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• 1. Self Assessment
• 2. Research
• 3. Decision-Making
• 4. Networks & Contacts
  • 4.1 Work Search
    • 4.1.1 Traditional Methods of Finding Openings
    • 4.1.2 Internet Sites Listing Job Advertisements
    • 4.1.3 Creative Methods for Finding Work
    • 4.1.4 Researching Employers
    • 4.1.5 Networking, Developing Leads and Making Contacts
    • 4.1.6 Networking Contacts
    • 4.1.7 Networking Diagrams
    • 4.1.8 Create a Job Seeker's Calling Card
  • 4.2 Resumes
    • 4.2.1 Preparing to Write Your Resume
    • 4.2.2 Major Sections of a Resume
    • 4.2.3 Types of Resumes
    • 4.2.4 Functional Resume
    • 4.2.5 Additional Resume Tips
    • 4.2.6 Action Verbs that Describe Skills
    • 4.2.7 Preparing an Electronic Version of Your Resume
    • 4.2.8 Resume Templates
    • 4.2.9 Resources on Resume Writing
  • 4.3 Letters
    • 4.3.1 Cover and Broadcast Letters
    • 4.3.2 Comparison of Cover and Broadcast Letters
    • 4.3.3 A Process to Develop Letters
    • 4.3.4 Creating Thank You Letters
    • 4.3.5 Sample Letter Format
    • 4.3.6 Resources on Letter Writing
  • 4.4 Interviews
    • 4.4.1 The Core of the Interview Process
    • 4.4.2 Selling Your Benefits
    • 4.4.3 Understanding Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication
    • 4.4.4 Approaches to Interviewing
    • 4.4.5 The Employer's Evaluation
    • 4.4.6 Tips for Effective Interviewing
    • 4.4.7 Your Rights in the Interview
    • 4.4.8 Resources on Interviewing
• 5. Work
• 6. Life/Work Planning

Step 4.4.6: Tips for Effective Interviewing

1. Get a good night’s sleep before your interview.

2. Be punctual. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow yourself time to collect your thoughts. Take the opportunity to observe the working environment. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be friendly with everyone.

3. Try to get the interviewer to describe the position and duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the particular position.

4. Give descriptive examples or proof whenever you can throughout the interview. The true stories you tell about yourself will differentiate you from the other applicants.

5. Watch the interviewer for clues on how the interview is progressing. Is the interviewer's face or body language telling you that your answers are too long, not detailed enough, too boring, etc.? If in doubt, ask the interviewer if more or fewer details are needed.

6. Listen carefully to the question and the way it is phrased. If it can be interpreted in more than one way, and if you are unsure what the interviewer really wants you to discuss, ask for clarification.

7. If the interviewer becomes silent, look for the reason. Has the person momentarily run out of questions? Is the person testing you to see how comfortable you are with silence? Is the interviewer finding your answers too brief and waiting for you to elaborate more in order to get a better sense of who you are?

8. When the interviewer asks about your weaknesses, choose something work-related, but not so serious as to disqualify you. Briefly mention one weakness, and then show what you have learned from the experience or what you are doing to change. If pressed for more than one weakness, have another one or two ready to discuss.

9. If you are asked about any negative employment experience (e.g., being fired, trouble with supervisor), don't criticize past employers. Briefly acknowledge any difficulty and say what you have learned or discuss the positive outcome of the situation.

10. Except for co-op scheduled interviews, don't inquire about salary, bonuses or benefits in the initial interview. If you are pressed to give a salary expectation, turn it around to the interviewer and ask what the organization would ordinarily pay a person with your credentials. If you are still pressed, know what salary range would apply to that type of job in that geographic location. Try to obtain this information by speaking to people in the field prior to your interview.

11. Practise in a mock interview with another person. Check for quality of information in your answers, and the positive, non-verbal reinforcement of your words. By speaking out loud you can "hear" your answers to ensure you cover the topic well. Don't practise so much that you lose your spontaneity and your answers sound rehearsed.

12. If you do not receive a job offer (especially if you felt the "fit" was very good), you may want to contact the interviewer to get feedback on your performance. It could be (1) they hired someone with better qualifications, or (2) you didn’t adequately present your qualifications, thereby causing an incorrect assessment of your capability. If the reason is (1), keep going...you’ll find the right match! If the reason is (2), learn from this and make the necessary changes in your next interview!

Dressing Appropriately -

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