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INTERVIEW

PREPARATION

Interviews allow employers to assess you as a complete person, rather than just your qualifications on the printed

page. Employers want to gauge whether or not you would be a good “fit” for their organization. This is also an

opportunity for you to find out the same thing about the employer. Most employers consider the interview to be

the most important part of the hiring decision.

Key Points to Remember:

Do:

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Arrive 10-15 minutes early

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Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer

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Use a firm, professional handshake

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Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions

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Be aware of your body language; maintain good posture, appear

relaxed and not fidgety

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Show enthusiasm, confidence, courtesy, and honesty

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Keep a positive attitude about former employers, supervisors, and

co-workers; be tactful and do not criticize former employers even

if discussing an unpleasant situation

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Maintain a professional image-don’t let the employer’s casual

approach fool you

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Always present the best of your background and qualifications

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At the close of the interview, establish a date for your next

communication

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Always remember to thank the interviewer for his/her time

Don’t:

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Give terse or rambling answers to questions; find a balance

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Be too casual with language or use non-words (“thinking words”

like “um...” “uh...”)

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Address the interviewer by his/her first name unless invited to do

so

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Dominate the interview or appear arrogant; do not interrupt the

interviewer when he/she is speaking

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Criticize yourself or your former employers

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Discuss your personal problems

What to Bring:

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Directions to the interview site

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Name(s) and title(s) of interviewer(s)

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Extra copies of your resume

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Reference lists

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Portfolio of work samples, if applicable

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Good quality pen and pencil

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Leather folder (black or dark color) or briefcase

What Employers Look for in a

Candidate

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Self-confidence/ability to

communicate

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Work ethic; teamwork,

leadership, initiative,

flexibility, ability to handle

conflict

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Intelligence, critical thinking

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General personality: poise,

enthusiasm, creativity, high

energy level, interpersonal

skills

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Personal management, self-

knowledge

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Qualifications-Can you relate

your academic program,

skills, and/or prior work or

internship experience to the

needs of an employer

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