This document provides tips and advice for acing a job interview. It recommends doing research on the company beforehand to understand their culture. During the interview, the interviewer will be evaluating whether the candidate is qualified for the job, can do the job, and will do the job, as well as how much they will cost. First impressions are important, so dress neatly and be aware of hygiene, body language, and manners. Be prepared to answer common questions about work experience, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Follow up every interview with a thank you note to leave a good impression.

1. INTERVIEWING
SKILLS
Make A Good Impression, Ace
The Interview And Get The
Job

2. Do Your Research on the Company
You Interview With To Understand
Their Business Culture!
www.glassdoor.com Is a Great Place to
Start

3. What Do Interviewers Look
For?
What does the candidate want
to do?
Can the candidate do the job?
Will the candidate do the job?
How much will the candidate
cost?

4. First Impressions
Count!Dress Neatly
and
Appropriately
Be Aware of
Hygiene
Start Before You
Arrive
Be Aware of
Your Body
Language
Don’t Smoke or
Chew Gum
Use Good
Manners

5. What Not To Do
Wear a Ball Cap
Wear Cologne or Perfume
Wear a Plaid or Flannel Shirt
Arrive Late
Talk Just to Fill Dead Air
Wear Work Boots

6. Types of Interviews
Group – Several Candidates at Once
Team – Panel Interview
Multiple – A Series of Interviews
Phone – Often the Initial Interview
Second – After the Initial Interview(s)

7. Interviewing
TechniquesQ & A – Most Common
Non-Directed – Unstructured
Interview Benefiting a Prepared
Candidate
Behavioral – Situational and Can Be
Confrontational

8. Phone Interviews
Always Expect a Phone Interview
BE PREPARED – Phone Interviews Are
As Important as Face-to-Face
Interviews
Have a Quiet Place For the Interview
Keep a Record of ALL Job Applications
Send a “Thank You” Note

9. Common Interview Questions
Tell Me About
Yourself…
Why are you the
best candidate?
Tell me about
work and school
experiences…
Describe your
strengths and
weaknesses…
How would your
former boss
describe you?

10. Interview Questions –
Cont’dWhy do you want
to work here?
What salary do
you expect?
What can you
contribute?
Why are you
looking for a
new position?
Where do you
see yourself in
five years?

11. Prepare a Pre-Interview
Checklist for Each Application
Keep a Post-Interview
Worksheet For Each Interview

12. Interview the Interviewer
I
 What would the
perfect candidate for
this position look like?
 Do you see any gaps in
my qualifications that I
need to fill?
 Are there any reasons
I’m not fully qualified
for this position?
 Is there anything I’ve
said today that might
hurt my chances of
being hired here?
 Now that you’ve had a
chance to meet and
interview me, what
reservations would you
have in putting me in
this position?

13. Interview the Interviewer
II
 What have I accidentally
said or done during
today’s interview that’s
inconsistent with your
perfect candidate for
this job?
* Only Ask One of
the Above Questions!
The Worst That Could
Happen:
If you get negative
feedback, thank the
interviewer for the
feedback and explain your
commitment plan to
remedy the inadequacy in
the future.

14. Interview the Interviewer
III
 Is this a new position?
 What do you do to
make work fun in this
office?
 Do you promote from
within?
 What qualities and
skills are needed to be
successful at this job?
 If hired, what are the
three most important
things you’d like me to
accomplish the first
year?
 Describe your
company culture?
 What’s the decision
timeline?

15. “What’s Your Greatest
Weakness?
 Avoid Faux Weaknesses
 Choose Something Work-Related
 Don’t Mention Essential Skills
 Use the STAR Method:
 Situation or Task
 Actions
 Results

16. Follow-Up Every Interview
(Phone or in Person) with a
“Thank You” Note to Each
Interviewer– It Leaves a Good
Impression