| My nephew-in-law is going for a job | | | | name some of your greatest strengths but |
| interview for a position in his current | | | | when you walk in the room you may be so |
| company but in a different part of the | | | | nervous you will forget them. Write them |
| US. In my previous position as Director | | | | down and read and re-read them. |
| of Customer Services, I conducted | | | | 7. Know your weaknesses and describe |
| several interviews and also exit | | | | them as strengths. Pick a weakness that |
| interviews. Having experienced some good | | | | is really a strength. For example, you |
| interviewees' and not so good, I offered | | | | might say, "One of my weaknesses is that |
| to give him some suggestions from my | | | | I tend to be impatient with people who |
| experiences that will help him to be | | | | are not willing to pull their full |
| aware of some areas of importance when | | | | weight and give 110%." In this case, |
| interviewing. | | | | your "weakness" may help you get the |
| Here are some areas to be aware for a | | | | job. |
| memorable and successful interview: | | | | 8. Ask questions. Write down questions |
| | | | you need answered and take them with |
| 1. Dress to impress. How you appear to | | | | you. |
| the person interviewing you is very | | | | 9. Follow up. Very important to send a |
| important. I have interviewed people and | | | | follow up email thanking them for the |
| told them to dress casual and they still | | | | time and interview. One time I did |
| wore a suit. What this action indicated | | | | interviews in Columbia, MD, and the |
| to me is that the person recognized how | | | | person I interviewed bought me a t-shirt |
| important the interview was and dressed | | | | and a thank you card to the interview. I |
| to impress me. | | | | was so impressed with the creativeness |
| 2. At introduction shake hands firmly | | | | of this action that I hired this person. |
| (no limp-handed shake), smile, speak | | | | Follow up allows you to stand out in a |
| clearly, and look each person in the | | | | sea of applicants. Be creative in how |
| eye. Do not come across as shy--be | | | | you do it. |
| confident. | | | | 10. Never talk salary unless requested |
| 3. Be prepared with several copies of | | | | by the interviewer. If they ask what |
| your resume, along with references. Do | | | | your salary range is, speak more of your |
| not use the standard resume from MS | | | | experience and what you have to offer. |
| Office. Be creative and make yours stand | | | | Let them make the first offer. Know the |
| out. | | | | range of compensation for the job you |
| 4. During questioning about some of your | | | | are seeking, make your own realistic |
| co-workers or supervisor, always speak | | | | determination of what you are worth, and |
| truthfully but never negatively. Do not | | | | then be prepared to stand your ground. |
| tell stories on them but you can say | | | | The most successful interviews are those |
| things like "their work ethic was not | | | | that the person comes in prepared and |
| the same as mine" or "I prefer to | | | | shows confidence. A job interview is an |
| perform my duties in a different | | | | important step in the process of winning |
| manner". | | | | the career you want so act on it |
| 5. The same goes for questions about | | | | accordingly. No matter if you have |
| your previous employment. Never speak | | | | interviewed one time or ten times, each |
| negatively about a past employer. | | | | time is just as important as the other. |
| 6. Know your strengths before you walk | | | | Learn from your experiences and make |
| in the room. Right now you can probably | | | | each one better than the other. |