SkillsUSA Job Interview

How to Prepare for Your Job Interview

Performance in a job interview is an essential factor for success in job applications. Learn how to prepare for a job interview, and explore tips on things to do before and during an interview.

Kristin has a job interview. She’s responded to several job postings and has brushed up her resume and cover letter. Kristin will be meeting one-on-one with the hiring manager at the company’s headquarters. Let’s look closer at the things that Kristin should do before and during the interview to convince the company that they want to hire her.

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Prepping for an Interview

Open Ended

What are some of the things that Kristin should do before and during the interview?

Kristin has an interview scheduled for next week. There are several things that Kristin can do to prepare for her job interview. What are some of the things that Kristin can do to prepare for her job interview?

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Let's Compare and Contrast

Before the Interview

Research

Kristin can research the company by visiting their website and reading their mission statement, statement of values and goals. She can also find out who the company’s big clients are and what products and services they provide. Additionally, Kristin can check out websites that allow employees to comment on the company culture and work environment. This will give her an idea of what to expect from both the interview and any job offer she gets.

Before the Interview

Prepare Anectdotes

Kristin can prepare anecdotes to illustrate key skills mentioned in the job posting. For example, if the job requires good communication skills, Kristin can think of a time when she acted as a mediator between two people in her department at school or when she received a writing award. For each skill mentioned in the job posting, Kristin should come up with one or two examples of when she demonstrated that skill in her life.

Before the Interview

Research and Prepare Potential Questons

Kristin can prepare for commonly asked questions by researching the most common interview questions and preparing her answers in advance. Questions like ‘What’s your biggest weakness?’ and ‘What can you bring to this job?’ are common. By preparing her answers in advance, Kristin can relax a little and not be as stressed out.

Before the Interview

Follow Instructions

Kristin should follow instructions given by the person conducting the interview. For example, if the hiring manager asked Kristin to bring a printed copy of her cover letter with her to the interview, Kristin should do so. If the person conducting the interview gives specific instructions, Kristin should follow them. Perhaps they’ve asked interviewees to bring a hard copy of the cover letter just to see who can follow instructions; it would reflect badly on Kristin if she didn’t do what she was asked to do.

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Research the company

• Prepare anecdotes

• Prepare for commonly asked questions

• Follow instructions

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Multiple Choice

Kristin has an interview scheduled with a company that she’s interested in working for. She wants to make sure that she’s well-prepared for the interview. What should Kristin do to research the company before her interview?

• Kristin can research the company by visiting their website and reading their mission statement, statement of values and goals.

• Ask her friends if they know anything about the company.

• Look up the company’s phone number and call them to ask questions.

• Kristin can visit the company and interview people before she is interviewed.

Multiple Choice

Kristin has an interview scheduled with a company that she’s interested in working for. She wants to make sure that she’s well-prepared for the interview. What should Kristin do to prepare anecdotes to illustrate key skills mentioned in the job posting?

• Research the company’s history and mission statement.

• Ask her friends if they have any stories that she can use

• Think of one or two examples of when she demonstrated each skill mentioned in the job posting.

• Make a list of questions to ask the interviewer.

Multiple Choice

Kristin has an interview scheduled with a company that she’s interested in working for. She wants to make sure that she’s well-prepared for the interview. What should Kristin do to prepare for commonly asked questions?

• Ask her friends if they know what questions will be asked.

• Research the most common interview questions and prepare her answers in advance

• Write down all of her accomplishments.

• Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer.

Multiple Choice

Kristin has an interview scheduled with a company that she’s interested in working for. She wants to make sure that she’s well-prepared for the interview. What should Kristin do if the person conducting the interview gives specific instructions?

• Ignore the instructions and do what she thinks is best.

• Follow the instructions given by the person conducting the interview.

• Ask her friends what they think she should do.

• Take the initiative and suggest a different approach.

Now that it’s the big day, she should dress professionally, arrive early to the interview location, greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake, and answer questions confidently and honestly.

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During the Interview

During the Interview

Dress Appropriately

Kristin should dress appropriately for her interview. Unless told otherwise, it’s best to wear a suit to an interview. Even if she’s interviewing for a job at a fast food joint, it’s better to show up in a suit than to be the one interviewee who does not.

During the Interview

Bring copies of your resume

Kristin should bring enough hard copies of her resume to give to each interviewer. She knows that one person will be interviewing her, so she needs at least one copy of her resume. She also might want to bring an extra copy or two, just in case someone else decides to sit in on the interview.

During the Interview

Ask questions

Kristin should ask questions during her interview. Almost all interviewers will ask at some point, ‘Do you have any questions?’ Kristin and other job-seekers should never say ‘no.’ Kristin can prepare some questions in advance to ask, like ‘What is the skill that you think is most important for success in this position?’ or ‘What do you think is the best thing about working here?’ In addition, some questions may arise during the interview.

During the Interview

Contact

Kristin should make sure that she has contact information for everyone in the room. An easy way to do this is to ask for their business card. Then, as soon as she gets home from the interview, Kristin should send an email or hand-written note thanking them for taking the time to interview her and expressing her interest in the position again. A short thank-you note or email can go a long way towards making them want to hire Kristin!

Multiple Choice

Should Kristin ask questions during her interview?

• Yes, but only if she has time

• No, it's better to be quiet and let the interviewer talk

• Yes, she should always prepare questions to ask

• Yes, but only if the interviewer specifically asks if she has any questions

Multiple Choice

What should Kristin do after the interview to follow up?

• Nothing, the interviewer will contact her if they're interested

• Wait a week and then call the interviewer to follow up

• Ask for everyone's phone number and call them all after the interview

• Send an email or hand-written note thanking them for their time and expressing her interest in the position again