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Interview Preparation

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Research the Company/Organization in Depth

•Browse the organization's Web site, (about us, our team, clients, news releases and company policy etc) read as many of its marketing materials as you can, and look for articles about the organization in major periodicals or industry trade journals.

•If applying to a small company, read about their goals and vision.

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Identify What You Have to Sell

• What are the top three skills or experiences you can offer the employer that other applicants can't?

• Identify them before the interview, and then determine how you'll communicate them to the prospective employer when answering interview questions

• Remember the skills should be job related

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Prepare Examples

• Anyone can make claims in job interviews; far fewer people back them up

• Prepare some actual stories you can tell from previous experiences to support your statements

• Develop your career portfolio and use it as a presentation prop during the interview

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Develop Intelligent Questions

•At some point during your interview, you'll be asked whether you have any questions• Asking questions demonstrates your level of interest in the job, so develop a few ahead of time, and jot some down during the interview

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Examples

• What are the next steps in the interview process, 2nd interview, panel?

• When do you anticipate to hire this position, what else do you need from me?

• What are the dynamics of the team I will be working within?• What is your management style, how can I compliment that?• What is the best method to follow up on next steps?• Where did the last person to hold this job go?• Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?• Why did you come to XYZ Company?• What training is involved 

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Develop Your Close

You need to learn how to close the interview to win the job -- if you want it.•Thank the Interviewer/ Panel for their time and the opportunity; ask for their business cards/email•send a follow-up thank you note/card/e-mail, personalize and build rapport with any key notes from the interview•Salary and compensation negotiation will come later in the process, but you may be asked what your minimum expectation is, give a range, don’t’ be unrealistic?

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Be Ready for Surprises

•It's possible you'll be taken out to lunch or dinner as part of the interview• you may have to take a pre-employment tests or evaluations•Prepare ‘behavioral interview question sample, role-play or arrange a mock interview•You could be interview by more than one person., be prepared for these possibilities and more•You may be asked to “job shadow”, embrace this real life experience in the work place, invaluable or suggest this approach.

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Dress Professionally

•Make sure you look your very best for the interviewa professional interview suit* or two, clean, smart shoes , shirt, tie or blouse

•It’s an investment in YOUR future, not an expense

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Plan your travel to the interview location

•You cannot be late for interviews – period (neither too early).15 minutes is the key to success• Get good directions to the company ahead of time, and if possible, practice traveling to the site

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Rest & Focus

• Get a good night's sleep before your interview• Ensure you'll be as physically, psychologically and

emotionally ready for the day• Research, research or read the company news/press

releases that morning• Use LinkedIn to research the company and their

followers, they may have a GROUP you can join

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Plan to Bring Your Resume to the Interview

• plan to bring several copies, the resume you applied with & cover letter

• (remember a generic resume will never get you an interview)

• Copy of the job description• Note pad• Something to write with TAKE NOTES

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Make Peace with Potential Mistakes

•Your interview won't go perfectly, you will struggle with some questions•You may forget to make some important points, make notes of key points you want to get across and have these readily available, in your notes pad/book•You may miss some key point, that’s’ ok, insure you cover this in your follow up, if necessary

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What not to do in an Interview

• Poor Hygiene: too Much of a Good Smell Can Be Bad

• Too Little or too much information• Lack of Focus• Averting Your Eyes• Slang and Street Speak• Deception• Dress appropriately, first impressions do count,

you should ensure you are in clean smart attire

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Visit Us, we are nice people to hang with

Annette DowsingCareer Services Advisor

adowsing@aii.eduThe Art Institute of CA - Sacramento