YOUR INTERVIEW CHECK LIST
by Rich Young
Well, now you’ve reached the point in your job search where you have an interview.
When you sit down with the hiring manager, that’s the point where you see if this is really what you want and they see if you are what they want. If you prepare yourself ahead of time, you’ll do well. You can find a wealth of information on the Internet about interviewing.
The two most important things to remember (Yes, this is common sense!) are:
Show an interest in the job and the company
Be enthusiastic
The following is a checklist of items to consider in preparing yourself, during the interview and follow up after the interview.
Before the interview…
___ Get onto the organization’s Web site. This is the easiest way to get the information you need. Here’s some of the things you’ll want to check:
___ A description of the company, its products and services
___ Historical background
___ Board of Directors
___ Senior management team
___ Their clients, client references
___ Check press releases for new clients, earnings, new technology, etc.
___ Industry analyst reports
___ Under “Careers,” what type of people they’re looking for and current openings
___ If you can use a service like Hoover’s, check out their earnings and current business activity
___ If possible, research background information about the hiring manager
___ What is the hiring process? How many interviews and by whom?
___ What is the timing for their interviews?
___ Do you know the kind of interview to expect?
___ Get to know their industry, either through the Internet or through informational interviews
___ Be able to tell the interviewer why you want the job
___ Show how your skills and experience are a good fit for the requirements of the job.
(Follow the requirements of the job as listed in their job description.)
___ Prepare a list of questions you wish to want to ask so that you get what you need from the interview
___ Make sure that you have a list of your 3 to 5 strongest and most positive references.
Remember -- you're trying to make a good impression, so be sincere and enthusiastic and show that you are knowledgeable about the organization and have something to offer them.
During the interview…
___ Determine the dress code for the company
___ Dress on the conservative side. Men should wear a sport coat even if the code is business casual.
___ Make sure that you arrive early (preferred), but at least on time
___ Bring extra resumes, notepad, pen.
___ Be as relaxed as you can.
___ Know how to pronounce your interviewer's name correctly.
___ Be personable as well as professional.
___ Before you respond to a question, take time to formulate your answers
___ Respond to questions in the best, most positive light
___ Don’t say anything negative about your prior employer(s).
___ Before you leave, ask the interviewer when you will hear from the company
After the interview…
___ As soon as possible, write down notes from the interview -- answers to the questions you asked and any other pertinent information.
___ Follow up with a thank-you letter or e-mail message to each person with whom you’ve talked.
___ If you are working with a recruiter, call and give him or her a summary of the
interview, your impressions and the next steps. If you are not interested in the opportunity after the interview, be sure to thank the recruiter for getting you the interview.
___ If you have not heard from your contact with the company when they said that they would, follow up with a phone call. Also, if they are not interested in you, ask for any input that you might use in the next steps of your job search.
And don’t forget… in the interview process, always show your interest and be enthusiastic!
November 28, 2004
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