Ch. 16 Interviewing to Get the Job summary

An employment interview is the interpersonal communication between a potential employer and a job applicant. Employment interviews often make people nervous, anxious, and intimidated. Preparing for an interview and practicing role playing can make a big difference. One-on-one interviews occur when a single company hiring representative conducts the interview with you alone. Panel interviews occur when various people including managers, supervisors, and colleagues interview you at once. Behavioral interviews rely on actual performance or situation-based questioning and require specific examples of past performances. During an employment interview, there are goals the interviewer will have and there are goals you should have. The interviewer’s goals include gathering information to assess a match between your qualifications and the requirements for the position. They also evaluate your personality, attitude, disposition, and team skills. Your goals are to provide positive and relevant professional and skill-based experience, behave in a polite and professional manner, and determine whether the position will be enjoyable and rewarding. Prior to the interview it is wise to research information on the company. Gather information including the number of employees, company products and services, location of the home office and other branch offices, mission statements, company goals and philosophy. In preparation for the interview you should dress in professional attire, arrive early, and be polite to the receptionists and anyone else in the waiting room. Also bring at least two copies of your resume. Interview question styles include closed questions, open-ended questions, hypothetical questions, loaded questions, and behavioral-based questions. Questions that you will be asked will be based on your professional experiences, teamwork and leadership abilities, weakness and job hopping questions. Always give positive answers and explanations. Follow up with employers by writing thank you letters or placing phone calls. Salary and benefits should be discussed after you are offered the position, and finally when you are offered the position, make sure you get the offer in writing. I have been too many interviews in the past, some went well and some didn’t. The most important thing I learned from those interviews was to come prepared.