JOBINTERVIEW

INTERVIEW
■ Interview = Ameetingwithanobjective
■ Employer’s objective istofindthebest personfor thejob
■ You: impress employerandassess positiononoffer
■ Youmust provethat youare the most suitablecandidate for this position
THEFIVEPARTINTERVIEW
 PartOne–BeforetheInterview
■ Do your homework! Learn as much as you can about the company before the interview .
■ Preparation is the key to success.
– Review own skills, experiences and qualities
– Research organisation
– Research job and occupational area
– Prepare your questions
– Practice
■  Know where you are going. Drive by the site of the interview a day or two
before the interview.
■ Arrive 5 – 15 minutes early.
■  Be prepared when you go to the interview. Bring extra copies of your
resume, your portfolio, a notepad with some questions prepared for the
interview, anda pen.
■ Dress for Success! Hair should be clean and combed. Fingernails must be
clean with no gaudy polish. Keep perfume, cologne and aftershave to a
minimum. Brushyour teethanddon’t forget deodorant.
■ Women: Formal dressing. Noexcessivejewelry, make-up, or “bighair.”
■ Men: pants (not jeans!), collared shirt, tie and shoes. A suit is not always
necessary.
■ Donot wearloudclothes! Be conservative!
 PartTwo–TheStart

■  Inform the secretary/receptionist that youhave aninterview, whom it is

with, andthetime ofthe interview.
■ When you meet the interviewer, look straight into his/her eyes, shake hands
firmly, introduce yourself, smile, be confident and wait until you are offered a
seat.
■ Be positive in your communication (Remember: You’re selling yourself!!),
don’t slouch, try not to be too bold or too shy. Let the interviewer lead the
interview. Expressthat youare happytohave theopportunitytointerview.
■ DO NOT: Smoke, chew gum, slouch, put your hands on items on the
interviewer’sdesk, fidget withrings, pens, ties, orother items inyourreach.
 PartThree–TheInterview 
NON-VERBAL:
■  Always face the interviewerwithgoodpostureandbodylanguage.

■ Alwaysoffer yourhand; use afirm, but not

crushinghandshake.
■ Use eye contact without staring; avoiding contact is a sign of deception, disinterest , or
lackofconfidence.
■ Ifa place ofsittingis not indicated, choose achairclosest tothe interviewer .
■ Sit relaxed, but do not slouch. Leaning slightly forward shows interest, but do not
leanondeskorknees.
■ Usehands naturallytoemphasize a point; donot covermouth, holdyour head.
■ Stay positive with your attitude and your answers. Let the interviewer know
about the skills, knowledge and experience that make you a qualified
candidate.
■ Know your resume and portfolio well and be prepared to answer questions
about them.
■  Don’t be a know-it-all! Expressyourwillingnesstolearn!
■ Be honest with all answers. Experienced interviewers can see right through
“little white lies.”
■ Be thorough with your answers. Never answer with just a “yes” or “no.”
Always provide explanations andexamples.
■  If youdon’t understandthe question, asktheinterviewertoexplain.

■ Payclose attentiontowhat the intervieweris saying.

■ Organize your thoughts before speaking. Feel free to think for a moment
about tough questions. Silence is not a bad thing as long as you do not take an
excessive amount of time.
■ Watchfor illegal questions
Item Can be asked Cannot be asked
Age Whether you are above Age, birth date, birth
minimum or maximum age certificate, high-school
graduation date
Criminal Conviction record, if it Arrest record
Record relates to ability to do job

Disabilities Anything that relates to Anything that does not

ability to do the job relate to ability to do job
Marital/ Nothing Anything
Family Status
National Whether candidate can Anything
Origin legally work in the US
Race, Religion, Nothing Anything
■ Although questions of a very personal nature are typically inappropriate, they are not
illegal.

■ These questions in an interview process can become illegal if they determine a hiring
decisionandare not directlyrelatedtoqualificationsofthe jobfunctions
■ Decline toanswer:
Verydirect approach, andshouldbe usedwithcaution

■ Answerdirectly:
Be concise, clear, andcomfortabledisclosing

■ Tactfullysidestep:
Rephrase questionintoa legal response
■ DO NOT: – Emphasize your weaknesses. – Draw attention to negative
attributes such as poor attendance, grades, being fired, etc. – Criticize former
employers, co-workers, or school personnel. – Discuss personal issues,
good or bad, which are irrelevant. – Discuss salary or benefits unless the
interviewerbringsit upfirst.
■ Remember that you represent a risk to the employer. A hiring mistake is
expensive. Showyouare highlymotivatedandenergetic.
 PartFour–End ofInterview
Askthejob-relatedquestionsyoupreparedfortheinterview .

■  Typical daily/weekly tasks ■ Expectations for a person in this

position

■ Work environment
■ Criteria for evaluation
■ Other positions and/or departments
interaction ■ Opportunities for advancement

■ Whatdoesthe training program entail

 Questionsnotto ask
Make sure your questions are not focused on anything else
but the company and the job itself.
Do not bring up the following topics in the first interview:

■ Salary/benefits
■ Socialevents
■ Vacation
 Salarynegotiation

■ Nevermake the first move….Salaryiswhat youearn, not what youdeserve

■ Knowyour market andyourlimitations

■ Whenquestionedonrequirements, have a set range inmind

■ Questionthe typical salaryoftheposition

■ You may be offered the job immediately. In that case, you should ask about
specific salary, benefits, and work hours. You do not have to give them an
immediate answer. Askfora daytothinkabout it.
■ If you are told you will be contacted, ask about how long it will be. Offer to
call in a few days to find out the decision. This shows your continued
interest.
■  Make sure the interviewer knows how best to contact you and that you are
available foranyadditional informationthat maybe needed.
■ Thank the person for the interview and their interest in you as a potential
employee. Shake handsfirmlyonthe wayout.
 PartFive–TheFollow-Up

■  Sendthe interviewer athank-youletter soonafterthe interview.

■ call the company about a week after the interview to find out if they have made a
decision. Iftheyhavenot, findout whentheyexpect tohavea decision.
 100 Marion Street
Liberty, MO 64068
816-792-2000
March 17, 2010

Dr. Richard Lambert, Recruiter

One World Center
2000 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281

Dear Dr. Lambert:

Thank you so much for meeting with me to review and discuss my skills for the exercise
specialist position. I enjoyed learning more about your company and plans for the future.

The position sounds very interesting, particularly since it would be an opportunity for me to use
my skills in designing sound individual exercise prescriptions and administering safe, specific
activity programs. I am eager to develop and deliver exercise programs to your clients.

Dr. Lambert, I want this job. I can quickly become a member of your team if you’ll give me a
chance. If I may, let me call you in a few days to see if you have reached a decision favorable to
both of us. I look forward to talking with you. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

(written signature)

Cynthia L. Smith
 WhyPeopleAreNotHired
  Poorpersonalappearance
 Inabilityto communicateclearly, poorvoice, andgrammar
 Lackofplanningfora career...nopurposeorgoals
 Lackofenthusiasmandconfidence inthe interview
 Condemning pastemployers
 Failureto look theinterviewerin theeye
 Limp handshake
 Late tothe interview
 Doesnotthank theinterviewerforhis/hertime
 Asksno questions
 Lackofknowledge aboutthe businessorthe position