Face-to-Face Interviews

Interviewing is a process that includes preparation, presentation, thank you, and negotiation phases. Count an interview successful if you are positive and prepared, communicate your talents relevant to the job, and exhibit confidence. Review the following points to help ensure your success.

Preparation

• Research the company.
• Practice your positioning statement.
• Identify the questions you will ask.
• Match your success stories to the company’s needs.
• Take three copies of your resume, your portfolio, and any leave behind materials.

Presentation
Understand and Address the Employer’s Perspective:

• What can you do for us?
• What kind of person are you?
• What distinguishes you from other candidates?

Understand and Address Your Perspective:

• What does this job involve?
• Do my skills truly match this job?
• Are you the kind of people I would like to work with?
• If my skills do match, what can I tell them to show them I am qualified?

Deliver Your Responses as Success Stories:

• Be clear about your contributions.
• Know your role.
• Claim credit for leadership while recognizing team efforts.
• Be assertive about your strengths, skills, and accomplishments without being grandiose.

Ask Questions:

• Ask questions to clarify and also to buy time.
• Questions can redirect the course of the interview.

In Closing:

• What other skills should we discuss?
• Emphasize which skills are your strengths.
• Ask in which skills other candidates have shown greater strengths, then respond.
• Ask for the job.
• Find out the selection process steps.
• Ask if you can call to confirm your status.
• Collect a business card from everyone you talked to.

Thank You

• Send a thank you message within 24 hours.
• Express interest and enthusiasm for the position and organization.
• Show that you listened to the interviewer.
• Follow-up on any doubts that were expressed.
• Show how you can solve their current problems.

Negotiation

• Do not begin to negotiate until you’ve received a written job offer.
• Everything is negotiable.
• The goal is to create a win/win situation.
• Get it the final negotiated result in writing.
• Know your bottom line.
• Don’t rush the process.