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Prepare for a Smooth Interview

If you want to stand out in an interview, know something about your potential employer. By thoroughly researching the employer, you increase your chances of making a positive and memorable first impression. Make sure you're prepared to answer one of the most common interview questions: "Why are you interested in our organization?" If you don't know anything about the employer, you won't be able to answer this question effectively and impress the recruiter.

What to look for

Don't be satisfied with your general knowledge about an employer. For example, you may know that General Mills makes breakfast cereal, but you may not be aware that the company also owns other brands such as Pillsbury and Betty Crocker. Without research, you may be talking with a subsidiary of a much larger company and not realize it. The following list will give you an idea of the type of information to know before an interview.

• What are the services and products that they sell?
• What activities are carried out by the employer?
• How successful is the company? What are its sales? Assets? Earnings?
• What has its growth pattern been like?
• What is its forecast of anticipated growth?
• What is the size of the company? How many employees does it have?
• What types of jobs exist with the employer?
• What is the potential growth?
• What are the objectives and philosophy of the company?
• What is its location? How many locations are there?
• How long has the company been established there?
• Who are its competitors?
• What are the names of key executives? Is the company publicly or privately owned?
• What is the general reputation of the company?
• What are its major achievements?

Sources of company information

• Employer Web sites
• Annual reports
• Company brochures
• Professional associations
• Conferences/tradeshows
• Chamber of Commerce
• Newspapers
• Magazines - BusinessWeek, FORTUNE, Forbes
• Trade Journals
• Internet

Interview preparation

The basics

The goal of the job interview is to obtain information about a company/job, while persuading the employer that you have the skills they need. The employer's goal is to promote the company while gathering information about you. Everyone has something to gain from a good interview.

Creating a Good Impression

• Arrive about 5 minutes early - never late
• Treat everyone with respect - including receptionists, other people in the lobby, etc.
• Dress appropriately
• Be organized
• Be prepared

Dress for success

• Look professional
• Wear clean, proper-fitting clothes
• Style hair neatly
• Clean and polish shoes
• Wear a watch
• Limit jewelry

What to bring

• Extra copies of your resume
• A nice pen and note pad
• Prepared questions that you would like answered
• References
• A positive attitude

Interview FAQS

There are three steps to good interview preparation. One is to develop your C.A.R. stories as described below. Step two involves practicing your interview skills. Finally, before you leave for the interview, familiarize yourself with the list of do's and don'ts. It's easy to forget the most obvious details when under stress.

C.A.R. stories

You will be better prepared for you interview if you develop mini-stories about your accomplishments. This will help you answer interview questions by providing examples and make it easier to remember your accomplishments under stressful situations. Begin by describing an accomplishment and the skills that were used in that situation. See if you can break it down into a 5 or 6 sentence "story" describing the challenge, action and result.

C. Challenge or problem that you encountered.

• What needed to be done?
• Where did you start?
• Describe your specific assignments, responsibilities orduties.
• Describe the situation, project or task.
• Emphasize the non-routine challenging problems.
• How and why did the situation arise?
• Did you notice or discover it yourself?
• Did you suggest or initiate the action?

A. Action that you took to resolve the problem or situation.

• What did you do?
• How did you proceed?
• Describe your goals, plans and procedures.
• Emphasize your creative and innovative approach.
• Describe what you actually did and how you did it.
• Emphasize what others did under your supervision.
• Describe the difficulties that you encountered and overcame.

R. Result that was achieved for you or the company.

(Be specific and use measurable examples whenever possible)

• What did you accomplish?
• State how well you carried out your responsibilities.
• Describe your contributions and achievements.
• Quantify your results and specify them in concrete language.
• Describe how completely your plans were realized.
• Emphasize who (Company? Department? Boss? Other?) benefited.
• Exactly how did they benefit and how much did they benefit?

Interview questions

Many of the questions asked by employers are designed to determine "chemistry" or "fit". You can demonstrate these to an employer by answering with examples and behaviors through your C.A.R. stories, as described above. You also need to be prepared to answer specific technical questions about your areas of expertise. The information below will help you understand the different types of questions you may be asked.

