Prepare for the Interview

Vocabulary
Business Casual: A somewhat less formal professional dress. Refer to the area-specific strategies for
your industry and region. In the U.S. a typical business casual dress for women might be slacks/skirt
and a button up sweater with blouse. For men slacks/khakis and a polo shirt or button up shirt without
a sport coat. Nice shoes for both
Business Professional: A more formal professional dress. Refer to the area-specific strategies for your
industry and region. In the U.S. a typical business professional dress for women might be slacks/skirt, a
blouse, blazer and a low heel. For men slacks, a button up shirt, a coat, a tie, and dress shoes.
Practice Interview: Not an actual interview for an actual job. Sometimes referred to as a “mock
interview.”

The Questions
We’ll start here since this is one of the one of the scariest parts of the interview. Interview questions
are primarily designed to help the employer understand the value that you will add to their
organization, assess your knowledge, experience and trainability, and determine if you would be a
personality fit for their team.
Prepare: Download and review this document - Practice Interview Guidelines. This could very well be
the most useful tool to help you prepare for the interview or practice interview. It helps you
understand what questions to expect during an interview and how to handle them. It provides many
sample interview questions that you may face. For each question, it:
1. Explains what an employer is often assessing when they ask the question.
2. Provides suggestions on things to avoid and things to do or say when asked the question.
Practice: It is recommended that you grab a piece of paper or open a separate document and write
your practice answers and notes.
 The Practice Interview Guidelines document offers a ‘Powerful Answers Chart’ at the bottom of
the document where you can capture your thoughts and notes.
 Remember your Me in 30 Seconds statement and power statements.
 Review your answers and practice answering them. This will help you feel and sound more
confident in your answers.

What to Wear
People like or dislike you often in the first ten seconds of meeting you. Most of these cues are based on
things you cannot control. However, your attire is something that you do have control over. You want
to dress as if you work for the company and have the job. Dress professionally and appropriately for
that industry and region. This ldsjobs.org resource is helpful – Dress for Success.
Quick Tips:
  “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do.” Research the area-specific strategies for your industry
and region. Observe the company culture when selecting an interview outfit. The objective is to
look like you already fit in nicely with the company and its culture.
 Generally, clothes should be conservative in color and fit. Nothing too tight, too flashy, or two
bright. (Note: if you are interviewing for a job in design or entertainment this rule would not fit)
 If in doubt, dress in business casual or business professional, depending on the type job and
organization you are applying for.

What to Bring with You

Arriving prepared is part of the interview process. Bring a folder or briefcase with five to ten copies of
your resume, your business card, a note pad, and pen (blue or black ink).
Quick Tips:
 Avoid carrying flashy items or items with logos.
 Offer a copy of your resume at the beginning of each interview.

Types of Interviews
There are multiple types of interviews and you may face several or even all of them during your
interview process. Practice each type of interview in order to be most prepared.

Phone Interview:
This interview is usually the hiring manager’s first contact with you. You will rarely know this call is
coming, and it may be while you are at the store, on the bus or in the car with kids.
Quick Tips:
 Be prepared by practicing your Me in 30 Seconds, interview answers and power statements.
 Smile when you are talking on the phone, your voice inflection changes when you smile.

Recorded Computer Interview or One-Way Interview:

More and more companies are depending on computers to do the screening process for them. These
interviews are generally sent via invite thru your email. You are offered a specific time or a “due by”
date to complete the interview. You will follow the link provided to you and begin answering recorded
questions.
For this interview you will not have the benefit of seeing physical cues of your interviewers to guide
your answers. However, you will generally have the flexibility to do your interview in the evening or on
a weekend without taking time off from your current job.
Quick Tips:
 Dress professionally (appropriate for your industry and region).
 Smile!
 Research the company before you log on.
  Practice looking into the camera as you answer interview questions and share your Me in 30
Seconds and power statements.
 Choose a quiet and professional setting:
 Look behind you, what will the video capture about your surroundings? Make sure there
is nothing behind you that would make you an unappealing candidate. Ex. Political
posters, items indicating race/handicap/marital status.
 Make sure you are alone: pets, friends and family are outside and quiet.
 DO NOT sit in your bed when doing the interview.
 Sit back from the camera. You want the camera to show as much of you as they would
see if you were sitting across from them at a table.
 Test your microphone and camera.
 Keep a note pad and pencil next to your computer and a glass of water.

Computer/Skype/FaceTime Interview:
With the increased costs of travel, less companies are flying candidates in for face to face interviews.
Video conferencing allows you to meet with an individual or a panel at a scheduled time and date.
Quick Tips:
 Follow the same tips as for a one-way computer interview (above) and a face-to-face interview
(below).

Face-to-Face or In-Person Interview (One-on-one):

The face to face interview and panel interview take the most time (time = money) from a company. In
some cases, you will do a face-to-face with the recruiter and then go on to meet with another
individual for a face-to-face or go on to a panel interview.
Before you enter this interview, you should know that once you are at this stage, the company really
wants you to be the person they hire. Even if they are interviewing you and another candidate for the
same position, it is not unusual for them to make a position for someone they really liked, bring you in
for a future position, or offer you a job you were not applying for.
Quick Tips:
 Dress professionally (appropriate for your industry and region).
 Smile! People are more likely to like people who like them.
 Wear deodorant, but do not wear perfume/cologne.
 Make sure your handshake is strong and sweat free. If you need to, keep a tissue in your pocket
to absorb moisture before offering your hand.
 Research the company before you log on.
 Practice looking at people face to face as you answer interview questions and share your Me in
30 Seconds and power statements.
 Bring a note pad and pencil to take notes.
Panel Interview:
A panel interview is when two or more people interview you at the same time.
Quick Tips:
 Follow the same quick tips as the face-to-face interview
 Smile and make eye contact with the person you are answering. Do not scan the group
randomly as you are answering. Finish a complete sentence or thought while looking at one
person before moving to look at another.
 Remember the names of the people interviewing you. A quick way to do this is to draw a quick
outline on your note pad of the table or room you are sitting in. As people introduce
themselves, write their names on your drawing in the spot that represents where they are
sitting. Do not, draw your attention away from the person talking for more than a couple
seconds.

Skills Tests
Skill tests may be used during the interview process. They are generally timed computer test that will
cover skills the company wants to confirm you have. These tests range from general software packages
such as Microsoft Office to specific programming language tests.
Quick Tips for skill tests:
 When the interview is being scheduled, ask which version of the software the test covers.
 Practice computer skill tests before your interview test.

Additional Tips
 Watch this humorous video on some things to avoid while interviewing: video | transcript
 Represent yourself confidently but honestly. Do not falsify or exaggerate skills or experience

After the interview: Thank you email

Follow each type of interview with a thank you email/letter. As soon as you get home, send an
individual email to each person that you met with. Thank them for their time, use this opportunity to
expand on a question you don’t feel you answered as completely as you meant to, and share your
desire to be a part of their team.
Quick Tips for thank you email:
 Send a separate email to every individual you met.
 Include your contact information in the email.
 Attach your resume and a professional photo so they can remember your face.