'Next
Wave'There are several WWW sites with information on the interview
process including the Univ. of Missouri's Interviewing
Information. You may be required to make a presentation of your work - the
SRD Presentation Help Site has pointers
to help you prepare. Other sites you may wish to check out are:
'Next
Wave'
Bio Online's
The following tips are taken from a handout from the Carrers Office of the College of Charleston. Many of these are basic/general tips but should be particularly useful to those who have very limited interview experience.
1. Be Prepared:
° Practice! Practice! Practice!
° Anticipate possible questions and practice answers to each of them
° Research - know something about the organization/lab. before the interview
° Prepare questions to ask in the interview
2. Be punctual: Don't just be on time, be early
3. Look Good: Pay attention to your appearance and grooming
4. Carry a portfolio: Show the interviewer that you plan ahead. Take:
° Your resumé.
° References.
° Sample of your work (if appropriate), copies of publications.
° A list of questions to ask the interviewer.
5. Be pleasant to everyone! Introduce yourself to the receptionist
and follow the instructions you are given.
6. Greet the interviewer by name: Dr.____________, Mr.____________, Ms.___________.
° Offer a firm handshake.
° If you are motioned to lead the way into an office or lab, go ahead.
° Don't sit down until you are asked to do so.
7. Watch your body language:
° Sit comfortably, lean slightly forward in your chair.
° Watch out for involuntary fidgeting.
° Make eye contact! Use verbal and facial expression to your benefit.
° Smile as you would in any conversation. Avoid an unnatural grin.
8. Be enthusiastic:
° Have an absolutely positive attitude in the interview.
° Don't mention personal or financial problems. The employer is only interested in what you can do and how well you can do it.
9. Be polite:
° Show respect for the interviewer. Don't be too familiar or overly friendly.
° No matter what the interviewer says or does, be calm. If the interviewer is overbearing or has an unpleasant attitude, it may be a test to see how you react in a difficult situation.
° Don't interrupt or cut off the interviewer.
° Don't argue with the interviewer. However, you may tactfully defend your beliefs, or correct any errors about your personal information.
10. Listen attentively:
° If you do not understand a question, say, "Would you please repeat the question?", or "I beg your pardon?"
11. Answer questions with complete thoughts.
° Stick to the point and keep all your answers to under two minutes.
° Do not switch sides in your answers just to agree with the interviewer. Sometimes interviewers take a contrary position just to see if you are willing and able to defend your point of view. Don't start a debate, but don't surrender a good position.
° Don't be afraid to admit a mistake if you are shown to be wrong.
12. Ask questions:
° This will show you are serious about the organization and that you have done your homework.
13. Say Thank You:
° At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for his/her time.
° Ask the interviewer when you should hear from him/her.
° Follow up with a brief typed thank you letter within a few days that reviews points brought up in the interview and adds ideas you forgot to mention.
A successful interview starts long before your actual interview.
It begins with preparation. Your responsibility is to know as much about yourself
and the organization as possible before you walk into the interview. Planning
and preparation make you more confident and help you perform at your best in
the interview.
Your chances of getting the job are very slim if you don't know what you want
and something about the organization before you begin the interview. Here are
some tips to help you prepare:
1. Analyse your strengths and weaknesses, your background, your academic performances,
your vocational interests and your personal aspirations and values/ In other
words, begin to formulate, in your mind, not only what you would like to do
but also what you feel you are best prepared to do. Write your answers for the
following commonly asked interview questions:
° What are your short-term career onjectives?
° What are your long-term career onjectives?
° Why does our lab/company/organization interest you?
° Why did you choose your particular area or field?
° What are your interests and activities?
° Why did you choose M.U.S.C. for your graduate training?
° What do you expect from this job?
° What do you feel you have to offer this lab/company/organization?
2. Review the organization's job requirements. Pay attention to:
° Items referred to as the characteristics of the ideal candidate, and
° duties or responsibilities of the position.
3. Think about what questions you would ask if YOU were the
interviewer. Then write down your answers and practive delivering them out loud.
4. Think about your background and how your experience relates to the position
description and qualifications. Then review your goals, education and work experience.
