Interviewing Techniques. Review on Being Successful at Interviews

Using Employer Literature for Successful Interviews

Simply being informed about an employer does not guarantee a successful interview unless you can effectively use the information. Information about the employer’s products, financial data, opportunities or how they impact society is only helpful if you know how to tactfully ''weave'' your knowledge into the interviews. This is no easy task and simply spouting facts or statistics… or prefacing a question with a lot of memorized information… is not the answer.

Most employers have literature describing their organization and opportunities. Major employers provide annual reports and company literature while smaller organizations publish brochures, fact sheets and annual reports. Either way, it’s important for you to secure information on an employer before you interview – even if it’s just a copy of a job description.

Using Information in Answering Questions

Most of the questions you will be asked will not relate directly to the information in the literature. You are not being tested on how well you’ve memorized information on the organization. There are ways, however, to show how your skills and background meet the employer’s needs using the information you gain. Most interview questions can be answered in three to four statements if you’ve thought about the points you want to make beforehand. Some examples:

1.Question

''Why do you think you might want to work for this company?''

Response

''As I understand the job, there’s plenty of opportunity to be involved in both the planning of marketing strategies and the actual selling. Besides using my communications skills and knowledge of chemicals in direct selling, I believe I’m creative when it comes to marketing… and this diversity in the job appeals to me.''

2.Question

''I see you’re involved with a Spanish Club. What were some of the benefits from that experience?''

Response

''As secretary, I was responsible for organizing a display on Spanish literature for the Cultural Fair we sponsored. Most of my correspondence with publishing houses was done in Spanish and I feel this experience added a whole new business angle to my fluency. I would feel very confident communicating your international customers on the quality control programs mentioned in your literature.''

Preparation for an Effective Interview

This is a self-help exercise to aid you in organizing your thoughts in preparation for a successful interview. Respond to those questions that are relevant to your background. Elaborate as much as you can, but be specific. The questions in parentheses can guide you in responding to the primary question.

1.What information do I have concerning the company, organization, and/or job? (Where did I obtain this knowledge? Why am I interested in this position?)

2.What is my educational background? (How is my background relevant to the job? Specific classes, degrees?)

3.What is my work experience background? (How are my experiences relevant to the job? What skills did I use in previous experiences that are relevant to this job? What did I contribute in my past jobs?)

4.What are my career goals? (How are my goals related to the organization?)

5.What are my personal skills and abilities? (How do these skills relate to the future job? What are specific examples of how I used these skills?)

6.What interested me in seeking this job, organization? (How are my career goals related to my interest in the position? What knowledge do I have concerning the job, organization? How does my background relate to the skills in this position?)

7.My strengths are… (How did they develop? In what activities? How are they maintained?)

8.My weaknesses are… (How am I improving them?)

9.What additional information would I want the interviewer to be aware of? (Summarize if appropriate or add information that seems essential.)

10.Questions which I may want to ask the interviewer, i.e., what are the opportunities for promotion? What kind of training is provided?