Simple Tips for Acing Your Job Interview

Joshua MannCedric Mann

December 15, 2012

Outline

• Know Your Resume• Preparation Phase• Presenting Yourself Professionally• Converting the Interview Into a Conversation• Active Listening Tips

Know your Resume

• Prior to the interview, refresh yourself on older, less recent parts of your resume.

• Remove anything from your resume that you are not comfortable discussing.

• Avoid memorizing the contents of your resume verbatim, simply elaborate on certain points as requested by your interviewer.

• Bring a copy of your resume for the interview.

Preparation Phase• Practice popular interview questions with a

friend or family member.• Some popular interview questions include:• “Tell me about yourself.”• “What type and style of work interests you the

most?”• “What questions do you have for us?”–Always be prepared to ask questions about

the organization of interest.

Presenting Yourself Professionally

• Male Business Attire includes: dress slacks, button-down shirt, closed-toed shoes, a tie, and a jacket (optional).

• Female Business Attire includes: Low-skirts with stockings or dress slacks, button-down shirt, jacket, closed-toed shoes.

• Refrain from chewing gum.• Maintain eye-contact while talking and listening.

Converting the Interview into a Conversation• Questions to Ask:1. How would you describe the daily working

environment in the company?2. Are there any structures put in place to assist

employees who desire to make patents?3. What expectations do you have for your new hires?4. What made you select this company over others

you were offered?5. What were your original expectations of this

company before accepting your position? Were they met?

Active Listening Tips

• Distinguishing open-ended questions from closed questions is important.

• Regardless of the question type, focus on providing clear, succinct answers to avoid rambling.

• If unclear of the question asked, politely ask the interviewer to repeat themselves.

• It is acceptable to pause before answering a question, the interviewers recognize that you have to think before providing a quality answer.