Interview Tips

• Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview so that you will feel fresh and alert

• Eat a hearty breakfast so that you will feel satisfied and have plenty of reserve energy on which to draw as you need. But don’t overeat, since this could cause you to feel drowsy and listless.

• Be punctual• Plan to arrive at least

5 to 10 minutes ahead of time. – A last minute arrival

will cause you to feel tense and uneasy. You will want to feel relaxed and confident as you enter the interview.

• Dress properly• Be sure your clothes

are clean and neatly pressed.– Dress appropriately

for the position and organization with which you will be interviewing. Your choice should be guided by conservative colors and good taste.

• Pay attention to personal hygiene and grooming.

• Hair neatly combed, hands and fingernails should be cleaned.

• Perfume and cologne should be used with moderation and should not overpower the interviewer.

Lets Review

Eat a _________ breakfast

• Answer: hearty

Arrive at least ______ minutes early

• Answer: 10-15 minutes

Dress _____________

• Answer: properly

True or False

• You should always wear perfume• Answer: False

Continue Interview

• Don’t chew gum during the interview.– This can detract substantially from

your overall image.

• Avoid smoking or eating just before the interview.– The odor of food and smoke may still

be lingering.

• When greeting the interviewer, be pleasant; smile, extend a firm handshake, and look him or her in the eye.

• Try to find out the interviewers name and use it

• Do not sit until asked– Use common sense

• Maintain eye contact throughout the interview– Occasionally look away, at

appropriate moments, so that your host does not feel challenged to a starring contest.

• Be alert to your body language throughout the interview.

• Be careful not to slouch down in the chair.

• Maintain good posture, and a relaxed, but attentive, demeanor throughout the interview.

• Avoid unnecessary fidgeting with your hands or fingers– All of these suggest nervousness and

will distract interviewers, thereby causing them to pay less attention to what you are saying.

• Be pleasant, friendly, warm, and polite throughout the interview.

• Remember to smile from time to time.

• Be careful not to dominate the interviewer discussion.

• Be sensitive to the interviewer’s right to control the interview, and do your part to ensure a well-balanced, two-way exchange of information.

• Don’t talk yourself out of a job!!

• Never volunteer negative information to the interviewer. – However, should such information

come to light as a result of the interviewer’s questioning, don’t dodge the issue.

– Example: I was fired from my last job because the supervisor was a jerk!

• Be factual and honest, but be brief.– I was let go from my last job because

of excessive absences• I had to miss because of an illness.

• Ask questions– It’s OK to ask questions about the

position, the pay, the benefits.

• If you are interested in the position, tell the employer of your interest before the conclusion of the interview.

• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and ask when you can expect to hear from them.

• And lastly it’s OK to write a brief “thank-you” letter after the interview.

• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and also restate your interest in the position

Lets review

Maintain ___ contact

• Answer: eye

From time to time you need to ________

• Answer: Smile

Who should control the interview

• The interviewer or you?• Answer: The interviewer

True or False

It is appropriate to ask questions at the end

• Answer: True

Sample Interview Questions

• Write your answers on a piece of paper and turn in to your Instructor

Tell me about yourself

• I am …..• I can ….• I will ….

• What special skills or qualifications do you have for this job?

• What do you know about this company and why would you like to work for us?

• What are your strengths?

• What are your weaknesses?

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

• Why should I hire you?• Example of response

– Because• I am a fast learner• I can following instructions and• I will be here every day