SIU Carbondale College of Business Career Guide

INTERVIEW PREPARATION Interviews allow employers to assess you as a complete person, rather than just your qualifications on the printed page. Employers want to gauge whether or not you would be a good “fit” for their organization. This is also an opportunity for you to find out the same thing about the employer. Most employers consider the interview to be the most important part of the hiring decision.

Key Points to Remember: Do: ƒ ƒ Arrive 10-15 minutes early ƒ ƒ Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer ƒ ƒ Use a firm, professional handshake ƒ ƒ Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions ƒ ƒ Be aware of your body language; maintain good posture, appear relaxed and not fidgety ƒ ƒ Show enthusiasm, confidence, courtesy, and honesty ƒ ƒ Keep a positive attitude about former employers, supervisors, and co-workers; be tactful and do not criticize former employers even if discussing an unpleasant situation ƒ ƒ Maintain a professional image-don’t let the employer’s casual approach fool you ƒ ƒ Always present the best of your background and qualifications ƒ ƒ At the close of the interview, establish a date for your next communication ƒ ƒ Always remember to thank the interviewer for his/her time Don’t: ƒ ƒ Give terse or rambling answers to questions; find a balance ƒ ƒ Be too casual with language or use non-words (“thinking words” like “um...” “uh...”) ƒ ƒ Address the interviewer by his/her first name unless invited to do so ƒ ƒ Dominate the interview or appear arrogant; do not interrupt the interviewer when he/she is speaking ƒ ƒ Criticize yourself or your former employers ƒ ƒ Discuss your personal problems What to Bring: ƒ ƒ Directions to the interview site ƒ ƒ Name(s) and title(s) of interviewer(s) ƒ ƒ Extra copies of your resume ƒ ƒ Reference lists ƒ ƒ Portfolio of work samples, if applicable ƒ ƒ Good quality pen and pencil ƒ ƒ Leather folder (black or dark color) or briefcase

What Employers Look for in a Candidate ƒ ƒ Self-confidence/ability to communicate ƒ ƒ Work ethic; teamwork, leadership, initiative, flexibility, ability to handle conflict ƒ ƒ Intelligence, critical thinking ƒ ƒ General personality: poise, enthusiasm, creativity, high energy level, interpersonal skills ƒ ƒ Personal management, self- knowledge ƒ ƒ Qualifications-Can you relate your academic program, skills, and/or prior work or internship experience to the needs of an employer

21