DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #1: Arrive early.

Job interviews require punctuality; arrive early. Yes, this is a "common

sense" strategy that you should already know. But you'd be amazed at
how many candidates show up late for their interviews! Talk about a
negative first impression! Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to
your interview time. Use that 15 minutes to relax and mentally
prepare.

If something unavoidable happens and you absolutely can't make it on

time, call BEFORE your scheduled time and explain your situation. Be
honest, courteous, and apologetic (even if it wasn't your fault). Then
ask for another time.

DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #2: Make your introduction

and greeting memorable.

Job interviews can involve dozens of candidates over the course of

several days. You need to stand out from the pack and be
remembered! So make your introduction and greeting more
memorable than most. Do this with everyone you are introduced to,
including the receptionist or Human Resources person who meets you
prior to the interview: Smile, make eye contact, shake hands, and
say their name.

Make your smile genuine, and don't be afraid to show some teeth. You
are very happy to be there, right?

Make eye contact and notice the color of their eyes. Continue to make
eye contact throughout the interview process. This is very important,
because failing to make eye contact or constantly looking away creates
the impression that you are hiding something or not being honest.

Shake hands "properly." If you have sweaty palms (which is only

natural, even if you ARE well prepared), try to unobtrusively wipe
them off before shaking hands. Perhaps you could keep a handkerchief
or tissue in your pocket or purse for this purpose. Then extend your
hand to the person you meet, whether they've extended theirs or not.
When you shake hands, match the strength of your grip to theirs.
Don't forget to make eye contact. Release after a couple of shakes.

Speak aloud the name of the person you are introduced to. You can
add "Nice to meet you" before or after their name. Everyone likes to
hear their own name. Plus saying their name will show that you are
paying attention, and it will help you to remember it.

Job interviews require you to make a powerful, positive first

impression. Do this by smiling, making eye contact, shaking hands
and saying their name. Your first impression will be a lasting one.

DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #3: Use body language that

shows you are enthusiastic, confident, and comfortable with
the interview process.

Job interviews can seem like intimidating situations, but as the old
saying goes, "Never let 'em see you sweat." Walk into the room in a
manner that exudes confidence and control. Not timid, but also not
rushed. Just like you're walking up to greet a friend.

After the greetings (discussed under Strategy #2), sit when and where
they indicate. (I use the term "they" because many interviews are
conducted by a panel of 3-5 people instead of just one person. But
these strategies will apply no matter how many people are
interviewing you.) Sit properly. This means showing good posture,
sitting up straight and looking attentive. Do not slouch or lean way
back and clasp your hands behind your head to indicate how
"comfortable" you are! Do sit comfortably (you may be there a while)
and don't sit on the edge of the chair as if you're eager to run away.
Do not fidget. (Sheesh! Who thought something as simple as sitting
down could get so complicated?)

Job interviews can involve a panel of people asking you questions. If

there is more than one person asking questions, face that person and
make eye contact when you answer them. But then extend your eye
contact to everyone in the room if your answer is longer than a few
seconds. You're speaking to all of them, not just the person who asked
the question.

Remember to smile!

DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #4: Be yourself, but only up to

a point.

Let your personality show, but don't overdo it. Match your demeanor
to that of the interviewers. For instance, if they joke around a bit to
break the ice, go with it but don't laugh insincerely. Don't tell any
jokes yourself. If you have a sense of humor and you've deduced that
the interviewers do, too, you can use this in some of your answers (to
a certain extent and when appropriate). You want to present yourself
as a serious professional but also someone who easily gets along with
others and is a pleasure to work with. You want to be likeable but
never phony.

Also, you want to exude confidence but never arrogance.

DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #5: Answer questions clearly

and confidently.

Because you've prepared in advance and anticipated many of the

questions, your answers should be clear, concise and confident. Do not
mumble or speak in a voice too quiet to be heard. You don't want the
interviewer to ask you to speak up or repeat your answer.

Do not ramble. Give enough detail to sufficiently answer the question

and then stop talking.

One of the great advantages of anticipating questions and practicing

your answers in advance is that you can "edit" them before the actual
interview. Many companies limit the interview time to 20 minutes or
less. You want your answers to be short, focused and to the point. If
you're not sure you've given enough information, simply ask, "Did I
answer that sufficiently for you, or would you like more details?"

DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #6: After answering their

questions, ask some yourself.

Remember those questions you thought of during your PRE-

INTERVIEW STRATEGIES phase? When the interview starts to wind
down and they ask if you have any questions for them, be sure to
speak up. In addition to the questions you thought of in advance, you
might have a few based on how the interview went. If you want
clarification about the job or the hiring process, ask now. Do not ask
questions related to salary, vacation time, etc. Save those for after
they offer you the job.

Your last comment should be that you feel you would be a good asset
for the company and you definitely want the job. Don't forget this!

DURING-INTERVIEW STRATEGY #7: Exit gracefully.

