Recommendations for the interview

Introduction

Suddenly it happens. Someone likes what they see in your resume and calls you to set up an interview. Success! You are likely in the top 3 to 5% of the applicants for the position, competing against 2 to 4 other people.This is very exciting but now it's time to prepare.

You should feel confident but interviews can be somewhat stressful and you may feel unsure as to what to prepare and what to expect. The interview is all about the employer as you must demonstrate how you will contribute to the success of the company, fit within its culture and compliment the personalities of those that work there.

Here are a few tips on what to consider when preparing for the call and for the interview.

Get ready for the call:

Get caller I.D. for your phone (although sometimes the call may come in as "unknown" or under a different name than expected).

Set up an answering system with a message you’ve created that sounds friendly and professional, and states that you will return the call as soon as possible.

Set up a writing pad near the phone to take quick notes on when, where and with whom the interview will take place.

If you are unable to concentrate and take notes don’t answer the phone; let the answering system take a message. It’s a good idea to be mentally and physically prepared before taking the call. It would be a shame to provide a poor first impression because you took the call unprepared and you sounded distracted or unprofessional. It also leaves a good impression if you return the call within an hour.

Before the interview:

Prepare

Now that you know the company and the position you are being interviewed for, take the time to prepare. You have one attempt at making a good impression.The extra effort to prepare for the interview is worthwhile because securing a job releases you of the frustrations of unemployment.

Learn about the company before the interview. Interviewers quiz people on their personal interest and knowledge of the company and the related industry. They use this to assess your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Determine the company’s:

  • primary business (product or services)
  • the number and general idea of any branch locations
  • the company’s size
  • its business units
  • its primary clients (if available)
  • etc.

Prepare some questions of your own to ask during the interview. Interviewers like to see curiosity and interest from those they interview. Write them down and take this paper with you. Don't ask questions about items that could be answered with a little research (for instance if the question is answered clearly by visiting their web site). . Examples may include:

  • What are the most important skills or qualities are you looking for in new employees?
  • what are the most important characteristics that people have in your organization?
  • What do you think is the best part of your job?
  • Do you have training and growth plans for employees?
  • etc

An important question you must ask is when the hiring decision is to be made

Review the job advertisement (if available) to recall the position, job description and the requested background. Mentally rehearse your responses to the questions on these points because the interviewer will address all requirements stated in the advertisement.

Review your résumé as some of the questions will directly relate to it. Rehearse your answers to difficult questions. Examples of difficult questions relating your résumé often include:

  • Why did you leave xxx job
  • What did you do with these xx months when you weren’t working or going to school
  • Why did it take you xx years to complete a degree that only takes xx years
  • Why did you go to xx college instead of yy college
  • Why do you think you’d like to work for our company?
  • What do you know about our company?
  • What makes you the best candidate for the job? (Why should I hire you).
  • Describe yourself. (Often cited as the most frequently asked question in interviews).
  • What are your personal career goals?
  • Why do you want to leave (or why have you left) your current employer?
  • What are your greatest personal accomplishments?
  • Are you able to work the occasional evening / weekends?
  • What are your salary expectations? (I find this is the toughest of all questions. Requires research.)

Be mentally prepared for non-technical questions. The interview is a personality test and, for the skilled interviewer, there are reasons for every question. Preparing for questions and answers reduces the stress one feels and increases the success of the interview. Here are some samples of very common non-technical interview questions:

  • What was you favourite class in high school or college?
  • What motivates you?
  • What do your parents do for a living?
  • What kind of books to you read? What was the last book you read?
  • What was your most memorable experience in your career?
  • In your past, what job did you like the least? Why?
  • How do you approach tasks you dislike?
  • Explain a time when you made a decision and it was wrong. How did you handle it? How would you do it differently?
  • What are your hobbies?
  • What is your ideal work environment?
  • What interpersonal skills do you have that would make you the ideal candidate for this job?
  • Do you participate in sports?
  • Describe a conflict you had with someone you worked with. How did you deal with it?
  • What is your best quality/strength? Worst quality/weakness?
  • What ares your life goals?
  • How do you manage stress?
  • Career-wise, where do you expect to be in 5 years?
  • Do you prefer to function in a team or work alone? Why?
  • What questions did you expect but I didn't ask?

