Meeting Employers
Interviewing Tips
Getting Ready For An Interview
An interview is a way for employers to get to know more about you and decide whether you are a good fit for the company and the position.
Act and Dress the Part - Have a professional image when you go to the interview. Wear business attire and use proper etiquette.
Be Prepared - Try to think of answers to possible questions ahead of time. Review the Interview Questions sheet and other resources in the Career Discovery Center to see the kinds of questions you may be asked. Use your knowledge of the company and yourself to identify why you are the best person for the position. Be prepared to tell them why when you answer their questions.
Research the Employer - Learn as much as you can about the employer prior to the interview. This demonstrates that you are interested in the job. Your knowledge will help you ask thoughtful questions in the interview. If you have not done your homework, you won’t be able to answer the important question of why you would like to work for the employer. Otherwise, you may sound like you would take any job.
Interviewing Hints
- Silence is OK - Interviewers are used to moments of silence when you are thinking of an answer. Don’t feel uncomfortable and take your time thinking of your response.
- Turn Cell Phones Off - Getting a phone call in the middle of an interview doesn’t impress the employer. Avoid the disruption by turning your phone off or not bringing it at all.
- Address the Employer - Always have direct eye contact when the employer is asking a question or you are answering. This shows that you are confident and self-assured.
- Prepare Questions to Ask - You are not the only person that answers questions during an interview. At some point, you will be allowed to ask the interviewer questions about the position, company, and anything else you can think of.
- Send a Thank You Letter - Immediately following the interview write a thank you letter to the interviewer, and allows you one more opportunity to make a good impression. It also reminds the interviewer of your skills and anything else that you forgot to mention in the interview.
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Your Professional Image
What is Your Professional Image?
Your professional image is the image you project in the professional business world. The way you look may not make up for poor performance, but it could give you a competitive edge during your interview and in your future career. Employers often decide whether an applicant will fitin with their organization based on a first impression. Your image is a statement of who you are and what you represent, and it will help you get the job offer. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it count!
How Can You Dress the Part?
There are no specific rules regarding attire. Appropriate dress differs based on the occupation, location, and preference. A "suit" atmosphere is always popular, but many corporations are adopting a "business casual" policy that allows workers to follow a more relaxed dress code. However, no matter the circumstance, dress as well as you can for the interview. Dress found in the work world is quite different from dress found on campus, and if you are in doubt, it is always better to dress up for the interview.
You should be prepared to spend more money on interview clothing, but the added costs will guarantee you quality material and a good fit. Most large department stores have Personal Shoppers on staff. These fashion consultants will work within your budget to help you coordinate a work wardrobe for your style and industry. This is a free service- just call and make an appointment.
If you are in a new situation, the best option is to dress conservatively. For professional positions, a business suit is an excellent interview choice for either a man or a woman. If you have time, go to the office of the company and observe how the current employers and employees are dressed. Then, follow their attire and style. If you are still unsure of how to dress for an interview, call the company and ask! You can ask to be put through to Personnel and say:
"I have an interview with ____ in the _____ department for a position as a _____. Could you please tell me what would be appropriate dress for this interview?"
Most importantly, you should feel comfortable about the way you look. Wear something that you have tried on before, check yourself out in a mirror. If you are confident about your appearance, you will project a confident and positive image.
A Business-Dressing Checklist
For Men
- Facial hair should be freshly shaved or trimmed.
- A man’s tie should ideally be made of silk, end just above his belt, and coordinate with his suit.
- This is not the time to express individuality so avoid flashy patterns.
- Wear dark shoes and socks (black is best).
- Remove any earrings and rings (except wedding ring) before an interview.
For Women
- Jewelry should be kept to a minimum such as one set of earrings and one ring on each hand.
- Makeup should look natural.
- Long fingernails and chipped nail polish are distracting. If you wear nail polish, make sure to use a subtle color.
- Avoid high heels.
- Don’t wear anything sexy (e.g., see-through fabrics, miniskirts, or body-hugging clothes).
For Everyone
- Hair should be trimmed, neatly arranged and clean.
- Fingernails should be neat, clean, and trimmed.
- Shoes should be well polished.
- Avoid or use sparingly colognes, scented powders and perfumes. Your "scent" should not linger after you leave.
- The most acceptable business colors for suits are gray and blue. Other basic colors are navy, white, creme, brown, black, light blue, red and pale yellow. Always wear subtle colors and styles.
- Keep your pockets empty of tinkling coins or bulges.
- No gum, candy, or cigarettes
- Carry a light briefcase or portfolio
- Prepare for multiple interviews. Make sure you have more than one outfit available for interviewing within the same company. Mix and match from among the pieces you already own.
How Can You Act the Part?
Body language and facial expressions are important aspects of your professional image. Research shows that body language, including voice, account for 38 percent of an overall first impression. Therefore, your nonverbal communication impacts your interview presentation. Before the interview, practice in front of a mirror to analyze your body movements and gestures. Be aware of how you look and act so that nonverbal messages coincide with what you say. During the interview follow these suggestions:
- Posture: Walk confidently into the room, hold your head up, and offer a firm handshake. You should appear confident, yet approachable. During the interview, sit straight in your chair and lean forward to indicate interest and attentiveness.
- Greeting: Express your gratitudewhen meeting someone for the first time. Step forward, maintain eye contact, smile, and extend your hand. Be sure your handshake is firm and positive. Once you’ve given your name, repeat the interviewer’s name.
- Initiate Conversation: Find an interesting approach to begin conversation. Comment about the weather, offer information about yourself or give a compliment (make sure a compliment is sincere). Be aware of the world around you so you can join in on a variety of topics. Also, appear interested and always be a good listener.
- Eye Contact: Make eye contact, but be careful not to stare. Shifty eyes are associated with deviousness, and a lack of eye contact may be associated with lying.
- Gestures: Try to control nervous gestures like hair-twisting, nail-biting, and pen-clicking. Warm gestures may include leaning toward a person, smiling, touching and gesturing expressively. Cold gestures include avoiding eye contact, not smiling, and placing your hands on your hips. Vary your gestures and be sure they look natural.
- Voice: The sound of your voice should be warm and friendly. Project, speak slowly, and enunciate. Use your grammar skills to avoid wrong use of verb tense, pronoun or other incorrect use.
- Be Yourself: Try to appear comfortable during the interview and show you are at ease in your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to relax and show your natural characteristics. You want to give the impression that you’re someone they want to have around.
What is Basic Etiquette? (Minding your P's and Q's)
There are a few etiquette guidelines that must be followed during an interview. The best way to remember basic etiquette is to follow the lead of the employer. It is not proper to fold your coat or apparel onto a visitor's chair unless you are invited to do so. In an interview, don’t loosen your tie or remove your suit jacket unless the interviewer does or suggests that you do. Respect the interviewer’s space. Never pick up photographs, flip calendars or borrow a pen. Do not place your briefcase on the desk but keep it on your lap or on the floor beside you.
What if You Like Your Own Style?
Again, there are few absolutes when it comes to dress and the professional image. You need to decide what is most important and acceptable to a potential employer. The best advice for a successful job interview is to act and look conservative. However, if you are committed to a certain style, you must target employers who share that style. The following list offers actions and styles that are not recommended.
- Chew gum, smoke or eat during the interview
- Hum, whistle or rustle papers
- Apply makeup or look in a compact mirror (use the restroom for this)
- Too much makeup
- A variety and excess of body piercing
- Scuffed, dirty shoes
- Long, dangling earrings
- Chipped nail polish or dirty fingernails
- Dirty hair or dandruff
- Long hair for a man
- Very large or overstuffed handbag
- Skirts well above the knees
- Casual pants or dress shoes (dressy flats are appropriate)
- Clothes that are too tight
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Interview Questions
What Questions are Employers Likely to Ask?
Although you will never know for sure what questions you will be asked in your interviews, you can become aware of the kinds of questions you may be asked. You should be prepared to answer not only the following questions, but variations of them as well. Typically employers will ask you questions about yourself, your education, your career goals, and questions specific to the organization/Job you are applying for.
Questions about Yourself
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your major strengths?
- If I were to contact one of your references, what would they say about you?
- What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
- What can you do that someone else can¹t?
- Why should I hire you?
- What qualifications do you have that make you feel you will be successful in your field?
- What are your three most important priorities?
- Have you had leadership responsibilities? Give me an example.
- Describe an accomplishment in which you take pride.
- What magazines or books do you read? Why?
- What qualities do you like to see in others?
- How do you define success?
Questions about Your Education/Experience
- Why did you decide to attend UW-Eau Claire?
- How has attending UW-Eau Claire prepared you for a career with?
- Which classes did you enjoy the most/least and why?
- Why did you choose your particular college major?
- If you were starting over, would you choose the same major? If not what would you choose?
- What percentage of your college education did you earn?
- What is your GPA? Do you feel your grades are an indication of your academic achievements?
- Describe your most rewarding college experience.
- In What college activities did you participate? Why?
- What jobs have you held? What did you like and dislike about the jobs? Why?
- Give me an example of a problem you encountered in school on a job and how you solved it.
Questions about Career Goals
- Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
- Where do you hope to be in five (10) years?
- What do you think determines an individual's success in a work situation?
- What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your chosen field?
- If you could do anything in life, and know you could not fail, what would you do?
- What are your career goals?
- What have you done that shows initiative?
Questions Specific to the Job or Organization
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What position in our company interests you the most?
- What do you know about our company?
- In addition to literature we sent you, what other source did you use to find out about us?
- Why are you interested in this field?
- What contribution do you believe you can make to us?
- Can you handle the responsibilities of this position?
- How do I know you are the right person for this job?
- What are the essential elements of a job that would make it right for you?
- Are you willing to relocate and/or travel?
Research Employers and Industries
Researching employers is essential in order to decide on the best targets for your job search and to interview effectively. Learn about the employer to determine if it would be a good fit for you, what positions you would be qualified for and to prepare for the interview. Few things turn off an interviewer more than lack of knowledge of the organization. Few things impress an interviewer more than knowing that little bit extra.
Some of the things you can and should learn include:
- products and services
- company and industry history
- corporate climate: structure, purpose, size, competitors
- earnings and market share
- late-breaking news
- training program availability
- promotion policies
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FAQs About Thank You Letters
What is a thank you letter?
A thank you letter is a last opportunity for you to sell yourself to the interviewer/contact person. The thank you letter serves a great purpose to let the contact person know that you have continued interest in the position and also says to them that you are courteous. The thank you letter serves as a reminder to the contact person of your background and skills and can also include anything you forgot to mention in the meeting. Above all, the thank you letter shows your enthusiasm about the position and their company, which will be very flattering for them and beneficial to you.
Is a thank you letter necessary?
Although there are no written rules that say everyone needs to write a thank you letter, any professional will tell you that a thank you letter is extremely important to close out an interview and will strongly recommend that you write one. Thank you letters are important elements of the professional etiquette that should be followed throughout the job search process and some would say skipping that step could cost you a chance to obtain your desired position. Why take that chance?
What about the content involved in a thank you letter?
There is more than one situation where a thank you letter is appropriate. The content can be a little different for each of these situations.
- Following an interview: Thank the interviewing committee for their time and reiterate qualities you possess for the job. Include information you didn’t have a chance to include in the interview.
- If you receive and accept a job offer: A standard, professional format should be followed. Thank the employer for the offer and tell them that you look forward to working for them.
- In response to a telephone conversation and informal interviews: This type of thank you should be short. Simply highlight the major points of the conversation and express your appreciation for their time and assistance
- When withdrawing from consideration or to turn down an offer: Simply send a polite and positive thank you letter, but don’t forget to leave the door open for future consideration.
- In response to a rejection: Follow a similar format to turning down an offer. Make sure to be polite and express your gratitude for being considered. Mention your existing interest in working for their company, which could benefit you in the future if they have another position available.
Generally, all thank you letters should be addressed to a specific person. They should follow a professional business format with addresses and dates in appropriate
locations, and should be printed on the same paper as your resume. BE SURE TO PROOFREAD!
When is a good time to send the thank you letter?
Typically, sources say that the employer should receive your thank you letter within 48 hours of the interview or contact. A good way to ensure the timely arrival of the letter is to mail it the very night of the interview. If the interview was local, simply drop it off if possible. Some advice on handling that time constraint is to have a template of a thank you letter written so that you can modify it with specific information from the interview.
Do I have to send a thank you letter to every employer?
Sending a thank you letter is important for every position and most every situation. Every employer will be different and most interviews will be different. Many suggest that a thank you letter be sent to every employer you interview with and that each letter should highlight specific details.
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