1. An Overview
2. Understanding the Format
3. Preparing for a Quality Performance
4. Impressive Interviews
5. Finishing Touches
6. Interview Do's and Don'ts
7. Sample Interview Questions
8. Sample Questions for Teacher Candidates
9. Sample Questions To Ask Employers

AN OVERVIEW OF THE INTERVIEW

The interview is your chance to meet potential employers and to expand upon the information highlighted in you resume. It is also the chance to learn first hand and in detail about positions and organizations in your field of interest.

Think of the interview as the opportunity to exchange information, not a one-way monologue in which your role is to only answer questions asked.

The hiring process, including interviewing, varies by organization and by career field. The time line for filling vacancies varies depending on the immediacy of employer needs. Some employers may complete the interview process in two weeks, others may take as long as six months. To best establish your own time lines, you will want to be aware of hiring differences and find out how each specific organization proceeds.

Employers will also differ regarding how they organize the interview process. Some employers base their decision on one interview, while others begin with a screening interview (usually one half hour to an hour in length), followed by a second interview or series of interviews. With larger companies, screening interviews may be conducted on campus, while subsequent interviews are typically held on-site. This, however, also varies with each organization.

Although interviewing time lines and processes vary according to your field or the employing organization, there are many standard aspects of interviewing. This site discusses:

• Interacting with employers before and after the interview
• Preparing for the interview
• Tips on the interview itself

Note: While this packet focuses on interviews for permanent employment, much of the information included is applicable to interviews for internships & summer jobs as well as for graduate school admission.

UNDERSTANDING THE FORMAT

When scheduling interviews with employers, ask them about the format. Will this be a screening interview, or a more in-depth selection interview? How many people will you be interviewing with, and what is their role/position in the organization? What will your schedule be? For instance, will you need to give a presentation, take a test, or complete group exercises? Will there be a social event or a meal? Knowing the general schedule and format will help you prepare appropriately and approach the interview with confidence.

Another point you may wish to clarify is if the employer has a reimbursement policy for travel and lodging. Depending on the industry and the distance being traveled, it may or may not be common practice to reimburse job applicants. If the organization does reimburse, you will want to know their specific procedure: will they make travel arrangements and contact you? Should you make arrangements and provide receipts? Once these details and arrangements are made, you may begin focusing on interview strategies.

PREPARING FOR A QUALITY PERFORMANCE

Once you have been granted an interview, it is time to reflect on your past experiences and how they relate to the job for which you are applying. Write down key points or related experiences to assist you in conveying what you believe is important to your prospective employer.

Assess You Strengths and Skills

During the interview, you will want to demonstrate how your background, interests, and skills are directly relevant to the employer's position. Reflect on your education, work experience, and co-curricular involvement to develop a list of similarities between your background and the particular position.

In addition to a list of related skills, you will want to discuss your work style, motivation, energy level, personality traits, and goals.

By thinking of questions typically asked in interviews and preparing responses, you will actually be doing a "test-run" of your interview. By practicing and being prepared you will increase your confidence level and potential for success.

If you are applying for a position which may not be directly related to your background, the challenge is to convey to the interviewer your relevant transferable skills.  Think broadly about the types of environments in which you have worked, the management styles to which you were exposed, or the types of clientele with whom you interacted.

For example, if your past experience is largely in the restaurant industry and you are interested in banking, where might you find parallels? In principle, both may require organization and communication skills, and at times, may require you to perform effectively in a stressful environment. Be prepared to illustrate your transferable skills with specific examples and language familiar to the interviewer.

The following is a partial list of skills you may want to consider showcasing in the interview. Remember to have specific examples prepared for each skill you wish to demonstrate:

Remember, it is not necessary to have previous job experience in these areas. Many of these skills are used in ordinary, everyday situations.

Research

In addition to knowing what you would like to communicate about yourself, it is also important to know about the position, organization, and industry. You will want to investigate job responsibilities, training opportunities, career paths, salary ranges, and the organization's products and services.

You can learn about an organization through a variety of means.  One of the most common methods is an Internet search.  Several employer's now maintain home pages containing information about their organization, products and services.  Information may also be obtained through literature in the career library, information printed in directories, and newspaper or trade magazine articles that highlight particular employers or the industry in general. 

If possible, you should try to obtain a copy of the job description for the position for which you are interviewing and review it thoroughly. This will help you identify skills important to the position and employer.