Be prepared for the unexpected and uninvited questions

Although it is often illegal or at best inappropriate to ask certain questions during an interview it may happen especially if the interviewer is relatively inexperienced such as someone not from the HR (Human Resources) department. You should be prepared and rehearse how to answer very personal questions.

It is unacceptable to ask about the following in most jurisdictions in Canada, US and other countries:

  • gender, marital status, family, children, ethnic background, living arrangements
  • name, family origins, maiden name, languages spoken (unless specifically required for the job). It is permissible to ask for past names or other names if needed for references.
  • religion (and which religious holidays or customs you observe), membership in organizations that would identify religion, race, place of origin.
  • handicaps, physical characteristics such as age, height & weight, health (past and present), past claims for illness, stress or injury. They may not ask for a photograph unless physical appearance is a requirement (modeling, for instance). They may ask for a photo once you are hired and it is required for security.
  • country of birth, citizenship (they may only ask if you are entitled to work in their jurisdiction), passport, social insurance number or other personal document (they may request some specific documents once hired).
  • sources of income other that that of specific former employment.

Since these questions fall under the "none-of-your-business" and "you shouldn't be asking" categories keep the answers short, eliminate details, state whatever you want, state that you'd rather not answer the question or simply change the subject. These types of questions are illegal precisely because they are not supposed to affect a hiring decision. It's your call as to how you deal with it.

You may want to think of the underlying reason why the question was asked and address it. For instance, if asked how many children you have, they may be concerned over absenteeism therefore you should address your attendance record and ability to work extra hours. If they ask where you were born you could answer that you are legally able to work here (perhaps that what the interviewer wanted to know).

Often these questions are asked because of the inexperience of the interviewer. If inexperienced, they may not be aware that they cannot ask these questions and are simply trying to be friendly and mean nothing malicious. If you feel, however, that a prejudice was present during the interview there are recourses you can take to complain but honestly this is a no-win situation for all those involved, including you.

There are some exceptions. They can ask direct questions if it is a requirement for employment. For instance, they may ask if you speak a specific language because it is a job requirement. They are permitted to ask about work-related requirements such as shift work, lifting items and ability to travel. They can ask if you are legally entitled to work in this jurisdiction. Employers in some jurisdictions can ask about criminal convictions or criminal records (in Alberta they can ask) although nobody in any jurisdiction can ask if an applicant has ever been arrested. They may ask if you have any travel restrictions (people with criminal records may not be permitted to enter the United States). They may also ask you to sign a release of information form that allows them to get details on your education from schools.

You may be asked if you own a reliable car. A leading reason cited by employees for tardiness or absenteeism is transportation.

Realize that they will ask some of the "forbidden" questions once you are hired, for specific reasons. For instance, they may ask about dependents because of taxation and insurance reasons. They may ask for date of birth for identification, insurance and pension reasons. They may ask for a photograph for security reasons.

Number 1 question: "Tell me about yourself"

This is the most frequently asked question and it is therefore important to prepare the response.

The employer is asking about your professional experience, not your personal life. Speak about how you work with people, what your personal motivators are, your business ethics, how your personal strengths have served you well and how you've identified and worked on reducing any weaknesses. Speak of what experiences were beneficial. Keep everything positive...for instance if you lost a job find the positive aspects of this event (such as "although it didn't work out I learned a lot about xxx").

Rehearse the answer to this question. To do this, write down specific notable experiences, character traits, educational background, work history and future aspirations that the employer would likely like to hear. Review your notes. A good answer to this question will go a long way toward improving your chances of getting the position.

