The Interview Process Regardless of which type of interview you will have, they should all follow the

same process. We suggest you keep the following GOA2L Process in mind during an interview: 1. Greet the interviewer with a firm hand shake, introduce yourself, and thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. 2. Offer additional copies of your resume. Have several copies with you, in the event that you will meet with multiple interviewers. If you have previous work samples, a list of references, or other materials to share, you may bring them out now or hold on to them until you are asked about them. 3. Answer the questions that are asked of you, making sure to be honest, clear, professional and concise. If you don''t understand a particular question, it is always acceptable to ask for clarification. 4. Ask whatever questions you may have about the job or the company. Remember, this is your chance to find out if you really want this job for this company. Not sure what to ask? Read more about asking your own questions. 5. Leave on a good note. When the interview is over, shake the interviewer''s hand again. Thank the interviewer for taking time to talk with you, communicate your interest in being hired and ask when you can expect to hear an answer about the job. Don''t forget to send a Thank You! Less than 50% of job candidates send them, but 100% of hiring managers are impressed by candidates who send thank you notes. Either by phone, email, or letter, follow up - this is just one more way to put yourself ahead of the other candidates. Use the thank you as a chance to: Thank the hiring manager again for his/her time Restate why you think you are the best fit for the job Inquire about the status of the position Ask anything that has come to mind since the interview Questions to Ask The job interview is your time to find out if this is the right job for you. To determine that, prepare your own list of questions to ask during your interview. Your list might start with some of the questions below. To find out more about the job duties, consider asking:

What is the primary goal or responsibilities of this position in the first year? What is a typical day like for someone in this position? With whom will I work in this position? How are my job duties and priorities established? What resources will I have access to that will help me perform my job duties?

To find out more about the company, consider asking: How and when does an employee have the chance for advancement here? What is the companys perspective on employee development and training? How and when will my performance be evaluated? How does this position fit into the company as a whole? How does this position support the companys goals or mission?

To find out more about the company culture, consider asking: Describe your typical employee. What do they like most about their jobs? What do they like least? What one character trait would you use to describe a successful employee here? Why is this position open right now?

Research the Company During an interview, you will need to show the employer that you know about and understand the needs of the company. One way to prepare for that is to research the company. In general, you want to find out:

what products or services the company sells who their customers and competitors are how the company is doing within the industry what the company culture is like

Researching Tools

Use our Company Research Guide to gather essential information. Don't worry if you can't find every answer to every question. You will likely use only a part of this information in your interview, but it is better to go in with a very

good understanding of the company. Print it out, take notes on it as you research, and then take it with you to your interview. Company Research Guide 1. What are the company's major products and services? 2. Who are the company's customers? 3. What is the companys mission statement or purpose? What do they value or believe in as an organization? 4. Who are the company's major competitors? How do they view the company? 5. How is the company viewed in the marketplace? Is it a profitable business or are they on the brink of bankruptcy? 6. Find out two of the company's recent success stories. 7. What are the company's potential problems? 8. Is the company publicly or privately owned? Is it independent or part of a larger organization? 9. What's the size of the company (big, small)? Are they hiring? Have they recently laid off workers? 10. What is the employee turnover rate? Do people work in teams or alone? 11. What's the corporate culture (work environment) like? Is it traditional or more relaxed? 12. Where is the company located? If there is more than one branch, where is the companys headquarters? Where are the other branches located? 13. Why is the position open? Was it newly created? Why did the last person leave? 14. What are the duties and expectations associated with the job? Interview Checklist Bring: A positive and friendly attitude A copy of your resume with notes for you to use during the interview.

 Additional clean, quality copies of your resume (one per interviewer) Your own list of questions to ask about the job or company A pen and some paper Past work samples or your portfolio (if needed) A list of references (include names, titles, and contact information) The name, title, department, and phone number of the person who is interviewing you Personal grooming items such as breath mints, a comb or a brush Cash (you may have to pay for parking or want to buy a coffee afterward) Your identification and Social Security Card (in case you are asked to complete an application on the spot) Previous employment information (including job titles and descriptions; dates of employment; company names and addresses; supervisors names, titles, and contact information; your reasons for leaving) Your planning calendar (in the event that a followup meeting is necessary) Directions to the interview location or a map It is best to assemble the items you are bringing along in some sort of briefcase or other professional looking organizer. Remember, your first impression should be as a neat, organized, and prepared individual! Common Interview Questions Although it can be difficult to know exactly which questions to expect during your interview, here are some of the most commonly asked interview questions. Write out your answers, remembering to focus on how your accomplishments would benefit the company. Then, either conduct a mock interview with a friend, practice in front of a mirror, or videotape yourself answering the questions. The more practice you get, the more poised and confident you will be. Tell me about yourself. Employers ask this question for a variety of reasons. Some may want to hear a brief summary of your work experience (including your current job), while others use it as an icebreaker to get a sense of your personality and what

