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Basic Interview Guidelines

The document provides guidelines for having a successful job interview. It recommends three key steps: 1) Prepare by understanding the job and organization, your strengths, and adjusting professionalism. 2) Practice through mock interviews. 3) Sell yourself by demonstrating enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and how you can benefit the organization beyond just skills. The interview is the opportunity to highlight qualifications and make a great first impression. Following tips like being on time, dressing appropriately, asking questions, and sending a thank you note can help lead to getting the job.

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Murugan
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208 views

Basic Interview Guidelines

The document provides guidelines for having a successful job interview. It recommends three key steps: 1) Prepare by understanding the job and organization, your strengths, and adjusting professionalism. 2) Practice through mock interviews. 3) Sell yourself by demonstrating enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and how you can benefit the organization beyond just skills. The interview is the opportunity to highlight qualifications and make a great first impression. Following tips like being on time, dressing appropriately, asking questions, and sending a thank you note can help lead to getting the job.

Uploaded by

Murugan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Interviewing ♦ Ready Reference

Basic Interview Guidelines G1


It's finally here. This is the event you have worked so hard to achieve, the job interview. The interview is your
greatest opportunity to sell the skills and qualities that you have to offer an employer. Doing well in your
coursework, being involved in activities, building a strong network and developing a sound and effective résumé
and cover letter are all very important in conducting the job search. However, the job interview is the most
critical link in the hiring process. Learn to use it to your advantage by following the guidelines in this ready
reference.

Three Simple Steps to a Successful Interview 9 HOT TIP: In an interview, the "winner"
1. Prepare exhibits confidence and enthusiasm about the
2. Practice career opportunity. Through words and
3. Sell behavior, he or she demonstrates self-
confidence and a strong work ethic.
1. Prepare Interviewers are convinced that the candidate is
ƒ Understand and know yourself. What capable of doing the job with little of no
are your strengths and development supervision.
areas? What are your career and life
goals? Self-assessment is a highly 2. Practice
valued skill in today’s job work ƒ Participate in mock interviews.
environment. If you need help with this Complete the Mock Interview
step, consult the Self Evaluation ready Preparation Ready Reference and
references. schedule a mock interview appointment
ƒ Understand and be prepared for the with CASNR Career Services. Also,
interpersonal dynamics of the job participate in university- or college-
interview. Look at the job interview as wide mock interview days.
an open exchange of information ƒ Tape record and/or videotape mock
between you and the interviewer. They interviews, noting annoying verbal or
are as interested in your interpersonal body language habits.
skills as in the qualifications you bring ƒ Practice your responses. Although
to the interview. every interview is different, anticipate
ƒ Be reasonably knowledgeable about the the routine questions you will be asked
position, organization and community in an interview, and practice your
before you go into the interview. A responses in advance.
little research will go a long way in the
job interview. 9 HOT TIP: About 95 percent of students could
ƒ Adjust your e-mail address and voice benefit from mock interviews, yet only 5
mail messages. You are now moving percent participate in these activities.
from a college environment to a
3. Sell
professional environment. The rules are
ƒ Most interviews begin with the
different. “Hey dude, leave a message
question, “Tell me a little about
when you hear that machine do its
yourself.” Use this open-ended question
thing” and "[email protected]"
to sell your skills, abilities and
are not appropriate when an employer
qualifications to the interviewer.
wants to contact you.
ƒ Demonstrate enthusiasm, a positive

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources ♦ Career Services


Oklahoma State University ♦ 136 Ag Hall ♦ Stillwater, OK 74078-6017
405.744.5395 ♦ FAX: 405.744.5339
http://www.casnr.com ♦ [email protected]
Revised 8/04
attitude and a strong interest in the The Art of Answering Questions Effectively
position. There can be no substitute for ƒ Take your time. Use pauses and silence to
these first impression qualities in an formulate your answers.
interview. ƒ Don’t wing it. Prepare in advance.
ƒ Show what you can do for the ƒ Answer the questions directly and concisely.
organization beyond your qualifications ƒ Back up your assertions with concrete, real-life
or your “hard skills.” Employers are examples.
increasingly interested in candidates
with a high EQ (Emotional Quotient). Your Turn to Ask Questions
High EQ people exhibit strengths in ƒ In advance, write down big-picture questions
five areas: self-awareness, ability to that address large organizational issues, such as
manage emotions, motivating oneself, company goals, educational philosophy, etc.
empathy and social competence. Refer to these as necessary.
Exhibiting and discussing these ƒ Do not, in the first interview, ask any questions
qualities throughout the interview related to salary, vacation, holidays, or other
process will give you an important benefits. These kinds of questions are best
edge. addressed at the point of the job hire. See the
Asking Questions in the Job Interview Ready
9 HOT TIP: 60 percent of people don't get the Reference for more suggestions on taking your
job they want because they don't sell turn in the interview.
themselves in the interview.
Team Interviews: When You’re Interviewed by
ƒ Listen for “trick questions” such as More Than One Person
“What’s your greatest weakness or ƒ Respond to each member of the group on an
development area?” First and foremost, individual basis. Refer to each person by name
be honest. We all have development whenever possible.
areas. Be specific in terms of how you ƒ Don’t ignore anyone. Give good eye contact to
are working to improve these areas. all members of the team.
ƒ Take your time, just as you would in a 1-on-1
First Impressions are Critical interview.
ƒ Dress appropriately.
ƒ Be early. Plan your trip and parking The Follow-Up
arrangements in advance. ƒ Send a thank you note to each person in the
ƒ Turn off your cell phone. interview.
ƒ Make all correspondence neat and error free. ƒ The note can be handwritten on a thank you
Have all your documents proofread by CASNR card or a standard typed letter.
Career Services.
ƒ Make small talk. Look for a connection to the Make the Difference!
interviewer, such as a common interest. Given two candidates with similar qualifications,
ƒ Treat the receptionist or administrative assistant the candidate that demonstrates good grooming,
with the same respect you would the direct eye contact, courtesy, enthusiasm, confidence
interviewer. and a down-to-earth, positive attitude will always
be hired first. Remember to be yourself and enjoy
9 HOT TIP: According to a recent survey, 91
the experience.
percent of executives from the nation's largest
companies consider their administrative 9 HOT TIP: Qualities Valued in a Job Interview
assistant’s opinions of candidates an important *Honesty/Integrity
part of the selection process. *Enthusiasm
*Verbal Skills
*Sense of Humor

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