When it's clear that the interview is over, hand out copies of your
letters of recommendation (if you haven't already done so) and any
other portfolio items. Shake hands again and thank your interviewers
for their time and the opportunity to interview for the position. If you
remember the names, say them as you thank them. Leave the room
(don't forget your purse or brief case!) and breathe a big sigh of relief,
knowing that you did an excellent job!
 Example of a Example of a Bad
Question
Good Answer Answer
"Too long, talking
"To the point, too much about
1. Tell us bringing in your your personal life
about strengths and and not at all
yourself your work about anything
history." related to this
job."
"I think it will
challenge me. I
2. Why do
enjoy this kind of "I think I will make
you want
work. I think I more money."
this job?
would be good at
this because ..."
"I will do a good
job for you. I
have the
3. Why
experience. I
should we "I need this job"
work really hard. I
hire your?
like a challenge
and I like to learn
new things"
4. Why do "I think you are a "You are hiring
you want to good company. people."
work for this You do good work
company? and I hear it's a
nice place to
 work."
"I have done a lot
of phone work at "I don't come in
5. What my last three late. I don't get
experience jobs. I have into fights. I don't
do you have worked with steal. I don't come
that relates computers a lot at to work drunk or
to this job? my current job. I high. That's about
also do data entry it"
and filing."
"I work too hard "I am hard to get
sometimes and along with.
7. What are get too tired I Sometimes I don't
your expect that others want to work hard,
weaknesses? will always do as especially if I was
good a job as I out late the night
will" before."
8. Tell about
"I reorganized the "I figured out how
a successful
filing system to to get the time
experience
make it more clock to not notice
you had on a
efficient." if I was late."
job.
9. Why did
you leave "I needed a new "I couldn't get
your last challenge" along with them"
job?
10. Why do "I have learned a "I think they are
you want to lot there, and it is going to fire me
leave your time to move on" soon"
current job?
11. Tell
"I had a
about a
disagreement with "I had a
problem you
my boss and we disagreement with
had at a job
sat down, talked my boss and I hit
and what
about it and him."
you did
worked it out."
about it.
"I used to get
angry at other
people if they
12. Tell
weren't doing
about a
their best and
mistake you "I stole money
once I hurt
made at once. If I had it to
someone's
work and do again I wouldn't
feelings by saying
what would get caught."
something. I
do
would be more
differently?
diplomatic and
understanding
now."
"I would like to be
13. What is working for this
your career company at a "I have no plan"
plan? management level
in five years."
14. Where "I would like to be "I don't know"
do you see sitting on the
yourself in other side of this
five years? table, having
 moved up in this
company"
"Is there much
opportunity for
growth and
training in this
job?
15. Do you Is there much
"Do you think you
have any evening or
are going to hire
questions for weekend work in
me?"
us? this job?
I have no
questions right
now, but can I let
you know later if I
think of any?"
Part Two:
Have the class come up with their own good and bad examples for the
questions below. Make sure to include any addition questions that the
class came up with. You can do this orally as a whole group, in small
groups, or as an individual writing assignment.

Example of a
Example of a Bad
Question Good
Answer
Answer
1. Tell us about
yourself
2. Why do you
want this job?
3. Why should
we hire your?
4. Why do you
want to work
for this
company?
5. What
experience do
you have that
relates to this
job?
6. What are
your
strengths?
7. What are
your
weaknesses?
8. Tell about a
successful
experience you
had on a job.
9. Why did you
leave your last
job?
10. Why do
you want to
leave your
current job?
11. Tell about
a problem you
had at a job
and what you
did about it.
12. Tell about
a mistake you
made at work
and what
would do
differently?
14. Where do
you see
yourself in five
years?
15. Do you
have any
questions for
us?

Activity Four: Practicing

In this activity, students put all of the preparation work into action.
They get to practice interviewing, and discuss, analyze and improve
along the way.

Here's a Tip: Take your time, if you need to. If a question surprises
you, you can say "I need a minute to think about that one." Don't
make them wait forever, but it's okay to take a minute to get your
thoughts together.

1. Everyone prepares a list a questions. They will ask these questions

when they play the role of employer. They don't have to stick to the
lists that have been used so far. In fact, it's good to add new ones.

2. Split up into small pairs. One person starts as the interviewer and
one as the job seeker. Tell the class what the job is in this practice
session or ask them to tell you what it is. Take about fifteen minutes
and then let the groups switch. Tell them it's okay if they don't get
through all their questions. (If a pair finishes really fast, you might
want to work with them. The "job seeker" is probably giving answers
that are way too short.)

3. Come back together as a whole group. Discuss what was easy, what
was hard, what surprised them, what was good, and what was bad...
← Ask for volunteers to demonstrate.
← Ask the class to suggest a scenario. (what is the job here?)
← Tell the volunteers that they can call "time out" whenever they get
stuck or need help
← Start the practice interview. Whenever one of the volunteers asks for
help, encourage suggestions and discussion. If no one ever calls "time
out," you can call time out to get discussion going.
← Discuss the whole interview when it is over.
← Ask for other volunteers to get more practice and more discussion.

4. Write a longer piece about interviewing.

• What's your opinion about interviewing? Do you like it or dislike it?
How do you handle it?
• How are you better prepared for an interview now?
• How do you need to get better prepared in order to do well at
interviews?
• What makes a good interview go well and what makes a bad interview
go bad?
• Imagine a good interview. Describe it and explain why it is good.
• Imagine a bad interview. Describe it and explain why it is bad.
• Write about your strengths and how you will discuss them in an
interview.
Write about the activities you did in class, what was helpful and what
was not helpful.