Preparing for an Interview
• Be sure you are well rested and your appearance is clean and neat.
• Be sure you can make it to the interview site roughly 10 minutes before your scheduled meeting.
• Be sure not to make appointments immediately following your interview in case it runs long.
• Know where you are going and how long it will take you to make the trip at the specific time of the day required. If you are unsure, if possible, take time to go to the interview site once before your interview.
• Prepare a listing of references and specific contact information.
• Have available a few additional copies of your resume to distribute to interviewers if necessary.
• Know about the job. Take time to once again review advertisement/posting information and visit the company’s website.
• Know why you want to work with the new company. Gather as much information as possible about the company and if necessary, prepare a few specific questions for clarification during the interview.
• Know how your experiences, training, education and skills can be applied and valuable in the position being offered.
• Be ready for the questions you will likely be asked. Think of answers you want to give that accurately portray your experiences and views.
Some sample questions you may want answered during your interview are:
• Detailed description of the position.
• Reason position is available.
• Description of the selection process.
• Orientation and training programs.
• Why and when did interviewer join the company.
• Do I have the qualifications you are looking for?
• When can you expect to hear back from the company after the interview.
Other helpful tips:
• Neatly and completely fill out any application forms. Do NOT put a salary amount on the application. Put “negotiable.”
• Be sure your handshake is firm.
• Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting and be sure to sit upright and be attentive.
• Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Don’t say “yeh.” Say “yes.” Smile!
• Maintain eye contact.
• Make sure you can answer the question “why are you interested in this position and in working for this company?”
• Make sure all of your answers are professional. Don’t talk about your personal life except in generalities.
• Put a positive “spin” on negative questions. For example .., if they ask what your biggest mistake was, answer “On a professional basis, my biggest mistake probably was doing XYZ. However, I’m glad I did because I really learned from that, and it won’t happen again.”
• Be truthful, especially on the application. Gaps in employment or other issues can be addressed, but if you lie and get caught – you either won’t get the job, or you can be fired even after you have started. The application is a legal document that you sign and declare everything on that form is true.
• Don’t bad mouth your current or past employers, bosses or co-workers. Focus on new challenges, career goals, and future aspirations.
• Record your interviewer's names and titles or get their business cards.
• After the interview, call your recruiter for follow-up. It is important to let them know your interest and feedback from the interview and will demonstrate strong follow-up skills and high level of interest and enthusiasm!
• Last but not least, follow-up with your interviewers. An e-mailed thank you note makes a good impression and is the polite thing to do.
Remember that it is up to you to convey reliability, enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, confidence, energy, drive, motivation, and communication skills during your interview. The interview is also your opportunity to reveal your ability to problem solve, reach goals and exhibit sound time management skills.
Other helpful hints:
• When asked, "Tell me about yourself." Spend only two or three sentences describing your background. Such as “I’m a certified occupational health with over five years experience in an employee health environment. Not only have I worked in a clinical environment (assisting injured or ill employees), but also I have extensive administrative experience in workers comp, return to work, FMLA and so forth … but let me ask you …
(Ask employer) "From your perspective, what will I be doing in this position?
That way you will know exactly what THIS position requires, and you can direct the rest of your answers to their NEEDS … not occupational health in general.
• Ask, "What is the #1 priority in this position?" (Then talk about how you have done that in past jobs.)
• Ask, "What are the first year's goals in this position?" (Talk about goals you have met)
• Ask, "What obstacles do you see that could stop you from meeting these goals?" Expand on your background to support how you have overcome similar obstacles.
• Come ready with a list of 8 to 10 questions that you need answered to make a career change:
- Type of company, type of employer/interviewer (Who else will I be interfacing with?), Projects (past, present and future).
• Do not discuss salary. If salary comes up (“Well, Ms Jones, what would it take to get you to join our firm? Say “Right now I am making $---- per year. I am sure you have a range in mind for the position. What is it?)
• Close for the job - Ask the employer - "Do I have the qualifications you are looking for?"
• Call your recruiter.
