Whether you are interviewing for part-time or full-time employment, consider the following tips to ensure your next interview is successful:
1. Make a positive first impression:
2. Dress appropriately:
3. Research the employer and the position:
4. Know yourself:
5. Ask questions:
6. JUST BE YOU!!!
7. Questions to ask yourself about a position:
8. After the interview:
1. Make a positive first impression:
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Be polite to other staff and wait quietly for your interview
- Turn off cell phone
- Bring at least two copies of your resume
- Bring a notebook and pen to take notes
- Write down the names of the people you meet
2. Dress appropriately:
- Professional attire (men might consider a dark suit, light shirt, and a tie; women might consider a dress shirt, a skirt or suit pants, and small heels)
- No wrinkles or stains or clothes
- Clean shoes, no sneakers
3. Research the employer and the position:
- Expectations and duties of the position you're applying for
- Anticipated hourly rate or average wage for this position
- Mission, value, and vision of the company
4. Know yourself:
- Strengths
- Areas of development
- Interests and skills
- Past work and volunteer experiences
- Be prepared to give the employer an example of how you would personally respond to a rude customer, an issue with a coworker, or other situation that requires your flexibility and professionalism
5. Ask questions:
- Demonstrate interest in the position
- Ask about hours, supervision, goals for employees
- Avoid asking about compensation or challenging the posted pay range (this can be negotiated if/when you receive a job offer)
6. JUST BE YOU!!!
7. Questions to ask yourself about a position:
- Can I see myself in this position?
- Why is this position open?
- How are employees promoted?
- Do the employees seem happy? Does the environment feel pleasant to work in?
- What is my career path? How does this job align with my career path?
8. After the interview:
- Respond to employers in a timely manner
- Send a thank you note or email for meeting (if possible, mention the names of people who interviewed you)
- Reiterate your interest in the position
| Keys for Interview Success |
