Chapters
Lumen Learning and Linda Bruce Hill
If your résumé and cover letter have served their purposes well, you will be invited to participate in an interview with the company or organization you’re interested in. Congratulations! It’s an exciting time, and your prospects for employment are very strong if you put in the time to be well prepared.
In this section we look at how to get ready for an interview, what types of interviews you might need to engage in, and what kinds of questions you might be asked.
Preparing Effectively for a Job Interview
Carefully Review and Highlight the Job Description
When you prepare for an interview, your first step will be to carefully read and reread the job posting or job description. The job description is your “cheat sheet” for adapting your resume appropriately and for preparing for the interview. Although you won’t know exactly what questions you will be asked, you can count on being asked questions that relate to aspects of the position as described in the ad. Go through the ad and highlight it and make notes. Highlight the duties, skills and experience that you have that match. Write down examples of times you exhibited the desired characteristics or performed the specified duties. This will help you develop a clearer idea of how you meet the skills and attributes the company seeks.
Research the Company and Your Interviewers
Researching the company will give you a wider view of what they are looking for and how well you might fit in. Go to the “about us” section of the website. Find the company mission or vision statement and know how you fit within it. Find any news articles they have posted about the company activities. This gives you a glimpse into the culture and allows you to easily connect with your interviewers. Your prospective employer WILL ask you what you know about the company. They may even ask what you think they could be doing better! Being prepared to answer these questions shows that you took time and effort to prepare for the interview and that you have a genuine interest in the organization. It shows detail orientation and good planning—soft skills you will need on the job. Find your interviewers on LinkedIn. Know who they are and get a sense of what they value.
Practice Answering Common Questions
Most interviewees find that practicing for the interview in advance with a family member, a friend, or a colleague eases possible nerves during the actual interview. At the University of New Hampshire, you can meet with a career advisor to practice your interview skills and telling your job stories. Practicing helps you to feel more confident when you walk through the interview door. In the “Interview Questions” section below, you’ll learn more about specific questions you will likely be asked and corresponding strategies for answering them.
Plan to Dress Appropriately
Interviewees are generally most properly dressed for an interview in business attire, with the goal of looking highly profess