The first impression

You have arrived a few minutes early, met the receptionist and are now waiting for the interview. Do not use your phone, computer or any other electronic device while waiting in the reception area. In fact, all these should be turned OFF before you walk in the door. Use this time to study the hard copies of notes you took to prepare for the interview such as the job advertisement, your prepared questions and your prepared responses to expected questions.

Eventually someone comes to the reception area to escort you to the meeting room. This is first impression time. Quietly reviewing your notes while sitting in the waiting area has already made a good impression. Stand straight, shake hands firmly, introduce yourself, smile, make eye contact. Bonus for thanking the receptionist as you leave the area.

First impressions are often the deciding factor. Most people will make a hiring decision within the first few minutes of the interview and the remaining time is to help validate this decision. Dress appropriately, shake hands properly, smile, be professional in appearance, respond to the questions, pace yourself, speak clearly, allow the interviewer to control the conversation, listen, show interest.

Body language is very important. Sit straight, face the interviewer, be pleasant and stay focused.

At the Interview

1-Sell yourself but do not oversell yourself

During the interview speak of your strengths and the contributions you can make to the company. Speak of your personality traits and skills. Sell yourself but do not become overbearing.

An arrogant or domineering person is a turn-off for interviewers. The worst is trying to demonstrate knowledge of the industry that the interviewer knows intimately but the interviewee knows little about. The employer knew the level of experience before the interview so there is no shame in having a relatively weak knowledge of the industry. Let the interviewer prompt the discussions. Control your own amount of talking. On an entry level position they are more likely to ask questions pertaining to your personality than to your technical knowledge (although it might be helpful to bring the list of courses that you took). If they trust the college you’ve attended they will trust that you’ve met their technical requirements.

What’s important is to study the general industry and the company in advance. In the interview, just be yourself. Be honest. Don’t exaggerate. Let the interviewer control the interview and don't talk excessively. If you are speaking too much the interviewer will give you clues, such as losing eye contact, doing something else such as reading your resume or checking his watch, nod excessively, cross his/her arms or will make it appear as though he has a question to ask.

2- Don’t give the employer reason to question hiring you

New employees are an investment and are expensive to hire, train and replace. It often takes several months or more before new employees begin paying for themselves so don’t make statements that will leave doubt with the interviewer. The employer doesn’t want to hire an employee that may not stay, that is unreliable or that may have personal distractions that can interfere with employment.

Here are some real examples from my experiences of what not to state::

  • personal goal of moving back home (such as another city)
  • the growth of a personal business you are currently running
  • keeping an evening or other job
  • going back to university full-time
  • stories about your unreliable car
  • personal problems of any type (marriage, children, finances, ...)
  • any complaints or negative comments

Any of these or other similar statements are a negative mark in the interview.

If you need some concession from the company the interview is not the time to ask. Don’t ask if you can leave work early on a specific day or pre-book your vacation. Wait until the position is offered to enter these negotiations.

3- Everything counts

The interview starts from the time you enter company property until the time you leave. Every action is a factor in the hiring decision.

I made it a regular habit of asking the receptionist about the actions of the person that arrived for the interview, and she was very happy to share her experiences.

  • Many were rude with our receptionist or non-business like in their actions.
  • One parked directly opposite the front door in the fire lane
  • Some made disruptive personal calls while waiting in our reception area, and the conversation overheard
  • Several brought a spouse and kids or friends to wait for them into our reception area.

All these unprofessional actions impacted the hiring decision. Be on best behaviour at all times. Ask family and friends to wait off site.

4- Arrive on time

Never arrive late. Ever. In most cases, arriving late means the interview is over before it began and the opportunity has been lost. The employer doesn’t want to hire someone that has a problem showing up on time for a meeting as important as an interview. Prevent this from happening by physically checking out the location a day or two before the interview, and look for a nearby place to "hang out" for preparing on the interview day. On the day of the interview you’ll know the way and can arrive at your "hang out" with time to spare and get mentally prepared. Not only does this help to ensure being on time but it also removes one source of stress on the day of the interview.

