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Preparing for the Interview

An interview is the unique meeting of applicant and employer, where crucial judgments based on impressions are made. The typical interview offers very little time in which to persuade a stranger that you're the "right" person for the position. The secret is PREPARATION! It is essential that you research the company and the position before being interviewed for the first time. At Youngblood Staffing, your consultant will help you through this step by providing some company background and general work requirements for the specific job for which you are interviewing.

Little Things Do Make a Difference

• Make sure you know the exact time and place of each interview. Get the specifics. Give yourself plenty of time. Plan to arrive early.
  
• Make sure that you know the interviewer's name, the pronunciation, and the title.
  
• Carry several resumes. Make sure your resume contains all the vital information; but do not include areas that are not job-related (hobbies. interests. etc.).
  
• Carry a list of five to seven references, including their names, titles, and telephone numbers.

The DO's of Interviewing

• Shake hands firmly. A limp handshake implies a lack of confidence.
  
• Establish eye contact and greet the interviewer by name.
  
• Remain standing until a chair is offered. Once seated maintain good posture. Sitting upright shows interest and attentiveness.
  
• Maintain a positive attitude.
  
• Be self-confident and aggressive.
  
• Be articulate. Use proper diction and grammar. -Answer questions in detail. A simple "yes" or "no" doesn't demonstrate your ability to communicate or display your personality.
  
• Be honest, but avoid derogatory remarks about your past employers.
  
• Ask probing questions that highlight your interest. Try to concentrate on questions about the job duties, not just benefits and salary. (Too many questions about fringes may suggest a "what can you do for me" attitude.)
  
• ASK FOR THE JOB! ASK FOR A TIME FRAME. -Always end the interview with a warm "Thank you." Follow up with a thank you letter.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Most interviews contain similar questions. Employers are looking for sincere, well thought-out responses. Be prepared to answer:

• What are your short term/long term goals?
  
• Why are you seeking this position?
  
• What can you do for us that someone else cannot?
  
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  
• Why aren't you working now?
  
• What other positions are you seeking?
  
• Why do you want to leave your current job?
  
• What appealed to you most about this position?
  

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