Proving Yourself as a

Polished Professional!

Interview Prep Kit

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Congratulations! Do you have a job interview on your schedule? First of all, congratulations! Landing a job

interview isn’t as easy as it used to be. Interviewing is a stressful and nerve-racking process, but rest assured your skills and background have qualified you for this interview. Employers won’t waste their time interviewing someone who isn’t qualified.

Having a checklist of things to do before, during and after the interview take a little of the stress off the process. Preparation is necessary and you need to start as soon as you are notified of the interview, if not sooner. Have some things together and ready to go in advance—it’ll make things easier for you.

Before the Interview Day

1. Analyze the Job

An important part of interview preparation is to take the time to analyze the job posting, or job description, if you have it. Analyze what the company is seeking in a candidate. It may help to make a chart of what they’re looking for, compared to your skills and experience.

Make a Match

When you have created a list of the qualifications for the job, make a list of your assets and match them to the job requirements. Review your list, and the job requirements, prior to the interview so you're ready to share them during the interview.

What is the employer looking for based upon the job posting?

What knowledge, skills, and abilities do I have that fit these requirements?

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

With this tool you'll be ready to answer job specific interview questions designed to determine if you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job.

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2. Research the Company

Before you go on a job interview, it's important to find out as much as you can about the company. Company research is a critical part of interview preparation. It will help you prepare to both answer interview questions and ask the interviewer questions. You will also be able to find out whether the company and the company culture are a good fit for you.

Take some time, in advance, to discover as much information as you can about the company. Spend time, as well, tapping into your network to see who you know who can help give you an interview edge over the other candidates.

Target Employer Name:

What is the mission statement of the

organization?

What is their vision? Do they have expressed goals?

What is the projected growth for the company over the next year? Five years? Ten

years?

What is the typical dress code for the company?

What can you find about the company culture? Is it

casual? Rigidly structured? What are their values,

standards?

What products or services does the company offer?

Who is their target customer?

Where is the interview located? How long will it take

to get to that location?

What is the average salary for the job title in the Puget

Sound Region? Is the employer’s pay above or

below the median?

Do you have employees in your network?

What is this company best known for in the public and

the business sectors?

What do you offer the company that is unique and will make you a standout?

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3. Practice Interviewing

The time to think of answers to your interview questions isn’t when you’re sitting in the hot seat. Your mind will be too absorbed and stressed to be reliable in coming up with the ideal answers. Taking the time to practice answering the interview questions you will probably be will help give you a framework for your responses and will help calm your nerves.

Practice interviewing with a friend or family member ahead of time and it will be much easier when you're actually in a job interview.

Review common job interview question and answers and think about how you will respond so you are prepared to answer. Reread the job description to get an idea of the kind of questions that might be asked.

Commonly Asked Questions

Their Question Your Answer

Tell me about yourself.

(Hint: This is your 60-second statement/commercial; add any additional notes here that may apply to the specific position you are applying for.)

What do you know about this company?

(Hint: this is where all of your research will come in handy. Explain why the company and the position excite you.)

What are your goals for the future?

(Hint: you can answer this from a variety of perspectives—the job you are applying for, working with the specific company you are applying with, your professional goals, etc. Make sure you connect your answer to the job at hand.)

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

(Hint: turn weaknesses into challenges and how you have worked to overcome them—give specific examples; make sure to list all of the strengths that correlate to the job for which you are interviewing)

Why do you want to work for this company?

(Hint: let yourself shine through matching your knowledge, skills, and abilities to the overall company mission, the specific position, and explain why the company excites you!)

What has been your most significant achievement?

(Hint: you can give more than one example, especially if they show the diversity of your accomplishments. Use numbers and statistics where possible.)

How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?

(Hint: be honest, and present yourself in a confident manner. Be sure to include both soft and hard skills. Revisit prior performance reviews if you have copies.)

Why did you leave your last job?

(Hint: Be objective; don’t badmouth former employers or sound like ‘sour grapes’. Stay positive by moving forward as soon as possible to how you can benefit your future employer.)

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Why are you the best for the position/Why should we hire you?

(Hint: let your confidence and passion shine through. Present information that makes you a standout from others. This is not a 60-second commercial; it’s how the position, the company and you are a perfect match. Use the worksheet from Page 1 to elucidate your answer.)

What are your salary expectations?

(Hint: complete your salary research [www.salary.com], look for pay range on the existing job posting from the employer)

Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions will be more focused than traditional interview questions and you'll need to respond with special examples of how you handled situations in the workplace. Use the STAR method to frame your answers.

