Successful Interviewing

Whether you graduated two months, two years, or twenty years ago, at some point you will most likely find yourself interviewing for a new job. Before you are face to face with the interviewer, ask yourself, “Do I know how to answer the questions I will be asked?” “Do I know what questions I should ask the interviewer?”

Keep reading for a few pointers on having an effective interview.

Prepare and over-prepare

You already know you should prepare your clothing, arrive early for the interview, and research the organization to know their mission and goals. To ensure you will have a successful interview you should go further and over-prepare. Plan your strategy, which includes practicing your answers to all of the possible questions you may be asked. Role-play and repeat your best responses until they feel entirely natural and simply roll off of your tongue. You can practice in front of the mirror, with a partner, or while you are in the car, but you must practice.

Be clear on what you know and want to achieve

Be clear on what you want, as well as what you don’t want. There’s little room in the job market for the applicant who’s willing to take anything—he or she will usually get nothing! You can’t just be clear, you need to make sure you articulate what you want in a clear and concise manner so the interviewer also knows what you want.

Be clear about your strengths

You’re almost certain to be hit with questions pertaining to your strengths and weaknesses. Know your strengths and emphasize those that relate specifically to the position for which you’re being considered. Give examples or stories that highlight the strengths you mentioned.

Describe your weaknesses as strengths

This is tricky, so let’s think about why the question is asked. The interviewer probably wants to learn several things about you with this question, such as: do you know yourself and what you are doing to eliminate your weaknesses. Again be as descriptive as possible by giving examples so the interviewer can see you have thought about this and are already working on overcoming your weaknesses.

Interview the interviewer

Just as the company is interviewing you, you are also interviewing the company to make sure the organization is a good fit and the job would be challenging and enjoyable. A competent interviewer will respect your efforts to assess the organization and the position in terms of whether or not it meets your requirements.

Follow up the interview with a thank you letter

After the interview, take time to write down the names and titles of all of your interviewers then send a thank you letter to each one. The thank you letter is evidence of your attention to detail, as well as an indication of your interest in the position. In the thank you letter, be sure to remind them of a quality you mentioned during the interview and how it would fit well with the position or organization.

All of these tips are very important. However, one can’t stress enough the importance of practicing before the interview. Know how to answer the tricky questions and know what questions you will ask the interviewer. Being prepared and having practiced will come across as confidence during the interview, even if you are sweating bullets.

If you are facing the challenge of an interview in the near future and would like some assistance knowing how to answer specific questions or for general tips, contact Alumni Career Services Assistance in the University Relations office at alumni@ship.edu, or 717-477-1218, or log on to www.ship.edu/alumni and click on career services.