Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

CREATIVE CLUSTER

Let's grow together


Interview Technique

The art of giving an effective interview


The interview is the most important element in the job search process. When an employer invites you to an interview, he or she generally already thinks you may be qualified to do the job. Now you both need to exchange enough information to allow you both to determine whether you and the organization are a good "fit" for each other.

Be prepared to make life easy for your interviewer by volunteering relevant information about yourself. Know yourself and think about how you want to present what you know. Think about how you want to present your strengths, experience, education, work style, skills, and goals.

Review your resume critically and try to identify the areas that an employer might view as limitations without apologizing for deficiencies. Think about how you can answer difficult questions accurately, positively, and briefly.

Be prompt and professional. Arrive early. If you don't know where the organization is located, call for directions ahead of time. If you know you are going to be late be sure to call and let someone know. To be more comfortable, you should arrive approximately 10 minutes early

Dress appropriately in clothes in which you are comfortable and feel you look your best.

Be positive. Never say anything negative about past experiences, employers, or courses and professors. Employers, like anyone, tend to generalize: if you didn't like "x", you are a negative person and won't like me either.

Demonstrate interest. This can be achieved by doing research on the organization prior to the interview. It can also come across by asking questions during the interview about the job, the organization and its services and products.

At the end of an interview, it is appropriate for you to ask when you may expect to hear from the employer if that information isn't volunteered to you.

Don't bring up the issue of salary during the first interview. If the interviewer brings it up, ask what is the anticipated salary range for the position, then give only a general answer, such as that your expectations seem to be within their range, or close to their range.

Practice. Interviewing well is a skill which, like any other, improves with practice.