The Art of Interviewing Southern States University Career Services Department

What is an “interview?” Essentially the interview is the final step in the hiring process.  It is the one-on-one/face-to-face to see if you are who you say you are.  Most importantly, it is the true first impression that will make or break securing the position.

Preparation is the key! As with anything that is worthwhile – prepare ahead of time.  Review your resume and know the answer behind each point you have listed Have a clear-cut answer to questions on:  Previous job responsibilities  Work environment of last position  Why you left last position  Why you applied for the position you are interviewing for

Things to consider… Enthusiasm  Leave no doubt as to your level of interest in the job.  Employers often choose the more enthusiastic candidate in the case of a two-way tie. Technical interest  Employers look for people who love what they do, and get excited by the prospect of tearing into the nitty-gritty of the job. Confidence  No one likes a braggart, but the candidate who's sure of his/her abilities will almost certainly be more favorably received. Intensity  The last thing you want to do is come across as "flat" in your interview.

A Basic Strategy Interviews involves the exchange of tangible information, make sure to:  Present your background in a thorough and accurate manner  Link your abilities with the company needs in the mind of the employer  Build a strong case for why the company should hire you

A Basic Strategy There are two ways to answer interview questions:  The short version  Depending on the question; a short concise answer is better.  The long version  Some questions are less open-ended and may require a longer in- depth answer. Hint: Try to keep answers to no more than minute to minute and a half in length. Don’t bore the interviewer.

When they ask you for questions… Candidate questions are the lifeblood of any successful interview, because they:  Create dialogue  Clarify your understanding of the company and the position responsibilities  Indicate your grasp of the fundamental issues discussed so far  Reveal your ability to probe beyond the superficial  Shows your enthusiasm for the position

Typical Questions… There are four types of questions they ask: 1. Resume questions  Verifying that the resume is yours, not someone else’s 2. Self-appraisal questions  Example: “What do you feel is your greatest asset?” 3. Situation questions  Concerning how would you act in certain situations 4. Stress or “psych” questions  Designed to evaluate your emotional reflexes, creativity under stressful conditions.

Hands-on Exercise Using the handout of “Typical Questions” read through them and write out your answers  Take 6 minutes or so  Be prepared to read your answers aloud when called upon.