Tips

From Alison Doyle,
Your Guide to Job Searching.
Reprinted from About.com. (See below)

Acing the Interview
Tips and Strategies for Successful Interviewing
You�ve just landed an interview for a seemingly wonderful job! Now what? Successful interviewing will be essential in order for you to lock in an offer. Here are some tips and strategies for effective interviewing from preparation through follow up.
Research should always be your first step. Gathering background information on employers is a crucial element in successful interview preparation. You will need to be prepared to answer the questions “What do your know about our company”? and “Why do you want to work here?” Knowing as much as possible about the company’s past performance and future plans can make your interview more interactive and could be just the leg up you need in a competitive job market. Before the interview review the company’s web site and don’t be afraid to contact your prospective employer to request details on the position you are interviewing for or to ask for company literature.
Practice makes perfect (or at least leads to improvement).
Practice with a friend and record or videotape your responses so you can replay the interview and see how well you did. Prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions. Doing so will help you analyze your background and qualifications for the position.
Behavior based interviewing is becoming more common. It is based on the premise that a candidates past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Rather than the typical interview questions on your background and experience, you will you need to be prepared to provide detailed responses including specific examples of your work experiences.
The best way to prepare is to think of examples where you have successfully used the skills you’ve acquired. Take the time to compile a list of responses to both types of questions and to itemize your skills, values and interests as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize what you can do to benefit the company rather than just what you are interested in. Also prepare a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Remember, you aren’t simply trying to get the job – you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.
It is very important to be on time for the interview. On time means ten to fifteen minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going. Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview. If your not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Remember to bring an extra copy of your resume.
During the interview try to remain as calm as possible. Ask for clarification if you’re not sure what’s been asked and remember that it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to frame your responses so you can be sure too fully answer the question.
End the interview with a thank you to the interviewer and reiterate your interest in the position. Then follow-up with a personal Thank You note restating your interest.

How to Dress for Success
Dress your best for all your interviews, regardless of the dress code of the organization.

Here’s How:
1. Wear a solid color conservative suit with a coordinated shirt or blouse
2. Wear moderate shoes
3. Make sure your hair is well groomed and neat
4. Don’t overdo the perfume, makeup, or aftershave
5. Limit your jewelry
6. Make sure to try on your outfit BEFORE the day of the interview
7. Bring a portfolio, or briefcase, pad and pen
Tips:
1. Your clothes are your image, check the mirror and see what others see
2. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed
3. If it’s too tight or too loose – don’t wear it!
Related Features:
Dress for Success
Informational Interviews
Winning Interview Skills
Dressing for Success

How to Dress for an Interview

A recent article in U.S.A. Today spoke about candidates for jobs showing up in jeans, purple sweat suits, and spike heels or sneakers. Other applicants show pierced body parts and spiked hair. Still others chewed gum or showed up in rumpled clothes or with their pants falling down. One recruiter even told a candidate with his trousers down below his hips, to “Pull your pants up.” According to the article, the outlandish dress costs some candidates the job.
Does it really make a difference how you dress and act? In many cases, it does. I’ll never forget the gentleman I interviewed for an accounting position. He had been out of work for a few months and wanted to show me why. He took off his jacket, unbuttoned his shirt and started to pull down his pants (this is a true story) to show me the scar from a boat propeller that had injured him. He didn’t get the job. Neither did the young lady in a bright red skirt so short and tight that she could hardly sit down! In the conservative business climate I worked in at the time, appearances did matter. In other environments it isn’t as important. However, it does make sense to dress your best for the interview, regardless of the dress code at the organization. If you’re in doubt about how to dress for an interview, it is best to err on the side of conservatism. It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed (or undressed).
According to Kim Zoller at Image Dynamics, 55% of another person’s perception of you is based on how you look. Her Dressing for Success information gives some tips on how to look your best, without necessarily spending a lot of money.

