Interviewing Strategies
What is the objective of an interview?
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- To see if your paper image stands up in real life
- To see if you are a "match" for the position at hand or the organization
What are the different kinds of interviews?
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- Informational interview
- Screening interview (also called first-cut interview)
- Selection interview (also called decision interview)
What is the general sequence of an interview?
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- Greetings
- Social niceties
- Stated purpose of the meeting
- Broad questions/answers
- Specific questions/answers
- In-depth discussion of organization, job and opportunity
- Summarizing information given and received
- Indication as to next steps
How do I make an impression?
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- Be yourself
- Smile
- Establish rapport
- Use a firm handshake and frequent eye contact
- Be conscious of non-verbal language, maintain an upright body posture
- Elaborate on information that indicates you will work out well
- Project yourself into the job as much as possible
- Be enthusiastic
- Be confident yet modest
Do I have to dress up?
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- YES!
- Dress to the standards of the organization - find out what they wear
- Dress at least one step up from the daily office-wear of your future co-workers
- Wear a conservative (not trendy) business suit (typically not a sports coat or blouse
and skirt)
- Shine shoes, clean nails, neat haircut, fresh breath, nothing low-cut or tight fitting
- Light cologne/perfume if any at all
- When in doubt, dress up to show you take the interview seriously
What should I bring?
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- Anything that can support your case, but share at appropriate times in the conversation
- Extra copies of your resume
- Papers and projects, portfolio
- Possibly a professional briefcase to carry samples of work, etc.
- Writing utensil and neat folder for holding resumes
- Transcript(s)
- Letters of recommendation
- List of references
What are inappropriate questions?
- Questions related to age, religion, handicaps, race, color, gender, national origin,
marital status, children and child care arrangements are illegal.
What if I am asked a question I can not answer?
- Ask for clarification or an example (if you don't know, say so)
When asked "Do you have any questions?"
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- You should have questions, develop a set of questions before the interview
- Request a copy of a job description
- Don't ask about salary/benefits at the first interview
How is the interview concluded?
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- Last impression counts
- Summarize why you want the job, why you are qualified, and what you can offer
- May want to offer references or inform the interviewer they are on file at the CDC
- Thank the interviewer for his/her time
What should I do after the interview?
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- Organize the information collected
- Write down notes from the interview
- Record the date of your next contact
- Immediately send a thank you letter to each person with whom you interviewed
- Never burn a lead or a source-if uninterested in a position, politely say so