Get The Job You Want - Preparing for Your Interview: Part 1

You have slaved over your resume, carefully researched companies and jobs, and sent out your carefully crafted letters of introduction. Finally, the phone rings and you are requested to attend a preliminary interview for your dream job. After you set down the phone, you realize, "I got the interview - now what?"

For most of my life, I was one of those fortunate people who never had to look for work. I would receive a phone call informing me that a mutual acquaintance had mentioned my name, and would I be available for "such-and-such" a job. I have, however, attended my fair share of job interviews.

Job interviews can be challenging - some people find them positively nerve-wracking. After all, we are putting ourselves "on the line" to be judged and measured. Questions race through your brain - "Will they like me?" "Will I get the job?" Even those interviews where I was told in advance the meeting was a mere formality, or just to check my "fit" for the company and the job, still required careful preparation - after all, one always wants to make the best possible first impression.

The phone call has given you the date, time, and place of the interview, and perhaps the name and position of the person who will be conducting the interview, as well as what kind of interview you should expect. What do you do first to prepare for your big break?

Research, research, research...

You have already done most of your homework before sending out your resume, but this is a good time to go over what you know about this company, and what you might expect to be asked. Be prepared to answer any technical questions about your past jobs that relate to the position for which you are applying.

You should also be prepared to explain how some of your past qualifications relate to this new job. Have some job-related examples ready to illustrate the main points. (More about this later ...) Don't expect a potential employer to figure out how your skills fit their job - be prepared to show them how your past job-skills apply to their tasks.

Tip: When talking about anything in your resume, or when explaining how a past job duty relates to your prospective new job, AVOID using the phrase, "As you can/will see from my resume..." This sounds as if you are reprimanding the interviewer for not reading your resume carefully enough. Some potential employers barely glance at your resume before interviewing you, and then, only to ensure you have the basic qualification they seek.

There are several types of interviews you could be facing, depending on the culture of the company, and its interviewing practices. Another factor is the level of the position for which you are applying.

Human Resources Interview:

Interviews for most entry level positions, especially with a larger company, will be conducted by a HR, or Human Resources person. If you are interviewing for a position with a retail chain store, or local company, HR will often be handled by the Assistant Manager, though many managers prefer to be hands-on, and at least attend the interview, even if they don't ask any questions.

Tip: If you are interviewed by both assistant manager and the manager, keep an eye out for signs of micro-managing. Micro-managing can become very wearing, particularly on the assistant manager, and this "wear and tear" can be passed on down to the staff. If you do see the warning signs, and this is an environment that you find taxing, you should consider that carefully before accepting the job.

General Intake Interview:

Some firms and many government agencies require you to pass a certain level of skill to be considered for further interviews. You may be asked to come in for testing in word processing, general knowledge, language proficiency, problem solving (both mathematical and logical), and equipment usage. The results of these tests will allow the Human Resources department to properly screen candidates for proficiency on all the required job-task areas, before proceeding to a formal interview.

Some tests will require you to watch videos of a typical job situations, and then respond to a series of questions about each interaction. This is a type of psychological test to see if your temperament is suited to that type of job, and job environment. Depending on how well you score, you may be asked to undergo security screening. Many jobs now require screening by your local police, especially jobs in financial, personal care, health care, or teaching sectors, before any personal interviews take place.

HR Panel Interview or Panel Interview:

Often, the second stage of your interview process is an interview with and HR Panel. The Human Resources Panel will often consist of one of, or the main Human Resources officer, and one or two other HR resource people with knowledge of the area for which you are interviewing.

In an non-HR or combined management/HR panel interview, the panel will usually consist of an HR person, who may ask most of the questions, and one or two specialists or managers from the area for which you are interviewing. As you proceed through the interview stages, successive interviews will also include the manager for whom you actually would be working.

Sometimes, you will be asked back, to meet in a less formal setting, with several managers, possibly including an HR person. This hopefully allows the interviewers to see how you conduct yourself in a more relaxed setting. Do not be too relaxed, though, this is still a job interview, so conduct yourself with your best manners, and be sensitive to which interviewer is the natural leader in the group.

Board Interview:

Sometimes, you will be interviewed by an entire panel of managers and area experts. This can be a tad unnerving, but if you conduct yourself professionally, it is really no cause for alarm. Questions will still be asked one at a time, and usually by only one interviewer.

Observe the board or panel while they are asking questions. Always direct most of your answer to whoever asked the question, but once you have ascertained who is the "power-player" on the panel, make a point of addressing at least some of the question to that person.

Tip: Good eye contact is essential, especially during a board or panel interview. This interview, though, allows you to make eye contact with a number of people during your answer. Just make sure to start and end with the person who asked the question.

As more workplaces are becoming sensitive to employees with allergies, and to olfactory overload (just too darned many scents), policies are being implemented, asking employees to be thoughtful of others and avoid wearing scented personal care products to work. Fortunately, most deodorants, hand lotions, and shampoos can be purchased with a light scent, or in a completely unscented format. Though you may adore Christian Dior's latest addition to the "J'Ador" line, save your "signature scent" for your off-hours.

© 2011 Text by Imelleda, All rights reserved