The dreaded interview... Dun Dun Dun, *dramatic pause*
If you are anything like me this is terrifying! Having to sit in front of a stranger and sell yourself the best you can in order to win that one spot on the team.
It is a nerve bending experience no doubt, but when you have the right tools it can be a lot less scary and a lot more fun. The interviewer just wants to get to know you better and see if you match what they are looking for. If you have made it to this point congratulations! They saw something in your resume that they liked so relax a little.
There are many resources available to UCF students to better hone your interviewing skills. The career center is one of my favorites (http://www.career.ucf.edu/categories/Students/Undergraduate_Students_50_30.aspx). I know I have mentioned it before but it truly is a great resource for students who are uncomfortable with interviewing or those of us who just want to see how we can do a bit better. You can walk in or make an appointment and one of the advisors will sit down with you and go through a mock interview. This will allow you to get familiar with standard questions employers ask, such as "Tell me about yourself" or "What are you goals" etc. Would you be willing to try this out? Why or why not? And if you are really excited about it go and interview with them and let us know what you got out of it! :)
What are some of the things that you find important in the interviewing process? How do you deal with questions you don't know the answer to? Are you familiar with the interviewing etiquette?
For this posting I want you all to find one article/web site/blog/etc. that deals with interviewing that you found helpful and share it with us. Let us know why it was helpful to you.
Here are a few examples sites, feel free to browse through them, they have a lot of valuable information!
http://www.naceweb.org/press/display.asp?year=2009&prid=295
http://tars.rollins.edu/careerservices/interviewingskills/index.html
http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml
-Amanda Anthony
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The interview is extremely dreaded for me as well! I am never good when I am put under pressure and to answer questions on the spot to battle others for that position can make me freeze up! I actually took the time and made an appointment with and advisor to do a mock interview with them. When we were done I feel 100 times better about the interview process. They provided me with lots of information, tips on what I should and shouldn't do next time, and some hand outs so I wouldn't forget the information.
ReplyDeleteSome things I feel are important in the interview process are clarity and calmness. You don’t need to ramble on and on when the interviewer asks you a question. You should be short and to the point so you keep their attention while answering the question in a clear manner. Remaining calm at all times is key with the interviewing process!! It is a nerve racking experience but just remember, you want to shine because there are many other people out there competing against you, so you want to look and act your best.
The article I found gave tips on interview and some listed were planning ahead, be positive, make eye contact, relate, and encourage. I feel out of all of those tips one of the important ones is relate. You want to relate your answers to his or her company and focus on achievements that are relative to the position. Try also to get the interviewer to talk about their company and their expectations within.
Good Luck to you All!!
Stephanie Hart
The important things to remember when going in for a job interview is are remain calm and collected. I think when you go into an interview and you’re nervous and stressed out looking, it will show. I’m not familiar with the interviewing etiquette just because I’ve only been a full time student through college. I know it’s important to have proper interviewing etiquette because that can make or break the interview.
ReplyDeleteSome of the things that I think are important to remember when going into an interview are smile, introduce yourself make good eye contact, don’t be too over friendly, speak clearly, keep it simply, and talk about your strong points. I believe that employers look for people that they are compatible with, in the work sense, when hiring because it may make them feel more comfortable with that person. During the interview, you could also ask the interviewer that is relevant to the company because it shows them you have real interest and you have some knowledge about them already. Before you go to an interview, you should do some research on that company so when you go you’re your interview, you have some information to fall back on if you get lost or nervous. When it comes to answering interview questions, keep the answers short but explain how you can able your skills and knowledge to that area. If a question comes up that you’re unsure of how to answer, just answer to the best of your ability in an educated way.
Here are some websites I found about interviewing, http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interviews/a/jobinterviewtip.htm
http://www.worksmart.ca.gov/tips_interview.html
These website, I found have great tips for people going into an interview. They provided helpful hints and some sample questions you may hear out in the work field.
Lauren Larson
I hate the fact that when applying to grad schools, just getting the application completed is stressful, but then we have to have an interview to pretty much sell ourselves to the board of admissions. Im personally not good with thinking on my feet when asked a question suddenly. I like to prepare myself for these types of things and going into an interview, no matter how prepared a person is, you never know what your going to be asked.
