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The Interview
The work doesn't stop with the resume and cover letter. If you get an interview, you need to prepare for it.
Write it down
Make sure to actually write out your answers — practicing your answers is an important part of preparation, and having to make a list in advance will help you focus on what makes you a good candidate for the job.
- Know the company you're applying to. Is it a national chain or locally owned? How many people work there? What does it do? Research the company well, so you have an idea of what to expect before you even shake hands with the interviewer.
- Know the community. How many people live there year-round? How many people live there over the summer? Where are visitors from? What are some of the local hotspots and otherwise popular places?
- What skills are important in the job? How well do you fulfill those elements?
If you're applying to work at a restaurant, for example, the elements might be good people skills, ability to handle stressful situations and ability to get along with others. Write down a couple specific examples of how you do all three of those things.
- Come up with several questions to ask the employer during or after the interview. Employers want to see that you're eager and engaged. Ask questions about the position you're applying for; whether there's room for advancement; if they hire the same people back year after year; hours and breaks; etc.
Don't ask about payment. Let the employer bring that up.
- Many employers ask about future plans, i.e, "Where do you want to be in five years?" It's wise to prepare an answer for such questions in advance, even if it doesn't seem like a necessary question for the job you're applying for.
Interview etiquette
- Dress appropriately. Even if you're applying to be a dishwasher, you still want to make a good impression. For men: Dress pants or khakis, button-down shirts and, if appropriate, a tie. For women: dress pants, khakis, or a skirt, and a blouse or button-down shirt.
- Make eye contact. Don't look at the floor or the hanging plant in the corner of the room when you're talking. Look at the people you're talking to so they don't think your mind is on something else during the interview.
- Speak with confidence. Don't add qualifiers like "maybe" and "I guess." Try to avoid too many "uhhs" and "umms."
- Practice your interview in a mirror or in front of friends or family. Try reading or practicing the answers you've prepared for potential questions out loud until you can do them at ease in your own words, rather than a rigid list of attributes.
- Don't chew gum.
- Make sure you know where you're going, and make sure you get there 5-10 minutes early. Take a moment to review your worksheet before entering the building. Don't enter the building too early; you don't want to start an interview by making the interviewer feel rushed.
- Be courteous and polite during the interview. Even if your interview is informal, keep in mind that you should be, above all, professional. An interview is not the time to be trying out your stand-up material, or talking about how unpleasant your last batch of co-workers (or boss) was.
- Write a thank-you note. This will help set you apart from other applicants, and will show the interviewer that you appreciate them taking time out of their day for you. Make sure you have the correct title and spelling of the people who interview you. The note should be sent no later than a day or two after the initial interview.
Note cards should be simple and written by hand. Make sure to include specific details from your interview, not just something generic like, "Thank you for taking time to interview me." If you and your interviewer have a conversation about sports or music or anything that could set you apart from others, include it in the note.
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