Attending Interview

An interview is a conversation between two or more people where questions are asked to obtain information about the interviewee. Interviews can be divided into two rough types, interviews of assessment and interviews for information.

There are three steps for an interview

• Preparation
• Presentation
• Personality

1. Be Prepared!

   Look at the employers' website and learn something about the company before you attend your interview. Feed them the opportunity to talk proudly about something positive you have found. This will boost your credibility with the interviewer and will help you to formulate intelligent questions to ask him or her.

2. Write down and practice possible questions!

   Prior to your interview, prepare answers to common questions the interviewer is likely to ask. Use the third person when talking about the job.

3. BE on time!

   Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview. And if worst comes to worst and you are going to be late, then definitely ring in and let them know.

4. What are your weaknesses?

   Try to find an area of your experience/skill that is currently lacking. An interviewer will appreciate your can dour - as long as whatever you disclose can be easily remedied

5. Bring necessary documentation.

   Make a checklist of documents you will need for the interview and make sure you have them in your briefcase before leaving home. These documents may include extra copies of your résumé, a passport, driver’s license, photograph, Social Security card, or portfolio of writing samples or other professional work. If you are a recent graduate, you should also bring along your college transcripts.

6. Check your CV for possible gaps!

   Make sure you know how you are going to explain time gaps on your CV.

7. Secure your references.

   Find at least three key people -- former supervisors, colleagues, or instructors -- who are willing to serve as your professional references. Be sure to secure their permission beforehand, and be certain that they will speak highly of you if contacted by a potential employer.

8. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

   SMILE! Dress professionally in simple business attire.. And don't forget that firm handshake and to maintain eye contact - without glaring!

9. Be honest!

   There really is no point lying about your background and/or skills.Job interviews are about matching needs - if there isn't a good match, then chances are that the job won't work out

10. Talk about specific achievements!

    Interviewers like to know how you felt about a particular success. Some will ask for specific examples of things you've done that you're particularly proud of; how you solved problems; how you learned - and improved - from difficult situations.

11. Be enthusiastic and positive!

    Focus on positive achievements and views.

12. And finally, don’t give up!

    The fact is that you will not be offered every job however perfect you think you may be for it. Usually it's because the interviewer was completely blind to the talent that stood before them. However, just on the off chance that it was not, feedback from interviews where you have been turned down can be invaluable for improving future results. Ask politely if they can give you any feedback for the future - there's a job out there for you somewhere.

13. Follow up.

    After the interview, don’t forget to send a handwritten note or friendly email thanking the interviewer for his or her time and consideration, as well as restating your interest and commitment to the position. If you don’t hear anything after one week, call to politely inquire when they will be making a final

Interview don’ts

• Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
• Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
• Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).
• Don't treat the interview casually. This is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.
• Don't give the impression that you are only interested in an organization because of its geographic location
• Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't ask about salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up by your interviewer.
• Don't make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in; it is not the interviewer's job to act as a career advisor to you.
• A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.
• Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
• Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address her as "Ms." unless told otherwise. Her marital status is irrelevant to the purpose of the interview
• 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 talk too much