How to Ace Your Job Interview

By: Allison Teixeira
Posted In: Features

If you’re searching for a job right now, you are certainly not alone. According to the United States Department of Labor, the number of unemployed persons was 8.3 million in January and the unemployment rate was 5.6 percent.

“There are a lot of real people behind that number, a lot of unemployed people behind that number, a lot of chronically unemployed behind that number, and that number doesn’t include those who have given up looking for work,” said Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsak in a New York Times report earlier this week.

That number also makes for an especially competitive job market, according to Salve Regina University’s Human Resources Director, Diane Blanchette. “Last week I received over a hundred applications for the same position,” she said.

When the competition is that great, it’s difficult to stand out from the crowd. Experts say that one way to get noticed is to have a stellar job interview. This requires three things: knowing how to prepare for your interview, how to behave during your interview, and how to follow-up your interview.

Preparation

“Preparation, preparation, preparation, I can’t stress it enough!” said Laurie LaFleur, Human Resources Coordinator at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, Mass.

Preparation is a critical step in the job search process. Taking the time to prepare for an interview shows the interviewer that you care about getting the position.

“When people are unprepared for an interview their nerves usually get the best of them,” said LaFluer.

First of all, you should research the company you are applying to.

“What impresses me is when they know about us,” said Blanchette. Get to know the company’s products, visit their website, read their latest annual report. She suggests trying to learn who the company’s competition is, any new ventures the company is undertaking and anything new and exciting in the company’s field.

“Basically read anything at all about the company that you can get your hands on,” said Blanchette.

Once you’ve researched the company you are applying to you should come up with some questions to ask at your interview. Brian Kennedy, Human Resources Supervisor for the Rhode Island Office of Personnel Administration, even suggests writing a list of questions down.

“You want to look active not just reactive,” said Kennedy.

According to Kennedy, you should also think about what questions the interviewer might ask you. You need to know yourself and what you want and be able to express it. Kennedy also recommends rehearsing the interview with a friend a few days ahead of time.

Vanessa Amaral, who was recently hired as a social worker at Bristol County Jail and Dartmouth House of Corrections, learned the importance of preparation the hard way.

“I went for an interview for this one job and was totally unprepared,” said Amaral. “I was nervous. I didn’t know anything about the company, and as a result, I didn’t get the job.”

The next time she interviewed for a job she took a lot of time to prepare. She read books about interviewing skills, she researched the organization she was applying to, she came up with a list of questions, she shadowed a person who had the same type of position she was applying for prior to her interview. As a result, she was confident at her interview and was later hired.

During the Interview

Once you’ve prepared and are confident and ready for your interview, you need to know what to do and say during the interview.

To begin with, be on time! First impressions count and your interviewer will not appreciate a late arrival.

You must also dress professionally. For men a dark suit and tie is best, and for women, a simple dress or classic suit. LaFluer also suggests that women limit their make-up and jewelry.

“Always look neat and conservative,” said Kennedy. “You should dress up more for the interview than you might even dress for the job you are applying.”

It is also important to appear confident and friendly. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, smile and have a positive attitude. Your body language and eye contact should also reflect your confidence.

“Someone who sits slumped and stares off into space is not your ideal candidate for the position,” says LaFluer.

Answer your interviewer’s questions carefully. Your answers should not be too long or too short, but should be honest and clear.

“I don’t like canned answers. I want to hear how you feel. I don’t want to hear phony, rehearsed answers,” said Blanchette.

According to Kennedy, it’s also good to remember that it’s not always what you say but how you say it. Get rid of any “likes” and “ums” in your vocabulary. Your interviewer wants to know that you can communicate effectively.

“Especially with new grads, who most of the time don’t have a lot of relevant experience to talk about, I like the way they present themselves almost as much as I like the content. They are going to be taught most of the things they need to know on the job anyway. What I want to know is that they can communicate well,” said Kennedy.

You must also remember that you shouldn’t be the only one talking during an interview. It is your chance to get to know the company and the position you are applying for better, as well. According to Amaral, the fact that she had thoughtful questions to ask impressed her interviewer.

“It shows that you’re interested and that you’ve done your research,” said Amaral.

Follow-up

The worst is over. You’ve finished your interview, but you want to make sure you leave lasting good impression. Thank the interviewer and ask what the next step is. If you are interested in the job, say so.

“Your interviewer should let you know what the process is, but if he or she doesn’t then you should definitely ask. It is not fair for them to leave you hanging,” said LaFluer.

If you didn’t take notes during the interview, when you are done you should right down any important things that happened during the interview and any facts that you want to remember. This will be good for you to keep as a record and also for when you write your thank-you note.

Write your thank-you note within 24 hours of your interview.

“Not everyone does it,” says Blanchette, “but a thank-you card, or even a simple call or e-mail is a nice touch.

In the card, thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you, re-emphasize any strong points covered in the interview, add any information you may have forgotten and possibly even ask for a second interview.

“A thank-you note shows that a person has follow-through skills and makes the point that he or she is really interested in the job,” said Kennedy.

Once you have followed these steps, the rest is out of your hands. You have done everything in your power to make a good impression on your potential employer. If you don’t hear from the company in a week or two, trying calling to check on your status, said LaFluer.

If you aren’t offered the job, don’t be discouraged, there probably was someone better qualified for the position. Experts agree that you may need to go through the interviewing process a number of times before you find the company that fits you best.