WORK IMMERSION/RESEARCH/CAREER

ADVOCACY/CULMINATING ACTIVITY (WRCC)

Lesson 3

Job Interview Skills Training

THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
The week before the interview
Before an Interview
1. Do your homework:
Research the company and its
background beforehand. Search
for information online. Find out
who will be interviewing you, and
review the job description in detail
so you understand it inside out.
It’s also worth researching news or
activities relating to the specific
industry, as this shows interest.
These tips will help you with your
pre-interview homework. Make
sure that you re-read the job
description and can communicate
why you would be a good fit for
the position
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

Before an Interview
The week before the interview

2. Prepare your questions:

When asked by the interviewer
if you have any questions, have
a few ideas up your sleeve. This
demonstrates that you’re
prepared, enthusiastic and
committed to the role and the
company. Try to think of less
obvious but interesting
questions that will set you apart
from other candidates.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
The week before the interview
Before an Interview
3. Practice your interview technique:
Think beforehand about how you can best
demonstrate your skills and experiences in an
interview. This can make you feel more confident
on the day. If you’ve been asked to give a
presentation as part of the interview process, give
it a final run-through, make sure you’ve got prompt
cards, and try to make it as compelling as possible.

Prepare for the different types of interviews:

behavior, experiential, or combination. Have a story
from each place you’ve already worked at that
exemplifies one of your strengths. For every
strength or skill, you should have a story about how
you successfully used it. You will make a far better
impression if you can back up your dry list of
previous employment with interesting stories that
show what you gained from each experience.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

The week before the interview Before an Interview

4. Plan your journey:
Spend time prior to the interview
working out how you’ll get there. Look
up public transport routes and
timetables, or find out where you can
park. Plan how long the journey will
take. Do a practice run, if necessary.
Aim to arrive about 15 minutes early.

5. Stay focused:
Clear your diary before and after the
interview, so you can stay fully focused
on the event. In order to give the
interview your total attention, you
don’t want to be preoccupied with
other things that need doing that day.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
1. Lay out your outfit:
Even if this is something you never Day before the Interview
do on a regular basis, laying out
your outfit the day before ensures
you’re not scrambling in the
morning to come up with
something appropriate. Plus, it’s a
great opportunity to make sure
your shoes match and that your
clothes are stain and wrinkle-free.

2. Pack your bag:

Next, pack your bag (or briefcase)
with all the essentials — water, a
stain stick, makeup, and of course,
a copy of your resume (and
portfolio if needed).
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

3. Review answers to the most common Day before the Interview

questions:
Every interview has a different feel, but
you can still practice. The easiest way to
do that is to review some of the most
common interview questions, which will
help you feel prepared and confident.

4. Print extra copies of resume

5. Plan to eat breakfast:

Sure, you might not be in the habit of
eating breakfast, but when you have an
interview, you should make an exception.
Hunger can throw you off your game, so
make sure to eat a light breakfast or
lunch. And more importantly, plan to do
so (which means: give yourself the
necessary time).
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
6. Prepare for the worst:
Bad things happen: it starts Day before the Interview
pouring on your walk, there’s
traffic on a street that never has
traffic, your shirt rips. While
some things can’t be prevented
or predicted, you can still
prepare for the worst. For
example, if you’re worried about
sudden road closures or traffic
jams, give yourself extra time to
arrive. Or, if you’re worried
about blanking on an interview
question, learn how to stall for
time. You can also carry an extra
shirt in the event of rips or
stains.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

7. Create a cheat sheet Day before the Interview

Jot down all the nitty-gritty

details: who you’re meeting
with and what their titles are, a
couple past work
accomplishments or stories you
want to bring up, and the
questions you want to ask at the
end. Preparing like this can be a
huge lifesaver when you’re
moments away from meeting
the hiring manager and blanking
on their name.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
8. Set your alarm (and put it in
your calendar) : Day before the Interview

This may sound silly, but

sleeping in the day of a morning
interview can throw all your
preparation out the window,
and get you all frazzled for the
interview. Set your alarm and
avoid the snooze button to make
sure you have the time you
need. You should also make sure
to add the interview to your
email and phone calendar as
soon as a time is confirmed. The
last thing you want to do is get
the time or date wrong.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
9. Get a good night’s sleep
A good night sleep is your secret Day before the Interview
weapon for a job interview,
ensuring you’re at your most
charming and lively. To make sure
you get some quality shut-eye,
turn off your TV, and put down the
mobile phone! Social media will
still be there after your interview
the next day.

Don’t cram any last minute

interview preparation in just
before bedtime, as this could
disrupt your sleep. Relax before
bed to ensure you get a restful
night’s slumber, so you’re firing on
all cylinders the next day.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

The Day of the Interview: During The Interview

1. Be on time! Arrive at least 10

to 15 minutes early.

2. Bring the supplies you

prepared the night before your
interview.

3. Avoid any scents or jewelry

that may be distracting to the
employer.

