Andrea Interview Tips Part 1: Preparing for the Interview

An interview can be daunting, especially if the job in question is one you really want.  However, taking control of the interview process with thorough preparation is the best way to dispel the understandable "jitters" and ensure that the interview goes smoothly.  You cannot control whether you ultimately get the job, but you can control how well-prepared you are and whether or not you make a good impression.

In this series of two articles, Andrea Doven, a recognized human resources expert, gives some tips on preparing for an interview as well as on how to conduct yourself once you arrive.

• Be prepared.  It is impossible to guess at every question that you may be asked, but it is likely that certain topics will come up in any serious interview.  Review the "Top Ten" questions asked at most interviews or the "Forty Most Popular Interview Questions" to see how you would answer each.  It might even help to write out your answers, as writing involves a different set of skills that speaking and can often help you make connections between your knowledge and your expression of that knowledge.

• Know your history.  You will probably be asked about your job history, so familiarize yourself with the dates of various jobs you have held in the past and prepare a brief overview of what you did, emphasizing your skills and contributions to the company.  Be sure you never say anything detrimental about a former employer; if you left under less-than-ideal circumstances, be honest in saying that you were not the right fit for the company but that you learned a great deal while working there.  If you were fired, be candid about the fact but do not dwell on it.  Offer a simple explanation and move on.  

• Research industry trends.  Industry trends affect every type of business, and knowing about them can be the key to showing an employer that you take your job seriously.  At the very least, get a couple of periodicals related to the industry in which you are applying for a job and scan them for current events and issues.  You can then delve deeper into those topics by researching more online.  You may even want to begin a notebook of current articles related to your industry so that you can easily grab quotes or data for a written essay question, which some companies ask for on their applications, or as a quick reference in an interview.

• Make time for career preparation.  It is easy to let life get in the way, but it is very important for you to take interview planning seriously.  The right preparation could be the difference in whether or not you get the job, so banish the kids from your home office, put on some soft music and dive into your job search prep.  Be sure that you read over your resume and cover letter several times and have someone else do so as well.  

Preparing for an interview takes time and hard work but the results may well be worth the effort!

Andrea Interview Tips Part 2

If you have been called in for an interview, congratulate yourself: half the battle is over! Do not get too comfortable, however. An interview is another hurdle on the way to getting a job, and it is one you must clear with confidence in order to be successful. 

Human resources expert Andrea Doven offers some tips for a successful interview in the second of this two-part blog series.

• Arrive on time. It is amazing how many people arrive late to their own job interviews. You should be at least five minutes early and ten is actually better. That means leave earlier than you think you need to in case there is traffic or some other delay. Bring an industry periodical or something else to read if you arrive early or if you have to wait—hiring managers are often late, but that does not mean you can be!   

• Acquaint yourself with the company. Before you arrive, map out where you will be interviewing. Be sure to have all the information handy so that you know which office you are to report to, the names of any important people you will be speaking to and, if possible, the names of their secretaries. Also, you should try to secure a map of the building, particularly if it is large and the layout is complicated.

• Dress for success. Andrea Doven has come up with an entire video series on how to dress for an interview, but all the advice boils down to a simple rule: dress as if you already have the job you want. You are making an impression on your possible future employer, and you want the impression to be one that says "this person will represent our company with class and dignity." Depending on the job for which you are interviewing, you may wish to change your style somewhat, but a good rule of thumb is to dress in a way that would be appropriate for the person managing you. You can always scale back if you get the job to something more casual. Also, make sure your clothing is in good condition, and repair any tears, lost buttons, zippers or any other issues before you dress for the interview. If possible, carry a small sewing kit in your bag that would allow you to mend quickly in an emergency.

• Look them in the eye. A confident, poised manner is always attractive, and striking a balance between "too shy" and "too loud" is one of the challenges of an interview. It may help if you practice your technique with a good friend who will critique your performance. Better yet, film yourself and look for obvious postural or speech problems. When you arrive, look the interviewer in the eye and shake hands firmly with a pleasant smile. You will immediately look more professional and confident and win approval from the person who is going to interview you.

For these and other tips on interviewing well by Andrea Doven, watch her video series on YouTube.

Welcome to the A. Doven Blog

This is a blog for Mrs. Doven. We'll be updating this with all sorts of news related to Andrea. She'll be sharing her thoughts and insights in the world of Human Resources.