Interviewing Q & A

Questions you’ll be asked

Interviews are always stressful – even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the “standard” interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also take time to research the company so you’ll be ready with knowledgeable answers.
Interview Questions ~
Work History
Name of company, position title and description, date of employment
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent where they met?
What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
What were your responsibilities?
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
Which was most/least rewarding?
What was the biggest accomplishment/failure in this position?
What was it like working for your supervisor? What were his strengths and shortcomings?
Why are you leaving?
About You
Describe a typical work week
How many hours do you normally work?
How would you describe the pace at which you work?
How do you handle stress and pressure?
What motivates you?
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Give some examples of team work.
What type of work environment do you prefer?
Describe a difficult work situation/project and how you overcame it.
How do you evaluate success?
The New Job and Company
What interests you about this job?
What applicable attributes/experience do you have?
Why are you the best person for the job?
What do you know about this company?
Why do you want to work for this organization?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
What can you contribute to this company?
Are you willing to travel?
Is there anything I haven’t told you about the job or company that you would like to know?
The Future
What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
What are your goals for the next five years/ten years?
How do you plan to achieve those goals?
What are your salary requirements – both short-term and long-term?
In addition to being ready to answer these standard questions, prepare for behavior based interviewing. This is based on the premise that a candidates past performance is the best predictor of future performance. You will you need to be prepared to provide detailed responses including specific examples of your work experiences. The best way to prepare is to think of examples where you have successfully used the skills you’ve acquired.
Take the time to compile a list of responses to both types of questions and to itemize your skills, values and interests as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize what you can do to benefit the company rather than just what you are interested in.
Expect to have your references checked prior to getting an offer. Plan ahead and compile a list of references and some letters of recommendations now, so you’re prepared when the employer requests them.
The last question you may be asked is “What can I answer for you?” Have questions of your own ready to ask. You aren’t simply trying to get this job – you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.
It’s your turn! As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is “What can I answer for you?” Have questions of your own ready to ask. You aren’t simply trying to get this job – you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.
Interview Questions to Ask ~
How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?
Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
What is the company’s management style?
Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet him/her?
How many people work in this office/department?
How much travel is expected?
Is relocation a possibility?
What is the typical work week? Is overtime expected?
What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
How does one advance in the company?
Are there any examples?
What do you like about working here?
What don’t you like about working here and what would you change?
Would you like a list of references?
If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?
What can I tell you about my qualifications?
When can I expect to hear from you?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
Interview Questions NOT to Ask ~
What does this company do? (Do your research ahead of time!)
If I get the job when can I take time off for vacation? (Wait until you get the offer to mention prior commitments)
Can I change my schedule if I get the job? (If you need to figure out the logistics of getting to work don’t mention it now…)
Did I get the job? (Don’t be impatient. They’ll let you know.)
Start-Ups
If you are interviewing at a start-up company ask very specific questions about funding, projected revenue, growth, management, financing, and history.

What is behavioral interviewing? Behavioral based interviewing is interviewing based on discovering how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations. The logic is that how you behaved in the past will predict how you will behave in the future i.e. past performance predicts future performance.
In a traditional interview, you will be asked a series of questions which typically have straight forward answers like “What are your strenghts and weaknesses?” or “What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?” or “Describe a typical work week.”

In a behavioral interview, an employer has decided what skills are needed in the person they hire and will ask questions to find out if the candidate has those skills.
Instead of asking how you would behave, they will ask how you did behave. The interviewer will want to know how you handled a situation, instead of what you might do in the future.
Behavioral interview questions will be more pointed, more probing and more specific. For example:

Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem.
Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how?
What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle it.
Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren’t thrilled about? How did you do it?
Have you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker? How?
Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
Follow-up questions will also be detailed. You may be asked what you did, what you said, how you reacted or how you felt.

What’s the best way to prepare? It’s important to remember that you won’t know what type of interview will take place until you are sitting in the interview room. So, prepare answers to traditional interview questions. Then, since you don’t know exactly what situations you will be asked about if it’s a behavioral interview, refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You may be able to use them to help frame responses. Review the job description. You may be able to get a sense of what skills will be asset from reading the job description and position requirements.

During the interview, if you are not sure how to answer the question, ask for clarification. Then be sure to include these points in your answer:

A specific situation
The tasks that needed to be done
The action you took
The results i.e. what happened
It’s important to keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers. The interviewer is simply trying to understand how you behaved in a given situation. How you respond will determine if there is a fit between your skills and the position the company is seeking to fill. So, listen carefully, be clear and detailed when you respond and, most importantly, be honest. If your answers aren’t what the interviewer is looking for, this position may not be the best job for you anyway.