motivates you. Many human resources professionals recommend keeping your answer brief, stating two professional accomplishments and one personal fact. What you choose to say, and how you say it, says a great deal about you. Name your three greatest strengths. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are, but more importantly, they want to know if you're capable of discussing your strengths. Now is not the time to be bashful. Emphasize strengths that can be directly applied to the job. What is your greatest weakness? Most of us would like to respond, "I don't have any," but that's not what the interviewer wants to hear. After all, who doesn't have a weakness? However, be cautious. Think about what you want to reveal. Pick a weakness that is not important in this job or one that you have taken steps to strengthen. Always try to transform your weakness into a strength. What are your most significant accomplishments within and outside of the workplace? Emphasize accomplishments that are most relevant to the job. Don't waste time talking about details that would not be of any use to the employer. Be as specific as possible without revealing too much about your former employer, especially proprietary or confidential information. Don't downplay your achievements; instead, mention any difficulties you may have had (without being negative) and how you overcame them. If you are asked to describe a personal accomplishment, you may want to mention something you've accomplished outside of work that is related to your professional development. What attracted you to the company/position? Why do you want to work for us? Interviewers ask this question to find out how much you know about the company. Having done your company research, talk about the needs of the company or business and how your skill set can contribute to their goals. Talk about your work experiences and how they have prepared you for this particular position. Also, point out your own career goals. How do you feel about your most recent position? What was your reason for leaving? Interviewers ask this question because they want to find out if you were successful in your last/current position. Avoid terms such as illness, quit, personal reasons, fired, or didn't like my supervisor. Remain positive; never badmouth a former employer. Use positive reasons such as pursuing degree, relocated, or simply state you are seeking an opportunity to further your professional growth. Describe a conflict with a manager or coworker. How was it resolved? Everyone has experienced workplace conflict at some point. The interviewer is assessing your ability to solve problems and interact with others. Don't use this as an

opportunity to say negative things about your former manager...state the problem and describe steps you took to resolve the issue. Do not say that you have never had a conflict: it is too unbelievable. What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years, ten years? Interviewers ask this question because they want to find out if you're likely to stay with the company for a while. Don't proclaim that you'd like to be promoted within a year or that you see this position as a way to get your next job. Try to keep your answer brief and focused on how your career goals are in alignment with the company's needs. Why are you changing careers? If you are in fact changing careers, be prepared for this question. Interviewers will want to know if you have thoroughly researched your new career, and are not switching jobs on a regular basis. Stress how your skills can transfer to your new career. Tell me about the best/worst supervisor you've ever had. Interviewers want to find out how your work style fits with the management style of the company. Be sure to emphasize positive experiences. If you have to mention a worst case, try not to dwell on it. Instead, mention the strategies you developed in order to work under less than- perfect circumstances. Are you interviewing with other companies? Interviews might try to find out if they need to act quickly. Don't mention any specifics. Say that you are extremely interested in the company, but are keeping your options open. Will you relocate? Interviewers may be asking if you would relocate, or they may be testing your flexibility and a willingness to consider new things. Be honest in your answer. If the job seems perfect and you are very interested, say you may need some time to think about it and would be open to discussing the possibilities. What kind of compensation/salary are you seeking? Usually, a first interview is not the time to discuss salary. An interviewer may just be testing you to see how you react. At this point, it's best to say that it's negotiable or that you're interested in a competitive salary. Tips for Dealing with

US Government legislation exists information about you when they are making hiring decisions any problems, try to keep your answers free from information Age or health Race Religion National origin (an employer can, however, ask if you are legally able to work in the U.S.) Gender and/or sexual preference Marital status Family and children If you are asked a question about one of these areas during an interview, just explain that the area in question (e.g. sex, age, marital status, etc.) will not affect your ability to perform the job duties of the position. It really can be as simple as that! The STAR Method for Answering Questions You may not know exactly what questions you will be asked during your interview, but there is something you can do to make sure you are as prepared as possible to answer them. Practice using the STAR method for answering. The STAR method begins with a description of a Situation, then describes the Tasks that were necessary for the situation, the Actions that you took to address that situation, and the Result. The following is a sample STAR answer for the question Tell me about a time you were able to satisfy an upset customer. Situation: Our new product was set to be released in May and was very anticipated in the industry. In fact, one of our biggest customers was already relying on our product to include in their own business platform. Unfortunately, one of our suppliers didnt meet our contract needs in April, which could have delayed our product release and would have made that customer very dissatisfied. Task: To address this problem, my team had to find a new supplier as quickly as possible or look for an alternate way to satisfy our customer. Action: After conducting rapid research into likely suppliers, it became evident that none would be able to help us meet our product specs as written. Leading the product team back to the drawing board, we altered the design of our product

