Interview
A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview
The Ultimate
Success Kit
Jeff Ayers Content Manager
www.SilvermanMcGovern.com
A Publication of
Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Prepare
• Chapter 2: Practice
• Chapter 3: Impress(ion)
• Chapter 4: Perform
• Chapter 5: Follow Up
• Additional Resources
Opening thoughts…
Y o u d i d i t . You willed your way through creating a resume. You navigated
the application process and submitted your materials for review. You passed
unscathed through any pre-screening and HR pitfalls. You grabbed the fleeting
attention of the Hiring Leader, who found your qualifications up to snuff.
N o w i t ’ s t i m e f o r t h e i n t e r v i e w . Interviews often bring about
anxiety for job seekers. Many of us simply aren’t accustomed to selling
ourselves and our qualifications. But interview skills can be learned. The
process can be broken down and each element perfected until anxiety melts
away and you are fully prepared to win your dream job.
In this eBook we will cover interview preparation strategies (including
company and interviewer research), practice methods (such as mock
interviews with a friend), keys to successful first impressions (like tips for
proper interview attire), how to perform on the big day (focus on the
employer’s needs) and follow up techniques (using the ‘Thank You’ email to
continue the conversation).
I n t e r v i e w s a r e a b o u t b u i l d i n g a c o n n e c t i o n with your
future colleagues, manager and company. When you are fully prepared and
your mind is free of small worries, you can focus on being your best self, on
connecting with your interviewer and sharing your value.
Jeff Ayers Content Manager Silverman McGovern Staffing
Sincerely,
CHAPTER
1 Prepare
Preparation is crucial
D o y o u r r e s e a r c h . You should be well versed in the company’s history
as well as its latest news. Interviewers are unlikely to quiz you on the
company’s past or present. However, a solid understanding of the
organization’s origin, its mission and its recent successes provide valuable
context for how your position might contribute.
C o m p a n y X . c o m . Thoroughly review the company website. What is
their mission statement? Who are the key personnel? What do they brag
about? Small touches, like commenting on a recent blog post or
complimenting the manager on a recent company award, show you care about
the job and the organization.
K n o w t h e j o b d e s c r i p t i o n i n s i d e a n d o u t .
• Know your role: Where would you fit into the organizational structure?
What would be your responsibilities?
• Speak their language: Do you understand their jargon? Can you use it to
discuss your own past experiences?
• Have the right questions: Can you see how this position will progress into
the future? Do you need some clarity on job expectations?
W h o i s y o u r i n t e r v i e w e r ? Check out your interviewer’s LinkedIn
profile. Identify any shared experiences, connections and interests. Building a
rapport with your interviewer will help ensure a successful interview.
W o r d o f m o u t h . Glassdoor is a treasure trove of useful information for
job seekers. Many employer pages include testimonials from previous job
applicants regarding the interview process. Learn from those that went before
you.
CHAPTER
2 Practice
Practice makes perfect F r i e n d s , f a m i l y a n d p a r t n e r s make wonderful practice
interviewers. Running through common interview questions (next page) and
your answers can help hone your skills and boost your confidence.
Plus, having an extra set of ears listen to your answers helps weed out
unnecessary information or awkward phrasing. We often don’t notice when
our own stories or explanations stray away from the main point and start to
ramble. A second opinion can help remedy that problem.
T r a v e l t h e i n t e r v i e w r o u t e a t l e a s t o n c e . Whether
you’re driving, taxiing or taking public transit, make the trip to your interview
location prior to the actual interview. Not only will the trip help you time your
departure on interview day, it will relieve any anxiety about getting misplaced
along the way.
Common questions:
• Can you tell me about your last position?
• The interviewer wants to know how well you can describe your
past experience and how that experience may relate to their job
opening.
• What is your biggest strength? Weakness?
• What they’re really asking: Do you know yourself? Be honest
about your weakness, but show how you’re addressing it.
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Focus on the positives. Answer the question honestly, but avoid
bad-mouthing former employers or placing blame on others.
• What interests you about this job? This company?
• Let your preparation shine through. Dive into aspects of the
position and organization that you find exciting.
• Can you tell me about a time you had a disagreement
with a coworker? How was it resolved?
• Are you professional? Disagreements happen. Adults find
common ground and move on.
• Can you tell me about a time when you faced a
challenge at work? How did you overcome it?
• Are you resilient? Resourceful? Explain how you approach
complex problems and work to find solutions.