ReplyDeleteI know that at UCF there is the opportunity to take mock interviews with Dr. Genaro Lopez for students seeking Grad school in the healthcare field. I know people say practice makes perfect, but in this case, practice just helps the student feel as prepared as possible. In my eyes, there is no such thing as a perfect interview. I also dont like the uncertainty that comes with interviews, it can go from being an awesome interview to being a dreadful experience in one second. I also dont like being put on the spot in front of strangers. I guess you guys can clearly tell Im nervous for my first interview!
From past experience with job interviews, my best advice would be to stay calm and be honest. Dont try to say what the employer wants to hear because they will be able to tell if your lying. Also, something that many people dont do is eye contact. DO IT! I mean, not in a creepy staring manor but it is more professional to look you interviewer in the eyes. I feel as though it is a pleasant suprise to them when a person does look them straight in the eyes haha. I would also go into the interview with a positive attitude and remember to let your personality shine through smiling and keeping a friendly vibe in the room!
When confronted with a question you dont know how to answer, I would probably take a minute and think of the best thing that came to mind. Or I might say I dont know, although I would probably think of every option before I said that. Showing nerves and stress is not the best way to impress the panel. I would probably say a prayer before I walked into the room too haha.
Im not familiar with proper interview ettiquete but this website is really easy to relate to and it has great tips!
http://www.job-interview.net/interviewguide.htm
I just did the Perfect Interview part of this blog. I think this is a great source to use for practice because it does seem so realistic. One question that threw me off a bit was why I would be an asset to the company if Im so over qualified. I didnt really know what to say but thats something I need to work on. Three areas i need to focus more on are what sets me apart from others, my weaknesses and strengths, as well as my qualifications.
ReplyDeleteHere are my responses to the interview:
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=9E03E24E-0E81-4BF6-AE0A-D5670BC1B3CB&mediatype=flv
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=AB6988B3-E620-4F2D-9DC9-3DA60272CA1D&mediatype=flv.
My advice after completing this two interviews is to take a second and think about yourself. Think of personal qualities that you possess that will help make you stand out and memorable. This goal is to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee. If they sense something unique about you, they will want you. Being different is a lot better than being the typical plain jane. I would also do something that relieves stress, maybe bring a stress ball or do yoga the night before. Whatever helps you relax, I would do the night before to relieve some of those loose nerves. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! :)
ReplyDeleteNo one likes to have to go through being scrutinized by strangers. I have done it quite a few times and it hasn't yet begun to appeal to me. That said I still don't think I would use the on-campus resource for interview preparation. This is because while it might not be something I enjoy, I do tend to interview well already.
ReplyDeleteThe best tip I can give to be successful in an interview is to know about the company and position you are interviewing for and have the confidence that you are the best candidate for the job. I go into an interview like I am doing the company a favor in offering my services. If you get stuck and can't answer a question--be honest and demonstrate that you know where to find the answer and will do so immediately.
I found this site when searching the key word "interviews":
http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/Interviews.htm
What I liked about it was the sample questions section. That can really take the edge off if you have prepared responses to standard questions.
Jaime Pazos
Lauren-
ReplyDeleteI like what you had to say about professionalism and confidence in the way you address the interviewer. Eye contact, tone of voice and word choice are indeed extremely important. The applicant has a huge burden when it comes to presenting the right kind of attitude for the job.
Also I wish I had noticed that you used the same website I used. That makes me look bad.
Jaime Pazos
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJaime-
ReplyDeleteI think that all the website offer similar tips so that doesn't make you look bad at all! I believe confidence is what a lot of people are looking for because having that can get you far. You're right about not wanting to be scrutinized by anyone so having confidence can show you can stand up to hurdles that come your way.
Lauren Larson
Although interviews are intimidating, I believe the main factor to a good interview is the level of your confidence. If someone goes into an interview confident, I think it demonstrates many things to a future employer. Some of those things include, knowing what you're talking about, being realistic and honest, and approaching the situation with a positive attitude. I've learned that employers look for more that just knowledge of the subject you are applying for.
ReplyDeleteI found a website that has many good tools to help with interviews and other aspects of preparing for a job. It is http://workforce2.org/. One of the things I found out on it was the qualities employers look for. They list the top 10.