5. Research the organization. You MUST be informed about the institution/lab/industry
and the specific organization. Learn the nature of the work carried out (product
lines), locations of divisions/depts/units, future plans etc.
1. The organization itself - ask the secretary for company
literature such as brochures, annual reports, etc.
2. Recent journal, newspaper or magazine articles - check the Business Periodicals
Index in the library under the company name or the industry.
3. Trade journal or professional association newsletters. Your academic department
may belong to these organizations - ask the office manager or your academic
advisor for information.
4. Some library resources, most of which may be found in the College of Charleston
or County libraries include:
- All-in-one business contactbook
- Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries
- Dun's Directory of Service Companies
- Everybody's Business
- International Directory
- Million Dollar Directory
- Moody's Manuals: Handbook of Common Stocks, Industrial News Reports etc.
- Standard and Poors
- Wall Street Journal Index
- Value Line
5. Internet listed universities (try Yahoo or Alta Vista
searches) and companies,
eg. Biotech Companies
and A-Z Database of
Companies.
You should look your best when you go to a job interview.
You only get one chance to make a first impression!
You need to look professional, confident and competent. The idea is to look
like you belong in the organization and to suggest you are ready to go to work.
° Wear a dark suit made of natural fabric, like wool,
or a blend that includes a natural fabric. Be sure to try on your suit before
the interview so you feel at ease in it. Make sure that the suit fits well and
have it altered if it doesn't.
° Wear a white, long-sleeved shirt, or perhaps a light blue or yellow one
if it goes with your suit. Button-down collar, oxford cloth shirts still seem
to be the standard. Avoid pattertned shirts if your suit has a pin-stripe or
pattern, or if your tie has a stripe.
° Choose a necktie in a color that goes with your suit and shirt. Red diagonal
stripes or patterns seem to work well with most medium and dark suits.
° Select dark, solid colored socks that match your suit.
° Wear polished shoes, "wing-tips" are a good choice. Break the shoes in
before you wear them to the interview.
° Avoid jewlery other than your wedding band, watch, and maybe a class
ring. Don't wear an earring or necklaces to an interview.
° Avoid cologne or aftershave.
° Wear a belt (or suspenders).
° Wear a suit of medium to dark color, or, if necessary,
a conservative dress with a jacket of flattering length. Skirts should be worn
at about mid-knee length or longer. Do not wear really bright colors except
as an accent. Natural fabrics are best. On no occasion should you wear pants.
° Choose a light color blouse with a fairly high neckline.
° Avoid showy jewlery. Choose small, non-dangling earrings, only one earring
per ear.
° Use make-up subtly. Choose lipstick in a natural color. Use perfume subtly,
if at all.
° Choose matching shoes. Medium-heeled pumps are the most appropriate.
° Carry a small, matching bandbag, or put your personal items in your attaché
case and carry it to the interview. Avoid having too much "baggage" to deal
with at the interview.
° Pantyhose are a must, even in summer. It's not a bad idea to carry an
extra pair in your briefcase or purse.
Each interview is different, but all seem to have five general
stages:
1. Introductory stage.
2. Employer questions - Part 1.
3. Employer questions - Part 2.
4. Applicant questions
5. Closing
Focus: Non-verbal indication of your appearance, general
attitude, and how well you handle yourself.
Questions: Small talk/discussion about interests, hobbies, weather, traffic
etc.
Decisions: The interviewer forms initial impressions about you. The decision
to hire someone is not made at this stage but BEGINS here. This is why it is
so important to make a good first impression!
Focus: How well your skills and attitudes might fit
into the company.
Questions: Topics will allow you to talk about yourself and reveal how
you think about things. Questions may be asked like:
"Why did you choose MUSC..... your program..... your mentor.... etc."
Questions are also intended to reveal your attitides, such as tact, teamwork, or maturity, for example:
"Describe your best instructor/advisor/boss."
"What kind of situation would make you lose your temper?"
Decisions: The interviewer is trying to determine how well your general attitude and skills fit with the department/lab or company image and work culture. Also if the interviewer has decided to reject you he/she is looking for information to confirm that decision.
Focus: How well your skills and experience meet the needs of the company.
Questions: These questions require the most preparation. The types of
questions you should expect include:
° What types of contributions could you see yourself making to this lab/institute/company?
