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!
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.
