To interview successfully, to sell yourself, you will have to do three things:

Prepare!

Practice!

Perform!

The basic topics that are covered during an interview and the order in which they are most commonly dealt with are:

• You and your background;
• The firm or company;
• The position itself; and
• Compensation.

Interviews should be a two-way street. Not only must you give information, you can also get information.

Basic Techniques

Before the interview ask yourself some questions and be ready to talk about your interests, skills, experience and goals.

Write down questions about the job from your own research of the firm or company or organization.

Find out exactly when and where the interview will take place and arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Start the interview with a firm handshake. Don’t try to break anyone’s knuckles — tip — Look the interviewer in the eye and shake their hand long enough to ascertain their eye color, smile and let go.

Maintain eye contact during the interview and listen to what the interviewer has to say. Don’t think about what you are going to say next, concentrate on them, pause a second before answering questions to gather your thoughts.

Dress on the conservative side and avoid wearing strong smelling perfumes or lotions.

Emphasize your strengths and stay positive.

Focus on experience and personal qualities that would be beneficial for the position.

Be assertive, not aggressive, about your abilities.

Use examples of your previous experience where you utilized the skills and qualities this firm or company is seeking; present these examples enthusiastically.

No matter how good you are or how great the demand for your skills, you must sell yourself.

Know exactly what you can do for the firm or company before you go to the interview.

Your attitude, enthusiasm and desire for the job will help you make a good impression and you will improve your interviewing skills which each interview.

When the time comes to discuss salary, be prepared to state the amount you feel you deserve. To do this, find out the salary range for the position before the interview.

Be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time and interest.

Typical Questions Asked

1. What are your long range and short-range goals and objectives, when and why did you establish these goals and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
2. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next 5 years?
3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
4. How do you stay current in your profession?
5. What are your long-range career objectives?
6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
7. What are the most important rewards you expect in your business career?
8. What do you expect to be earning in five years?
9. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
10. If you were to stay with your present employer, what would your next career opportunity be?
11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
12. How would you describe yourself?
13. How do you think a friend or colleague who knows you well would describe you?
14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
15. How has your college/university experience prepared you for this particular position?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful in this position?
18. How do you determine or evaluate success?
19. What do you think it takes to be successful in a firm or company like ours?
20. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our firm or company?
21. What qualities should a successful manager possess?
22. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her.
23. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
24. Do you have plans for continued study or an advanced degree?
25. In what kind of a work environment are you most comfortable?
26. How do you work under pressure? Examples.
27. Why did you decide to seek a position with this firm or company?
28. What do you know about our firm or company?
29. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
30. Are you seeking employment in a firm or company of a certain size? Why?
31. What criteria are you using to evaluate the firm or company for which you hope to work?
32. Do you have interest outside of work that are applicable to this position?
33. Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
34. Will you relocate?
35. Are you willing to travel?
36. What major problems have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
37. What have you learned from your mistakes?

Negative Factors which most often lead to rejection

• Inadequate personality, poor attitude, lack of poise, lack of self-confidence, timid, hesitant approach, too introverted.

• Lack of goals / objectives, poorly motivated, does not know his/her interests, indecision, poor planning.

• Lack of interest in our type of business, lack of interest in our firm or company, not interested in the type of job we have to offer, lack of questions.

• Inability to express himself/herself, poor speech, inability to sell himself/herself.

• Unrealistic salary demands, more interested in salary than in opportunity, unrealistic expectations, over emphasis on management positions, unwilling to start at the bottom.

• Poor personal appearance, lack of neatness, or careless dress.

• Lack of maturity, no evidence of leadership.

• Failure to get information about our firm or company, lack of preparation for the interview, did not read the literature.

• Objects to travel, geographical preference, unwilling to relocate.

• Excessive interest in security and benefits.

• Inadequate preparation for type of work - inappropriate background.

Closing the Interview

It is important to leave the interviewer(s) with a positive impression of you, no matter how you feel the interview has gone.

Remain confident and determined to the end.

Each question the interviewer(s) asks is important, including the last one.

Thank the interviewer by name, shake their hand and let them know if you are interested in the position and will look forward to hearing from them.

Smile! Smile! Smile!