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Interviewing to Get the Job

If an employer has reviewed your cover letter and resume and thinks you could be a good fit for the position, she/he may call you for an interview to gather more information about your qualifications and experience.

An interview is usually a face to face one-on-one meeting with an employer, but there are a variety of interview types. Phone interviews are generally used to determine which people an employer wants to have in for a face to face interview. Sometimes applicants go through a series of interviews instead of just one as companies narrow down who they want to hire. These interviews can be one-on-one or the applicant can be interviewed by several people at once. Because interview types can vary, it is a good idea to ask an organization what their process for hiring is when you first hear from them.

Interviews can be the most stressful part of the job search, but with the right preparations they don't have to be. This guide is designed to give you practical advice on the interview process so you can best market yourself to an employer.

Sources of Information About Prospective Employers

Dressing for the Interview

At the Interview

Three Basic Questions in an Interview

After the Interview

Dressing for the Interview

Making a good first impression will have a big impact on your chances of getting a job offer. A significant part of that first impression is what you wear on the interview. The following tips are from Women Work!'s guide, Work Your Image: Creating a Professional Appearance to Get and Keep a Job.

• Find out what type of clothing is normal for your job. Once you have determined what people wear, dress a step more formally for the interview.

• Dress in a clean-cut and conservative manner. Many experts advise wearing a skirt or dress rather than pants. If you do, make sure that your skirt is no more than a couple of inches above your knees.
• Wear low heels. Spike heels may make you wobble.
• Make sure all clothing is clean, free of stains and wrinkles, and in good repair.
• Beware of clothes that are ill-fitting. Avoid anything that is too tight or too loose, gaps when you move, or is too low-cut.

For a free copy of the Work Your Image guide, please mail your request with your name and address to:

Women Work!

Attn:WYI Request

1625 K Street, NW #300

Washington , DC 20006

or e-mail your request to: womenwork@womenwork.org

At the Interview

Arrive ten to fifteen minutes early so that you have time to go to the restroom and make any last-minute fixes to your appearance. Be courteous to everyone in the office everyone you see, as any one of them may be asked to evaluate you. Speak naturally, but try to avoid expressions such as, "ah, um, like, you know." Use your hands naturally but be aware of any nervous habits.

Remember, you are trying to sell yourself. Try to fit honest descriptions of your abilities into the interview whenever possible. The following are helpful points on things you should do, and things you should never do while being interviewed.

At the Interview, DO:

• Give a firm handshake
• Make eye-contact and smile
• Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard
• Take your time to think about the question you've been asked before answering
• Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question
• Stop talking when you've answered the question
• Relax and believe in yourself

At the Interview, DO NOT:

• Use first names (unless asked)
• Smoke (even if invited)
• Sit down (until invited)
• Show anxiety or boredom
• Look at your watch
• Discuss sex, race, national origin, religion or age
• Ask about salary or benefits during the first interview
• Criticize a former employer
• Assume a submissive role. (Treat the interviewer(s) with respect, but as an equal.)
  

Three Basic Questions in an Interview

Being prepared for an interview also means knowing yourself and what you have to offer. This may sound easy, but when the subject is you, it's all too easy to ramble. Think about what you have to offer the company. Why should they hire you? Bring extra copies of your resume- including one for yourself- to help you communicate your key qualities and accomplishments from previous jobs or volunteer positions.

Although books and articles on interviewing may list hundreds of typical questions that may be asked, essentially there are three basic questions to an interview. Practice for the interview by thinking about your responses to these questions ahead of time. Make sure that you are prepared to answer these questions clearly.

Question #1: Do you have the skills and background to do the job?

Ways this question may be asked include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why should I hire you?
• How can you make a contribution to the company?

Paula Ancona, author of SuccessAbilities: 1003 Practical Ways to Keep Up, Stand Out and Move Ahead at Work, has this to say about answering these questions. "Before the interview prepare an honest, one to two minute speech including a brief introduction to yourself, your key accomplishments and your strengths. Avoid cliches like, 'I like to work with people.' " Instead, say, "I have demonstrated I work well with people by interacting effectively with others, in community projects and clubs." The way you choose to say something can make all the difference in the impression you make.

Question #2: Are you willing to do this job?

This question may be phrased in different forms, such as:

• What are your long-range and short-range goals?
• What would you like to accomplish in the next two years?
• What did you learn from your previous job experience?

You will need to explain how the job fits with what you want to do, and how you will continue to grow with and within the organization. In your answer, give them a sense that you are committed to staying. Show you are ready to do whatever is offered to advance.

Question #3: Will you be a good fit for the company?

Ways this question may be asked include:

• What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
• In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
• How do you think a friend who knows you well would describe you?

The answer to this question is interpreted by the interviewer based on instinct. Factors considered, consciously or unconsciously, will be your ability to respond effectively to the various personalities in the workplace, the company's outlook, the management style of your supervisor, and the pace of your workplace.

Illegal Questions

Interview questions should always be job related. Employers are forbidden by federal law to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin or religion.

Examples of illegal questions:

• How old are you?
• Is your last name Japanese?
• Are you divorced? / Is that Ms. or Mrs.?
• Do you plan to have children?
• Are you Catholic?
• Does your family approve of your commute?
• Are you gay?

If you are confronted with an illegal question, it is best to sidestep the matter and redirect the discussion to a new topic. Most illegal interview questions are asked in true ignorance of the law; many interviewers are not aware of how the information may be used by others in a discriminatory way.

If you direct the conversation to a new subject, the interviewer might recognize the personal misstep and appreciate your willingness to put it aside and move on. However, when you feel you have experienced blatant discrimination, you have every right to end the interview and leave.

Questions You Might Ask in an Interview

Studies have revealed that employers take note of the type of questions candidates ask during an interview. Try to ask thoughtful and engaging questions. Also, steer clear of certain subject areas. For instance, do not seem overly concerned about the starting pay rate or the amount of vacation time; you can always bring these subjects up after you have been offered the job and are in the negotiation stage.

After the Interview

Within 24 hours of the interview, write a thank-you note or e-mail to each of your interviewers. Mention that you are grateful for the opportunity to meet with them and try to include as much detail about your visit as possible.

Make sure to be specific about how and why you are excited about working for the organization. Try to reference similar goals with the organization’s mission statement. Finally, mention that you look forward to hearing back from them soon. If you plan to follow up on a certain date, let the interviewer know.

The Job Offer

If you are offered the job, do not accept right on the spot – you need to carefully consider all of the factors involved before making your decision.

First, do not forget to maintain your composure: impressions still count. Second, confirm the details of your job offer: inquire about the salary, start date, location and date they need your job offer response by.

Make sure you take some time to consider the job offer. Employers know you are interviewing with other organizations and will appreciate your honesty. Once you have decided to accept an offer, you should stop other job search efforts. Notify any other employers with whom you are in discussion about employment that you are no longer a candidate. Cancel any upcoming interviews by explaining that you have accepted another job offer.

In the case that you are not offered the job, be gracious. If you are still interested in the organization, ask that your resume be kept on file in case there are any new job openings.

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