1) Communication skills
2) Honesty & integrity
3) Teamwork skills
4) Interpersonal skills
5) Strong work ethic
6) Motivation & initiative
7) Flexibility & adaptable
8) Analytical skills
9) Computer skills
10) Organizational skills
Joanna Goldonowicz
Going on an interview has always been beyond nerve-wracking, and just as Leeron said no matter how prepared you feel that you are, more than likely there will be something thrown at you that you didn't "rehearse". Personally I really bad at hiding my nervousness, and when I get a question I'm not sure how to answer I just try my best to answer and hope that it was what they were looking for.
ReplyDeleteBeing in this course I have heard a lot about the career center and I think I am really going to try and take advantage of it while I'm here at UCF. I believe that these resources will be really helpful with my application process for pharmacy school, also very helpful for when I am applying for jobs.
I found a website that lists most frequently asks interview questions and suggestions on what your thought process should be to answer them. I've seen lists of frequently asked interview questions before, but this was more helpful because it explains what the best answers should consist of.
http://www.webindia123.com/career/interview/question.htm
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share something a little different that I hope will help you many times over the years as you are in the position of being the interviewer!
I believe that training begins and an orientation to the company's culture is first presented at the interview. So, when you are interviewing a candidate make sure that you are creating an environment that says "Welcome" and you take on the assignment as if you, too, are being interviewed...by the candidate.
If your office and desk area is messy and disorganized...clean it up...at least declutter before the interview. You, also, only get one chance to make a good first impression.
If your office is not suitable, make sure that the alternate location is free of unnecessary traffic (i.e., people coming in and out to check out the latest victim)is appropriately decorated...nothing that presents a negative image about the company...jokes, etc. which are in bad taste and potentially offensive.
Respect the candidate's time...be on time (and sincerely apologetic if a short delay makes you unavailable at the time the interview is to begin.)
Cell phones, IM's and other interruptions are no-no's during the interview time for BOTH parties.
When scheduling the interview, give the candidate as much information as possible...make sure that they know how long the process is to take (are there multiple people they may have to meet at that time) Is it a panel interview...should they bring additional copies of their resume? If there is a mealtime involved, make sure that the candidate is aware of those arrangements.
Adhere to all regulations involving interviews
: No questions/prying about age, marital status, children, health, religion, nationality, etc. Develop questions to ask of all candidates to insure that you are assessing them equally.
Here's a great site to guide you through the potential pitfalls of illegal questions:
http://www.uwec.edu/career/Online_Library/illegal_ques.htm
Hope this helps you when you are the interviewer!
Gail Weinstein
Leeron,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your comments about eye contact...but here is another important reason to maintain that eye to eye focus: I have interviewed many people who are great candidates but their eyes "stray" to look at information on my desk (another reason to, as an interviewer, make sure that your desk is clear)...many times I will "catch" them even turning their heads or craning their necks to read something that is clearly not pertaining to them. I can't say that I have ever shut someone out just for this transgression, but it does give me pause about just how much of a snoop they are in other areas.
Gail Weinstein
I went to the free interview website and went through two interviews. After reviewing the alternate responses I realize that I need to be little more thorough with my responses. The one question I had a little bit of a problem with was: “If I were to contact customers that you have worked with in the past, what do you think they would say about you?” I am actually not good at questions that require me to describe, or tell a story of anything, and I realize that I need to work on that area. The links for my interview are:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3021342&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3021343&type=standard
I find this topic quite enjoyable because I have been through a few interviews over the past year, and have actually worked with youth at the YMCA to show them how to approach interviews. When I am being interviewed, I try to keep open body language and be real. The website I mentioned earlier has a great list on mistakes commonly made at job interviews and it can be found at http://workforce2.org/job-interview-mistakes.htm. Another thing I try to do is to ask questions and do a little bit of research on the job. I also always dress professional and make sure I am at the location at least 15 minutes prior to my interview. So far, I have gotten the positions I have went in and interviewed for.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I have learned many things from teaching others about interviews and conducting phone interviews. This summer I worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA and we taught our teens about applying for jobs. We had them to mock interviews with the head bosses of the branch and helped the teens prepare for them. While talking to my bosses about how the teens should prepare and handle the interview, I got a good perspective on how to handle an interview. Some of the tips mentioned were knowing about the position and company prior to the interview, giving a firm hand shake, asking questions, being honest with answers, having open body language, and following up after the interview with a thank you note. These were just a few my boss suggested.
In the end, I think it's important to be yourself and not put on airs. If you try to be something that you're not, the truth is going to come out. Remember, you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure it is something you actually want because ultimately we all want a job that is truly going to make us happy.
