Employment Planning

The Interview

Interviewers will have no interest in you if you wait until the interview to prepare. Take preparation seriously. And if you don’t get the interview or the job, don’t get disheartened. You’ll need to send several resumes to get one interview and have several interviews before being offered a job. Look at each interview as practice.

Before the Interview
• Be sure to know how to get there, when you’re expected (date & time) and whom to report to.
• Know what skills the job requires and how your qualifications match those skills. Think of specific events that demonstrate you have the required skills.
• Prepare your resume for that specific company.
• Prepare answers to possible questions.
• Write down questions you may wish to ask the interviewer.
• Learn about the company.
• Make sure your hair is clean and groomed. Most employers want men’s hair to be short.
• Dress appropriately. Most often, men should wear a suit, shirt and tie and women should wear a dress or pant suit.

For the Interview
• Take two copies of your resume.
• Have a list of three references - people who know your character. Include each reference’s name, address, company, position and work phone. Ask references in advance for permission to list them.
• Have your work permit or other legal documents, if you’re an international student.
• Take a notebook and pen that works.
• Don’t take relatives or friends.

After the Interview
• Make notes on questions you were asked, to help with future interviews.
• Review notes you may have made, and fill in any details you didn’t have time to write.
• Prepare for a second interview.
• Decide if you want the job. You may decide that the company is not for you.
• Write a letter to thank them for their time. Do this right away. It helps to keep your name in the mind of the interviewer.
• If a job is offered, write to thank them and to confirm your acceptance.
• If you don’t hear from them in a reasonable time, call and inquire if they’ve made a decision.