Interview Preparation | Are you a "Red Flag" candidate | Insurance Rates (PDF file)   

Presenting Yourself Successfully - Before, During & After Your Job Interview

Before Your Job Interview:

• Learn all you can about the company or organization; learn as much as you can so that your questions are sophisticated and knowledgeable during the interview. Employers expect you to arrive knowing background information about the organization.  If you don't, you look like you're not really interested in the job.  You have to be able to answer the critical question of why you would like to work for that employer — and not sound like you would take any job. Research helps you formulate intelligent and appropriate questions to ask in your interview.
• Be prepared to answer and ask questions.  
• Prepare your clothes for your interview, making sure they are business-like, clean, pressed and conservative; make sure your hair and nails trimmed and clean. Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting, but it should not take center stage. When in doubt, always dress more professionally rather than more casually. Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to. A two-piece matched suit is always the best choice for both men and women, in navy, gray or black.
• Prepare papers for your interview, including extra copies of your resume, job reference lists, reference letters, legal pad for taking notes, and any other information that you may wish to have with you.

During Your Job Interview:

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Don't take any chances that you might be even one minute late. If necessary, arrive 30 minutes early and wait in your car. 
• Treat all people you encounter with professionalism and kindness. That receptionist or secretary or maintenance man may offer his or her opinion of you to the boss. It will count.
• Don’t let the employer’s casual approach cause you to drop your manners or professionalism. You should maintain a professional image. Don't address the interviewer by his or her first name unless you are invited to. 
• Don't chew gum or smell like smoke. Don't take cell phone calls during an interview. If you carry a cell phone, turn it off during the interview to be sure it doesn't ring.
• Don't ever interrupt the interviewer, even if you are anxious and enthusiastic about answering the question.
• Be aware of your non-verbal behaviors - sit straight, smile as often as you can, maintain eye contact but don't stare the interviewer down, lean forward but not invading the interviewer's space. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
• Don't be shy or self-effacing. You want to be enthusiastic, confident and energetic, but not aggressive, pushy or egotistic. That fine line is important. If you find yourself trying to hard to sell yourself, you are probably crossing the line. Instead, pull back, be confident and reassuring and calm.
• Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).
• Listen very carefully to each question you are asked and give thoughtful, to-the-point and honest answers. Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. It is OK to take a few moments of silence to gather your thoughts before answering. Try not to "beat around the bush" or take a long time to give the answer the interviewer is seeking.
• Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if any. Always thank the interviewer for his or her time at the close of the interview and establish a follow-up plan.
• When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. Depart gracefully.

After the Interview:

• After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details.
• If you are working with a search firm or recruiter, call that recruiter immediately while the facts of the interview are fresh on your mind. The recruiter will want to know what you thought went well and what you may have concerns about.
• Always send a thank you letter to the interviewer immediately. If there were several people that interviewed you, send them each a thank you note. It is good to keep the letter short but to also reiterate your interest in the position and your confidence in your qualifications.
• Don't call the employer back immediately. If the employer said they would have a decision in a week, it is OK to call them in a week, again to thank them for the interview and reiterate your interest.
• If you receive word that another candidate was chosen, you may also send a follow-up letter to that employer, again thanking him or her for the opportunity to interview for the position. Let them know that should another or similar position open in the future, you would love to have the opportunity to interview again.

Questions You Should Ask in Your Job Interview

Always prepare questions to ask. Having no questions prepared sends the message that you have not been thinking about the job. Avoid asking questions that are clearly answered on the employer's web site and/or in any literature provided by the employer to you in advance. This would simply reveal that you did not prepare for the interview, and you are wasting the employer's time by asking these questions. Never ask about salary and benefits issues until those subjects are raised by the employer.

Remember that an interview is a two-way conversation. For you, the interview has two purposes: One, to sell yourself, and two, to evaluate the position. After asking questions, the interviewer usually invites you to ask questions. 

By asking informed questions, such as the following, you not only gain knowledge about the potential employer, but you also make a good impression:

• What is the size of the division, sales volume, earnings?
• Does the company plan to expand? What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?
• What are the significant trends in the industry?
• Could you explain your organizational structure?
• Can you discuss your take on the company’s corporate culture? What are the company’s values?
• How would you characterize the management philosophy of this organization?
• Are any acquisitions, divestitures, or proxy fights on the horizon?
• What do you think is the greatest opportunity facing the organization in the near future? The biggest threat?
• How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? And by whom? How often?
• Would there be opportunities for advancement, and, how long before I might be considered for one?
• What qualities do you prize the most in those that report directly to you?
• How does the organization rank within its field?
• What is the reputation of the department (or facility) to which I am applying?
• How is this department (or facility) perceived within the organization (or corporation)?
• What have been its goals in the last year, and, did it meet them?
• What would be the goals of the department (or facility) in the coming year?
• Do you think those are aggressive or conservative goals? Who set them?
• What problems or difficulties are present in the department (or facility) now?
• What are the most important problems to solve first?
• What will be the greatest challenge in the job?
• What are the greatest strengths of this department and company?
• What would you expect me to accomplish in this job?
• What is your management style? 
• How often would we meet together?
• What responsibilities have the highest priority?
• Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?
• How might these responsibilities and priorities change?
• How much time should be devoted to each area of responsibility?
• What qualifications are you looking for in the person who fills this job?
• What are some examples of the achievements of others who have been in this position?
• How many people have held this job in the last five years? Where are they now?
• Why isn't this job being filled from within?
• What is the history of this position?
• What are the traits and skills of people who are the most successful within the organization?
• If this position is offered to me, why should I accept it?
• Why did you come to work here? What keeps you here?
• What do you see in my personality, work history or skill set that attracts you to me?
• How soon do you expect to make a decision?
• If I am offered the position, how soon will you need my response?

When the position involves management of other employees, you may also wish to ask some of these questions:

·         How much authority will I have in running the department (or facility)

·         Are there any difficult personalities on the staff?

·         Have you already identified staff or staffs that should be let go or transferred?

·         Have you already identified staff members that are stars and are in line for promotion?

·         How many employees would I supervise?

·         What condition is morale in, and why?

·         May I see an organizational chart?

Finally, you may want to discuss issues of compensation. Following are some suggestions for questions pertaining to salary and benefits packages:

·         What are the benefits and perks?

·         What is the salary range?

·         What is my earnings potential in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years?

If commissions are involved, ask about the median salary of a person holding a position comparable to that which you are seeking.