° What has been your biggest challenge and how did you deal with it?
Decisions: The interviewer is trying to match your specific skills and
abilities to the job.
Focus: Your need for information.
Questions: This is your opportunity to ask questions and to demonstrate
you have done your research on the lab/institute/company. Be prepared!
Decisions: The interviewer is attempting to determine how you process
information, how you make decisions, and what is important to you.
Focus: Summarize and end conversation.
Questions: The interviewer will say something like: "Well, that's about
all..." or "Do you have any other questions?"
Decisions: If you are sure you want this job, you can reinforce your
desire by subtly asking for the position. Following are some examples of how
to do this. For anything other than a sales position, assertive is good, aggressive
is not!
° "Mr/Ms Jones, when do you plan to fill the position?"
They will usually tell you, then you can politely suggest that you can call
to check the status of the position:
° "Would it be OK if I called then to check on the status of the position?"
Remember, all interviews are conducted for the porpose of sharing information.
Your responsibility is to communicate effectively, so that the interviewer will
know how your skills, knowledge and experience will fit the needs of the lab/institute/company.
The interviewer does not have a crystal ball, and cannot magically determine
how well you would perform in the position! It is up to you to communicate this
information in the interview.
2806 Fisher Drive
Charleston, SC 29409
July 8th 1996
Dr. Josephine Edwards
East Coast Environmental Consultants
210 George Washington Blvd.
Fayettville, NC 27298
Dear Dr. Edwards
I want to thank you very much for interviewing me yesterday for the associate
environmental specialist position. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about
your research and your company.
My enthusiasm for the position and my interest in working for ECEC were strengthened
as a result of the interview. I think my education and cooperative education
experiences fit nicely with the job requirements, and I'm sure that I could
make a significant contribution to the firm over time.
I want to reiterate my strong interest in the position and in working with you
and your staff. You provide the kind of opportunity I seek. Please feel free
to call me at 803-684-2891 if I can provide you with any additional information.
Again, thank you for the interview and your consideration.
Yours sincerely
John Van Delay
John Van Delay, PhD.
In the interview, the interviewer will judge you on how you look and how you
act, not on just what you say. Your actions, mannerisms and appearance add up
to your "body language". They give nonverbal information about your work-reaaalated
skills, attitudes and valuse.
Below are a number of critical nonverbal issues. Each issue is described along
with "do's and don'ts" for you to remember to follow.
1. Dress for success. The way you look is the first nonverbal message you send.
2. Offer a firm, warm, whole-hand handshake. Sit on your hand if you have to
in order to avoid the "cold, sweaty palm". Shake hands with both men and women
the same way.
3. Look at the interviewer, but don't try to stare him/her down! Make and use
eye contact. Most interviewers use your eye contact to look for enthusiasm,
sincerity and for possible inconsistencies in your stories. By using natural
eye contact, the interview will seem more like a concersation between acquaintances,
and will help you get over your nervousness. Your eyes are your most powerful
communication tool. You will almost never get the job if you avoid eye contact,
and also if you try to "stare down" the interviewer you will seem hostile or
aggressive.
4. Pay attention to your posture. Sit up straight and lean forward slightly
toward the interviewer. This will not only give the impression that you are
interested, but will also help you listen. Don't slouch or get too comfortable,
as this might make you seem careless or overconfident.
5. Use natural gestures. If you normally use your hands to gesture as you talk,
do so in the interview. BUT BE CAUTIOUS - avoid nervous gestures such as drumming
your finger, playing with a pencil, or tapping your foot.
6. Pay attention to the way you speak. Speak clearly, but not too fast. Allow
your volume to rise and fall and enunciate clearly. The interviewer will assess
your communication skills on the basis of the words you choose and the way you
sound.
7. Remain attentive and eager to listen. Rainforce the interviewer's comments
with nods just as he/she does with you.
8. Notice the nonverbal cues of the interviewer. The interviewer's facial expressions
will let you know how well he or che is listeneing. If the interviewer seems
not to be listening, shorten your answers, use an example, or ask a question.
If the interviewer watches the clock, help bring the session to an end. If you
get a favorable (or infavorable) response to something you say, try to figure
it out. Feel free to ask a question to clarify your impression.
