Interviewing Guide

SUNY Westchester Community College  Career Services Interview Guidelines 2017-2019 10 Research your Career Area When selling yourself for a job, it is important to sell within the context of what the organization and career area need. Review the job description for clues as to the qualities the employer is seeking and be prepared to discuss how you have those qualities. Be sure that you are fully aware of the skills and educational background for the career area in which you are seeking employment. Think about what led you to choose your major, what intrigued you about that area; what qualities make for a successful professional in that area. Familiarize yourself with career material related to that major; learn about the nature of the work, working conditions, training requirements, earning potential, future job outlook and career paths. The more you know about the skills and abilities needed for the field, the better you will be able to sell your skills and training for the position. It is your job to clearly understand and communicate how you have the skills necessary to be successful in the field. Reflect on accomplishments from your past that demonstrate the qualities needed for the field and those that you enjoy and want to use in the future. Examples can come from many areas of your life such as past jobs, volunteer experiences and class assignments. Think of projects where your role was integral to the success of the project.  Use the internet as well as the Career resources in the appendix to help you with researching careers  Check the college & Careers section in the Westchester Community College library  Talk with your professors and/or other professionals in the field to get information about the career area  Research professional organizations and associations - every career field has a professional organization that provides career information to current and prospective members. They can be great resources for information, networking and potential informational interviews Research the Specific Company/Organization Learning as much as you can about the organization with whom you have an interview will give you the opportunity to sell the strengths you know they are seeking. Just as you should know the “product” (you), it is important to know the “customer” (the organization) who is looking to “buy”(hire) the product. The more you know about your “customer” the better able you will be to convince them that you are the “product” they want. You will be able to sell yourself in a way to which they can relate. Employers will expect you to be very familiar with what the company has to say about itself both in print and on the web before you come to an interview. It proves to them that you have done your homework and are sincerely interested in their organization. The company’s website is the best source for information. It can give you some insight into the mission/corporate culture of the organization as well as how they position themselves to potential customers. Many firms have a careers section that can give you information about their hiring policies, advancement opportunities and general structure of their organization. Additionally, you should research what others say about this firm; other publications- books, magazines, internet sites, etc. Some suggested sites include: