About This Web Page
This web page is your introduction to job interviews. It was created to give
you advice, ideas and suggestions to make your interview as successful as
possible. As you read through it, remember - be yourself. After all, one of
the most important reasons for an interview is to communicate both your skills
and your personality. So relax and enjoy it. And we wish you the best of
success along the way.
This web page is created from content provided in a pamphlet of the same
name, which is available at your Westaff office.
The Interview
Interviewing can be an enjoyable, productive and informative experience. To
get the most out of an interview, take time to prepare and familiarize yourself
with the interview process. Project a realistic image of your abilities and
personality.
The interview is an opportunity for you and the interviewer to determine if
the job is right for you. Even if the interview reveals that the job isn't
well-suited to your abilities, you can benefit from the experience. The
interviewer may be able to recommend other job openings within the company or
refer you to other sources in the community.
The interview is your chance to sell yourself to your prospective employer.
Of course, the company is also trying to sell the job to you. Try balancing
selling yourself with exploring the company and the position.
Preparing For the Interview
Have the facts and necessary documents handy.
Have a fact sheet
about your job history, education and background at your fingertips. This will
allow you to fill out the application form quickly and accurately. Always fill
out the application completely and neatly - do not say "See Resume".
Bring an up-to-date, professional resume with you. Also, you should have a
work permit if underage, your social security card, birth certificate, or
passport, if applicable.
Appearance
Take a good look in the mirror:
- Is your hair neat?
- Fingernails clean and polished?
- Clothes pressed?
- Shoes polished?
- Is your attire, including accessories, appropriate for the office?
- Try to appear business-like and contemporary - but not faddish.
Remember, if in doubt, make the conservative choice.
Know yourself.
Have a clear idea of your strengths and areas
needing improvement. Think about any negative aspects of your past that might
surface - have the most favorable response ready.
Know what you want.
Have a clear idea of what you are looking for
in a job. Make sure your expectations are realistic.
Polish your skills.
Your skills should be in top form. Be prepared
to take any applicable test.
Arrive promptly.
When scheduling your interview ask how much time
the process will take. The personnel supervisor may expand on the tests and
paperwork you can expect. Arrive early enough to complete the required
paperwork without being rushed.
Know the company.
Do a little research about the company and/or the
industry. The more you know, the more professional you will appear and the
better your chances of getting the job.
Don't undersell yourself
Do not underestimate your experience
outside of work: volunteer work, managing a family, doing your taxes, club
memberships, special hobbies or talents you have may be relevant to the job.
During the Interview
Responding to questions.
Let the interviewer lead, but maintain a
measure of control in the way you answer and ask questions - not through idle
chitchat.
Be thoughtful in your responses - when you finish your answer, stop talking!
Wait for the interviewer to respond - then gauge the response.
Note that you do not have to wait for the interviewer to ask the right
questions - you can steer the conversation the way you want.
Attitude.
Be friendly, outgoing, smile and relax! Take the
attitude of what you can do for the company - not what the company can do for
you.
Be honest without being negative. Show flexibility and try not to get hung
up on your preconceived ideas - be open to new possibilities.
Listen well.
Be a good listener. Consider the question behind the
question - what is the interviewer really trying to find out?
Smoking
Do not smoke - even if offered a cigarette.
A point to remember.
Perhaps the most important point to remember
in an interview is to be yourself.
Questions the Interviewer May
Ask
Part of your preparation for the interview should be rehearsing answers to
anticipated questions. Following are some common questions asked by
employers:
- What is your greatest strength?
- What would you describe as your greatest weakness?
- Why did you leave your previous jobs? Why are you looking for
work now? (Note: if you were fired by any previous employers, do
not volunteer, unasked, any information. If they ask, you should
have an answer ready that puts you in the most favorable light.
Never lie about your past employment. Reference checks will reveal
the truth.)
- What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five
years?
- What do you know about this field?
- Describe the most important contribution you have made to a
company.
- Why do you want to work here?
- How do you rate your ability to organize, handle details, manage
time, prioritize, make decisions and work independently?
- What salary are you looking for, and what is your minimum?
- What is most important to you - salary, growth, the people you
work with or the job duties?
- How do your skill, education and experience apply to this position?
The Interviewing Process
For an entry level job, there might be only one interview. The higher level
the job, or the bigger the company, the longer the interview process will be.
