describe your style of teaching.
5. Would you like to be involved in school (community) activities?
6. What do you plan to be doing in five years? What are your career
goals?
7. Describe your student teaching experiences.
8. What was your biggest problem in student teaching? How did you
solve it?
9. What three words would your students use to describe you as
a teacher?
10. How do you individualize your teaching?
11. How do you feel that the "rapid learner" should be provided
for in your area of teaching?
12. What is the greatest attribute you can bring to a class of
students?
13. What are the qualities of an excellent teacher? Which of these
qualities do you have?
14. Some of your students always finish their assignments early.
How would you deal with the free time that they have?
15. How would you work with students who perform below grade level,
especially those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds?
16. What grade level do you prefer? Why?
17. How would you use teacher aides and parent volunteers?
18. Are parentlteacher conferences important? Why or why not?
19. Why do you want to work in our district?
20. What do you know about our school district?
21. Why should our school district hire you?
22. Describe an ideal classroom.
23. How do you relate with minority students in the classroom?
24. A student is consistently late to your class. How do you handle
the situation?
25. What would you do, or how would you treat a student who refused
to do the work you assigned?
26. How would you handle a student who continually "acted up" in
your class?
27. How and when do you discipline a student?
28. How should a student's educational achievement and progress
be measured?
29. You know that a staff member has been talking behind your back
about what he or she sees as your ineffective teaching methods.
What would you do?
30. What do you expect from your supervisor? |
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| Questions
That Prospective Teachers Might Ask Employers |
It's always a good
idea to have a few questions in mind to ask the
employer as the interview comes to a close. Asking
educated questions illustrates an interest in the
school distrct and provides an opportunity to show
district representatives that you've done your
research.
1. What is the teacher/student ratio
in your district?
2. Do you encourage teachers to earn advanced degrees?
3. How many classes a day will I be expected to teach?
4. Do you have teachers serving in areas for which they do not
have full certification?
5. Tell me about the students who attend this school.
6. What textbooks does the school use in this subject area?
7. Do teachers participate in curriculum review and change?
8. What support staff members are available to help students and
teachers?
9. How does the teaching staff feel about new teachers?
10. What discipline procedures does the district use?
11. Do parents support the schools? Does the community?
12. Do your schools use teacher aides or parent volunteers?
13. What allowances are provided for supplies and materials?
14. Does the administration encourage field trips for students?
15. How are teachers assigned to extracurricular activities?
16. Does the district have a statement of educational philosophy
or mission?
17. What are prospects for future growth in this community and
its schools? |
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