Interviewing

Being prepared for your interview is critical in the job search process.  Remember, first impression means everything.  Preparing for an interview will help you feel more confident about yourself and this will directly reflect on how the employer perceives you.  Here are some things to remember when interviewing.

KNOW THE JOB

Review the job description and identify the key skills and responsibilities that the employer desires.  Write those down.  Then write down an example of how you have that skills or experience so you can speak to them in the interview.

PREPARE YOUR ANSWERS

There are some popular questions that employers always ask and understanding how to answer these questions is very important.  Visit Job Interview Questions Database for Job-Seekers (http://www.quintcareers.com/interview_question_database/interview_questions_database.html) for a database of popular interview questions and good responses to those interview questions.  After you review these questions, start to write out your answers to the popular questions.  Some to focus on are

Tell me about yourself

What are 3 adjectives that describe you?

What are your strengths?

What is your weakness?

Why should be hire you?

Why do you want to work for our organization?

PRACTICE YOUR ANSWERS

To make you feel more comfortable have a friend or family member ask you the question's so you can practice your answers.  In addition, you can Contact a CCNY Career Counselor to schedule a practice interview.

SITUATIONAL/BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS

This style of interviewing can cause problems for individuals.  Behavioral questions reflect on what you have done in certain situations.  The best way to answer these questions is by using the STAR method.

Situation: give an example of a situation you were involved in that resulted in a positive outcome

Task: describe the tasks involved in that situation

Action: talk about the various actions involved in the situation's task

Results: what results directly followed because of your actions

Employers normally focus on skills sets like Communication, Conflict, Leadership and Problem Solving.  So it is a good idea to prepare stories that reflect those skill sets.

DRESS PROFESSIONALLY

Always make sure you are dressed professionally when you are going to the interview.  It is always best to be over dressed than under dressed. Whether you are male or female you are going to want to get a dark colored suit to wear to your interview.

BE EARLY

Always arrive to your interview 15 minutes early so you have time to gather your thoughts.