Interview

The job interview is an opportunity to convince an employer that you have the skills, experience, knowledge, and personal qualities to do the job in question. You want to discuss how you will help the organization and why you specifically want to work there. It’s also your chance to find out if the organization and the job are the right match for you.

Key points the employer is most interested in:

  1. “Why do you want to work for us?” (Why are you interested in us?)
  2. “Why should we hire you?” (What can you do for us? What are your skills?)
  3. “What are you like as a person?” (Personal qualities, strengths, weaknesses, motivation)

Preparing for the Interview

  • Evaluate:
    --Your skills, experiences, strengths/weaknesses, and past successes/failures to determine how you can meet the employer’s needs.
  • Research:
    --Start with the organization’s website. The UNH library offers useful research databases including Vault.com.
    --Talk to anyone who may be knowledgeable about the company.
  • Practice:
    --Make an appointment with a Career Advisor at the UACC for a practice interview.
    --Practice answering questions on your own, out loud.
    --Ask a roommate, family member, or friend to perform a practice interview with you. Be sure to choose someone who will take on the interviewer role in a serious fashion.

During the Interview:

  • Arrive 5-10 minutes early. If you are unfamiliar with the location or commute to the interview site, do a “dry run” a day or so ahead to be sure of the route, location, and timing.
  • Turn off your cell phone.
  • Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references.
  • Make a good first impression: smile, offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and introduce yourself using both first and last name. Establish yourself immediately as prepared and confident.
  • If you lack experience in an area the interviewer asks about, say so, but go on to describe similar experiences or examples indicating your willingness and ability to learn new things.
  • Try to keep your answers brief and to the point. If in doubt about whether you’ve said enough, you can always ask, “Does that fully answer your question?”
  • Never bad-mouth previous employers or co-workers.
  • Your interviewer may ask if you have any final questions or comments. Take that opportunity to ask well thought out questions or make a final, compelling personal sales pitch. Express confidence in your ability to succeed at the job and your excitement about the opportunity.
  • At the close of the interview, get the interviewer’s business card and offer another firm handshake. Ask about the next steps in the interview process. Above all: show interest, be pleasant and enthusiastic.

After the Interview:

  • Always send a thank you note within 24 hours,
  • E-mail letters are acceptable as long as they follow a formal format. A handwritten letter is acceptable only if it is neat and legible.
  • Express appreciation and interest. Make or remake a key point(s). If appropriate, say something like, “I’ll contact you in the next week to see how the process is going.”

Interviewing Worksheet:

  • List your top 5 skills: (Why would your boss say you are great?  What makes you different?)
  • List 5 different scenarios that show off those skills:( a class project, volunteering, student org)