Learn about the organization
Learn all you can about the company or organization and be prepared to answer and ask questions. Learn as much as you can so that your questions are sophisticated and knowledgeable during the interview. Employers expect you to arrive knowing background information about the organization. If you don't, you look like you're not really interested in the job. You have to be able to answer the critical question of why you would like to work for that employer — and not sound like you would take any job. Research helps you formulate intelligent and appropriate questions to ask in your interview.
You can view the company profile and go to their web site to learn about company size, products, services, vision and mission at Canadian Company Capabilities (Industry Canada) that includes a searchable online database profiling Canadian companies and products, services, technologies and markets.
Personal appearance
Prepare your clothes for your interview, making sure they are business-like, clean, pressed and conservative; make sure your hair and nails trimmed and clean. Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting, but it should not take center stage. When in doubt, always dress more professionally rather than more casually. Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to. A two-piece matched suit is always the best choice for both men and women, in navy, gray or black.
Information to bring to an interview
Prepare papers for your interview, including Social Insurance Number (SIN) card, government-issued identification (driver’s license), extra copies of your resume, job reference lists, reference letters, legal pad for taking notes, and any other information that you may wish to have with you.
Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
During your job interview
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Don't take any chances that you might be even one minute late. If necessary,
arrive 30 minutes early and wait in your car.
- Treat all people you encounter with professionalism and kindness. That receptionist or secretary or maintenance man may
offer his or her opinion of you to the boss. It will count.
- Don’t let the employer’s casual approach cause you to drop your manners or professionalism. You should maintain a
professional image. Don't address the interviewer by his or her first name unless you are invited to.
- Don't chew gum or smell like smoke. Don't take cell phone calls during an interview. If you carry a cell phone, turn it off
during the interview to be sure it doesn't ring.
- Don't ever interrupt the interviewer, even if you are anxious and enthusiastic about answering the question.
- Be aware of your non-verbal behaviors - sit straight, smile as often as you can, maintain eye contact but don't stare the
interviewer down, lean forward but not invading the interviewer's space. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
- Don't be shy or self-effacing. You want to be enthusiastic, confident and energetic, but not aggressive, pushy or egotistic.
That fine line is important. If you find yourself trying to hard to sell yourself, you are probably crossing the line. Instead, pull
back, be confident and reassuring and calm.
- Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).
- Listen very carefully to each question you are asked and give thoughtful, to-the-point and honest answers. Ask for
clarification if you don't understand a question. It is OK to take a few moments of silence to gather your thoughts before
answering. Try not to "beat around the bush" or take a long time to give the answer the interviewer is seeking.
- Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to
hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if any. Always thank the interviewer for his or her time at the
close of the interview and establish a follow-up plan.
- When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. Depart gracefully.
After the interview
- After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details.
- If you are working with a search firm or recruiter, call that recruiter immediately while the facts of the interview are fresh on
your mind. The recruiter will want to know what you thought went well and what you may have concerns about.
- Always send a thank you letter to the interviewer immediately. If there were several people that interviewed you, send them
each a thank you note. It is good to keep the letter short but to also reiterate your interest in the position and your
confidence in your qualifications.
- Don't call the employer back immediately. If the employer said they would have a decision in a week, it is OK to call them in
a week, again to thank them for the interview and reiterate your interest.
- If you receive word that another candidate was chosen, you may also send a follow-up letter to that employer, again thanking
him or her for the opportunity to interview for the position. Let them know that should another or similar position open in the
future, you would love to have the opportunity to interview again.
Interview questions
Before you head out to a job interview, it's a good idea to practice answering the types of interview questions employers will likely ask.
Interviewers generally use one or more of the following interview techniques:
1- General or Traditional - Canned and common questions about yourself
2- Behavioral - Probes your competencies and how you acted in certain situations
3- Case or Hypothetical - Challenges your problem-solving skills spontaneously and what you'd do "if"
Interviewers usually start with the traditional, canned interview questions and work their way into one or more of the other types, over the course of one or more interviews.
An effective way to prepare for interviews as recommended by career experts is by studying frequently asked interview questions and composing responses in writing. This will help you solidify effective answers in your mind so you won't be caught off guard in the interview, making you sound exceptionally prepared.
We recommend that you practice the following 109 typical traditional and behavioral job interview questions that employers ask of job-seekers. (Courtesy of Quintessential Careers)
Job interview questions' samples and responses are in Adobe Acrobat format, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. You can download a copy of Acrobat Reader for free here.
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Job Interview
The job interview is the crucial point in your job-search where you have to succeed in convincing prospective employer that you are indeed the ideal candidate for the position you are seeking. Answering job interview questions correctly takes skill, practice, and determination.
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. Many career experts recommend composing written responses to Frequently Asked Job Interview Questions as a way to prepare for interviews. Composing responses in writing helps you solidify effective answers in your mind so you won't be caught off guard in the interview, making you sound exceptionally prepared.
In addition to the information provided throuh this page, we highly recommend that you refer to
"Interviewing & Dressing for Success" article published by The Career Center of Santa Clara
University, CA.
The document is in Adobe Acrobat format, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader
to view them. You can download a copy of Acrobat Reader for free here.
Interviewing & Dressing for Success, The Career Center,
Santa Clara University, CA
