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A good interview depends on a well prepared candidate. And, being well prepared allows you to be calm
and articulate. To that end, the recruiters at Rogers & Partners offer you some tips and an idea of
what to expect during an interview:
Hints for a successful interview:
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Research the company and person conducting the interview. Your Rogers & Partners recruiter can
help fill you in on the details. Do your homework.
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Take along a professional looking notebook and take a few notes on the organization and job. This
will show the interviewer that you are interested in the organization and the information is important to you.
However, don't get so caught up in taking notes that you miss the content/intent of the information.
Write down only the high points.
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Make an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Know what kind of work you enjoy doing,
and what leaves you cold. Examine past experiences and assess what kind of company and boss you would
like to work for. Be prepared to speak confidently, but not arrogantly, about your abilities.
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Dress Professionally (yes, that means a conservative business suit - no wild
ties) for your interview, even if you know that the company atmosphere is "Business Casual".
Make a good impression.
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Always go into an interview with an open mind, even if you were lukewarm on the position when it
was described to you. During the interview you may realize that this indeed would be a wonderful
opportunity, or managers will sometimes have other possible positions in mind, but if
you were lackluster in the initial phases of the interview, you may have already blown it. Better
to get an offer and turn it down than to leave a bad impression on a hiring manager.
Keep a positive attitude.
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Always be on your best behavior with everyone, from the receptionist to the HR person to the people
you pass in the hall. Oftentimes managers who are on the fence about a candidate will ask any and all
others that encountered the candidate for their impression. Never assume only the hiring
manager is the decision maker.
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Body language sends many clues to interviewers. Always sit up straight in your chair, leaning slightly towards
the interviewer, letting them know you're interested in what they are saying. Crossing your legs, slumping
in your chair, etc., gives the impression that you are not really interested in what they have to say. As
we said before, make a good impression.
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Body language sends many clues to interviewers. Always sit up straight in your chair, leaning slightly towards
the interviewer, letting them know you're interested in what they are saying. Crossing your legs, slumping
in your chair, etc., gives the impression that you are not really interested in what they have to say. As we
said before, make a good impression.
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Body language sends many clues to interviewers. Always sit up straight in your chair, leaning slightly towards
the interviewer, letting them know you're interested in what they are saying. Crossing your legs, slumping in
your chair, etc., gives the impression that you are not really interested in what they have to say. As we said
before, make a good impression.
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One or two word answers aren't sufficient. Employers are looking for people with technical and
communication skills. If asked "Do you know Java?", the answer should be along the lines of "Yes,
I have been programming in Java for about two years and have learned most of it without formal training."
Communicate.
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Remember:
Be polite and composed.
Never chew gum in an interview. It's distracting and unbecoming.
Don't
take a cell phone or audible pager into an interview. If it goes off,
it gives the impression that you aren't serious about the interview.
Avoid nervous behavior, such as tapping your fingers on the arm of the chair, clicking a pen, etc.
Never criticize your present or past employers and fellow employees.
Leave your perfume or cologne at home. You never know when an interviewer might be allergic.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Practice your answers to some typical interview questions (see below).
Pick four or five, and go over them a number of times. It will help you
feel more confident, and if they happen to ask any of these questions,
you'll be guaranteed to have answered well on at least a few questions.
Why do you think you would be a good fit for this position?
Become
familiar with the responsibilities of the job you are applying for.
Relate past projects you have worked on that would demonstrate your
experience and ability to handle the duties of the position.
Why are you leaving your current job?
Avoid
being negative. Don't criticize your present company, boss or
co-workers. Instead talk about your desire to focus on work that you
enjoy. Be prepared to give a thoughtful and logical response to this
question.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Talk about your weaknesses first. Give examples of the ways that you work to overcome your weaknesses on the job.
Leave the interviewer with a positive impression of a person who is working to better his/her workday experience.
Talk about your strengths in relation to how they would benefit the company. Give examples of how these strengths
have helped you overcome difficult work situations in the past.
Do you have any questions for us?
Take
along a list of questions in your notebook. When asked, tell the
interviewer that you have done some research and have written down a
few questions. Don't hesitate to pull out your notebook and check your
list. This will show the interviewer that you are organized, have
prepared for the interview, and that you are serious about the
possibility of joining their organization.
Where to you want to be five years from now?
What
are your goals? How could this position help you achieve them? Plan a
response to this question, as it will invariably be asked. Use it as an
opportunity to show the interviewer that you are looking to a future
within their organization.
Behavioral Interviewing:
Most good
interviewers these days use a method known as "Behavioral
Interviewing". This means that they not only ask questions about your
skills / traits, but also ask for examples, such as:
Give me an example of when you were very stressed at work. What was causing this stress? What did you do to alleviate it?
Tell me of an accomplishment at work that you are particularly proud of. Why?
What
was your longest, most drawn out project in your current position. How
did you keep yourself motivated to finish the project? How did it all
turn out?
Give me an example of a time that you had to deal with a "personality conflict". How did you resolve the conflict?
Give me an example of a failure that you have had in your career. Why did you fail? What did you learn from this experience?
Tell me of a time that you have had a disagreement with your boss/supervisor. What was the situation? How did it get resolved?
Go into an interview prepared to answer either of the two types of questions, or even a combination of both.
Prepare
specific examples from your work experience, and practice describing
these situations so that when asked in an interview, you will be able
to respond clearly and intelligently.
Remember:
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Do your homework.
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Communicate!
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Keep a positive attitude.
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Make a good impression!
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To learn more, read our Resume Hints or return to our Hints for Success
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