Frequently Asked Questions
What if the interviewer suggests a date and/or time that is
inconvenient fore me? Don't be afraid to tell the interviewer if the time
and/or date suggested conflicts with another interview or with mandatory work or
a personal commitment. Politely and briefly explain that you are unable to
interview then. Always be prepared to suggest alternate times and/or dates right
away to demonstrate your willingness to interview and your flexibility. In this
case, it's particularly important to reinforce your interest in the position so
the interviewer doesn't think you aren't interested in the position.
How much time should I allow for an interview? Campus interviews
generally last 1/2 hour.
When you arrange or confirm an onsite interview, it's okay to ask approximately
how long you can expect to be there. Even so, be prepared for the
possibility that an employer may want you to meet, informally or formally,
with some of their colleagues. This is especially true if you hit it off
with your interviewer. That's why it's important to leave extra time in
your schedule for an interview.
What if the interview comes up suddenly and I have only a day to do
my research?
Ideally, you should try to schedule the interview at least a couple of
days ahead so that you have ample time to do your homework. If, for some
reason, you must interview on short notice, do the best you can. A quick
trip to the library, a scan of Internet resources, and a brief
conversation with a few key people who know about the organization and/or
industry can help you ace the interview.
What should I wear to an interview if it's on a casual Friday?
Even on a Casual Day don't dress casually. Remember that you're still
going to an interview. Please see the section on dressing. You
should show respect for the fact that you're a guest at an organization
and that you're there to discuss business, not just blend in with the
crowd.
What if I arrive at the interview site really early or late?
If you're more than 20 minutes early, don't go to the reception area. Take
a walk around the block, find a bookstore or cafe, and park yourself for a
little while. Just don't lose track of time or you may end up being late
for the interview. Don't be late!!!
What if I can't get a word in edgewise during the interview?
Politely tell the interviewer that you'd like to mention one thing before
you leave. And then concisely pitch to him how you skills relate to what
he's been talking about the whole time. And if you have any questions, ask
them. Then thank the interviewer for his time. You don't want to end up in
a power struggle with the interviewer. Especially because an inexperienced
interviewer may feel threatened, rather than impressed, by such a stance.
A preoccupied interviewer may be unwilling or unable to follow your lead.
As you go along or at the end, connect your main selling points and
summarize how they make you the top candidate for the job. This approach
will make you come across to the interviewer as articulate, focused, and
able to meet their needs without upsetting the balance of power between
you and the interviewer. If, for some reason, the interviewer doesn't let
you talk at all or complete what you want to say, thank him for his time.
Raise your points in a thank you letter and take the opportunity to really
sell how you can meet their needs.
What if the interviewer asks me directly to share a negative
experience?
This is fairly common, tough question. For example, they may ask you to
tell them something about a difficult boss. Or they may ask you to
describe a failure. If you must discuss a negative experience, be as
neutral as possible-never bitter. And talk about how you resolved it and
what you learned from the experience. The interviewer really wants to know
how you handle difficult situations as well as what you've learned from them.
These insights will help the interviewer determine how you're likely to
handle challenges in the future.
What if I'm not sure that this position is my first choice?
Be positive, but honest. Tell the interviewer that you're very interested
in the position, that you're confident that you can be an immediate asset
to their organization, and that you'd like to call them next week to check
on how their decision is going. Just leave out the parts about how you're
available on a few days notice and how this is your first choice over all
the others you're being considered for. You can pitch yourself strongly
for any position that you're interested in by tailoring the end of the
interview to your terms.
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