The 5 Part Interview

1. Before the Interview Do some research- look at the website, advertisements, facebook page. shows interest Arrive 10 minutes early for the interview. Bring with you a notebook, pen/pencil, some prepared questions to ask (based on your research) and copies of your references and resume.

dress Professional- one level up from what you would normally wear to the job Women: Professional skirt, dress, or pants. Nothing to short! No revealing shirts Avoid heavy, bright make-up, excessive jewelry, and wild hairstyles

Dress Men: No jeans/sneakers! Khakis, dress pants, Dress shirt with collar. No t-shirts! Suit/tie not always necessary, but should look “dressed-up”

2. Arrival Introduce yourself to the secretary/first person you meet and say that you have and interview, and what time it is scheduled When waiting, sit up straight, try not to fidget Don’t chew gum, tobacco, or smoke Don’t play/talk on your cell phone. SMILE!!

3.The Interview BE HONEST! - don’t tell lies, if you have to say something negative to be honest, follow it up with 2 positives Never answer with one word answers, elaborate. Don’t fill up empty space with “Um” Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences

3 The Interview Don’t talk about: Past employers/schools in a bad way Draw attention to weaknesses/negative attributes Personal issues which are irrelevant Salary or benefit, unless the employer asks first Illegal questions such as marital status, race, etc.

4. The End of the Interview Always ask questions! Be sure the interviewer knows how to contact you THANK the interviewer! – shake his/her hand and look him/her in the eye on the way out.

5. After the Interview Send a thank you card to the company as soon as you can. After about a week, call them to ask about the status of the position. (Unless they they gave you a different time frame!)