Master the Art of Interviewing

Posted By: Julie Shenkman In: Job Seeker - Interview
Although your resume is the key to landing an interview, it is essentially the interview that will get you the job...

Although your resume is the key to landing an interview, it is essentially the interview that will get you the job. Many job seekers assume that they can rely on their resume and experience to impress potential employers and often make the mistake of not fully preparing for an interview. It is important to take every avenue of opportunity to sell yourself to potential employers, especially in the interview, since this is the most crucial component to your job search.

An interview is the time to let your personality shine and to demonstrate to employers that you would be a valuable asset to their organization. It is essential to do your research before interviewing to learn successful techniques to increase your chances of receiving a job offer. Listed below are some tips on how to effectively handle the interview process:

Do Your Research - It’s important to be confident and prepared. The first step you should take in your job search is to conduct research on companies of interest before applying to a job or showing up for an interview. By understanding and showing interest in the company, you can customize your pitch, demonstrate the value you will bring to the organization and confidently convince employers that you are the right candidate.

Practice, Practice, Practice - Prepare for an interview by running through commonly asked interview questions. Understand that interviewing is a skill and as with any skill, practice makes perfect!

Dress Professionally - When you are on an interview, you are marketing yourself as the best candidate for the job, so it’s important to dress professionally. Appropriate attire and good personal hygiene demonstrates that you are not only willing to take that extra step to look your best but also do your best.

Make a Positive First Impression - First impressions are critical. Arrive early, give a firm handshake and make eye contact throughout the interview. It is important to be confident, but most importantly, be yourself!

Go Beyond the Canned Response - Behavioral interviewing is an ever-growing interview technique. Rather than merely telling the interviewer what you would do in a situation, demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities by giving specific examples from past work experiences. Use this as an opportunity to emphasize the value you would bring to the company by citing a situation where you effectively used your skill set to overcome a difficult situation.

Ask Questions - Express interest and willingness to learn about the company by asking questions and listening to details about the organization. Remember, that you are not the only one being interviewed – you are also trying to determine if the company and position are right for you. This portion of the interview is your chance to shine. Not having any questions for the interviewer can show that you are uninterested and unprepared.

Follow Up - Reinforce to the employer that you bring value to their organization by developing a well-written thank you note. A thank you note is an easy and surefire way to show your appreciation, reiterate you are the best candidate and demonstrate your initiative and follow-through. It is also appropriate to make a follow up call, unless instructed otherwise by the employer.

Prove You Are the Right Candidate for the Job
Regardless of the position you are interviewing for, it is equally important to impress potential employers with your interviewing style and technique. Before your next interview, be sure to brush up on your interviewing skills and remember to be calm and confident to prove you are the best candidate for the position.

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Comments

Posted by: Dan M I think this is good information for future interviews.

Posted by: Susan H This article was very helpful. I have read all the other comments and am in the same boat as several people. I am 65 yrs. old and was laid off 2 1/2 yrs. ago. I have been interviewed many times, and I think the interviewer sees me and immediately decides I am too old. My background is 30+ years of work and in that time I had only 2 jobs. I think that should speak for itself as to loyalty and dependability.

Posted by: Candy K I have been on several interviews in several weeks. This site was a little helpful however, examples of the most asked interview questions would be even a greater help.

Posted by: Paul D I didn't gain much insight here. I mean, the advice is spot on, but to me it's restating the obvious. Nothing to give you an edge to make it to the next round. The greatest obstacle I'm encountering in both resume/cover screening and the interview itself is a resume that's too deep. The expectation is that I'm really looking for something more than the job at hand, with accompanying higher salary expectations, which is not the case at all. Age, and a long, stable, progressively more responsible work history is definitely working against me. Trying to dumb down the resume and present a lower salary history on apps hasn't made much difference in response rates.

Posted by: clorissia w Interview questions and answer will be very useful and the advice given above were helpful as well.

Posted by: Samuel J This informative note on interview is a great help. One can know what to say at the interview. This is helpful.

Posted by: 'Sue M These steps are used by myself at every interview. I get through the interview. I am told by the personnel interviewing that I did great, answer their questions with examples. I do everything that is in this article. I am a large woman, but still dress professionally. I was in my previous job 33 years, so older in the unemployment sector. I've been to 8-10 job interviews. No success on getting hired. I understand the competition is large and younger. Any ideas would certainly make my interviewing a success.

Posted by: Donna J Thank You for helping me prepare for a job interview today I feel calm and confident I will get the job position if not I will continue to be prepared for all my interviews.Thank You Donna

Posted by: Gloria-Jean A This information is on point and very helpful.Thank you for giving it out to help someone like me

Posted by: olga a Very good information. Will be very helpful thanks

Posted by: Charles S Excellent information thank you!

Posted by: Tammy D Want to learn more

Posted by: Terry s Very good

Posted by: Connir H Thanks Julie, this was a great article you had written. Plain simply and to the truth. Great job. Are you going to write something on interview questions? Every interview I've been on they ask "what are my strength and weakness". Why is this question necessary?

