Job Interview Guide
Interview Preparation
A little preparation before the interview will help take the edge off of the event. Here are some simple ways to get ready for your meeting.
1. Research the company.
By knowing as much as possible about the organization you're interviewing with, you'll be able to speak about topics that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Good places to research company information include:
The business section of your public library
Business and financial magazines
Business sections of newspapers
Your prospective employer’s company literature
Your professional and personal network
The company's Web site
Compile your company information into a company profile something like the following. (Of course, the contents of your format will depend upon what information you're able to gather.)
COMPANY PROFILE
Company's name: Westwood Running Shoes
Company's location: Los Angeles, California
Company's principle product: Running shoes
Company's other products: Socks, t-shirts, shoe laces, sports decals
Hiring manager for department I'm interested in: Mr. Alfred Jones, VP of Marketing
Company's annual revenue: $14 million
Customer demographics: 43% ages 18 and under, 35% ages 19-30, 17% ages 30-45, 5% ages 46+
Projected growth: $18 million in three years
Chief competitor: Anchor Line Shoes
Company promotional slogan: Westwood, for those in the fast lane
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2. Learn about your interviewer.
If you can learn a little about the person who will be interviewing you, you'll be miles ahead of the game. Try to research up one or two things about her accomplishments, history with the organization, outside interests―anything that will help you break the ice and speak to her about things she's interested in.
For help in how to get the inside scoop on your interviewer, try some of these techniques:
Ask people in your professional and personal network what they know about the interviewer.
Conduct a search on the Internet using the person's name and company name.
Read the company's annual report to learn about the company's directions and goals, including those that might involve the interviewer's department.
Call organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, professional associations, and community groups that you think the hiring manager might belong to.
Once you've uncovered some information about the interviewer, compile it in a profile such as the following. (The information on your interviewer's profile will be determined by what information you dig up.)
INTERVIEWER'S PROFILE
Name: Mr. Alfred Jones
Title: VP of Marketing
How long with company: 4 years
Number of people he supervises: Directly 3, indirectly 19
Reports to: CEO
Education: M.A. from UCLA
Salary: Don't have the exact figure, but I think somewhere around $95K
Management style: Known for being fair but demanding
Articles: Published in U.S. Marketing Magazine, April 2001
Outside interests: He's a jogger. He ran the Los Angeles Marathon the same year I did
Work ethics: They say he has a high standard and puts in about a 60-hour week
Career ambitions: Unknown, but I imagine he's aiming for a promotion to president
Personality: Jones is a friendly man, but a tough negotiator
Volunteer activities: Member of several organizations that focus on children's issues
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3. Know your PAR.s.
A job interview is a two-way street―both you and the employer will be making sales pitches. To go into your meeting knowing what you have to offer, make a short list of your strengths―especially the ones you know will interest this particular manager. Once you’ve got your strengths down cold, you’ll be ready to talk about them in your interview.
Practice telling at least three stories that illustrate your strengths in a PAR format (Problem, Action, Result). Prepare to sprinkle them throughout the interview in response to relevant questions. Your stories can make the difference between a ho-hum and striking answer.
4. List the questions you want to ask.
The employer shouldn’t be the only one asking questions during the interview. After all, you’re trying to decide where you want to spend eight or more hours a day for the next few years. Be prepared with your own questions, which should:
Gather information you need to make your career decision
Show that you understand the basics of the job you seek
Demonstrate your level of commitment, interest, and abilities
Here are some commonly asked questions, which might help you compile your own. By the way, it’s OK to refer to your list during the interview.
How do you define successful performance in this position?
Am I correct in my understanding that the role of such-and-such job entails such-and-such?
Is there special training you require or suggest for someone holding this position?
How do you envision this company changing in five years?
How does this unit’s objectives contribute to the overall company goals?
How will the current economic trend impact this department?
Which problems facing our industry will affect this unit?
What challenges will I inherit when I take this job?
To whom will I report and who will report to me?
Will I have hiring/firing authority within my area?
What have you found to be the most important traits of someone who is successful in this position?
Could you tell me how long you've worked for this company and a little bit about how you grew into your current position?
What projects or goals will bring success to your department or team?
What is your feeling about how I would fit into this organization? (This is a good closing question for the interview)
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5. Create a portfolio of your work.
Just as a picture speaks a thousand words, so does a sample brochure, photograph, or technical prototype. If you have samples that demonstrate your relevant skills, bring those samples to the interview in a briefcase or small bag. When the appropriate question is asked, refer to your samples as a way of showing your talent. The act of showing the interviewer something tangible will change the pace of the interview and make a memorable impression about your achievements. By the way, don't bring a sample if it's larger than what you can carry in one hand or more elaborate than what can be taken out of its case and presented in ten seconds or less. Your portfolio should make you look good, not clumsy
