In answering questions, pause to give yourself time to compose an answer that is concise and thoughtful. Elaborate briefly on your applicable skills and related education and experience. Give examples whenever possible. Be specific. Be positive. In order to maintain the interviewer's focus on objective factors, you need to discuss special qualifications for the position several times during the interview, mentioning specific skills and related education and experience. What will be remembered are specific examples, not general concepts. Don't hesitate to be the initiator. Introduce information if you think it's important. Essentially, your job in the interview is to fill in between the lines of your resume. How does your previous experience relate to the job? How did your education prepare you for this job?
Asking questions
Ask questions if you need information. The questions you ask should not be those you should have already researched. Asking about the size of a company, where its headquarters are, what product it sells, and what the job you're applying for encompasses are not good questions. Good questions indicate you're aware of those variables. Good questions suggest you've done your homework. The difference between poorly-developed questions and well thought-out questions may be the difference between getting a job and not getting one.
To give some examples: you should not ask, "What products do you produce?" You might ask, "Are there plans to develop a new product line?" You should not ask, 'Tell me about the job." You might ask, "How much of my time will be spent in writing and research as opposed to community involvement?" You should not ask, "When will I get promoted?" You might ask, "What is the typical upward mobility of someone who comes to this company with my background?" In other words, you should not ask questions that are obvious or that you might have found answers to if you had done a little research. You should ask questions that demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of the job, occupation, and company.
The summary and closing
This is the last part of the interview, and it usually establishes the next step. After a positive concluding statement, such as, "Mr. Smith, I am convinced - now more than ever - that my skills and my back ground would be right for this position, and I would really like the job," you should find out when the decision will be made. Will there be another interview, and when? How soon can you expect to hear from them? Can you call to follow up? When? Who?
The follow-up
This step follows the interview and can be very important, if properly utilized. The follow-up is comprised of two different elements: the evaluation, and the thank-you letter.
The evaluation is the where you sit down and analyze the interview, Before you begin, you need to ask yourself whether you want the job you applied for. If not, make sure you understand why. Is it the company you don't want to work for? Is it the industry? Is it the inter viewer? Is it the wrong job? If so, why? What elements don't you like? What elements do you like? What did you learn about yourself that will help you target a job that you'll like better?
On the other hand, if you do want the job, did you sell yourself well? Does the interviewer know why you're a capable candidate? Did you relate your skills to the position you're seeking? Did you evidence an understanding of what the job encompasses, and did you explain why you could do a good job? Were you enthusiastic? Did you demonstrate your interest? Did you ask for the job?
Whatever you did or did not do, make note of it - there's always room for improvement - but also realize that '*the opera isn't over until the fat lady sings." In other words, you still have one more opportunity to sell yourself; to convince the employer that you're the right person for the position. That's the thank-you letter, which is the second element of the follow-up.
Gene Ross, Director of Recruitment & Placement at Bullock's, best describes the value of the thank-you letter.
"A lot of people don't send one," he said. "Those who do, it's noticed. I think it's a good thing, and if you can say something more than 'thank you' in the note - something more than a banality of some kind - it can make it more meaningful. If someone is on the fence about you, maybe a well-written thank-you note will make them think about you again, and consider you further." What's important to remember from this statement is “that it's a good thing if you can say something more than thank you”. Think of the thank-you letter as another sales letter. What you're trying to do is dose the deal. A good thank-you letter will tell the interviewer something he doesn't already know about you. You might tell him what you learned in the interview. You might relate your skills more clearly to the position you're seeking. You might tell him how excited you are about his company and why you want to work there. A good sales thank-you letter, such as the following ones, should excite the reader.
As you can tell, each of these letters is highly individualized, and is tailored to the company, the industry, and the person with whom the student interviewed. That's as it should be. Once again, the thank-you letter may be your last opportunity to explain how your background will meet an employer's needs. It is an important selling tool if you understand its function.
In the letter, refer to specific points discussed, or highlight facts about your background that are pertinent to the position you're seeking, and which will set you apart from other candidates. Be specific. The thank-you letter is your opportunity to add any information in support of your application that you may have neglected to mention in the interview.
Use it well!
