References
When an employer becomes interested in you as a candidate, they will likely want one or more references they can contact. References are used to confirm the things you have said about yourself and your background.
The ones that have the most impact are those from previous supervisors, especially the supervisor from your last job. If you have not worked recently, a professor who knows you well will do equally well, especially if that person is in your field of interest. Avoid using individuals who have not seen you in a work setting. Do not use relatives, personal friends, etc.
Tell your references up in advance. Ask anyone you are considering if they would be willing to serve as a reference for you. Most people will accept, although some will decline if they feel they do not know you well enough. Discuss with them your career plans and the type of position you are currently seeking. As you are asked for your references by employers, let your references know who is likely to give them a call. Help your references and yourself by briefing them on the specifics of the position, the organization and the aspects of your background in which the employer is most likely to be interested.
As a courtesy to your references, don't give out their names to more people than necessary. Some organizations routinely check all references of applicants prior to interviews. Having your references receive too many calls is abusive of the favor they are doing for you. Do not put the names on your resume, but instead wait until you are asked for them or have to provide them on an application.
Panel interviews are those conducted by a group of three to fifteen people. They are common with positions in government and educational institutions. Not all members of the panel are there to evaluate your qualifications. Some members may just be interested in your views on the school, agency or community.
Be a good listener, answer questions briefly and let the panel deter mine the direction of the interview. Panel interviews are often conducted under tight time constraints (perhaps every fifteen minutes), so take special care to give concise answers. When asked questions by several members at once, pause, think, and respond to one question at a time. You may need to ask that a question be restated. Begin and end your response by directly addressing the person who asked the question. If it is a long response, try to establish eye contact with as many of the other members of the panel as possible.
The Second Interview
If your first interview is successful, you will be asked for a second interview for further evaluation. The following suggestions can assist you in planning for and handling this interview with confidence.
Preparing For Your Visit
If you are traveling out of town be sure to make arrangements in advance.
The company will usually pay your expenses if it is a second interview.
Be sure you know the logistics involved before you leave. Will the company representative make reservations for you (airline, hotel, car) or are you expected to do this. If it is up to you, consult a travel agent. You need to be as rested as possible on the day of your interview and so should minimize the stress caused by travel arrangements. Second inter views usually last the better part of a day, so don't plan anything else for that day.
Whatever your expenses are, be sure to keep receipts for your own taxes or to submit to the company's accounting office. Some companies reimburse you at the time of your visit. They "walk" your papers through accounting, and give you a check at the end of the day. Do not expect cash. Other companies mail you the reimbursement. If you are visiting two companies on the same trip and they have both offered to finance the trip, you should notify each company so that they may share the expense of your visit.
Complete any necessary employer forms and send them in advance of your arrival. It is a good idea to bring copies of these forms with you as well as extra copies of your resume. Plan your wardrobe. Bring a small notebook with you. Reread company literature and jot down further questions that you may have. Call the person who invited you back if you have additional items that need to be clarified for the second interview.
The Day of Your Visit
At the onset, be sure you understand the position for which you are interviewing. A typical progression might start at the organization's personnel office and a chat with the recruiter with whom you initially met.
You will probably then meet with your potential supervisor, that person's manager, and other co-workers. At the end of the day there may be a final conference with a personnel representative.
Some firms provide you with a typed agenda of the day's interviews, giving the name, title, and areas of responsibility of each person with whom you will be talking. Try to understand how each person on your schedule relates to the others. If you are not provided with this information, ask for it and take notes. It's very important that you ask questions throughout the day; this will demonstrate your interest and knowledge of the organization.
Be prepared for different types of interviews including the "pragmatic" interview. In it an employer may outline a problem which the company is currently facing and ask you for suggestions on how to solve it. Remember that most employers really do not expect a solution, but are more interested in the way you approach the problem and analyze possible alternatives. Always ask for more information about the situation, before formulating your response.
Although less commonly used today, another type of interview is the "stress" interview. The stress interview is intentionally difficult. Stay calm and think carefully about your responses. Do not be afraid to take time to think through your answers. The object of the stress interview is to evaluate your behavior and maturity in difficult situations. Such an interview may come at the end of the day when you are tired and feel most defenseless.
Some firms use psychological testing. These are usually written tests, and are designed to evaluate your suitability for a particular type of assignment-sales, for example. These too have become less common in recent years.
Follow-Up
If you do receive a verbal offer, you should certainly express your interest, but it is probably best to ask for some time to consider the offer, especially if you are hoping for offers from other organizations as well. It is always a good idea to request a written confirmation of the offer. Such a letter will probably cover fringe benefits, moving arrangements, etc. Discuss with the company an acceptable time frame in which to make your decision.
When you return home, take time to write a letter of appreciation. This will also demonstrate your continued interest in the opportunity. If you do not hear from the employer within two to three weeks, you should call to inquire about the status of your candidacy.
How to be an "Ideal" Candidate Even if You Are Not
Employers hope to hire applicants that seem to be nearly a perfect match for their open positions. Yet the screening process focuses first on looking for reasons to eliminate applicants in order to arrive at a manageable number to interview for each position, say five to seven individuals. To the extent that those candidates can quickly be identified from among all who apply, the job can be filled sooner and the work can continue.
This all means that the initial screening process is apt to be very general in order to exclude broad categories of candidates. This is why seemingly small factors, such as a misspelled word on your resume, can have a significant effect on your chances of success. The same is true for other details throughout your interactions with a potential employer. Here are some guidelines for how to be the best candidate you are capable of being.
Be Dynamic
Often job hunters present themselves as only being average candidates, whereas with minimal effort they could easily be quite impressive. For example, if your resume does not stand out from most of the other resumes that you have seen, focus on how it could be more impressive. You could brain storm about possible improvements on your own, with a friend, or with a counselor in your Career Planning and Placement Center. Ask yourself what factors make you a unique applicant and expand those categories. Any product has to have unique marketable characteristics.
Relate Past Experience and Future Plans to the Position
Try to show how your work/life experience has prepared you for this specific position and how it would move you toward your future goals and objectives. Explain why you and the position seem perfect for each other.
Avoid Being Negative
Be careful not to project any insecurity you may feel about your qualifications. Either in writing or verbally, do not dwell on your shortcomings or those of others with whom or for whom you have worked. Do not offer negative information. Be honest about answers, but not blunt Honesty involves factually answering questions, bluntness involves volunteering negative information the interviewer may or may not want to hear. Answer questions by trying to include information that also points to your strengths, achievements, qualifications, and goals.
