Mohave Community College

The interviewing process can be scary if you don’t know what to expect.  Most interviews tend to fit a general pattern and share three common characteristics: the beginning, middle, and conclusion.

What Happens During the Interview?

The typical interview for an entry-level position will last 30 minutes, although some may be longer. A typical structure is as follows:

- Five minutes – small talk
- Fifteen minutes – discussion of your background and credentials as they relate to the needs of the employer
- Five minutes – your chance to ask questions
- Five minutes – conclusion 

As you can see, there’s not much time to state your case. The employer may try to do most of the talking. When you do respond to questions or ask your own, your statements should be concise and organized without being too brief.

It Starts Before You Even Say Hello

The typical interview starts before you even get into the employer’s office or interview room. The employer begins to evaluate you the minute you are identified. You are expected to shake the interviewer’s hand upon being introduced. Don’t be afraid to extend your hand first. This gesture shows assertiveness.

It is a good idea to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early. You can use the time to relax and look over notes you’ve prepared. Once you arrive, remember to look at yourself in a mirror to make sure you are all together.
Many employers will begin the interview with small talk. Topics may range from the weather to sports and will rarely focus on anything that brings out your skills. Nonetheless, you’re still being evaluated.

Recruiters are trained to evaluate candidates on many different points. They may be judging how well you communicate on an informal basis. You must do more than just smile and nod.
The main part of the interview starts when the employer begins discussing the organization. If the interviewer is vague about the position and you want more specific information, ask questions. Be sure you have a clear understanding of the job and the company. With on-campus interviewing, employers may schedule an Employer Informational Session, expecting all the candidates who are interviewing to attend. At that session, the employer will share company information with all the candidates, leaving your scheduled interview time dedicated solely to you.

As the discussion turns to your qualifications, be prepared to deal with aspects of your background that could be construed as negative, e.g., low grade-point average, no participation in outside activities, no related work experience. It is up to you to convince the recruiter that although these points appear negative, positive attributes can be found in them. A low GPA could stem from having fully to support yourself through college; you might have no related work experience, but plenty of experience that shows you to be a loyal and valued employee.

Many times recruiters will ask why you chose the major you did or what your career goals are. These questions are designed to determine your goal direction. Employers seek people who have direction and motivation, two traits which can be demonstrated by your answers to the innocent-sounding questions.
When the recruiter asks, “Now do you have any questions?” it’s important to have a few ready. Dr. C. Randall Powell, author of “Career Planning Today,” believes that questions should elicit positive responses from the employer. Also, the questions should bring out your interest in and knowledge of the organization.

By asking intelligent, well-thought-out questions, you show the employer you are serious about the organization and need more information. Asking pertinent questions indicates that you have done your homework.
During the interview, you may be asked some unusual questions. Don’t be too surprised. Many times questions are asked simply to see how you react. The employer will evaluate your reaction time and the response you give, but there’s no way to anticipate questions like these. While these questions are not always used, they are intended to force you to react under some stress and pressure. The best advice is to think about the answer and give a natural response.
The interview is not over until you walk out the door. The conclusion usually lasts 5 minutes and is very important. During this time the employer is assessing your overall performance.

It is important to remain enthusiastic and courteous. Often the conclusion of the interview is indicated when the employer stands up. However, if you believe the interview has reached its conclusion, feel free to stand up first. Shake the employer’s hand and thank him/ her for considering you. Most employers will respect this forthright behavior, which indicates that you believe you have presented your case and the decision is now up to the employer.

Evaluations Made by Recruiters  

Remember that the employer will be observing and evaluating you throughout the interview. Erwin S. Stanton, author of “Successful Personnel Recruiting and Selection,” provides some questions the employer might use to evaluate the applicant during the interview:

1. How mentally alert and responsive is the job candidate?
2. Is the applicant able to draw proper inferences and conclusions during the interview?
3. Does the applicant demonstrate a degree of intellectual depth when communicating, or is his/her thinking shallow and lacking depth?
4. Has the candidate used good judgment and common sense regarding life planning?
5. What is the applicant’s capacity for problem-solving activities?
6. How well does the candidate respond to stress and pressure?

- For more information, visit:  http://fastweb.monster.com -

Ten Rules of Interviewing

Before stepping into an interview, be sure to practice, practice, practice! A job seeker going to an interview without preparing is like an actor performing on opening night without rehearsing. 

To help you with the interview process, keep the following ten suggestions in mind:

1. Keep your answers brief and concise. Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to answer a question fully.

2. Include concrete, quantifiable data. Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately, generalities often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant is skilled. Include measurable information and provide details about specific accomplishments when discussing your strengths.

3. Repeat your key strengths several times. It’s essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the company or department goals and how they might benefit the potential employer. If you repeat your strengths, they will be remembered and, if supported with quantifiable accomplishments, they will more likely be believed.

4. Identify 10 skills and a story to tell about each skill. In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets. Reflect on past jobs and leadership experiences. Provide illustrations of each skill you used successfully.

5. Put yourself on their team. Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer’s name and products or services. For example, “As a member of ____, I would carefully analyze the ____ and ____.” Show that you are thinking like a member of the team and will fit in with the existing environment. Be careful, though, not to say anything that would offend or be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area.

6. Image is often as important as content. What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65% of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures, physical appearance and attire are highly influential during job interviews.

7. Ask questions. The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tremendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance preparation. Write out specific questions you want to ask. Then ask a question(s) when prompted by the interviewer (Don’t ask about benefits or salary.). The interview process is a two-way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to determine if there is an appropriate match.

8. Maintain a conversational flow. By consciously maintaining a conversational flow—a dialogue instead of monologue -- you will be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and the interviewer.

9. Research the company, product lines, and competitors. Research will provide important information to which you might refer during an interview and will help you decide whether you’re interested in the company.

10. Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note follow-up action you should take and put it in your calendar. Review your presentation. Keep a journal of your attitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information you needed? What might you do differently next time? Prepare and send a brief, concise thank-you letter. Restate your skills and stress what you can do for the company.

- For more information, visit: http://fastweb.monster.com -