Joanna Goldonowicz
Gail,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you flipped the script. It is true that the interviewer also needs to make a good impression, what if I, the person being interviewed, am the person the company needs to boost business exponentially. I actually have been on an interview where the interviewer is not the most professional. I went on an interview for a car dealership and while I was being interviewed the persons phone rang, they said “excuse me for a minute”, and answered it, and judging from what I heard, it was a little personal. That specific dealership or even all Lexus dealerships could have lost a great employee. Also in response to what you said about having more than one resume, I always carry a few resumes with me; I actually needed to give them out at that interview I just mentioned.
I think I have hinted about this before, but I know that many companies are now incorporating "tests" into the interview process.
ReplyDeleteWe are probably most familiar with the typing or spreadsheet kind of test, but don't be surprised if your interviewer gives you a skill test (write a memo, prepare a budget with given factors, take a Standard Operating Procedure and turn it into a Power Point Presentation; it might be a pre-interview test....something that has to be done (meticulously) and according to direction mailed (or emailed) by a certain date to the interviewer.
One of my favorite "stories" though, involves a young man who was to be interviewed by a very large company in Chicago. He was perplexed as the daylong interview schedule was:
1) Breakfast with HR
2) Panel Interview with X Team
3) Tour of facility
4) Lunch with Executive Team
5) Observation of Work Environment
6) Cocktails
7) Dinner
The candidate thought that all of the emphasis on food and drink was odd...of course, what he didn't know was that the corporate culture of this organization was high on every employee being able to handle themselves well in social settings (including table manners and small talk) and that, for them, the real interview was taking place during these meal functions.
Gail Weinstein
Good Evening! I am not sure if I am posting this in the right blog but here goes, www.perfectinterview.com was actually a bit addictive because I have never really had an interview coach nor utilized career services when attending Valencia.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I accidently started over, erasing all of my answers, I found several alternative answers to questions that always make my stomach knot up in an interview.
An example would be, "Describe something about a recent boss or supervisor you did not like", this is touchy because you do not want to say the wrong thing as it may offend the interviewer nor give the wrong impression.
It seems when looking back on interviews of the past, my confidence and ease of mind depended on how suited and knowledgable I was of the position I was applying for. Some interviews were a piece of cake and really enjoyable while others were teeth grinding. The hardest one or most uncomfortable was a group interview because not only do you have to worry about what your saying, what the interviewer is thinking, than you have to worry about competition! Shockingly I actually got the job but that almost threw a monkey wrench in the whole deal but I just kept saying, I'm good, I've got this, while I was in there then let out a sigh of relief when the final handshake was done.
Back to the perfectinterview.com, the alternate responses were so well thought out and helpful that when I revise my resume and go for another position I plan to use this to my benefit.
Have a Good Night! April Dilio
My interviews were not as challenging as I had expected. The questions were pretty straight forward and easy to answer. One that I did not completely expect was "What didn't you like about your former supervisor and why?". Other than that I think I would have expected any of these. Here are my responses to the online interviews. I think this website is a great tool for us.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/save_flv_interview.aspl
Joanna Goldonowicz
I'm not sure exactly how to post the links to it...I took both of them though.
ReplyDeleteHere's the overview page of my interviews.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/interviews.html
The online interviews were interesting. While some of the questions I wasn't able to fully answer in that fictional setting, they all were at least enlightening as to what to expect. That, of course, is the real value. Being prepared and sounding sure of your answers is everything. I also found useful the sample responses. They give a good idea as to what an interviewer would be looking to hear and what kinds of information that is good to share.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3021303&type=standard
Jaime Pazos
Leeron-
ReplyDeleteI agree! I like to make a list of strengths and weaknesses so that I have a visual reference of what I want to work on. I also like to write up goals like I have said before, so that I have a specific time to look forward to accomplishing my goal, otherwise I procrastinate... a lot! :)
I like to think that I am pretty familiar with the interview process, but I never fail to be nervous. To be honest, even though I am nervous and feel like I may not do EXCEPTIONALLY well, I have never felt like I will not get the job, til this day I have. I remember Gail mentioning that she would do little things to test the applicant in a hidden way, I just rememebered that I have been too, kind of. I had an interview with Lexus and he said he likes to talk to the person to hear their enthusiasm, and he liked how I sounded, and thats how I got my interview. This shows me you have to be on point at all times.
ReplyDelete