Web Page: Acing the Interview
Web Page: 8 Tips for Acing a Tough Job Interview
Web Page: The Complete Guide to Body Language
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Acing the Interview
After applying for a job or sending out a résumé, interested employers may ask you to interview for the position to find out more about you. You can prepare for an interview by anticipating the employer’s questions and having answers ready. Here are common questions employers ask and the information they are seeking:
Your Turn Imagine that you are interviewing for a job you would really like to have. Write an answer to each of the questions above.
Understanding the Questions
Use the following techniques to ensure that you understand what the interviewer is saying.
- Politely ask for clarification if an interviewer asks a question or makes a statement that you don’t quite understand:
Could you explain what you mean by “professional”?
- Paraphrase what the interviewer has said to check your understanding:
So, you are asking what duties I performed at my uncle’s shop, is that right?
- Shift focus to job requirements if the interviewer inappropriately asks you a question about your gender, religion, race, orientation, or personal life.
If you are asking whether I would be available to work on Sundays, the answer is that my Sunday afternoons are free.
Your Turn For each interview question below, write a response, following the directions in parentheses.
- Are you experienced with inventory management? (Politely ask for clarification.)
- How much overtime do you expect? (Paraphrase the question to check understanding.)
- What church do you belong to? (Shift focus from personal life to job requirements.)
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Improving Nonverbal Components
Though your answers are important, remember that the interviewer is considering other attributes that tell a lot about you. These nonverbal signals that you give should be moderate in nature, neither over the top nor under the radar.
Guidelines for Nonverbal Components
- Promptness: Arrive five minutes before the time set for your interview.
Don’t be even one minute late . . . or 30 minutes early.
- Professional appearance: Arrive well dressed, well groomed, and clean.
Don’t wear street clothes . . . or a tuxedo.
- Eye contact: Make eye contact with the interviewer.
Don’t look away the whole time . . . or engage in a staring contest.
- Facial expression: Look happy to be there. Show your interest.
Don’t look sullen or bored . . . or fanatically thrilled.
- Handshake: Shake the interviewer’s hand confidently.
Don’t offer a limp handshake . . . or crush the person’s hand.
- Posture: Stand, walk, and sit in an upright and confident way.
Don’t slouch or lean . . . or be stiff and rigid.
- Clarity of speech: Speak clearly and at a reasonable pace.
Don’t mumble at a snail’s pace . . . or chatter incessantly.
- Tone of voice: Sound sincere, honest, and direct.
Don’t be sarcastic . . . or pompous.
- Diction: Be conversational but correct, using standard English.
Don’t use slang or street language . . . or sound pretentious.
- Energy: Show an appropriate level of interest in the job.
Don’t yawn and drowse . . . or tremble with excitement.
- Confidence: Show that you would do the job well.
Don’t be apologetic and self-deprecating . . . or be arrogant.
- Compatibility: Demonstrate that you can get along with the interviewer.
Don’t be a lapdog . . . or a pit bull.
Your Turn Conduct a mock interview with a classmate, who will pretend to be a grocery- store owner who is seeking new cashiers. He or she will ask you the eight questions listed at the top of the previous page, and you will answer them. Afterward, ask the classmate to rate you for each of the 12 points above, using this scale:
A perfect total score would be 24. Scores below 20 may mean you need to ramp things up, while scores above 28 may mean you need to tone things down.