Handling Interviews

In any interview, the organization's main objective is to find the best person available for the job; the applicant's main objective is to find the job best suited to his or her goals and capabilities. Most employers conduct two or three interviews before deciding whether to offer a person a job. The first interview, generally held on campus, is the preliminary screening interview, which helps employers eliminate unqualified applicants from the hiring process. Those candidates who best meet the organization's requirements are invited to visit company offices for further evaluation. Some organizations make a decision at that point, but many schedule a third interview to complete the evaluation process before extending a job offer. Requirements of the Employers In general, employers are looking for two things: proof that a candidate can handle a specific job and evidence that the person will fit in with the organization. Employers are usually most concerned with the candidate's experience, intelligence, communication skills, enthusiasm, creativity, and motivation. Qualifications for the job. During the interview seeing the resume , you'll be asked to describe your education and previous jobs in more depth so that the interviewer can determine how well your skills match the requirements. In many cases, the interviewer will be seeking someone with the flexibility to apply diverse skills in several areas. Personality traits. A resume can't show whether a person is lively and outgoing, subdued and low-key, able to take direction, or able to take charge. Each job requires a different mix of personality traits, so the task of the interviewer is to find out whether a candidate will be effective in a particular job. Physical appearance. Clothing and grooming reveal something about a candidate's personality and professionalism. Even in companies where interviewers may dress casually, show good judgment by dressing (and acting) in a professional manner. Interviewers also consider such physical factors as posture, eye contact, handshake, facial expression, and tone of voice. Personal background. You might be asked about your interests, hobbies, awareness of world events, and so forth. You can expand your potential along these lines by reading widely, meeting new people, and participating in discussion groups, seminars, and workshops. Attitudes and personal style. Openness, enthusiasm, and interest are likely to impress an interviewer. So are courtesy, sincerity, willingness to learn, and a positive, self-confident styleall of which help a new employee adapt to a new workplace and new responsibilities.

Preparation for the Interview What things should you find out about the prospective job and employer? By doing a little advance research and asking the right questions during the interview, you can probably find answers to these questions and more: Are these my kind of people? Can I do this work? Will I enjoy the work? Is this job what I want? Does the job pay what I'm worth? What kind of person would I be working for? What sort of future can I look forward to with this organization? It's perfectly normal to feel a little anxious before an interview. Don't worry too much, however; preparation will help you perform well. Here are some pointers to guide that preparation: Do some basic research. Learning about the organization and the job is important because it enables you to review your resume from the employer's point of view. Think ahead about questions. Most job interviews are essentially question-andanswer sessions: You answer the interviewer's questions about your background, and you ask questions of your own to determine whether the job and the organization are right for you. By planning for your interviews, you can handle these exchanges intelligently . Of course, you don't want to memorize responses or sound overrehearsed. Bolster your confidence. By overcoming your tendencies to feel self-conscious or nervous during an interview, you can build your confidence and make a better impression. If some aspect of your background or appearance makes you uneasy, correct it or exercise positive traits to offset it, such as warmth, wit, intelligence, or charm. Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths so that you can emphasize them to an interviewer. Polish your interview style. Confidence helps you walk into an interview and give the interviewer an impression of poise, good manners, and good judgment. In the United States, you're more likely to be invited back for a second interview or offered a job if you maintain eye contact, smile frequently, sit in an attentive position, and use frequent hand gestures. These nonverbal signals convince the interviewer that you're alert, assertive, dependable, confident, responsible, and energetic. Work on eliminating speech mannerisms such as "you know," "like," and "um." Speak in your natural tone, and try to vary the pitch, rate, and volume of your voice to express enthusiasm and energy. Plan to look good. The best policy is to dress conservatively. Wear the best-quality businesslike clothing you can, preferably in a dark, solid color. Avoid flamboyant

styles, colors, and prints. Clean, unwrinkled clothes, well-shined shoes, neatly styled and combed hair, clean fingernails, and fresh breath help make a good first impression. Don't spoil the effect by smoking cigarettes before or during the interview. Finally, remember that one of the best ways to look good is to smile at appropriate moments. Be ready when you arrive. Be sure you know when and where the interview will be held. Take a small notebook, a pen, a list of your questions, a folder with two copies of your resume, an outline of your research findings about the organization, and any correspondence about the position. You may also want to take a small calendar, a transcript of your college grades, a list of references, and, if appropriate, samples of your work. After you arrive, relax. You may have to wait, so bring something to read or to occupy your time (the less frivolous or controversial, the better).

Follow Up After the Interview Touching base with the prospective employer after the interview, either by phone or in writing shows that you really want the job and are determined to get it. It also brings your name to the interviewer's attention again and reminds him or her that you're waiting to know the decision.