Successful job interviews
Once you have completed your curriculum vitae (or resume) and cover
letter, it's time to apply and interview for a position. How you handle
the interview is crucial. Job placement experts say that the resume gets
you in the door, but the interview determines whether or not you're
asked to stay.
Be prepared
Before the interview, find out everything you can about the company.
Learn about its history, growth patterns, management, strengths,
weaknesses, priorities, and forecasts.
For a large company, you can find most of this information online or in
your local library's business manuals, such as Standard and Poor's,
Dun and Bradstreet, and Moody's Manuals. Also check the
Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature or a computer database
for a list of articles about the company or industry trends and
forecasts.
Another source of information on a medium-to-large firm is the company's
annual report, which gives a detailed look at how the company operates.
Most companies will mail you a report on request.
Finding information on smaller companies may be more difficult. Call the
company and ask for brochures, reports, or other literature. If they
don't have any, be honest - tell them that you have an interview in a
week and ask them if you could ask some questions over the phone.
The Internet and libraries also provide valuable information on smaller
companies. Although you may not find detailed reports on the specific
company, you can learn a great deal about the industry. Don't overlook
librarians as a resource - it's their job to help you find the
information you need.
No matter what size the company, talk to as many people as you can,
especially those who work for the company. If you cannot do this, find
someone who works in a similar capacity elsewhere and ask what you
should know before the interview.
Know what to expect
Researching the company is only half the preparation battle. You must
also know what questions to expect and formulate your answers ahead of
time.
Before interviewers hire anyone, they need answers to three kinds of
questions about the candidate:
- What kind of person is the applicant?
- How qualified is the applicant for the position?
- What will the applicant cost the company?
With those questions in mind, try to tailor your answers to what the
interviewer needs to hear. Show the interviewer that you have a positive
attitude and that you're enthusiastic, that you're dependable and have
the experience for the job. Play up how your past experience ties in
with the position you want.
Speak in specifics
Your answers should be short and to the point (less than one to two
minutes each). But don't let your answers be too general. Sometimes,
candidates give answers that are too generic and nonspecific:
- "I work well with people."
- "I'm a hard worker"
These are all good traits, but none gives the information that the
interviewer needs to know - what you can contribute to the
organization.
The key to success in any interview is translating your skills into
benefits for the company. You can do this by being specific about your
skills. For example:
- "I work well with people. No matter how demanding or fickle
customers are, I can work with them, earn their respect, and project the
kind of image this company wants."
- "I'm a hard worker. I always do more than is expected of me, and I'm
willing to come in early and work late to get the job done."
Practice your answers
Here are seven typical interview questions and some clues on how to
answer them.
"Tell me about yourself."
Give the interviewer a brief synopsis of
why you are interested in your field and emphasize your success in
previous jobs or in school. Talk about your positive traits - that you
are a dependable, dedicated, loyal worker, and a voracious reader - but
keep it professional.
Don't talk about your personal life; the interviewer doesn't need to
know whether or not you're married or what you do on weekends. In fact,
your personal life can work against you because people may stereotype
you and hold prejudices.
"Why do you want to work here?"
Here's where your research comes in. Say
what attracts you to the company, such as, "This company has a great
tradition of patient care, and that's important to me," or "I want to
work for your company because of its tremendous growth," or "I'm very
interested in the type of research you do here."
The more facts you use to back up your statements, the more enthusiastic
and prepared for the job you will seem.
"What do you see yourself doing in five years?"
Be careful on this one. You want to be
honest and say that you expect to be promoted and plan to climb the
ladder of success. But you don't want to give the idea that you are
after the interviewer's job, that the job you are applying for really
isn't good enough, or that you won't stay very long.
"What is your greatest strength?"
Take one of your strengths, relate it to
the job, and back it up with specifics.
"What is your greatest weakness?"
You aren't being asked to confess your
faults, so you don't need to tell them what your weaknesses are,
especially if you think it might jeopardize your chances for the job.
But you do need to answer the question. So, take a positive trait and
make it a "weakness."
For example, say, "I can be a real perfectionist, so sometimes I work
too hard to get the job done," or "I don't like to be supervised too
closely since I have a lot of initiative and work well on my own."
"What was your favorite subject in school?"
Say anything you want, but again, back it
up and relate it to the job.
For example, say, "My favorite class was chemistry because it was so
fascinating to conduct experiments and learn how different chemicals
interact. That's when I became interested in pharmaceutical science," or
"My favorite subject was psychology because it gave me an understanding
of human behavior. That's when I got interested in patient counseling as
a pharmacist."
"What kind of salary are you looking for?"
Never, never say exactly how much money
you want. You don't know what your competition is asking.
By telling the interviewer what you need, you could price yourself out
of the ballpark. On the other hand, your estimate could be too low, and
you could cheat yourself out of thousands of dollars. It's best to say,
"Salary is important, but first I need to determine whether this is the
right job for me. I assume you'll make me the best offer you can." If
the interviewer continues to press you, give a range.
