Interviewing Guide

SUNY Westchester Community College  Career Services Interview Guidelines 2017-2019 6 Job Interviews… The Basics Where Do I Begin….Preparation?….Why Bother?? Before you schedule any interviews, it is important to be thoroughly prepared. Just as you did some homework to create a more effective resume, your preparation for the interview will help you do a better job. You will make a better impression with the interviewer if you can clearly identify your strengths and how they blend with the mission and culture of the organization. Being well prepared can also eliminate or reduce anxiety, help you focus your thoughts and aid in communicating your skills and qualifications to the specific needs of the employer and the position. Everyone gets nervous during an interview; feeling prepared and ready will help to minimize that anxiety so you will be able to do the best possible job. Effective interviewing is a learned skill. Preparing for an interview involves the following areas: 1. Analyzing your strengths and weaknesses 2. Knowing about the needs of your career area of interest 3. Researching the specific company/organization where you will be interviewing 4. Making a list of possible questions to ask the interviewer 5. Practice answering questions you might be asked by the interviewer 6. Determining what you will wear and bring to the interview Self-Analysis Make a list of your accomplishments (use your resume to help you). As you did in your resume, emphasize your transferable and marketable skills. Think about your level of motivation and enthusiasm for the position. Think about what sets you apart from other candidates. What is special about you that will make an employer want to hire you? Career experts consistently mention the following transferable skills as vital for new graduates:  Communication skills (oral and written)  Teamwork/group/interpersonal skills  Leadership skills  Work-ethic traits, such as drive, stamina/energy, effort, self-motivation, diligence, ambition, initiative, reliability, positive attitude toward work, professional appearance, punctuality, ethical behavior, flexibility, honesty  Logic, intelligence, proficiency in field of study These five skill clusters are considered the most important in your first post-college job, and some or all of them will be required in just about any job in your career path. It is therefore very important to communicate to a prospective employer how you possess these skills. Consider transferable skills you have attained exclusively in the classroom:  Ability to meet/thrive under deadline pressure  Ability to handle multiple tasks