A division of Student Affairs

PREPARATION IS THE KEY - WE CAN HELP YOU GET READY AND YOU CAN START RIGHT HERE !

MEET WITH A CAREER COUNSELOR

Discuss the 50 QUESTIONS most often asked by employers during an interview. Be sure to cover the questions that are of greatest concern to you as a candidate. Don't forget to talk to your Career Counselor about the types of questions You Might Ask on Your Job Interview. Talk with that Counselor about the best ways for you to handle questions based upon your resume and background.

PRACTICE ON-LINE (and then confer with a Counselor)

Perfect Interview™ On-Line

• Provides access to Perfect Interview over the Internet.  
• Can be used with any broadband Internet connection.
• Includes over 1,500 interview questions, answers, and hints
• Includes Positive Modeling answers and on-screen tutorials

• Interview sessions custom tailored to your level of experience and education.
• Practice as often as you want, whenever you want.
• Save your interview responses and share them with friends and colleagues, employers.
• Email your practice interview to the Career Center for a critique:
  
• Access Perfect Interview™ over the web from anywhere, CLICK HERE

INTERVIEW PREPARATION TIPS ...

DRESS PROPERLY
Dress according to the standards of the industry/organization. Remember, it is always better to be dressed too formally than too casually. Be sure your clothes are clean, pressed and well fitting, and that your shoes are polished. Hair should be neat and businesslike, and your nails should be clean and trimmed. Both men and women are advised to skip the cologne or perfume - you never know if the person interviewing you will be allergic to the fragrance you are wearing.

WOMEN: A professional-looking black or navy blue suit with no prints and a white or off-white blouse. Skirts only - although pants are becoming more acceptable it is difficult to know how conservative or liberal a recruiter is going to be - so play it safe and wear a skirt. Shoes should be low-heeled. Be sure to avoid excess jewelry, make-up or bright finger nail polish.

MEN: A professional-looking black or navy blue, two piece, single-breasted suit with a white shirt and a conservative tie (no bright, colorful prints). Be sure to shave!

BE ON TIME
Know how to get there and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. If you have never been to the interview location, visit it the day before so you know exactly how to get there, how to access the building and where to park.

Top of page

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
A briefcase or leather-bound folder, if you have one. Women should avoid carrying a purse. Don't forget to wear a watch! Before leaving for the interview be sure that you have good directions and the phone numbers and names of the people you will be meeting with. You should also bring the following items:

• Several (unfolded) copies of your latest resume
• A "working" pen
• A list of your professional references
• Examples of your work, such as writing samples or clippings (taking care that these don't breach the confidentiality of previous employers)
• Questions you may want to ask the recruiter

BE FRIENDLY
Where possible, greet the interviewer by name and give a firm hand shake. Treat secretaries and other staff that you may come in contact with courteously and professionally.

BE POSITIVE
Never criticize others. NEVER !

Top of page

BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE
The first minutes of the interview are the most important. A recruiter begins sizing up your potential the instant you walk into the room. Your tone of voice, posture, expressions and re-actions all give clues to your true feelings and attitudes. Be sure to face your interviewer in a relaxed, open and attentive manner. Speak clearly and audibly. Use complete sentences, avoid one word answers and never use slang terms. Most importantly: Be yourself - do not try to be what you are not. Give the interviewer a chance to see that you are both capable and sincere.

BE A GOOD LISTENER
Listen carefully to your interviewer. Be alert to non-verbal cues indicating when you should start or stop talking. Do not think about your response while the interviewer is still talking.

THESE TIPS MAY SEEM ELEMENTARY, BUT THEY ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO YOUR INTERVIEW SUCCESS. DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THEIR IMPORTANCE.

Top of page