If you have the very unfortunate instance of running late because of an external factor, try salvaging the interview by calling to reschedule before the interview is set to begin. The interviewer may be willing to reschedule if given notice in advance. Don’t make excuses; just apologize that you are running late. Making excuses (car problems, bus schedule, etc…) may demonstrate a lack of responsibility and frankly the employer doesn’t want to hear this level of detail. The only good excuse is that you were in another interview or meeting that took longer than expected.

Do not arrive too early as this exhibits poor time management and is inconsiderate of the interviewer’s schedule. I’d recommend 5 to 10 minutes early at most because many receptionists will not wait until the appointment time and will call the interviewer as soon as you arrive, and this reflects poorly on you. It’s also poor optics to be sitting in the reception area for a long time. Stay out of sight and off site until a few minutes before the interview.

5- Arrive prepared

Bring the following with you at the interview:

  • Extra copies of your résumé. You never know what other opportunities may come up, and its good to have for reference during the interview.
  • Good copies of your references: one you can hand out and one for your personal reference.
  • Copies of your significant certificates, diplomas, degrees, and other important achievements.
  • Copies of your reference letters if available.

Review and know your résumé before the interview. Interviewers will ask question to clarify it, and not knowing your own résumé leaves a poor impression.

6- Etiquette

Take cues from the interviewer. Do not use the interviewer’s desk as your own. Sit in an open stance, back straight and face the interviewer. Maintain eye contact.

Always be positive. Don't speak negatively about past employers because it's unprofessional and makes you appear difficult. If things did not go well with a past employer, a more appropriate statement is that it was "a poor fit", that the job did not exercise your strengths (which are ...), or that it didn't work out but you learned several things... .

7- A Little Sales…

People often send out visual cues that can show their sentiments. For instance, if interviewers cross their arms, start doing other things such as looking at their computer screen or are starting to lean back into the chair, it often indicates that they’re “closed”. Either you are talking too much or the interviewer has likely made a decision and the interview is about to end. This person is no longer receptive to new information.

You can influence this using a sales technique. People subconsciously mimic others. If you want the person to remain open a little longer, present the stance that you want the interviewer to take: open (arms not crossed) and leaning forward. First, somewhat mimic the interviewer (cross arms, lean back), and then assume the leaning forward and open pose. Repeat this using a different sequence of moves as you do it. Do it slowly and don’t make it obvious.

8- Questions, questions, questions...

During the course of an interview you may get the same question repeated several times in several ways. Some employers do this to check your consistency, determination and patience. In some cases, however, they may also be trying to get you to provide a better answer. Be patient and answer the question consistently but you should ask the interviewer if you should expand on your response if this is a repeated question.

Your answers regarding experience should follow this pattern:

  • what you did
  • why you did it
  • what positive things you learned from this experience (most important)

9- Self-control

It is natural to be nervous at an interview but sometimes your nervous reactions can cause problems at an interview. Reduce giggling, "umms", periods of extended silence when asked a question or other "ticks" that you have when you get nervous. Speaking excessively is an interview killer and it is a real turn-off to an interviewer because they cannot ask the questions they need to ask. All of these can be reduced with prepared answers to anticipated questions, focus and practice.

10- Listen, Demonstrate Interest, Answer the Question

Listen carefully to everything the interviewer states. The occasional nod is very helpful. Answer the questions honestly, and in a positive manner. Don't be afraid to occasionally ask for clarification.

11- Ask Questions

Asking questions during the interview is recommended. Ask the questions you prepared before the interview. These may include questions on the position, the reporting structure, the company or the industry. Do not ask questions that the answer could easily be known by a little research (for instance, do not ask if a position requires a skill if it was specifically listed in the job advertisement!).

12- Attitude

You must demonstrate enthusiasm for the position, confidence in your abilities and a willingness to work. Be positive and assertive. The interviewer is trying to determine if you can contribute to the success of the company so you must have an attitude to match this.