Other valuable resources are professionals in the field and trade associations whose membership is comprised of related professionals. These sources may provide insights which you may not have gleaned through printed material.

Practice

To develop a confident interview style, you may wish to practice in a "risk-free" atmosphere. The Office of Career Development offers several resources to help you gain interviewing experience and to help you develop strategies for relating your past experiences to employers.

You may make an appointment for a videotaped mock interview with a Career Development staff member, view videotapes that illustrate interviewing skills, or look at reference books and Internet resources that highlight interviewing.  Call extension 0332 or visit the Office to schedule an appointment. 

As you consider how to respond to potential interview questions, your objective should be to have responses which are thoughtful, persuasive, and illustrated by example, as well as to successfully articulate how you will contribute to the organization and what you seek from the job.

*Examples of interview questions can be found at the end of this section.

IMPRESSIVE INTERVIEWS

Arrive a few minutes early for your interview. Check in with the receptionist or designated employee and find the appropriate waiting area. If it is an on-site interview, take time to observe the organizational environment to provide you with insights not found in the literature.

Introductions

The employer/interviewer will typically greet you and initiate introductions. The impressions you make in the first few minutes are very important. In addition to what you say, the interviewer will note your appearance, dress, and non-verbal expressions and gestures. Dress in professional attire appropriate to the organization. By dressing on the conservative side, you may be assured that your image will communicate professionalism.

The Actual Interview: Showcasing Your Qualifications

After testing and refining your answers to practice questions, you should be prepared for the actual interview. Highlighting your skills as they relate to the organization's position should be your main objective.

Questions may be asked in a variety of ways. Some interviewers may primarily ask structured questions, such as, "What three things are important for you to have in a position?" Others may ask more open-ended questions like, "Tell me about yourself." You should be prepared to answer both types of questions.

Illegal Questions

The situation may occur in which the interviewer asks you a question that does not seem job related. For example, "Do you plan to marry in the near future?" The employer may not intentionally be delving into your personal life, but may have some concerns about your commitment to the organization.

If asked illegal questions you have the option of answering the question, realizing you are giving information that is not job related; refusing to answer the question, and risk being viewed as an uncooperative candidate; or considering the intent behind the question and answering in a manner related to the job you are applying for.

For example, you may respond by stating "If you are concerned about my ability to travel, please know that I am aware that this position requires extensive travel, and I am looking forward to that aspect of the job."

Should this type of question arise, seek clarification and answer in a way you feel most comfortable. The Career Development staff can also assist you in identifying and responding to illegal questions.

Salary

At some point during the interview, you may be asked about your salary requirements. While you may be prepared to provide a range, it is desirable to wait and discuss a specific salary when you have received a job offer. At that point, you will be in the strongest position to negotiate.

When salary discussions occur, rely on your previous research regarding typical salaries for your field and geographic cost of living information. See Salary and Benefits Negotiation for more information.

Your Questions

At some point during the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask questions. This is your chance to learn what you need to know in order to make an informed decision. Always be prepared to ask thoughtful questions.

Your questions demonstrate to the employer that you have a general interest in the organization/position. They also allow the interviewer to gain new insights about you and to understand your priorities as they relate to your career.

The questions you ask should help you clarify what you researched, or should be asked to discover information not found in the literature. Avoid inappropriate questions, particularly those related to salary and benefit packages.

Closing the Interview

As the interview draws to a close, you and the interviewer will want to discuss the next steps in the selection process, such as their time line for making a decision; whether it is necessary for you to provide any supporting documents (transcripts, recommendations); and when and how you will be contacted.

It is important that you leave the interviewer with a lasting, positive impression of yourself. Ask the interviewer for a business card so you will have accurate information for writing a thank you letter and also for your records, should you need to initiate contact. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and maintain your positive, professional demeanor as you exit.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Make notes after the interview to remind yourself of your conversation with the employer. Record the interviewer's name, position, address, telephone number, key points discussed during the interview, and the next steps you plan to take.

Thank You Letter

A typed, brief thank you letter should be sent to the interviewer(s) within 24-48 hours after the interview. Extend your professional image by using a cordial rather than familiar tone. This is another opportunity to reiterate your interest in the organization/position and highlight how your background matches the requirements of the position. Be sure to use high quality paper and to proofread and edit carefully.

Reflect and Learn

Learn from your interview. Review and evaluate it. What went well and what was uncomfortable? What different strategies would you employ for future interviews? Effective interviewing is the result of preparation and research before the interview, professionalism during the interview, and taking the necessary steps after the interview.

