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Preparing for a Job Interview
As an applicant, you can prepare for the interview in three ways:- Learn all you can about the job and the organization before the interview.
- Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask about the job, the organization, promotional opportunities, pay, and benefits.
- Prepare yourself mentally by relaxing. Remember that the interview is not a competition. It is an activity that allows you to see whether there is a match between the job requirements and your qualifications. If the match does exist, the more relaxed you are, the more qualified you will appear. If you do not get the job you are still a "good person." There is nothing you can do in the short-run to better qualify yourself for a job; and you do not want to get a job for which you are unqualified. This leads to dishonesty, failure, or both. Therefore, relax, be confident, and approach the interview as a fact-finding mission. Find out if you can do the job, and if you want the job.
You may want to ask questions like the following:
- What would my duties and responsibilities be?
- Who would I be working with?
- If I do a good job, how will be rewarded?
- What jobs could I expect to do in the future?
- What do you like about being a manager in this organization? Dislike?
- What is the pay range for people in this job?
- What fringe benefits does the company offer?
As the interview progresses, you may be asked questions to determine your qualifications. Opening questions like, "What college did you attend?" may be followed by probes like, "In what subjects did you do well?" and "Why?" Try to be relaxed and honest.
As the interview comes to a close, try to find out when, where, and how you will be contacted again. Remember, your goal is to determine whether this job is one for which you are qualified, and one in which you will be satisfied and successful.