Avoid the pitfalls
What you shouldn't say may be as important as what you should. Here are
some things to avoid:
Don't mention what you can't
do.
A positive attitude is key. Even if you're asked point-blank, never say
that you can't do something. Elaborate on some experience that relates
to the skill, or say that you're willing to learn.
Don't lie.
Although a little elaboration is acceptable, never, never lie. Liars get
snagged at some point - their references and experience may not back up
what they say, or they may find that they are not prepared for the job
they have accepted.
Don't talk too much.
An interview is the best place for you to get information about a
company, so let the interviewer talk and ask questions. Don't bombard
the interviewer with every detail of your life or try to impress the
interviewer by spurting out everything you know about the company.
Never talk negatively about past jobs.
Although you can say that you didn't like performing one task as much as
another, never talk negatively about previous employers or about the job
itself. Those who grumble and groan get labeled as gossips or
complainers. Even if you hated a job, focus on what you gained from your
previous experience.
Don't be defensive.
Interviewers can be obnoxious. Some of them may try to trick you into
saying something negative or inappropriate. If you get a question that
puts you on edge, don't react defensively. Take the time to think
carefully and answer the question in a positive way.
Dress the part.
No matter what position you're applying for - pharmacy resident,
laboratory assistant, or pharmaceutical sales representative - you must
look professional. Play it safe and take the conservative route. You
never know what sensibilities a flamboyant or offbeat style may
offend.
Always wear a suit.
A sports coat and slacks or a blazer and skirt are not acceptable. Men
should always wear a tie.
Avoid bright colors.
Go for the professional look of dark blue, black, or gray. White shirts
usually look best.
Make sure your shoes are shined.
Men should wear dress shoes (not loafers); women should wear low-heeled
pumps (but not flats).
Make sure your hair is neat and looks professional.
Don't expect to get a job with a shaved scalp or an unkempt look. Your
nails should be neatly manicured; women should wear no nail polish or a
neutral shade.
Don't wear perfume, cologne, or after-shave.
You may think you smell nice, but your interviewer may have allergies or
just hate the fragrance that you prefer.
Carry a briefcase if you have one.
Women should not carry both a briefcase and a purse because they may
have difficulty juggling the two when they meet people and shake
hands.
Project the right body language
An interviewer can tell how enthusiastic and confident you are by your
body language. Here are some tips on how you should project yourself:
Smile.
A smile that is friendly, not fake, shows that you're at ease and
confident.
Give a firm handshake.
Extend your arm as soon as the interviewer says hello. A good handshake
is a firm grip - not too tight, not limp. Pump the hand briefly and let
go.
Make eye contact.
Nothing shows insecurity and lack of interest more than avoiding eye
contact. Look into the interviewer's eyes when you speak, and don't
avert your gaze when the interviewer speaks. If you're shy, practice eye
contact in a mirror or with a friend before the interview.
Sit up.
Show your interest by sitting up straight at the edge of your chair and
leaning slightly forward. Fold your hands in your lap. Cross your legs
or sit with your knees together. Don't lean your elbows on the arms of
your chair - this will bunch up your suit and make you look dumpy. Don't
cross your arms - this is a sign that you're on the defensive.
Avoid annoying habits.
Before your interview, ask a friend about any annoying habits that you
may have. Do you talk with your hands? Do you tap your foot when you're
nervous? Do you lick your lips unconsciously? Concentrate on avoiding
these behaviors during the interview.
Ask questions
Even though you've learned as much as you can about the company before
the interview, you still don't have a lot of necessary information, such
as what the work environment is like, whom you'll be reporting to, or
how many people work there.
That's why you must ask questions. Figure out what you need to know
before you can accept the job. Ask about the company's priorities; find
out about its corporate structure.
Diplomatically probe to find out the stability of the position you want
and of the company as a whole. What is its turnover rate? Has it ever
experienced layoffs or funding cutbacks? How long has it been in
business?
Listen carefully to the answers and ask for clarification, if necessary.
If the answers prompt more questions in your mind, ask them. This is the
best chance you will have to get the information you need. And remember
that asking questions is a great way to show that you are interested.
Follow up
Always follow your interview with a thank-you note to everyone who met
with you. Notes are appreciated and serve as a reminder of who you are.
Sometimes the thank-you note is the extra touch that makes you stand out
from a crowd of other applicants.
Your letter should:
- Remind the interviewer of the job that you want.
- Stress your interest in the job and in the company.
- Emphasize one or two of your strongest skills.
- Include your phone number and the best times you may be reached.
- Use a formal greeting, such as "Dear Mr. or Ms. X," even if
you were introduced on a first-name basis. Keep the note brief - not
more than 10 to 12 sentences. And don't forget to double-check for
spelling errors and typos.
Click for additional typical interview
questions
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