The Interview
"Chance favors the prepared mind." Nothing could be more true than this in the case of the employment interview. Landing a good job is not nearly so much a matter of luck as it is a matter of good planning and advance preparation. I suggest you devote some serious effort to researching and preparing for the job interview.
The interview is when employers will get to know your personality, interests, goals, and objectives.
What Employers Are Looking For Candidates:
- Job candidates with a definite idea of their goals, objectives, strength, and skills.
- Candidates who are knowledgeable about the position they are interviewing for, the company and its products, and the industry overall.
- Candidates who can match their own skills and experiences with the needs of the company.
- Candidates who are confident in themselves and their ability to contribute to the company.
- Candidates who can discuss past experiences and give specific examples that demonstrate their skills and accomplishments.
The interview:
During the interview, the employer will ask you about yourself, your background, and your experiences. These will often include open-ended questions that you can use to relate your experiences to the needs of the company. Always give specific examples that highlight your skills and accomplishments.
Closing the interview:
There are things the candidate can do during the close of the interview to considerably enhance the prospects of an employment offer. From the candidate standpoint, there are six key elements of an effective interview close. There are:
- Expression of interest.
- The value statement.
- Requesting feedback.
- Establishing the "path forward."
- The "thank you."
- The parting impression.
The Interview Summary:
You will go step-by-step through the interview process, discovering how to:
- Develop an interview strategy that sets you apart from the herd of job seekers.
- Research a potential employer’s products, marketing strategy, management style, and financial picture.
- Control the interview to your advantage.
- Maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
- Handle the toughest questions.
- Conduct mid-interview damage control-including helpful tips and tricks to avoid traps and pitfalls.
- Take the initiative and ask penetrating questions.
- Sell yourself in the interview.