Interview 101

[Freddy Schurr]

Last minute by today I have a interview around 1:00 and I wanted to know what I should do and what I should NOT do. Anyone got a tips/suggestions?

[Kyle Love]

"dress to impress"- Wear some nice clothes, but not over the top...
"speak english"- Keep the g on the end of words...makes you sound smart lol
"greet with a frim handshake"- I heard in a middle school class it gains trust in your skills.

If you tell me what place you are having an interview at that would help...lol

[Freddy Schurr]

it for a college-level tobacco mentorship program

tigertrons post number, woo, who

[Kyle Love]

Yeah, dress in like a collared shirt and khakis, if you have them, if not wear the nicest pants you have. Just mainly use common sense, don't make any comments that might be found "inappropriate".

[Enterprize]

Be confident. If you look like you're unsure of yourself they'll be unsure of you too, and pick someone who is more sure of themself.

[Katie Reynolds]

Some customer at work today was complaining she was so tired, because she stayed up til 3 am to help her 15 year old daughter prepare for a job interview. At a grocery store.

Don't do that.

Some oddball questions I've been asked at interviews are:

"What was the last book you read? What was your favorite part?"

"What's your favorite song and why?"

"Tell me the best experience you had with a customer at a former job."

"Quick - what's thirty divided by three?" (In the middle of something else)

"What was the name of the first pet you ever had? How old were you?"


Depending on what you'll be doing on the job, be prepared to do a basic skills test (math, organizing, alphabetizing, filing, typing, etc)

Overall, dress well, get some sleep the night before, eat a good meal before you go and don't put too much stress on yourself to have "the perfect interview" - no interview is ever perfect! Also, it helps to have your social security card and driver's license handy, in case you get the job right away.

Good luck!!

[Ben Lauer]

EYE CONTACT!!!! - Imo if you greet them with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact, it helps you stay more focused and makes the interviewer trust you.

Becuase it if for a mentorship, I try and find out what thier dress code is, and match it. Usually Business Casual, Button Down shirt and nice pants. I usually go for the long sleeved button down and my decent suit pants, with a belt AND dress shoes.

[petek]

Mostly it's basic How to Make Friends and Influence People stuff:

Show up 5 - 15 min early, but not earlier and absolutely not late;
Remember to breathe;
Make eye contact;
Enunciate;
Repeat the other person's name when you meet ("Glad to meet you Fred");
Listen well. Avoid interrupting - a person who mostly listens will make a better impression than one who talks alot;
Ask questions - even "dumb" ones (no such thing, yada) show you're interested;
Make sure you get your interviewer(s) contact info before you leave ("May I call you if I have any questions?", "May I have your business card?"), and then be sure to send a note of thanks to your main contact, and also to any others who seemed to take interest in you. These days email is accepted, but I still like to send a snail mail followup to the main contact;

Good luck!

[Freddy Schurr]

Interview when good yesterday, arrive 15 mins late but it was ok. I should find out by the end of next week if I recieve the job or not.

[Freddy Schurr]

Hey, for everyone to know

I did not recieve the position but its OK because I am going to stay involve in the program but helping in the county program. Hey it also gives me more time to be involve with FIRST ROBOTICS AND MY TEAM, so thats a good thing.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[nehalita]

Okay i have a question related but not exactly the same (it works with the subject so i figured i might as well...)

I'm going to an interview for a college sometime soon and I wanted to know what the standard is to where. My mom said nonsleeve is out of the question and i heard black is a no-no. Sometimes i've heard to wear a business suit and sometimes i've heard "no way!" Basically I'm confused. Anyone care to shed light on this subject? Much thanks.

[Timothy D. Ginn]

Originally Posted by nehalita

I'm going to an interview for a college sometime soon and I wanted to know what the standard is to where. My mom said nonsleeve is out of the question and i heard black is a no-no. Sometimes i've heard to wear a business suit and sometimes i've heard "no way!" Basically I'm confused. Anyone care to shed light on this subject? Much thanks.

I know at Queen's the standard is business casual unless otherwise indicated; but, depending on where you're going that may be different. If they haven't said anything, though, business casual is generally a good thing to assume (though it is, unfortunately, a bit of a range in itself).

...but, at Queen's there's technically no dress code for anyone (staff/students/faculty) even though some departments (e.g. Physical Plant Services) have uniforms people don't have to wear them and most people don't always do so. So, I'm not entirely sure if we're a typical situation or not.

[Jessica Boucher]

Originally Posted by nehalita

Okay i have a question related but not exactly the same (it works with the subject so i figured i might as well...)

I'm going to an interview for a college sometime soon and I wanted to know what the standard is to where. My mom said nonsleeve is out of the question and i heard black is a no-no. Sometimes i've heard to wear a business suit and sometimes i've heard "no way!" Basically I'm confused. Anyone care to shed light on this subject? Much thanks.

For college, I've found that the middle of the road seems to work best. Wear everything of the suit except for the jacket itself. A nice, button down shirt paired with a skirt or nice slacks (I would suggest a tie, for the men...and nothing too nuts: I have a friend who owns a tie from a series designed in the spirit of Beatles songs...it has "HELP!" written in huge letters all over it. That's something I would not suggest.). Conservative accessories. And turn your cell phone off!

This way you're not over the top but you're still aiming to make a good impression. Of course, be comfortable with the clothes you're wearing. If they're going to not let you in because you didn't wear a jacket, then it's probably a place you wouldn't want to be at anyway.