• Do some research into your potential employer and the hiring manager you are meeting with.
• Read the job specification thoroughly and identify what you can bring to the role in terms of skills and experience.
• Have a copy of your resume in front of you; highlight key information you want to mention during the interview.
• Prepare and practice answering common interview questions (please review the section on competency based questions); also, re-familiarize yourself with your background on your resume (it is common to forget details of past employment).
• Write/type out questions you want to ask the interviewers and prioritize them. As you consider what questions to prepare, think about what is most important to you. What questions will help you decide whether or not this job is the right fit for you?
• Have a glass of water handy.
• Take a padfolio or nice notebook with a pen to take notes in.
• Be ready early -  at least 10 minutes prior, so you don’t sound rushed.
• Review the "Ask the Employers Questions" section below.
• Be prepared to answer the following two questions:
  • Why are you a fit for this job? (To answer this question, be ready with about five bullet points that highlight your skills and abilities, and use the job description requirements to help you come up with those.)
  • Why do you want the job? (To answer this question, you want to be able to tell them why you’re interested in the company as well as the position itself.)

• Maintain a professional tone throughout the interview.
• Keep your resume, key skills and achievements, and any headline information about the company in front of you for reference.
• Even if the interviewer can’t see you, getting your body language right can make all the difference on how you come across. Sitting up straight or standing up will improve how you project your voice. Smiling will also help inject positivity into your voice.
• Don’t speak too quickly. If you feel like you are, pause and take a deep breath.
• Don’t eat or chew; this can be distracting for the interviewer.
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer. To avoid this, pause for a second once you think they have finished talking before you respond.
• Make sure you are listening to the question asked. If you do not understand the question, ask the manager for clarification.

Situational Questions

Be sure to use the STAR format when answering any situational questions!

S: Situation at hand

T: Task to resolve

A: Actions you took

(List 3 action items you took to accomplish the end result.)

R: Result

Example: Tell me about a time you were successful in an initiative by collaborating with others.

Situation: I was assigned to put together a training program with a colleague who had a different communication style than I had.

Task: We needed to figure out how to work together in order to successfully create and deliver the training for the following week.

Action: We discussed how each of us preferred to communicate as well as our areas of expertise related to the training topic.  We also discussed our strengths in being able to create and deliver a training.  We then determined who was responsible for each section of training, leveraging our individual strengths.

Result: We were able to figure out how to work together and were successful in delivering the training.

• Tell me about one of your favorite experiences working with a team and your contribution.
• Describe the best partner or supervisor with whom you’ve worked. What part of their managment style appealed to you?
• Can you share an example of a situation in which teamwork enhanced your ability to accomplish your goals or the outcomes expected from you as an employee?

Generally, at the end of most interviews, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. It is a good idea to come prepared with questions. Doing so shows you’ve done your research and shows your interest in the job. Choose at least three questions for your interview. These questions are guidelines. Use your own creativity. It is important to be yourself in an interview. Employers will quickly see through a memorized and over-rehearsed question. Never ask a company about sick leave, paid vacations, holidays or other benefits that allow you to get away from work unless you are getting an offer.

• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• What led you to XYZ company?
• What kind of training would I receive during my first few months?
• What will be the biggest challenge for me coming into this role?
• What are the goals for this position?
• When and how often will I be evaluated?
• What are your expectations of a new hire?
• What separates your top employee from everyone else?
• How was the position performing before it became vacant?
   

You need to end your interview on a positive note and also leave a lasting impression with the interviewer. Reiterate your interest in the role. One way you could do this is to explain how the interview has confirmed your interest in the position. For example, you could say, “I’ve really appreciated this chance to learn more about this role, and hearing more about the project has enhanced my enthusiasm to take on a role in this project.”

You want to ensure the interviewer is not left in doubt you are the right candidate for the role. ALWAYS close for next steps!

Examples of closing:

• Based on what we discussed today, do you have any reservations on my ability to do the job?
• When will I hear about next steps?

Thank everyone for taking their time to meet with you. Give a firm handshake to everyone who participated.

Writing a Thank-You Letter

Writing a follow-up thank-you letter allows you to build a relationship with the interviewer and develop rapport. By expressing your gratitude for the interview and recapping the highlights of the meeting, you revisit the reasons why you are the best fit for the position.

A thank-you letter is your final chance to make yourself stand apart from all of the others who want the same position and it helps increase the employer’s comfort level in your candidacy.

A standard thank-you letter should accomplish several things.

• Thank the person for the opportunity to interview with the company.
• Express your enthusiasm for the company and position.
• Plug your skills/strengths: "The job is a good fit for me because XYZ and my past experience in XYZ.”

Best of Luck!