Job Choices 2012 - Business - (Page 34)
secrets f you build a resume that speaks to employer needs, chances are good that you’ll be invited to interview. If you are, you’ll need to make sure that you present yourself as effectively in person as you did on paper (or online). By learning more about what an interview entails, practicing your answers to commonly asked questions, and planning for the interview overall, you will gain the skills and confidence necessary to impress an employer and, ultimately, receive a job offer. TO INTERVIEW SUCCESS by Tanya Misner Letourneau What to do before, during, and after an interview to increase your chances of getting a job offer. I • Sales and profit trends, • Possible future ventures. Incorporating your knowledge of the organization into the interview will impress the employer. Your preparedness will confirm your interest in working for the organization and allow you to demonstrate your awareness of any challenges it faces or needs that it has (and how you can help!). Prepare The purpose of an interview is for you and an employer to get acquainted, learn about one another, and explore the possibility of working together. If you are seriously interested in a career with a particular organization, you must know as much about the employer and industry as possible. Preparing for a job interview requires you to do some homework. You can research the organization and industry via the organization’s website and the Internet in general, your campus career center, business directories in your local library, and industry/trade journals. You also should ask the employer to send you company information and a complete job description for the position. As you research the organization, be sure to note: • Names and job titles of key contacts, • Whether the organization is privately or publicly owned, • Products and/or services, • Year of incorporation, • Number of employees, • Principal locations and subsidiaries, • Types of customers, • Key competitors, Practice You can never be sure what you will be asked during an interview, but certain questions are likely to arise. (See “Interview Q&A” on page 33.) Anticipate these questions and rehearse your responses to them in advance. Start by jotting down key concepts to include in your responses. Next, think through the responses in your head, then say them out loud. You may also want to practice them with a friend, or better yet, participate in a “mock interview” at your career center, where trained professionals can provide you with valuable feedback about your performance. continued on page 34 Questions You Can Ask • Would you describe an average day on the job? • What is the history of this position? Why is it vacant? • What aspects of the job would you like to see improved? • What are the key challenges and/or problems facing the person in this position? • Is there room for professional growth and upward mobility? • How would you describe the ideal candidate? • When, how, and by whom would I be evaluated? What are the performance criteria? • With whom would I be working? Who would be my supervisor? Who would I supervise? • What is the department’s environment/culture like? • What is the next step in the hiring process? Will there be additional interviews? • When will you make the hiring decision? May I call you? When is a good time? Article sponsored by 34/www.jobchoicesonline.com Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students: 2012
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