4. Do not smoke right before

your interview.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

On arrival at the interview : During The Interview

1. A friendly, professional
greeting
- When you enter the interview
building, greet reception staff in
a friendly, professional manner.
If possible, find out the name of
the receptionist so you can
break the ice with a personal
greeting. Introduce yourself and
explain that you’re there for an
interview and provide the name
of the interviewer/s.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
On arrival at the interview :
During The Interview
2. Wait professionally
- Adopt a professional approach
when you’re sat waiting for the
interview, using positive,
confident body language. Now
isn’t the time to check your
social media accounts or
WhatsApp your friends. Instead,
switch your phone off before
you enter the building and leave
it alone until afterwards. If there
are any corporate brochures to
hand, flick through these while
you wait.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
On arrival at the interview :
During The Interview
3. First impressions count
- It’s a fact that first impressions
count, so as soon as the interviewer
approaches you, ensure you come
across as personable, professional
and courteous. Stand up straight,
smile, make eye contact and extend
your hand. Say hello and introduce
yourself, stating that it’s a pleasure
to meet them, and thank them for
taking the time to see you today.
Attention to detail can go a long way
to securing your dream role. Be
considerate and polite to ALL staff
members. You never know who will
provide input for a hiring decision.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During The Interview

On arrival at the interview :

4. Discard any chewing gum or

breath mints before your
interview.

5. Carry a tissue or handkerchief

in your pocket to dry your hands
in case you are nervous before
you go in.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During the Interview: During The Interview

1. Listen carefully to the

interviewer.

2. Make sure you answer the

question your interviewer is
asking.

3. Relate your skills,

accomplishments, and
objectives to the needs of the
company.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
During the Interview:
During The Interview
4. Provide specific examples when
possible using the SARA method
(Situation, Action, Result,
Application).

5. Focus on the positive aspects of

your training and experience. You
don’t have to apologize for any
perceived lack of experience or
background.

6. If you do not have the

interviewer’s contact information
request a business card so that you
can send a thank you note.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During the Interview: During The Interview

7. Your posture can convey

confidence or insecurity. Sit up
straight to send a message that
you are comfortable and
confident.

8. Maintain eye contact with

your interviewer and others in
the room. If you focus all of your
attention on one person, you
will not engage other
interviewers.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During The Interview

During the Interview:

9. Avoid fidgeting. Use your

hands to express yourself in
moderation.

10. Be clear and direct. Avoid

the use of filler words such as
um or like between phrases or
sentences. Do not ramble. When
you finish making your point,
stop! Silence is acceptable.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During The Interview

After the Interview:

1. Send a Thank You note within

24 hours of the interview.

2. Check out a sample Thank You

note for inspiration.

3. If you do not hear from the

employer after the hiring
timeline they initially indicated
follow up professionally, and
only once.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During The Interview

After the Interview:

4. Call or email the interviewer

or human resources
representative and inquire
about the position and the new
hiring timeline.

5. Evaluate your performance.

6. Did any questions stump you?

Now is the time to improve your
answers for the next interview.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

After the Interview: During The Interview

7. After a first round interview you

may be called back for additional
rounds of interviews depending on
the employer’s process.

8. For those participating in On-

Campus Interviews, keep in mind
that second round interviews are
typically not held at CCE, but at
company offices.

9. Check out our resource on what

to expect at a second round
interview to help you prepare.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

During The Interview

After the Interview:

10. If a job offer is provided on

the spot, which is uncommon, it
is appropriate to thank the
employer and to tell them that
you need more time to consider
the opportunity.

11. At that point, ask about the

company’s timeline and
deadline for your answer.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

What to do during an interview : DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW

1. Answer the question that was

asked.

2. Shake the interviewer’s hand.

3. Let the interviewer show you

your chair – now is the time to
be submissive, so as to not
offend the interviewer.

4. Say “Yes,” not “Yeah.”

THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
What to do during an interview :
DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW
5. Take a second before
answering a question to show
you are putting some thought
into your answer.

6. Take notes.

7. Let your achievements speak

for you.

8. Ask questions, including

asking for a full description of
the type of work that you will be
doing.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW

What to do during an interview :

9. Keep eye contact.

10. Be yourself.

11. Start with conversation

topics that you are comfortable
with. This will allow you to
direct the interview to a certain
degree and present yourself in a
positive light.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW

What not to do during an
interview :

1. Don’t talk too quickly.

2. Don’t digress from your

points. Answer questions
directly.

3. Don’t use slang.

4. Don’t use words you don’t

know the meaning of.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW

DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW

What not to do during an

interview :

5. Don’t be arrogant.

6. Don’t talk about your

personal life.

7. Don’t give the employer any

reason to think you will not
perform well.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
What not to do during an
interview : DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW

8. Don’t act nervous. You probably

will be, but it is best if you take a
few seconds and clear your mind;
your answers will be less jumbled.
If you find yourself getting really
nervous, excuse yourself and go to
the bathroom to get some air.
Don’t take too long but it is better
to collect your thoughts than to
plow ahead when you can’t focus.

9. Don’t fidget. This might be

something you have to practice
but it is worth it.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW
What not to do during an
interview : DO’S AND DON’TS IN A JOB INTERVIEW
10. Don’t get defensive. The
interviewer will be asking technical
questions. Everyone has their weak
spots and that is okay – work with it
and practice for it.

11. Don’t bring coffee. Sipping a

drink is a sign of disrespect.

12. You don’t want to use this time

to over-prepare or rehearse
responses, which can make your
conversation seem scripted and not
authentic. remember your interview
is a conversation.
 WORK IMMERSION/RESEARCH/CAREER
ADVOCACY/CULMINATING ACTIVITY (WRCC)

Performance Task # 2

* Prepare for a mock

interview next
meeting. Details will be
posted in canvas.