Career Action Center at Edmonds Community College

The Interview Process

Before the Interview

• When called for an interview, restate the time and place to be sure you have recorded it correctly. Ask who the interviewer(s) will be and the format of the interview.
• Prepare answers to common interview questions, including behavior-based questions. Practice aloud by yourself or with a friend playing the role of interviewer. There’s no substitute for practice.
• Decide on five reasons you would be a tremendous asset to this organization. These are your selling points. Spend time practicing how you will explain the reasons you are an outstanding candidate.
• Be ready to tell the interviewer why you want to work for this company in this position.
• Identify your top 4-6 strengths and talents. Think of examples of using the strengths and develop short anecdotes that describe your accomplishments and contributions. Practice speaking these aloud.
• Create a list of questions you will ask during the interview.
• Research the organization on the Internet or at the library.
• Carefully plan what you will wear to the interview. Avoid trendy clothes, too much jewelry and heavy scents. All are distracting.
• Allow more time than you think you need to get to the interview. Traffic may be heavier than you expected. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you have time to relax.
• Gather these items to take with you: additional résumé copies, list of references, samples of your work assembled in a portfolio.

During the Interview

• Smile! Employers hire people they would like to work with. Be likable.
• Let your enthusiasm show. Be excited about what youve accomplished.
• Answer each question in two minutes or less.
• Tell the stories you developed before the interview. Be interesting. Give specific examples that demonstrate your expertise.
• Ask questions about the job and the organization. Find out about their problems and challenges.
• Rather than recite your history, emphasize problems solved and contributions made.
• If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification before you answer it.
• At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for his/her time. If you’d like the job, express your interest. Ask about the selection process (is there a second interview?) and when a decision will be made.
  

After the Interview

• Immediately after the interview, make notes on whatever you can remember.
• Review how it went. Make notes on these questions:
  • What did I do well? (At least 5 things)
  • What things about my background, skills and strengths seemed to interest the interviewer?
  • What didn’t go well?
  • Things I’ll do differently during my next interview.
  • Concerns I have about the position or organization.
  • Things I liked about the position and the organization.
• Give yourself a reward. You deserve it. (Have a latté, go for a walk, see a movie)
• If you gave out your list of references, call each person. Give them information about the position they can be ready to answer a reference call.
• Send a thank-you letter or email the same day.
• If you don’t hear back by the time the employer promised, it's appropriate to call and politely ask where the organization is in the decision-making process.