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1) Making a positive first impression
2) Answering questions effectively
3) Asking question of the
employer
Making a positive first impression
"You never have a second chance to
make a first impression."
An employer will
determine their initial impression of you in a few brief seconds. You want to do as much
as you can to ensure their first thoughts are favourable.
What can you do to create a positive
first impression?
- Arrive 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time.
This will give you a few extra minutes to get settled, let the receptionist know you are
there, review your resume and research one last time, and give you an opportunity to have
a quick look around the office…are there any promotional materials you could read
while you are waiting?
- Dress appropriately – according to the style of dress of
the job you are going for, be careful not to overdress or underdress, either one could
hurt your chances of securing the job
- Don’t wear flashy jewelry
- Be cautious of overpowering colognes and perfumes
- Don't have any gum or mints in your mouth when you go into the
interview
- Avoid the last minute cigarette or cup of coffee to calm your
nerves
- Introduce yourself to the employer and anyone else present
during the interview
- Try to remember the names of people introduced to you
- Offer a firm but not bone-crushing handshake
- Wait to be seated until asked
- Be aware of your voice tone and body language during the
interview
- Keep the "we" philosophy in mind, focus on the needs
of the company and not your own
Answering questions effectively
What you say in an interview can often
have as much impact as how you say it.
When answering an employers questions, keep the following
tips in mind:
- Be cautious of not talking too much, one – two minutes
per answer should be sufficient
- Use specific examples and the P-A-R method when answering
behavioural questions (Identify the Problem, the Action you took and the Result)
- Maintain eye contact with the employer
- Utilize active listening skills
- Ensure your answers are job related (i.e. when asked
"tell me about yourself," don’t launch into a 20 minute discussion about
your personal life)
- Make sure your answers address the question asked, don’t
stray off topic
- Be wary of questions with a negative overtone ("what was
your worst job and why?" or "what is your greatest weakness?"). Again, an
employer will take as much from what you say as how you say it. Turn negative questions
into positives, how did you turn the situation around and make it work for you?
- If you are not sure what an employer means by a particular
question, ask for clarification
Asking questions of the employer
As your interview draws to a close, you
can count on an employer wrapping things up with "do you have any questions?"
Asking a few, well thought out questions demonstrates to the
employer that you have done your homework before the interview and allows you an
opportunity to clear up any issues that are still in question.
An interview should be a two way street, with both you and
the employer asking questions to determine if there is a suitable match between you and
the company.
Prepare a list of five questions to ask and be prepared to
ask three. You have two extra in case some topics are covered during the interview.
Ask general questions about the company, not self-serving
questions like "what will my benefits be?" or "when is my first
vacation?"
Sample questions to ask during an interview:
- What is a typical day like in this position?
- What do you see as being the most difficult part of this job?
What office policies and procedures should
I be familiar with?
Is there a training or probationary period for this position?
What are your typical hours of operation?
Is this a new position or an established position that you are
filling?
When do you expect to be making your decision?
Will you let me know whether or not I was successful?
When and how may I follow up with you?
May I have your business card?
Other questions I would
like to ask:
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