The interview: some how-to tips

There’s no golden ‘secret’ to having a successful interview—especially because no two interviews are exactly alike. That said, the following tips can certainly help you approach an interview situation with confidence, and keep you focused throughout the conversation.

1. Be prepared
Learn what you can about an organization before you interview for a position. Check the web, the newspaper, an annual report or company brochure—anything that will help you understand the organization better. And if you have questions of your own, write them down. Being well-informed and inquisitive are a great ways to make a strong first impression.

2. Get to know you
It may seem odd at first, but spend some time reviewing your own credentials; think about what your experience can bring to the position you’ve applied for. Consider how you might answer a few common interview questions, such as those below. Even if they aren’t asked specifically, they can still help you prepare to talk about yourself.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What accomplishment are you most proud of?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What’s the most challenging thing you’ve ever done?

3. Be on time
Don’t give Murphy’s Law the chance to complicate your day. Leave early for an interview to avoid being caught in traffic or missing a transit connection.

4. Be yourself
At the start of the actual interview, give a firm handshake and be ready to make a little small talk. Interviewers like to know how candidates conduct themselves socially as well as professionally; let a little of your personality shine through. Maintaining eye contact is a great way to convey sincerity, confidence and interest.

5. Consider your answers
You may find yourself presented with a difficult question at some point during an interview—maybe about personal feelings toward your last employer or conflicts in the workplace. Choose your words carefully and be as positive as possible. Rather than criticize a past boss or co-worker, talk about the professional ways in which you might handle a challenging situation.

6. Show your enthusiasm
At the end of an interview, be sure to ask any questions that might have occurred to you. And confirm that the interviewer has covered everything he or she wanted to. If you’re genuinely interested in the position, say so. It’s also a good idea to follow up afterward with a phone call or letter of thanks; this reinforces the good impression you’ve made and confirms your continued interest.

About the interview
There are probably some specific things your interviewer wants to learn about you—strengths and characteristics important to the job in question. Depending on what these are, the interview will follow one of the approaches outlined below. In fact, most sessions incorporate elements of all four interview types. You increase your chances of success when you’re able to identify the kind of question you’re being asked.

TYPE 1: Behavioral Interview
In this type of session, your interviewer will want to learn about the ways past experiences have contributed to your character. Your job in this situation is to tell focused, insightful stories about yourself, and in the process reveal personal and professional traits that relate to the position you’ve applied for. You might, for instance, be asked to describe how you’ve used your teamwork skills to meet a challenge.

TYPE 2: Case Interview
Rather than consider past circumstances, a case interview poses hypothetical questions. How would you react in given situation? What steps would you take to achieve a desired result? In these cases, there’s not necessarily one right answer. Instead, the interviewer hopes to gain an understanding of your decision-making abilities.

TYPE 3: Personal Interview
In these cases, an interviewer wants to learn more about the “real” you: what you’re looking for in a career, hobbies, interests, and unique characteristics. By nature, a personal interview is not rigidly formal; think of it as a conversation with an old classmate.

TYPE 4: Situational Interview
As in a case interview, a situational interview seeks to determine your potential—often by role-playing, with you and the interviewer acting out a workplace scenario. This type of interview can be intimidating, but don’t worry. The interviewer understands the pressure you’re under—and that there’s no way for you to prepare for something like this. If you can keep a cool head and demonstrate a little professional judgment, you’re sure to come through strongly.