PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEW:

Research the company and make sure you have a few questions you can ask if given the opportunity.  Drive to the interview location before the interview to make sure you know where you are going and will arrive on time.  Dress for success, you should look your best when you to into an Interview, dress professionally.  

 

 Practice a 30-second commercial about yourself.  Click here for some guidelines for building your commercial.

 

Most interviewers ask similar questions during job interviews that relate to how your skills, knowledge, training, and work experience fit the job opening in the company. Click here for a list of sample interview questions - and the answers!


What is the STAR Method?

Star interview questions and answers refers to using the STAR (Situation or Task, Action and Result) method for answering those difficult job interview questions commonly labeled, behavioral, competency, skills, or functional interview questions.  These are open questions, requiring more than a simple word or two answer.  You are being asked to tell the interviewer about an experience you had and how you handled it.  To learn more about  the STAR method, click here to download "How to answer questions using the STAR approach".

Here's a good way to prepare for behavior-based interviews:
     • Identify six to eight examples from your past experience where you demonstrated top behaviors and skills that employers typically seek. Think in terms of examples that will exploit your top selling points.
     • Half your examples should be totally positive, such as accomplishments or meeting goals.
     • The other half should be situations that started out negatively but either ended positively or you made
the best of the outcome.
     • Vary your examples; don't take them all from just one area of your life.
     • Use fairly recent examples. If you're a college student, examples from high school may be too long ago.  Try to give examples of behaviors demonstrated within the last
year.
     • Practice giving these examples in the STAR format.

How to End the Interview

Many people do not realize this, but ending a job interview is nearly as important as starting one. You want to leave the interview room looking as clear and as confident as you possibly can. You want the atmosphere to remain positive and to make a lasting impression.

     When you entered the interview room, you likely shook hands with the employer. It is a good rule to do this upon leaving. It is a sign of friendly respect and keeps things pleasant. You want the interviewers to remember you in a positive way and extending your hand is a very good way to do this.

     Another good technique is to thank the interviewer or interview panel. By doing this you are showing your gratitude for being given this opportunity. Again, you’re leaving the interviewers with a positive impression of you.

     You likely already have company contact details, but a good idea is to ask for a business card.  This again shows interest and that you are keen. It also gives you useful contact information should you need to get in touch.

Finally, don’t be afraid to follow up with a thank you note or call.  This is another opportunity to show your prospective employers special qualities about you. It also shows your seriousness and eagerness in working for their company.

     Closing an interview on the right foot is nearly as important as the opening. It is a detail that several people overlook, much to their failure. By paying attention to this one last detail, you can help leave the employers with the right impression and help secure that job offer.