Most interviewers ask similar questions during job interviews. Thse questions
relate to how your skills, knowledge, training and work experience fit the job
opening in the organization.
You can improve your chances for success if you practice. Practice your answers
so that you will be ready when the interviewer asks these questions.
Here are some tips to remember:
1. Keep your answers brief - usually not over a minute or two, including examples.
2. Use evidence - examples, data etc, - to illustrate your points.
3. Think about your answer before you start to speak. It is OK to pause and
collect your thoughts, and then give your answer.
4. Remember, most questions have more than one purpose. As you develop your
answers, think about both the match between your skills and the organization's
needs and how the question relates to your personal work attributes.
5. Every chance you get, explain how you would go about doing a job rather than
just saying that you can do it. However, do not volunteer information you are
not asked for - you might talk yourself out of a job.
This is a list of some typical questions asked of soon-to-be
graduates (some are more relevant to undergraduates seeking employment in industry):
1. What are your long raange and your short range goals and objectives?
When and why did you establish these goals?
How are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
2. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you
established for yourself for the next 10 years?
3. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now?
4. What do you really want to do in life?
5. What are your long range career objectives?
6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
7. What are the most important rewards you expect from your career?
8. What do you expect to be earning in five years?
9. Why did you choose the career you are setting out on?
10. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
12. How would you describe yourself?
13. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe
you?
14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
15. Why should I hire you?
16. What qualifications do you have that nake me think that you will be successful?
17. How do you determine or evaluate success?
18. What do you think it takes to be successful in a lab/institute/company like
ours?
19. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?
20. What qualities should a successful manager possess?
21. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinates?
22. What 2 or 3 accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction, and why?
23. Describe your most rewarding college experience.
24. If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what qualities would you
look for?
25. Why did you select your undergraduate college and MUSC for your graduate
studies?
26. What led you to choose your field of major study?
27. What college subjects did you dislike?
28. If you could do so, how would you plan your academic study differently?
Why?
29. What changes would you make in your college or university?
30. Do you have plans for continued study?
31. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievements?
32. What have you learned from participation in extra-curricular activities?
33. In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
34. How do you work under pressure?
35. In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most interested?
36. How would you describe the ideal job?
37. Why did you decide to seek a position with this lab/institute/company?
38. What do you know about our lab/institute/company?
39. What 2 or 3 things are most important to you in your job?
40. Are you seeking employment in a university/company of a certain size or
reputation?
41. What criteria are you using to evaluate the lab/institute/company for which
you hope to work?
42. Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
43. Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
44. Are you willing to travel?
45. Are you willing to spend at least 6 months as a trainee?
46. Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our lab/institute/company
is located?
47. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
48. What have you learned from your mistakes?
Questions asked of persons who already have job experience:
1. Tell me about your previous jobs and describe responsibilities in each of
those positions.
2. Why did you leave your previous employment?
3. What did you like/dislike about your previous jobs?
4. What have been your two biggest accomplishments in your present or last job?
In your career so far?
5. What kind of boss do you prefer?
6. What is your management style?
7. Describe a significant problem that came up in your present or last job,
and describe how you resolved that problem or issue.
GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK AS AN INTERVIEWEE
1. Please describe the duties of the job for me.
2. What kinds of assignments might I expect for the first 6 months of the job?
3. What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fits this position?
4. What skills are especially important for someone in this position?
5. What characteristics do the achievers in this company seem to share?
6. Where does the job fit into the organization?
7. Who are the other people with whom I would work?
8. Do your employees work individually or as a team?
9. What career opportunities exist in the company?
10. What further education or training does the company consider important for
future progress?
11. What is the general philosophy of the organization - with regard to clients,
services, products, employees?
12. Do you have plans for expansion?
13. Is this a new position or am I replacing someone? Is the person still with
the company?
14. How will the final decision be made? When?
15. What is the next step?
16. Is there anything else I need to know?
17. Your literature indicates that your organization encourages continuing education.
What opportunities are there in that area?
18. In your Annual Report, your company president referred to a new fiber optics
division. What are the goals of that division and how would it relate to my
division?
1. What is my salary?
Do not ask about salary until the interviewer has raised the subject. This may
not happen until the second interview, or even later when a job offer is extended.