CHAPTER
3 Impress(ion)
First impressions matter
D r e s s t o i m p r e s s . Short of wearing a
tuxedo or evening gown, it’s difficult to
overdress for your interview.
Look your best. Looking good boosts your
confidence, and confidence implies
competence.
H a n d s h a k e s a n d e y e c o n t a c t
show confidence and help build trust early in
an interaction. Don’t stare at your feet and go
in with a firm handshake.
B r i n g e n o u g h t o s h a r e . Have
multiple copies of your resume on hand. You
never know when another member of the team
will pop into the interview. Having multiple
copies shows preparation and forethought.
…We make a reasonably accurate assessment of a person from observing just a few seconds, or a ‘thin slice’, of their behavior.
Source: “Acting on impulse,” The Guardian, 4.6.2009
“ ”
*Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
CHAPTER
4 Perform
How to perform like a pro
B o d y l a n g u a g e s p e a k s v o l u m e s . An open, upright posture
conveys confidence and comfortability. Avoid hunching and crossing your
arms or legs. Look up and make eye contact when speaking rather than
staring at your resume or off to the side.
B e c l e a r , c o n c i s e a n d c o n f i d e n t . Stories about your past
experience should have a clear beginning, middle and end. They should
be relevant to the job being offered as well as short and to the point. If
you feel nervous, relax and speak more slowly, more carefully. Not only
will this give you time to think, it will make you appear more confident.
How to perform cont’d…
I t ’ s a l l a b o u t t h e m . Yes, you are the one being asked all of the
questions. But interviews, and your answers, are really all about the company.
Every company with a job opening has a need. Your job is to show you can
meet that need. You need to speak to how your skills and experience will make
your future boss’s life easier and help the company reach its goals.
B e c u r i o u s . All interviews will include a chance for you to ask a few
questions of your own. Don’t waste the opportunity. Ask questions that
validate your qualifications and reveal information about the employer.
• What are some of the goals you envision for this position in the coming
year?
• This question shows you’re already thinking about results. It also let’s
you gauge whether your up for the task (but of course you are!).
• What skills would you consider critical to success in this role?
• You can then follow up with relevant experience you may have using
those very skills.
• What are your favorite aspects of working at Company X?
• Pretty standard interview fare. Allows you to hear some of the
benefits of working at Company X from an insider’s perspective.
• How do you see this position evolving in the future?
• Is there potential for growth in this role? Where does someone go
from here?
• What are the next steps in the process?
• You’re already thinking ahead and ready to get to work. Plus, it’s just
nice to know what to expect going forward.
CHAPTER
5 Follow Up
The art of the Follow Up
T h e “ T h a n k Y o u ” e m a i l i s a n o p p o r t u n i t y . Sending a
“Thank You” email is a given. Failing to send one says you don’t take the job
opportunity seriously. So be polite and be serious. Thank the interviewer for
his or her time.
But the email doesn’t have to be a bland, generic message sent because it’s
expected. Instead, it can serve as a continuation of the discussion you had with
the interviewer. How, you ask?
C o n s i d e r i n c l u d i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g :
• Relevant articles related to your industry and your conversation.
• More relevant samples of your work, selected now that you have a better
understanding of the position.
• Greater explanation of a point you felt was glossed over due to time
constraints.
• Careful explanation of any missteps you made during your interview. Note:
Be sure you messed something up and have a clear explanation, otherwise
your message will come across as self conscious and lacking confidence.
More from Silverman
McGovern Staffing…
M o r e v a l u a b l e j o b s e a r c h a n d c a r e e r a d v i c e
c o n t e n t f r o m o u r b l o g :
• 3 T i n y H a b i t s t o I m p r o v e Y o u r P r o f e s s i o n a l
N e t w o r k
• 7 T h i n g s Y o u r R e s u m e M u s t S a y A b o u t Y o u
[ I n f o g r a p h i c ]
• C o m p a n y C u l t u r e – I g n o r e t h e P e r k s
• H o w t o S t a r t Y o u r J o b S e a r c h : F o c u s o n Y o u r s e l f
F o l l o w u s o n s o c i a l m e d i a :
C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s ! You are now ready to ace your next big interview. We hope you’ve found our eBook valuable and can take the advice with you as you pursue your dream job. We’ve been putting people to work for more than decade and have learned some tricks along the way. Check out a few of the resources below to see all that Silverman McGovern Staffing has to offer.