Interview Prep boost student job acquisition (Part 2)
Mesa Legend
The importance of preparing for a job interview cannot be overstated. There is a good chance that there are dozens and perhaps even hundreds of people applying for the same position, so it is very important to make the best impression possible when going to an interview. In part one of this story, it was pointed out that researching the company or organization one is interviewing for and understanding the core competencies they are looking for in candidates is a good strategy.
These are great clues as to what areas will be covered when going to the interview. Many common competencies listed in job postings are things like: good communication skills, goal setting, time management and critical thinking skills. So one should already know that there is a very good chance that these things will come up in an interview. Knowing all this puts one in the perfect position to be prepared to answer these questions.
Just remember when answering questions in this type of interview to address the situation, the task at hand, the actions taken, and the result of that action. (the S.T.A.R system) “Details lend to credibility, specificity leads to credibility. If you can’t talk about the specifics of a situation, it’s very difficult for an interviewer and employer to get a sense of whether or not you’re a right match for their organization,” said Mylene Barizo, Vice President of Human Resources Recruiting at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Almost all interviewers will give an opportunity to ask them questions and one should be prepared with intelligent questions ask them. Questions like, “What do you like about working here?” and, “What’s a typical day like for someone in my position?” are good examples. This is a good opportunity to engage the interviewer in conversation. “The more you get me talking, the more I like you,” Barizo said. “If you can get those recruiters talking … Oh boy do they like you. And remember to ask them ‘what is the next step?’ Very rarely is there just on interview, so ask them what comes next, and how and when you should follow up.”
After the question and answer section of and interview, it’s important to be prepared for the close of the interview. Make sure to have business cards of the interviewers, and to thank the interviewer for their time and give a firm, professional handshake before leaving. Another useful practice is to have a pen and pad ready to jot down important notes and details that resulted from the interview for future reference.
Some other important things to consider is that it is important to be clean cut and dressed professionally, no matter what job you’re applying for when asked what the three basic things you can do for a job interview, Laurie Black from MCC’s Career Services said, “The three basic things would be to dress professional, introduce yourself and greet the employer, and be polite and confident throughout the interview.”
Unfortunately for some, having professional clothing for job interviews can be a challenge. There are some organizations in the Valley that offer professional clothing for those that need it for an interview. Dress for Success Phoenix, located at 1024 E. Buckeye Road provides professional clothing for women. St. Joseph the Worker offers interview attire for both men and women, with an office at 1125 W. Jackson St. To find out more, contact Dress for Success Phoenix for women only at (602) 489-7397, and St Joseph the Worker for men and women at (602) 417-9854.