Part of Method Your Responses

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. (What approach did you use?)

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

Results: what results directly followed because of your actions?

Here are a few basic questions for you to consider for building your STAR answers:

• Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.

• How do you handle a challenge? Give an example.

• Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?

• Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.

• Describe a decision you made that wasn't popular and how you handled implementing it.

• Give an example of how you set goals and achieve them.

• Give an example of how you worked on team.

• What do you do if you disagree with someone at work?

• Share an example of how you were able to motivate employees or co-workers.

• How have you handled a difficult situation?

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4. Know What You’re Going to Ask It is very common at the end of the interview for the employer to ask if you have any

questions. This practice often is used to find out three things: 1) how interested you are in the position, 2) how much research you’ve done on the company, and 3) how much thought you have given to the interview.

This is the portion of the meeting where you can ask questions to find out if the employer is the right match for you. During the interview, take notes during the course of your discussion on key points that you would like to revisit at the end of the process. Consider the answers you receive from the employer carefully; is this the company you truly want to work for?

Potential questions to ask the employer include:

• Besides the qualifications listed in your job posting, are there other qualities you are seeking in an ideal candidate?

• Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?

• How would you describe your organization’s culture and management styles?

• What attracted you to the company, and what do you like most about working here?

• What are the most challenging aspects of this position?

• What are your next steps in the hiring process? When will you reach a hiring decision?

• Do you have other questions about my qualifications that I can clarify?

5. Get Your Interview Clothes Ready

Don't wait until the last minute to make sure your interview clothes are ready. Have an interview outfit ready to wear at all times, so you don't have to think about what you're going to wear while you're scrambling to get ready for a job interview.

Regardless of the type of job you're interviewing for, that first impression should be a great one. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire.

If you're applying for a job in a more casual environment, a store or restaurant, for example, it's still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer.

Err on the side of conservative. Leave the large, showy jewelry and big purses at home. If you have tattoos or body piercings, you might consider covering them—just for the interview.

The Day of…

“Interview Survival Kit”

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Note: You may wish to compile your own interview survival kit and store it all inside a zippered pouch that you can bring with you from place to place. Keeping a number of these items, if not all of them, in your vehicle is a great idea if possible. Add your own items to the pouch to create the ultimate survival interview kit especially for you!

The Basics

✓ Extra copies of your resume on professional resume paper Even though everyone probably has copies of your resume already, you never know what may

happen. Having more than enough clean copies of your resume on-hand will help you appear well-prepared. Also, if one of the interviewers misplaces their copy, you can come to the rescue. Many candidates miss out on this opportunity for a positive first impression at the interview by forgetting to bring extra resumes.

✓ Samples of your work

Most candidates don’t even think about this. If work samples can illustrate how exceptional you are, bring them! Web designers should bring a laptop with samples of the pages they have designed. Sales people should bring copies of sales ranking reports, HR professionals could bring copies of policies they wrote or project plans they developed and construction workers should bring photographs of projects they have worked on.

✓ Driving directions and maps

Make sure you know where you are going for your interview. Plan your route out ahead of time and make a practice drive the day prior to the interview at the same time of day of the interview in order to be prepared for traffic. Bring a map or GPS in case you get lost.

✓ Cell phone

Your cell phone will help you in case you get lost, but it also allows the interviewer to contact you immediately before the interview (if plans change) or after the interview (for an offer of employment). ALWAYS turn off your cell phone once you are at your interview.

➢ Interviewer contact name and phone number

Bring this along in case the unthinkable happens. Heavy traffic is not an excuse to be late for an interview. If you get into a car wreck, you can immediately call the interviewer, apologize and reschedule the appointment. If you are prompt and call before the scheduled interview time, an auto accident is forgivable. Calling promptly shows initiative and responsibility.

Essentials

➢ Mini-mouthwash or breath mints (NO GUM!) Fresh breath in an instant! Just take a small swig of mouthwash after a meal or before you head out

the door. Chase away the smell of your lunch, dinner or even strong coffee with a quick rinse of some minty mouthwash or a breath mint.

➢ Dental floss and toothpick

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A single strand of floss coiled up and tucked away can really save the day! You never want the interviewer’s first impression to be the piece of broccoli stuck between your teeth. A toothpick may also be a good item to include for dental hygiene purposed away from home.

