Interviewing

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Contents of this Page
Job Interview - Dress Appropriately | Analyze the Interview | Answering Questions
Informational Interview - Identifying | Interviewing

There are two types of interviews covered on this site: standard job interviews and informational interviews.

Job Interview

The single most important measure in determining whether or not to offer employment to a candidate is the interview, according to Employer surveys. Secondary in importance are the resume and cover letter whose purpose is to get you the interview.

Dress Appropriately

An interview is a formal activity and requires professional dress.

Professional dress for men:
* A dark suit
* White long sleeved dress shirt
* Polished dress shoes
* A well coordinated silk tie.
* Minimum would be a long sleeved dress shirt, (blazer for business positions), silk tie and dress slacks.
* Do not wear earrings to the interview.

Professional dress for women:
* A conservative suit (jacket and skirt or, depending on your field, a pants suit may be acceptable) or
* Dress (skirts and dresses should be no higher than just above the knee).
* Avoid excessive or distracting jewelry and makeup.
* If you wear polish, keep it to a subtle shade.

The actual position that you are interviewing for may allow for casual dress on a routine basis, but the interview is a special case where your appearance is a consideration. Some interviewers have recently begun to wear more casual clothes, but the majority are still expecting interviewers to be dressed professionally. Remember, you never get a second chance at a first impression.

Research the company or the position. Career Service's will often, but not always, have literature for you to review concerning the company in question.

* Sell yourself, it is up to you to prove that you are the best candidate for the job.
* Be a good listener and focus on the interviewer and the questions being asked. When you are prepared and you listen carefully, you can make sure you answer each question with the information about yourself you want the employer to have.
* Always try to put a positive spin on your answers- stress the positive rather than negative.
* Avoid saying negative things about former co-workers or supervisors.
* Be prepared to ask questions. You can ask for additional information or clarification, or seek information that will help you to decide if the organization can meet your goals and work needs.
* Do NOT ask about pay or benefits at this time.
* Be honest and enthusiastic. Your questions will demonstrate both your understanding of and interest in the position.
* Use specific examples whenever possible to illustrate specific skills and accomplishments.

Take time to analyze the interview when you are done.

* What did you learn?
* What was your impression of the organization and the people you met?
* Write a thank you note. This remains one of the most neglected parts of the interview process. Reaffirm your interest and include any pertinent information you may have neglected to provide during the interview such as a response you felt was incomplete or needed to be expanded upon.

Be prepared for questions such as the following:

Questions about yourself:

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your major strengths?
3. If I were to contact one of your references, what would they say about you?
4. Why should I hire you?
5. Have you had leadership responsibilities and give me an example?
6. Describe an accomplishment in which you take pride?
7. What magazines or books do you read and why?
8. What qualities do you like to see in others?
9. What tends to frustrate you?
10. Describe an accomplishment in which you take pride.

Questions about Your Education/Experience

1. Why did you decide to attend UAH?
2. How has attending UAH prepared you for a career?
3. Which classes did you enjoy the most/least and why?
4. Why did you choose your particular college major?
5. If you were starting over, would you choose the same major? If not, what would you choose?
6. What percentage of your college education did you earn?
7. What is your GPA?
8. Do you feel your grades are an indication of your academic achievements?
9. In what college activities did you participate and why?
10. What jobs have you held?
11. What did you like and dislike about the jobs and why?
12. What supervisor did you like best and why?
13. Give me an example of a problem you encountered in school on a job and how you solved it.
14. If I met some of your peers from college, what would they say about you?

Questions about Career Goals

1. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
2. What do you think determines an individual's success in a work situation?
3. What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your chosen field?
4. If you could do anything in life, and know you could not fail, what would you do?
5. What are your career goals? What have you done that shows initiative?

Questions Specific to the Job or Organization

1. Why do you want to work for us?
2. What do you know about our company?
3. In addition to literature we sent you, what other source did you use to find out about us?
4. Why are you interested in this field?
5. Are you willing to relocate and/or travel?

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Informational Interview

An informational interview is NOT an interview for a job. It is designed for the purpose of you obtaining as much information about a particular job as possible. You should also be able to find out what experience and qualifications employers are looking for. One of the best sources for gathering such information about an occupation or industry is from those people currently working in the field. The information you gather can assist you in deciding whether or not to pursue this option or not. If you are considering further education, the advice you gain may also help you in selecting a major or minor field of study.

Identify the Occupation or Industry You Wish to Learn About
Assess your own interests, abilities, values, and skills, and evaluate labor conditions and trends to identify the best fields to research.

Identify People to Interview
Start with lists of people you already know: friends, relatives, fellow students, faculty members, present or former co-workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc. Other resources include professional organizations, the yellow pages, and organizational directories. Attending Job Fairs is another way of finding leads or actually arranging for an informational interview.

Prepare for the Interview
* Read all you can about the field prior to the interview.
* Decide what information you would like to obtain about the occupation/industry.
* Prepare a list of questions that you would like to have answered (see below).

Arrange the Interview
Contact the person to set up an interview by:

 

Conduct the Interview

* Dress appropriately
* Arrive on time
* Be polite and professional.
* Use your list of prepared questions, but allow the discussion to flow.

Ask:

* Is there anyone else that you can think of who would also be good for you to interview.
* If so, ask if you can use his or her name when contacting them.

Informational questions about the field:

1. What do you like about what you do?
2. What don't you like about what you do?
3. How is your time divided between people, data, and things?
4. If possible, describe a typical work day, work week, work year.
5. What are some of the possible career paths in this field?
6. What are some of the challenges and major issues in your field?
7. Would a geographic move affect your career in any way?
8. How much work do you take home? How many hours do you work each week?
9. How much do you travel? How often and for how long?
10. What are some of the toughest situations you have encountered?
11. Whom do you supervise and to whom do you report? (You are looking for organizational structure.)
12. How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?
13. Is there a demand for people in this occupation?

1. How did you enter this field?
2. What are the minimum qualifications a person needs to enter this field?
3. What major or minor would you suggest for some one wishing to enter this field?
4. Are there any particular classes that you would recommend?

Advice:

1. What kinds of job hunting strategies would you suggest to enter this field?
2. What do you wish you had known before you entered this field? What kinds of preparation do you wish you had?
3. What are the professional organizations and journals in this field? May non-members attend meetings?
4. Is there anyone else with whom I should speak for additional information?

1. What do you like about what you do?
2. What don't you like about what you do?
3. How is your time divided between people, data, and things?
4. If possible, describe a typical work day, work week, work year.
5. What are some of the possible career paths in this field?
6. What are some of the challenges and major issues in your field?
7. Would a geographic move affect your career in any way?
8. How much work do you take home? How many hours do you work each week?
9. How much do you travel? How often and for how long?
10. What are some of the toughest situations you have encountered?
11. Whom do you supervise and to whom do you report? (You are looking for organizational structure.)
12. How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?
13. Is there a demand for people in this occupation?