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The
Interview: A Major Step in the Job Search
Auburn, June 1---The
goal of any job search is to land the job of choice. One of the
hurdles job applicants must get over to reach that goal is the
interview.
 Since
there are many types of interviews, knowing the type of interview
you will have helps you better prepare, says Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson,
a community workforce development specialist with the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System.
Most interviews fall
into one of three groups -- screening, individual or committee.
The screening interview
is designed to narrow or weed out the number of applicants to one or
two, and may be handled in one of three ways. Applicants may meet
one-on-one with a company representative or interviewer who asks a
set of pre-determined questions. The interviewer may be looking for
inconsistencies between the applicant's answers to questions and the
information provided in the applicant's cover letter or resume.
Robinson says it is a
good idea to read both (resume and cover letter) prior to going to
any type of interview. Keep answers factual and brief.
"If you volunteer
too much information, you may be perceived as exaggerating; if you
offer too little information, you may be perceived as unprepared.
Leave the screener thinking that you are knowledgeable and
professional and wanting to know more about you," she says.
Group interviews are
another type of interview designed to screen applicants. During this
type of interview, several applicants are brought together in an
informal, discussion-oriented setting. The interviewer introduces a
topic and facilitates the discussion. The objective of the interview
is to check interaction with others. Those who do well are generally
asked back for a second interview.
Companies sometimes set
up telephone interviews. The purpose of telephone interviews is to
see how well an applicant can "think on his or her feet."
When preparing for a telephone interview, Robinson suggests making a
list of possible questions with brief, appropriate answers. Keep the
question-and-answer list, a pad and pencil, and a copy of your cover
letter and resume next to the phone, she says.
When the call comes, be
friendly, but professional. Don't be overly chatty or funny. Keep
answers concise, focusing on your skills and experience. Take notes
you can refer to when you have the opportunity to ask questions.
The individual interview
is generally reserved for the top two or three candidates who have
the necessary skills. The purpose of this type of interview is to
establish how well the candidate fits into the company and to what
degree his or her skills complement those of coworkers and
colleagues.
Individual interviews
may be conducted in an office setting or over lunch or dinner.
Regardless of where it is conducted, the applicant's goal is to find
common ground with the interviewer. The conversation should clearly
demonstrate how the applicant's skills and experience would benefit
the company.
The committee interview
is also reserved for the top two or three candidates. In this type
of interview, several people who have a stake in who is hired ask
questions of the candidate. As with the individual interview, all or
part of the interview may be over lunch or dinner. The proper
protocol for ordering food and meal etiquette in such instances is
to follow the lead of the one who set up the interview.
It is a common practice
in the committee interview to be asked to give a presentation or
demonstration. In most cases, the candidate will be given advance
notice. However, if not, it is wise to ask the person setting up the
interview. Remember, at this point, you want to convince each
interviewer that you are the right person for the job.
SOURCE: Dr. Jacquelyn
Robinson, Extension Community Workforce Development Specialist,
Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-5353
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