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:
Arrive 10-15 minutes early
Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer
Use a firm, professional handshake
Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions
Be aware of your body language; maintain good posture, appear
relaxed and not fidgety
Show enthusiasm, confidence, courtesy, and honesty
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
Maintain a professional image-don’t let the employer’s casual
approach fool you
Always present the best of your background and qualifications
At the close of the interview, establish a date for your next
communication
Always remember to thank the interviewer for his/her time
Don’t:
Give terse or rambling answers to questions; find a balance
Be too casual with language or use non-words (“thinking words”
like “um...” “uh...”)
Address the interviewer by his/her first name unless invited to do
so
Dominate the interview or appear arrogant; do not interrupt the
interviewer when he/she is speaking
Criticize yourself or your former employers
Discuss your personal problems
What to Bring:
Directions to the interview site
Name(s) and title(s) of interviewer(s)
Extra copies of your resume
Reference lists
Portfolio of work samples, if applicable
Good quality pen and pencil
Leather folder (black or dark color) or briefcase
What Employers Look for in a
Candidate
Self-confidence/ability to
communicate
Work ethic; teamwork,
leadership, initiative,
flexibility, ability to handle
conflict
Intelligence, critical thinking
General personality: poise,
enthusiasm, creativity, high
energy level, interpersonal
skills
Personal management, self-
knowledge
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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