Preparation
You get an interview after applying for a job but you realize you don’t really know that much about the company.
What are some things you may want to learn when researching the company?
What services does the company provide?
What is the company’s history? Why did it begin? When?
How is the company doing? Any current projects to be aware of?
How would you describe the company and what it does?
What is the company’s mission? Their values?
You have an interview for a position at a new hotel.
How might you choose to style your hair or facial hair?
Employers typically prefer clean hair that has recently been cut. Unless otherwise specified, employers preferences include women’s hair to be tied back, sleek natural curls, or otherwise well contained and men's hair to be well maintained and facial hair shaved or well shaped. This will allow your qualifications to be the star of the show!
Your friend has been rehearsing their interview in their head for DAYS now. They reach out to you for tips on how to greet their interviewer.
What do you suggest?
You suggest smiling and shaking your interviewer’s hand when you first greet them. You also suggest leaving the same way, shaking their hand and smiling while thanking them for their time.
Have you had any work experience? Tell me about your last job.
You will want to demonstrate that you have previously experienced a work routine and that you were deemed employable by someone else. Summarize your last work experience, including your responsibility, skills, needed, skills gained, and what you learned from the job that can be applied to this opening.
You get an interview back from a job you are really interested in, but you begin to get really nervous because you feel underqualified.
What experiences can you think back to that may provide the employer a glimpse into what you have accomplished and can offer?
You may want to think about your strengths and skills.
Thinking back to what you did in your last job and examples where those skills were apparent would provide your prospective employer with real world examples of you
You have an interview at an upscale salon!
Describe what you might choose to wear... What do you want to avoid?
Neutrals are generally a safe (and easy) choice. For instance, black slacks, a button down dress shirt (and a suit jacket) or blouse, and flats or dress shoes.
Avoid clothes that are visibly too tight, ripped, or too low cut.
Note that you will want to vary your dress slightly to be consistent with your potential place of employment.
You’re jotting down things to remember to do during your interview tomorrow.
What do you want to remember?
Eye contact, (when walking) walking tall with your shoulders back, (when seated) seated with your back up straight, hands gently clasped in your lap or on the arms of your chair, and your legs either crossed or relaxed and planted on the floor (whatever you decide try to stay that way).
What has been your greatest achievement in work?
Try to pick an example that is relevant to the opening you are interviewing for. Also, try to structure your explanation. Try this: first state your achievement, then the circumstances / factors / background, then explain why this is the greatest accomplishment! Try to share something that made a real difference for your previous employer.
You are called about an interview offer but you know you have some gaps in your employment history. You fear the employer may judge you or look unfavorably upon those gaps in time.
What might you think about when looking back on those gaps and how do you need to represent yourself when speaking about those times?
You will want to look back on what you spent that time doing and anything you gained or learned as a result of that. If that time consisted of raising a child, experiencing homelessness, addiction, or incarceration you will want to be able to talk about that time without embarrassment or other negative emotions.
Focus on what it helped you to better understand or prioritize now. Employers look favorably on this.
You are setting your alarm for your interview tomorrow morning at 9am sharp. But you start to question how early you need to show up.
How early should you typically arrive?
15-20 minutes early.
You may want to plan a practice run to ensure you can arrive on time, know where to park or what public transit line to take, and where to enter.
You find yourself thinking about how you will come across to your potential employer during your interview.
What might you want to avoid when speaking?
You will want to limit any mumbling, pauses filled with ‘um’, fillers such as ‘like’, and speaking too quickly/slowly or too loud/soft.
Can you tell me about a problem that you have had to deal with at work?
This question is aimed at revealing how you handle conflicts at work. An ideal answer would involve a story where you encountered a problem, thought through it and solved it while working with others. You likely will also want to share what you learned from the experience. Choose an experience that demonstrates your behavior in a positive light.
You receive an invitation to interview with this new up and coming business but honestly don’t have a great understanding of what the job actually entails.
What may you want to go back and look for, or rather, look up before the interview?
Try to go back and look more thoroughly at the job description or advertisement for the job, look at any paperwork you received from the potential employer. You also will want to consider what qualities, skills, and experience to be ready to speak about related to these job requirements.
You’re in the waiting room and you see another candidate interviewing for the same position you are. They look worried, his arms crossed, his back hunched forward, and looking down at the ground.
How might you suggest this person portray to display greater confidence and enthusiasm?
A genuine grin or soft smile, standing (or sitting) up straight, and engaging with others in the room in a friendly manner.
In the past you remember the employer finishing the interview by asking you if you have any questions but you’re pretty exhausted.
What might be something you may ask about or what can you say instead?
What should you avoid asking about?
It would be appropriate and show initiative to ask about training opportunities on the job and opportunities to take on greater responsibility in the future. However, you can say something like “I think you have covered the important points, but thank you. If I have any questions later I will reach out to you."
Topics you want to avoid include uniforms, exact hours, vacation, and salary.
What are your strengths?
Weaknesses?
This one is quite simple, think of about 5 to be prepared to share. Your list will be different from mine and mine from someone else's'. If you have trouble listing them in preparation try to imagine how your parent, child, or friend may speak of you!
Weaknesses are more tricky. Oftentimes people list weaknesses that actually are intended to be received as strengths such as “I sometimes will take my work so seriously that I end up having to stay late.” Ensure not to divulge a laundry list of potentially problematic weaknesses.
You have an interview scheduled soon, but there is a lot of competition and you know you really need to “sell yourself” in the interview.
How might you go about preparing for this?
You will want to consider relevant experiences and qualities that will set you apart from the other candidates. This will consist of promoting your strengths and positive qualities backed up examples, coming into the interview with enthusiasm and positivity, and how your past has led you here just at the right time.
You arrive at the building early for your interview. You notice there is a ton of staff around, including the man who greeted you.
What is your plan?
You will want to use the restroom and check your appearance. But also you will want to also leave a positive impression with these staff members. They may be asked to give information about your impression to the person who interviews you. Plus, they may be your future co-workers!
You get overwhelmed during the interview and find yourself not catching something your interviewer asks.
What can you do to help yourself and how do you communicate with the interviewer?
Prior to the interview you could engage in some relaxation exercises. During the interview try to relax and take one question at a time. If you feel lost, you could ask “could you remind me of what you asked in the last part of that question?”. But remember, all interviewees are at least a bit nervous and most interviewers are also nervous.
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
Your employer likely wants you to convey an answer that demonstrates your intent to stay with the company for some time. A good answer may be “I envision myself working with the company and taking on greater responsibilities, and taking on a more specialized role”.