Interview Check List

• Prepare for the interview by having adequate information on the position and the client company. You may get this information in a variety of ways (recruiter, company website, company brochures, etc.) Have a few questions that you have prepared in advance about the company or industry. This will show you have done your homework and care about the position for which you are applying.

• Dressing professionally shows respect. We recommend that both men and women choose conservative business attire (not trendy) for any interview. Always make sure that you dress one stage up from the interviewer. If the company wears business casual, you wear a dress or shirt and tie. If they dress in a dress or shirt and tie, you wear a tie and sport coat. If it is a management position you wear a suit. The same applies to women’s attire. Remove any unnecessary jewelry. Keep perfume and cologne to a minimum.

• Have the following prepared before you arrive:
  • A professional notebook and pen to take notes
  • 3 copies of your resume
  • List of references in case it is requested

• Get plenty of sleep the night before, eat before you leave and do not smoke before the interview.

• Arrive 10 minutes before your interview is to begin. We suggest you arrive 15 minutes early and wait in your car until 10 minutes before the interview. Greet everyone you meet, including the receptionist, with a smile.

• Stand and shake the hand of every person as they enter or exit the room.

• Remember that Behavioral Interviewing is becoming a very popular form of interviewing because it helps an employer make predictions about your future behavior based on how you’ve handled situations in the past. Questions are generally open ended and require thought on your part. It is important for you to be very specific in your answers, giving real life examples. Vague or general answers will not give them any information. Examples of behavioral interview questions include:
  • Tell me about a recent situation where you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
  • Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were not able to meet or achieve it.
  • If you saw a co-worker doing something unsafe, what would you do?
  • Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor? How did you handle it?
  • What has been your most rewarding accomplishment?

• Make sure you get the proper name and spelling of every person that you interview with that day. A business card is the most secure way to have the proper information.

• Send a follow-up note, handwritten or via email, the same day as the interview thanking them for the opportunity. Make sure to check for spelling or grammar errors before sending.

• Call your recruiter right after the interview, giving them feedback while it is still fresh in your mind. Tell your Workforce recruiter if you are interested in pursuing the opportunity if the client company wants to go forward. Also discuss any reservations that you may have with regard to the position.