Tips for Interviewing
Hopefully, if you’re considering interviewing for a position, you’ve already acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for the job. But it’s going to take more than a little shoeshine to jazz up that resume and make you sparkle in front of the search committee. Here you will find some good tips to help you through the interview process.
It’s important to give yourself as much time to prepare for your interview as possible. During your preparations, you’ll want to consider the job description and be prepared to answer questions related to your ability to perform the required responsibilities. It’s good practice to include not only a theoretical response, but also to include a concrete example from prior experience. Having these examples in mind before the interview will help you answer questions with more confidence when the time comes. If you’re able, arrange a mock interview with someone who can be objective. Have them ask you questions related to the job description so that you can practice incorporating experience into your answers. Be careful not to over-rehearse, though. You want your answers to come across as prepared and natural, not memorized.
In addition to preparing for the questions, you’ll want to prepare your attire, as well. If you’re male, you want to wear a suit and tie. If you’re female, you can wear a skirt suit or pant suit. If you opt for a skirt, be sure that it’s of an appropriate length. Iron your pieces ahead of time and groom yourself, as well. If you’re going to need a haircut, try not to get it the day before the interview. People tend to feel better with their new haircut about a week later when they’ve had time to adjust and things have settled. You’re not complete with your preparations until you’ve mapped out your route to the interview location. It’d be unfortunate to get lost and show up late to your interview.
On the day of the interview, be sure to be well-rested and eat a full breakfast. It might be hard to eat with the interview-day nerves, but it’s better to have the energy and avoid the rumbling tummy. Leave with plenty enough time to arrive to your interview location with a bit of time to spare. Give yourself a moment to mentally prepare before going into the interview location.
When you meet the search committee, be sure to shake their hands firmly and confidently. Answer their questions thoughtfully and succinctly, while providing thorough and concrete answers that reflect your ability and experience. If they ask you if you have any questions, be sure to ask them something; it shows your interest and that you put thought into the interview. Shake their hands again before you leave and thank the search committee for their time.
You’re not quite finished with the interview until you’ve sent a thank you to the search committee for their time and consideration. After that, you can finally relax for a bit. If you don’t hear back from them according to the timeline they gave you, feel free to follow up with a phone call and re-assert your interest in the position, but one call is sufficient.
If you’ve followed these guidelines, you’re sure to leave your search committee with the impression that you’re a polished and professional individual, which is exactly what you’ve aimed for all along.