Finding a position that matches your interests and career goals may take some time. As employers learn more about you in an interview, you will be learning more about your field and the types of positions which exist. Through this process, you can explore positions of interest to you and accept an offer which furthers your career goals.

INTERVIEW DO'S AND DON'TS

DO:

1. Research the company/position ahead of time.
2. Get a good night's sleep before so you will be mentally alert.
3. Leave plenty of time to get to the interview, you should arrive 10-15 minutes early.
4. Dress properly and appear well groomed.
5. Express enthusiasm.
6. Remember and correctly pronounce the names of the people you meet.
7. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and show sincere and polite interest in the position and interviewer.
8. Listen carefully to interview questions and answer completely.
9. Sell your qualifications rather than your need for a job.
10. Ask questions during the interview.
11. Bring additional copies of your resume and list of references. 
12. Follow-up the interview with a thank you letter.

DON'T:

1. Bring others to the interview.
2. Interrupt the interviewer.
3. Ask questions about salary and benefits.
4. Criticize former employers, co-workers, applicants, organizations.
5. Chew gum.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What school activities have you participated in? Why?
3. If you have not been active on campus, why not?
4. Have you held any leadership roles? If so, what were they and what did you learn from these experiences?
5. Why/how did you choose Albion College?
6. What is your major? Why/how did you choose that major? If you were to start over, would you choose it again? Why/why not?
7. What were you favorite/least favorite classes? Why?
8. Do you feel you have done the best scholastic work you are capable of? Why/why not?
9. What is the single most important statement you would make about your experiences at Albion College?
10. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? What are you doing to improve any weaknesses?
11. What personal characteristics do you think are necessary for success in this field?
12. How do you work under pressure? Can you give me an example?
13. Give me an example of when you worked as a team leader/player.
14. What is the toughest group you've had to get cooperation from?
15. Tell me about your past work experiences. What did you like most and least about these jobs?
16. Have you ever been a member of a group where members did not get along or work well together? What did you learn from this experience?
17. What interests you about this position/organization?
18. Describe a situation that required you to do many things at once. How did you handle this?
19. What are two or three things that are most important for you to have in a job/position?
20. Describe a major problem you've encountered. How did you handle this?
21. Describe a project or idea you initiated.
22. Describe an unpopular decision you made. What was the result?
23. What do you consider to be your most significant accomplishment? Why?
24. Describe the relationship you think should exist between a supervisor and supervisee.
25. What type of work environment do you prefer?
26. What do you know about this organization?
27. Tell me about something creative you've done in a past job.
28. If you were hiring someone for this position, what qualities would you look for in a candidate?
29. Why should we hire you?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR TEACHER CANDIDATES

1. What is your philosophy of education?
2. What issues in education are of greatest concern to you? Why?
3. Describe the role of the teacher in the learning process.
4. What is the role of the teacher in the community?
5. How would you individualize instruction in your classroom?
6. Why do you want to teach?
7. What special abilities do you have that would benefit your students?
8. What prompted you to go into the field of education?
9. Describe your grading style. Do you grade on ability or effort? Why?
10. Tell me about your student teaching experience.
11. How do you feel about observations by supervisors or principals?
12. Are you interested in working with students in extracurricular activities? Why/why not? Which activities?
13. What subject areas most interest you?
14. How do you think children learn?
15. What magazines, periodicals, books have you read recently related to education?
16. What is your philosophy of classroom management? Give me an example of how you handled a discipline problem during your student teaching.
17. What are your thoughts on teaching a split grade?
18. Give me an example of a time where you contributed to a project.
19. What did you find most beneficial in your student teaching experience?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS 

1. What is a typical day like?
2. What personal qualities/characteristics are most important for success in this position/organization?
3. What working relationships will I have with others in the organization?
4. How often will my performance be evaluated? How will I be evaluated?
5. What are the prospects for future growth and expansion of this company?
6. What are the major changes that this organization wishes to bring about?
7. What training opportunities are available to better prepare employees for their position or for advancement?
8. What is the company's management philosophy?
9. Has this organization hired Albion graduates in the past? If so, what is their success record?
10. What will be expected of me as a new employee?
11. What has been your career path with this company?

For Teacher Candidates

1. What is the average class size?
2. What auxiliary services are offered to the student? To the teacher?
3. Describe the economic/cultural mix of students in your district.
4. Does the community support the school district? How?
5. What type of support does the administration provide for teachers?