Posted by: Laurie A H I think this advice in this article is well informative, & anyone who belives & respects them selves should read this article.

Posted by: Ankita K This is a very useful tips for job interview. really I like too much.

Posted by: Ankita K This is a very useful tips for job interview. really I like too much.

Posted by: Nancy C This article was very refreshing. It's been a long time since I interviewed for a new position. Hopefully, I will be having an interview soon. I wanted to refresh my memory., and you did with everything you said.

Posted by: Shirley B If a person would follow these point to the letter they would land a job and be the right candidate for the position. However, nerves get in the way, and your mind get cloudy, then that is the time to reflex on what one has learned from your interview post.

Posted by: Myrna Rich R I think this is good information.

Posted by: Alice C Excellent and by the age of myself. I would certainly hope that I practice these techniques wholeheatedly!

Posted by: Renee S Thanks for the behavioral interview point. This seems to be a common interview technique.

Posted by: JUAN IGNACIO M Hi, Julie. Very good article !.I read comment posted by Sandra W.. A 60 years old women. I have a paper work called "Establishing the positive contributory Value of Older Workers". Wrote by Suzanne J. Peterson et. al.There is and important set of values and tools that older people have. The PIES model named in this article by the autors is a Psychologycal, Intelligence, Emotional and Social capital. Please, bring to this older people and many others this information, and they will were eternally gratefull. Thanks !!!

Posted by: David W Can someone please advise me on how to answer this interview question! Why did you leave your last employment, when I successfully settled a Federal Lawsuit against that employer for illegal termination? I haven't been given another chance at gaining meaningful employment at a decent wage since then. Thanks for any advise given

Posted by: John B.Sipple I afford can't affoed the 97.00 fee due to that I'm on unemployeement and a widow as of 1/2/11 after 20 year marriage with two childern 19,and a 16 year old.So the monies are tight now but listing to your intro has helped me so much ! Thank you! J.B.Sipple

Posted by: Terry Gunderson I haven't interviewed in 7 yrs and it wasn't the grill the employers do today. They don't want to take a risk in hiring the wrong person, but as a person being interviewed sometime make you feel inapt if you act yourself. Experience isn't the main focus onhiring it's yhr attitude. Have a good attitude. I've learned to go with the system get books from library about interviewing

Posted by: Xandy I'm impressed!

Posted by: Forever Great post!

Posted by: Linda M. Thank you for the information, I haven't been on an interview in ten years. Now I have an interview on Friday and this will help me a lot.

Posted by: Sandra W. How do you fight the age factor in an interview. I am 60, have a Bachelors in Comparative and International Criminal Justice and working on a Masters in Criminal Justice/Law. No one will hire me, I am in good health and work out.

Posted by: Marshall F. Thanks, everything mentioned is very important and valuable tips.

Posted by: Petrus A. Thanks a lot. I believe that this will make a difference in my life. Thank you again.

Posted by: Angela E. Is follow-up the same with a telephone interview? I am always confused when I am selected for a pre-screening telephone interview & told I will be contacted if I am selected for an in-house interview. What rules apply for the telephone interview...?

Posted by: Sherri C. Good information...I appreciate it.

Posted by: Kelly M. I have been on Social Security disability since 6/08 due to an Auto accident that inflicted several injuries. What should I say to a employer that inquires about the time since my last position?

Posted by: Anjela Nice information. Just interviewed this month with a college......nine, that's right-nine people were on the interview panel. I suggest your website include panel interviews. Most websites single out the 1:1 interview. All of mine include 4 to 5 people.

Posted by: cesar Excellent tips, very clear and useful. Thank you.

Posted by: Syed Y. Besides following the above 6 points don't forget to ask for the job at the end of the interview and also leave the door open by asking if it's OK to contact in case of any additional question(s) and or clarification etc.

Posted by: Muzaffar T. very helpful and interesting article. I will use that recommendation.

Posted by: Nirvanie S. These are 7 good points when preparing for an interview. The interviewer also asks questions based on your resume.

Posted by: Janis F. When did the employers become GOD? Employers used to hire because of your experience or because they need help and sometimes because they simply like you. Then they find out if you are loyal and honest, responsible, caring to others and they will keep you for years. Now they let you go for NO reason(because they can) and mark you with a NO REHIRE and ruin lives. Can you help with that? When did all these job search engines begin & why?

Posted by: kshitij n. I'm really gonna try this.

Posted by: DENNIS E. THANK YOU FOR THE ADVISE.I HAVE AN INTERVIEW TODAY AND APPRECIATE THE INPUT.THANK YOU.

Posted by: Sivakumar very good tips for attending an interview.

Posted by: Sylvia M. I think this information is vital to any position that someone may be applying for. It is imperative that anyone interviewing be confident in themselves and have a good personality, it carries you a long way. Sell yourself to the company!

Posted by: Peter C. This is nonsense. You have to deal with the quirks of personalities that it would take a psychiatrist years to figure out.

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