As curious as you may be, you must be patient or risk leaving the impression
that you are more interested in money than in being a team player.
2. How much vacation and sick leave will I get?
Asking about these issues makes you seem as if you are asking for time off before
you have even started the job. You should be briefed on benefits at the appropriate
time. If not, just ask, "What about the benefits?" after the salary issue has
been raised.
3. When will I be promoted?
This question is impossible to answer. Promotion depends on timing and your
performance. Opportunities for promotion depend on change, such as growth and
turnover. Your suitability for promotion depends on your prior performance together
with your abilities to plan, organize and get others to perform.
Most companies have a salary range for each job. Your ability to negitiate within
that range depends on your qualifications together with the salary information
you have learned from doing your homework. There is no substitute for knowing
the facts and using them for your benefit. Here are some ways to deal with the
salary issues:
What do you do when the interviewer asks difficult questions like these:
Have you thought about salary?
What salary are you expecting?
What is the minimum salary you would accept?
Best approach:
If possible, reverse the issue by answering the question with a question.
Suggested responses:
What is the salary range for this position?
My current salary is $X. What are your guidelines?
Most of my peers who are also graduating in molecular biology have been receiving
offers in the ________ to ________ range. What range is authorized for this
position?
For salary information:
Obtain salary surveys from trade associations and industry publications.
Ask people in search firms about the current salary ranges for your job level.
Talk to people in the same field with other companies.
There are many factors which can prevent you from getting a job.
1. Sometimes you are overqualified for that job and the interviewer believes
you will not stay with the company.
2. Sometimes the company decides not to hire anyone, or hires someone with more
experience.
3. Sometimes they hire "from within".
4. Sometimes your style does not fit the style they want.
5. Sometimes you do something to cause yourself to be rejected.
Rejections are part of the process and you should not get discouraged. But you
should learn from every interview how to improve your interview skills. In that
way you can keep your self-esteem and improve your chances for success.
Look at the following list of factors and consider how many of them are in your
control. Start now, and work on the ones that you can get under control as you
prepare for your interview.
Reason: Poor manner and self-presentation, ranging from being arrogant to being
timid to poor handshake.
Remedy: Follow guidelines for verbal and nonverbal interaction and for listening.
Reason: Poor general appearance and careless dress.
Remedy: Follow grooming directions.
Reason: Lack of enthusiasm and interest or no evidence of initiative.
Remedy: Attend to voice expression and nonverbal cues.
Reason: Lack of clear goals and ambition
Remedy: Match skills to employer needs and your own future.
Reason: Poor speech habits or inability to express self.
Remedy: Practice answers so you use good grammar and improve your oral presentation.
Reason: Lack of preparation - failure to research company and inability to ask
intelligent questions or to make intelligent comments.
Remedy: Do research and prepare and practice the questions you will ask.
Reason: Failure to look at interviewer or to demonstrate interest.
Remedy: Use nonverbal guidelines.
Reason: Unrealistic salary demands or more interest in salary the in opportunity.
Remedy: research and deal with realistic salary demands.
Reason: Inability to relate skills and knowledge to job or indefinite responses
to questions.
Remedy: Prepare and practice answers to anticipated questions, emphasising your
transferrable skills.
Reason: Negative comments about previous employers or exhibiting friction with
various types of authority.
Remedy: Consider and practice answers about work experience and your relationship
to supervisors and organizations.
Reason: Lack of interest in company or industry.
Remedy: Research company and industry.
Reason: Weak excuses or hedging about unfavorable information in background.
Remedy: Prepare in advance how you will deal with any prior problems.....acknowledge
mistakes, talk about learning from them, and present a positive picture.
Reason: Unwillingness to "pay dues" by starting where needed and working up.
Remedy: Emphasize that you want the job and are willing to make commitments.
Reason: Lack of knowledge in areas of specialization.
Remedy: Practice answers to anticipated questions so that you can reveal your
specialized knowledge.
Reason: Poor attitude as illustrated by lack of courtesy, cynicism, strong prejudices
or low moral standards.
Remedy: Consider how to present self and consider answers before you speak.
Review each of the reasons why people get rejected and use the strategies listed
to help you better control the specific factors that affect you.