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Why the employer wants to interview you

Following a thorough review of your resume and cover letter, and after employers have determined you have the necessary skills and experiences to succeed in their organization, they will invite you for an interview to verify that you will “fit” well in their organization. Interviewing is the most personal part of the job search process because it involves seeing if a candidate will mesh well with company culture. This “fit” can be measured by evaluating a candidate’s interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and general presentation. With research, proper preparation, and appropriate attire, you can demonstrate you are the right candidate for the position.

Before the Interview

The following are steps that you should follow in order to best prepare for an interview:

• Self-assess - Through self-assessment, you will be able to tell the interviewer how your skills and experiences match the organization’s needs and position requirements. Highlight the experiences you listed on your resume by thinking of the skills you’ve developed through those experiences. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, values and goals.  Read through interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Meet with a counselor if you feel unsure about any question.
• Research - Employers advise that all students can better their interviewing skills by knowing more about the position, organization, and industry associated with the opportunity. Doing your research demonstrates how interested you really are in a specific position or organization. Expand your research by also learning about current trends and events that might impact your future employer. Review the organization’s corporate literature and Web site. The Career Resource Center has current periodicals and occupational literature that can provide much of this information. In addition, Columbia students have free access to the Vault and Wetfeet Career Libraries in our Career Resource Center.
• Connect - Understand how your background and interests connect to the position and to the employer.
• Practice -  Many people practice for an interview by writing down answers to common interview questions. While organizing your thoughts on paper is helpful, the best practice is done out loud. Review interview questions and practice answering them alone or with a friend. Most importantly, meet with a career counselor for a practice interview, and get feedback on your interview style, presentation and body language.
• The most frequent comment career counselors hear from recruiters is that Columbia students need to adequately research the companies who interview them. Be sure to thoroughly research not only the companies but the positions and departments you are discussing.

Are you ready for your interview?

To make sure you are ready for your interview, be able to answer the following questions:

• Have you thought about your goals, values, skills, and how they match the opportunity?
• Have you researched the field, organization, and position?
• Have you prepared an appropriate interview outfit?
• Have you identified the time and place of the interview and the best method of getting there?
• Have you completed a practice interview with a career counselor at the Center for Career Education?
• Did you bring along extra copies of your resume and a reference list?
• Have you reviewed the other tip sheets on interviewing, including Interview Questions, Professional Image, and According to Employers?

What to do the night before an interview

Follow the steps below in order to ensure good interview preparation:

• Examine your clothing for stains and wrinkles, and look for scuffs on your shoes. For additional information, please refer to the Professional Image tip sheet.
• Set your alarm clock so that you have enough time to get to the interview without rushing.
• Read through your notes (e.g., your resume, cover letter, and the job description) one last time.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

During the Interview

To succeed on the day of your interview remember to:

• Make sure you arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.
• Turn off your cell phone.
• Discard any chewing gum, breath mints, etc. Do not smoke right before your interview as the smell of smoke on your clothes might be distracting to an employer. In addition, you should not wear excessive amounts of perfume, cologne, or aftershave as many employers cite these smells as an annoyance.
• Have several copies of your resume on high quality resume paper.
• Be enthusiastic, and convey this enthusiasm to the interviewer.
• Listen to the interviewer when he or she speaks. Make sure you answer the question that your interviewer had asked.
• Prove why you are the best candidate for the job, and demonstrate to the interviewer what makes you different and better than the rest.
• Provide examples whenever possible. This strengthens your answers.
• Do not apologize for your experience, background, or lack thereof. Focus on the positive.
• Be aware of body language. Your posture, eyes, hands, and language all contribute to the impression made on the interviewer. The following examples of proper body language and behavior may help you assess your presentation:
  
  • Posture - Your posture conveys your level confidence or insecurity. Sit up straight and send a message that you are comfortable and confident.
  • Eyes - Look the interviewer in the eyes. In addition, be sure to make eye contact with everyone in the room. If you focus all of your attention on one person, you may not engage the other interviewers.
  • Hands - Avoid fidgeting because it is extremely distracting. Only use your hands to express yourself if you can do so in moderation.
  • Language - Be clear and direct. Avoid the use of filler words between words or phrases. Do not ramble. When you finish making your point, stop!

Sample questions to ask during the interview

The following are sample questions that you may wish to use or to modify during an interview:

• What do you see in the future for this industry?
• Can you tell me a little bit about your own experience with the company?
• How do you rate your competition?
• How long have team members been with the department?
• What sort of projects will I be involved in at first?
• When can I expect to hear from you?

After the Interview

Conveying your interest in the position continues after your interview; you should do the following:

• Send a thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. Convey your enthusiasm for the position, and provide any additional information that you might not have mentioned in the interview. You may wish to reference the conversation you had with the employer so that he or she remembers you and knows that you valued your opportunity to interview. Address the note to the correct person, using his or her title. If you interviewed on-campus through the On-Campus Recruiting Program and you forgot to get your interviewer’s name, ask the Employer and Alumni Relations department for the interviewer’s name and contact details. (Please see the Thank You Letters tip sheet.)
• Evaluate your performance. Did any questions stump you? Now is the time to improve your answers for next time.
• Follow up if you do not hear from the employer after the date that the interviewer indicated. Call the interviewer and inquire about the position.
• Second interviews often take place at the company office. You might meet with more than one person or participate in a group interview. This is your opportunity to observe the office dress code, corporate culture, and work environment. Think about whether you could picture yourself working at this place on a regular basis. Learn as much as you can about the organization so that you can make an educated decision about whether or not you would be happy there. (Please see the Second Interview tip sheet.)

Numerous interviewing tips can be found on-line, but there are many more resources specific to Columbia students in the Career Resource Center, on the Career Education Web site, and in the Columbia Guide to Career Planning. The Center for Career Education wishes you good luck as you begin the interview process!