If the job you're after requires two or three interviews, you can expect this
typical sequence:
- an initial screening interview by a personnel manager or assistant,
- a second interview with a department head or supervisor, and
- a final interview where the last details are covered and an offer
extended.
The First Interview
The person interviewing you first may be a "screener". The screener is there
to qualify candidates and refer the best ones to the supervisor. The
interviewer will likely give you one or more tests, conduct a basic interview
and ask you for your references if you seem right for the position and company.
He may not be able to tell you in depth about the job. You r job? To pass the
screening. Do this by showing interest in the interviewer, the job and the
company. Ask enough questions to get a basic level of information.
What should you not do at this first interview?
- Do not ask about the specific salary at the first interview. If
asked what your salary requirements are, let them know your current
salary and what you hope to earn. Show that you may be flexible.
- Do not spend too much time questioning promotability. Focus your
questions on the current opening. Career growth may be an objective,
but don't leave the impression that you're after the next position
before you prove yourself in this one.
- Do not worry that this job is the "ideal". If the interview goes
well and the like you, who knows, maybe there's something else for
you in the company.
- Do not volunteer any personal information about your religion,
politics or family.
- Do not make negative comments about yourself or previous
employment.
The Second Interview
Congratulations! You've been invited for a second interview! Now is the time
to really sell yourself - and to find out as much as you can about the
position.
Let the interviewer take the lead. Promote yourself without going overboard.
Try to turn each question asked into a further way to promote yourself. It is a
very good idea to prepare a list of questions ahead of time to take with you to
the interview.
The following questions will give you a lot of information about the
prospective position:
- Can you describe a typical day for me?
- What are the regular duties and responsibilities?
- What about special projects?
- Could you describe an ideal candidate?
- Why is there a need for this position?
- Was the previous person promoted? If so, to where?
- How does the employer see this position in relation to the company?
- What special problems or challenges might one expect?
- When would they want someone to start?
- What does the interviewer see as the positive and negative points
of the position?
- How long has the job been open?
If salary is not mentioned at this stage, it is okay to bring it up.
Emphasize, however, salary range.
By now, you are almost at the point of making a decision. If interested, say
so. If they make an offer and you are unsure, do not turn it down on the spot.
Tell them you would like to think about it. It could be a good bargaining tool
for another job or, upon reflection, you may find that it has more to offer than
you first thought.
The Third Interview
By now, you can hope to walk out with a job. Clarify any and all details and
convince the interviewer you are "the one" they're after. The person
interviewing this time will probably be the boss you'll have if you get the job.
this is the time to decide if you and your potential supervisor will be able to
have a good working relationship.
The Temporary Alternative
During the brief period of an interview, it is difficult to get a complete
picture of the job, the company and the people. It is just as difficult for the
employer to determine how well you will work out.
Temporary work assignments are a terrific way to solve this problem. Many
temporary assignments lead directly to permanent work. You may discover that
you like the company and the company likes you. Remember, if you receive an
offer of permanent employment or are interested in exploring permanent
employment possibilities while on an assignment, contact your temporary help
service immediately.
Here are some advantages temporary work offers over permanent employment:
Temporary Advantages
- Get a foot in the door.
- Find out what a company is really like, meet your peers, work with
your boss, see if you like the work.
- Explore industries, companies, departments and different kinds of
jobs.
- Meet new people, friends and business contacts.
- Earn money while you continue your job search. You can arrange
ahead of time to take off when you need.
- Schedule your work hours to your needs. For example, the student
who wants to fit a job around a school schedule or the parent who
wants to fit a work schedule around family responsibilities.
- Brush up on skills.
- Become familiar with a new city.
How Temporary Firms Work
A temporary service is a company which finds you work that best suits your
needs, abilities, interests and schedule. While you might work on assignments
for many different kinds of business organizations, the temporary help company
is your employer. It pays you directly and is responsible for handling social
security, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation and other payroll
related matters.
To help you, temporary help companies must invest considerable resources and
effort in learning about the different companies in your area. They have to be
expert in evaluating your skills, experience and job interests. A simple phone
call and interview puts you in touch with hundreds of companies - something that
would be very difficult and time consuming to do on your own. And you may find
that temporary work provides you with permanent satisfaction.
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