1. Positive/Negative and Neutral Questions

Listen carefully to whether a question will prompt an automatic positive or negative response. Turn the negative and neutral questions into positive examples. Give specific, positive examples describing your experiences and attributes. Remember: Challenge, Action, Result.

2. Positive questions

• What are your strengths?
• Why should we hire you?
• What can you contribute?
• What are your most significant accomplishments?
• Why do you think you are qualified for this position?
• Why have you been successful?
• Tell me about the things you enjoy.
• Describe the ideal position for you.
• Tell me about a situation in which you felt very effective on the job.
• In what type of business environment do you function best?

3. Negative questions

• What are your weaknesses?
• Tell me about a work situation where you felt ineffective.
• What didn't you like about your last position (boss) (company)?
• What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career?
• Tell me how you have handled a difficult peer (boss) (subordinate).
• What criticisms have supervisors had about your work style?
• What type of business environment makes it most difficult for you to function?
• Why did you leave your last position? (Be brief, consistent, and stick to a pre-determined, positive reason for leaving).

4. Neutral questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• What will references (former bosses or co-workers) say about you? (Stress the positive; do not volunteer the negative; use their actual words where possible).
• How do you communicate with bosses/peers/subordinates)?
• How did you spend time on your last job?
• How do you handle pressure?
• What are your salary requirements and expectations? (Give range, not a specific figure. Leave room to negotiate after the position is offered. Make clear that salary is not all that is important).
• What qualities do you look for in people you hire?
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What is important for me to know about you?
• What is the key thing you have learned in your management career?
• How do you set priorities?
• How do you and your family feel about relocation?
• What do you want to be doing in five years? (Remember, you have to get this position and do it well before you move up).

Questions you ask

An interview is the time to learn more about the company's philosophy, different aspects of the job for which you are applying and what the company requires of its employees. These questions are as important as the ones asked of you.

The company:

• What is its mission? Vision?
• What future plans does the company have?
• What are the challenges the company is facing?
• What is the culture like? What gets rewarded? What are the values?
• How would you describe the culture or business environment of this department/organization?

The job:

• Is this a new/existing/revised job? If new, why was it created?
• Within the areas of responsibility, what are the two or three most significant things you would want me to accomplish?
• Where does this position fit within the company's structure?
• What level is this position?
• Can you give me more detail about the position's responsibilities?
• Who does this position interact with?
• What results are expected?
• What is the percentage of time spent on different activities?
• Is there opportunity for growth and advancement? If so, what other career opportunities might be open to me here?
• What are the goals for the department/job?
• What are the major challenges in this position (for this organization)?

Questions NOT to ask

Never ask personal questions of your interviewers. Examples might include how they got their job, or what they think of the firm. These questions may be important to you; however, the first interview is not the time to get the answers. This information will be supplied when the time is right. For example, don't ask about company retirement plans, vacations, bonuses and holidays until you have received or are in the process of negotiating an offer.

Questions You NEVER Ask

Never ask the interviewer's opinion of a former employee. And never discuss politics or religion, unless the position is of a political or religious nature or it involves diversity issues. Interview tips First impressions are very important. A review of the following simple do's and don'ts may be helpful. They are all obvious, but do not underestimate their importance.

DO...

• get clear directions to the exact location.
• smile frequently.
• answer questions honestly and without hesitation.
• be confident.
• talk in terms of the employer and what you can do for them.
• be sincere.
• be free from breath and body odors.
• be about 5 - 10 minutes early for the interview.
• maintain good eye contact.
• end the interview by asking what the next step will be.

DON'T...

• carry a large handbag or heavy briefcase.
• take a seat unless offered one.
• wear clothes that are soiled and baggy.
• fidget/chew gum.
• contradict yourself.
• wear a flashy tie or clashing colors.
• falsify information.
• get too friendly.

Keep it formal and relaxed. Follow up. Always write a thank you note within 24 - 48 hours after an interview, even if you did not think the interview went well or if you are no longer interested in the position. Thank the employer for the time he/she spent with you. If you are interested in the job, the thank you letter is a great opportunity to restate your interest and skills.

A phone call is another way to follow up with the interviewer and find out where he/she is in the decision process. Ask if there is any other information that you could provide.