Do not::

  • be too casual or try to be on familiar terms with the interviewer (the interviewer is not a "buddy")
  • give the impression that you are "shopping around" for a job
  • ask about salary or benefits until the interviewer discusses it
  • use poor language or slang
  • bring up personal problems or issues
  • make negative comments about anything or anyone
  • attempt to demonstrate knowledge you don't have
  • voice strong opinions or beliefs about issues such as politics, religion or anything else that may be arguable (example, about how you think Xxx company's products are no good).

13- Leaving the Interview

Say a few kind words on your departure. Thank the person for your time, for considering your application, state that you are interested in the position and that you look forward to hearing from them again. Get a business card (provides proper spelling, an email address and a direct phone number). Show confidence on your way out the door. Thank the receptionist as you leave.

All too often at the end of an interview I’ve had interviewees take off as though they have just been set free from imprisonment and have near collisions with staff from jogging through the office looking for the front door, with me trying to keep up and keep them on the path to the door. I don’t normally have this effect on people. Please don't do this.

After the Interview

So, what now? You've just had an interview and it seemed to have been fine but are unsure if you will get an offer.

Take Notes

Every interview is an opportunity to improve for the next one. A very important step is once you are off site immediately write down as many notes as you can about the interview. Focus on what questions you feel you did not answer well and where you could have done better. Review these notes before the next interview. Practice leads to a win.

Record all names and titles of those that you were introduced to, if possible. These are future contacts.

You must record the decision date so that you know when you may receive a call.

Advise your reference contacts that they may get a call. Provide some details to them about the job so that they know what they should emphasize.

 

Thanks for the interview

A post-interview email is often recommended. Send it out the evening of the interview. Suggestions are to thank the interviewer for their time and for considering your application for the position. Briefly reiterate your strengths and why you feel that you are a great candidate for the position (but don't be overbearing). Review your post-interview notes for ideas on what could be emphasized. The email should be relatively short, spelling and grammar checked. It should follow full business letter protocol (no abbreviations or slang) with a proper sign-off ("Yours Sincerely" or similar) with your full name.

I'm Waiting...

The interviewer stated the decision is to be made yesterday and no call yet. What should you do?

Do not suspend your job search if you've had a good interview. Imagine if you managed to get another interview while waiting for a reply to the first and had not one but two offers to deal with? Awesomeness ensues, that's what.

Just be aware that you may get a call and may need to check for messages more frequently. Also, decisions frequently take more time than planned so be a little patient.

Didn't Get It (?)

Don't despair if you do not hear back or did not get the job. It happens. Someone was a little more qualified than you, or the interviewer felt that you may not fit in their company's culture. Sometimes they already had an internal candidate in mind but had to advertise because of company policy. Maybe the budget was not forthcoming as expected.

Whatever the reason, don't let it get you down. You did not lose. You did not get the job but you gained valuable interview experience with an expert in your field and an insight into a company that you may (or may not) want to apply to again.

If you have not heard back a week or later after the decision date you should consider calling. Some people advise to not call but honestly, this long past the decision date with no communiqué you likely don't have the job and have little to lose. Employers cannot take too long making an offer as their chosen candidate may be hired by another company.

The objective of the call is to ask for some friendly advise. You are playing a little on the good will of the interviewer and may get some job leads from it. It is very important to rehearse what you will say because a call without an objective will not have a good outcome. Speak in very positive, grateful and friendly terms. Humility is the sentiment that you want to convey. You may open the conversation by stating who you are, thanking them again for the opportunity for the interview and ask if they have a few moments to answer some questions. You may then ask questions such as:

  • Do you anticipate future openings with your company?
  • Will you keep my resume on file? Do I send updates to your attention?
  • What were my weaknesses that I should improve on?
  • Do you know of any companies in this field that are hiring?

No Worries

It can be disheartening to not get the job you felt confident that you had but don't despair. Keep trying. You were interviewed which means you were among the top candidates. You will find a position so just keep trying and expanding your search. Remember, everyone with a career today went through this phase.