➢ Comb or brush

Freshen your appearance before every interview if possible. First impressions are critical. Don’t allow yourself to appear tired, disheveled or worn out. You always want to appear fresh, energetic and put together.

➢ Hairspray or gel

Long events often leave room for hair calamities to happen by the end. If you simply can’t stand to have a single hair out of place, it is in your best interests to pack a miniature bottle of hairspray or gel. Just a spritz here or a dab there will fix any potential problems.

➢ Eye drops

In case you get dust in your eyes from the wind or feel your eyes look too red. ➢ Tissues

You never know when your allergies might act up or a sudden event may cause the waterworks to spring a leak.

➢ Miniature bottle of lotion

Whether dry hands or peeling skin from harsh sunburn bother you, ward off any unsightly flakes with a few drops of your favorite lotion in a travel-sized bottle. In the dire absence of hairspray or gel, you can also use a tiny bit of lotion to smooth down fly-aways and cowlicks. A hand shake leaves a lasting impression so have your hands moisturized.

➢ Water

No matter what, having a bottle of water is a good thing – especially on a hot day if you know your interview is going to take an hour or more. If you go in dehydrated, your breath will be bad and your lips will look chalky and dry. BUT – use a closeable bottle! Spills at an interview would be a bad thing.

➢ Toothbrush and toothpaste

Keeping your teeth a pretty pearly white can really be a daunting task if you are on the run all the time. Why not buy an extra toothbrush and tube of toothpaste to keep with you in your car or in your purse so it is there when you need it? Fresh breath and clean teeth can be yours all the time, even if it does mean brushing away in the office restroom!

➢ Extra tie/dress shirt/blouse

Have one of these in the car, even if your interview is just across town. You are offered a soda in the waiting room, and it drips down the front of your shirt or blouse. Don’t enter the interview with a distracting puddle on your chest. Interviewers will understand if you excuse yourself for two minutes for a quick change. With a spare in the car, you are saved!

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What Not To Bring

It's also important what not to bring - your cellphone, a cup of coffee, gum, or anything else other than yourself and your credentials. Be prepared before you go in, but leave the rest in the car.

Interview Etiquette

Proper interview etiquette is important. Remember to greet the receptionist, your interviewer, and everyone else you meet politely, pleasantly and enthusiastically.

During the interview watch your body language - shake hands firmly and make eye contact as you articulate your points.

Relax and lean forward a little towards the interviewer so you appear interested and engaged. Don't lean back or slump in your chair. You will look too casual and relaxed. Keep your feet on the floor and your back against the lower back of the chair. Pay attention, be attentive, and look interested.

The more positive an impression you make, the better you'll do during the job interview.

Interview Checklist

Before the Interview… Have you obtained permission from your references to use their names?

Have you informed your references what job you are applying for and who they should expect a call from?

Have you determined your salary needs? Does it match the employer’s pay range for the job?

Check your interview attire the day before—all items should be neat, odor-free, pressed and ready to wear.

Things to take with you to the interview… Several copies of your resume—including one for yourself that is highlighted for referencing during the interview.

A copy of your references with up-to-date contact information. A pad of paper on which to take notes, and a pen. Directions to the interview site, including the employer contact for the interview.

Upon arrival for the interview… Arrive at least 10 minutes early. You may have to arrive early to fill out an application, additional forms, take pre-employment tests, etc. be prepared for anything the moment you walk in the door.

Introduce yourself to the receptionist in a professional and courteous manner.

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If weather has impacted your appearance before entering the building, take time to visit the restroom and check your appearance one last time.

Review your prepared questions, stories, and 60-second personal statement for the interview.

Relax and breathe. Remember, this is your chance to get to know the employer just as much as the opportunity is theirs.

Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, smile, and eye contact.

After the interview… Shake hands, smile, make eye contact, and thank each person involved in your interview—including the receptionist.

Ask for each interviewer’s business card so that you can send them each a personal thank you letter.

Complete your Reflection on Activity Sheet—write down what you are thinking, feeling, and assess how you did.

Write a thank you letter that addresses specifics from the interview; remind the employer about the qualities that you bring to the table.

…and After For possible future reference, it is important to log what occurred during your interview with

the employer. These notes can help you in further interviews as well as interviews for other positions. Reflection-on-Action (ROA) is the art of learning from our experiences. Use the chart below to recreate, reflect upon, and analyze your overall interviewing experience.

Reflection-on-Action (ROA) Activity Sheet

Experience / Reflection Improvement / Change / Positive Outcome