MKTG 347/Week 8: 4 Things to Remember During an Interview

After sending out hundreds of resumes you finally get a call back for a interview. Maybe you're excited, or maybe you're a nervous wreck. Whether you think you have the interview in the bag, or are too nervous to function properly, there are some tips you should remember before diving into the interview.

Do research: Don't just wing it and think that you'll just figure out it when you get there. Before going to the interview do some research on the company and position you have applied for. Simply Google them for some background information and take the time to read the About Us section on their website. Doing research will allow you to throw out some facts about the company that interest you and that will impress the employer.

Be prepared for Questions: Whether you have ever been to an interview before or not, there are some common questions that you should be able to answer. Some of these questions include:
"Tell me about yourself?"
"Why are you applying for this job?"
"What is your greatest weakness?"
"What are your strengths?"

Preparing before will help you easily answer common questions and not get caught with nothing to say or a rambling answer.

It is also important to ask the person interviewing you questions. If you say you don't have any questions at the end of the interview it may come across like you do not care to know more about the company or what the job entails. So, some common questions for you to ask employers include:
"What are some of the company values?"
"What future changes do you see in the work here?"
"What characterizes a successful employee at this company?"

Be aware of the small things: Not all employers are going to like you, and it could be for a reason as simple as you wore too much perfume to the interview. So, it is important to look out for the small things that could affect your chances of getting called back for another interview. Some things to be aware of include:
-Your appearance
-Lack of self-confidence
-Nervous mannerisms
-Your values

Know the skills: Be aware of the skills that employer is looking for in a job candidate. Most are looking for someone who is:
-Punctual
-Dependable
-Has a good attitude
-Energetic/enthusiastic/driven
-Able to use language effectively
-Committed
-Flexible

Your resume is what landed you the interview, and the interview is where you need to sell yourself. In order to make the interviewing process successful, you should remember and practice some of the tips mentioned above.