in a way that let us utilize a ready supplier without compromising the primary functionality of our product. Result: Because we worked with what the new supplier had readily available, we were able to complete production on schedule. The cost of the new supplier was less than the original, so our own price point was able to be reduced, as well. Both of these results greatly pleased our customer, who ended up increasing their order and putting us over our sales goal within the first three months of product availability. Have several of these STAR stories prepared before going into the interview. Use the accomplishments that you included on your resume as a starting point. Then outline three STAR stories to talk about in your interview. Top Ten BUSINESS ETIQUETTE TIPS to use in an interview: 1. Be on time. If you will be late, show that you are respectful of the interviewer's time. Call to let them know when to expect you. 2. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you, both at the beginning of the interview and again at the end. 3. Dress appropriately. If you arrive dressed too casually or too formally, the situation can be uncomfortable for both you and the person interviewing you. 4. Introduce yourself to the receptionist and to everyone you meet in the interview. 5. Shake hands with everyone, using a firm (but not forceful) grip and good eye contact. 6. Sit when you are asked to sit, not before. 7. Place your loose items on the floor next to your seat, in your lap, or on the side table, coffee table, or in front of you at a conference table; do not put them on the interviewer's desk unless it is offered to you. Your briefcase or bag should be kept at your feet, not on a chair or table. 8. Do not ask for refreshments or permission to smoke. If a refreshment is offered, you may accept. If you are asked to dine out as part of your interview, use good table manners. 9. Keep all of your mobile and other electronic devices turned completely off. A phone set to vibrate will interrupt the meeting. 10. Keep a positive and friendly attitude.

Answering Questions Well The largest part of your interview will be spent answering questions, so you will definitely want to know how to answer questions well. SEVEN SIMPLE RULES for answering any interview question: 1. Ask for clarification, if needed. An interviewer will not be put off by your questions; in fact, they may be impressed that you took the time to ask. 2. Be honest. Never embellish your past accomplishments or claim a skill that you do not have. If you think you are lacking a critical skill, tell the hiring manager that you haven't had the opportunity to use that skill yet, but that you are very eager to learn. 3. Stay true to your message. Focus on the reasons they should hire you; what skills and qualifications do you have that can be put to good use by this company? Use the STAR method to answer behavioral interview questions. 4. Always answer questions with your audience in mind. If you are interviewing for a job in a different industry than you have previously been in, the interviewer may not understand some of the technical terms you use. Explain where necessary. 5. Avoid the topics that may get you into trouble. These typically include things in your personal life: your marital status, age, religion, or political beliefs, for instance. 6. Use clear and concise language. Speak slowly and carefully to make sure that your words are being understood. 7. Seek feedback. Ask the hiring manager if you have provided the level of detail needed to fully answer the question.

Reflecting on Your Interview

Now that your interview is over, it is wise to think about what went well and what areas you could improve. If nothing else, your interview should be a learning experience for you a chance to practice and improve your interviewing skills. Take a few minutes to reflect on the interview using this form.

What did you do to prepare for the interview? Research the job duties and qualification requirements thoroughly? Research the company adequately? Practice answering the most common interview questions? Prepare your own list of questions to ask? Choose appropriate interview attire? Have everything you needed with you at the interview? For each area above that you marked No, what specific things could you have done to better prepare in that area? Did you follow the rules of etiquette?

Arrive on time? Introduce yourself to everyone? Shake hands firmly with your interviewer? Make eye contact while talking with everyone? Turn off your phone or other mobile devices? Have a good attitude? Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you at the start AND end of the interview? Use good table manners while eating and drinking? (if applicable) How well did you present yourself Think about and use positive body language? Moderate your tone of voice? Follow the Seven Simple Rules for answering questions? Were there questions that you felt you could NOT answer? If so, what were they? Which questions did you answer well? Which questions could you have answered better? Following Up with a Thank You Writing a Thank You letter after your interview is one way to demonstrate your good manners. But that isn't all a Thank You letter does for you. A Thank You letter:

shows the interviewer that you respect their time and appreciate the opportunity they have given you. gives you the chance to highlight key qualifications that make you stand out from the crowd. allows you to expressly demonstrate an interest in the position and company one more time. is a great opportunity to clarify something or mention whatever you may have forgotten during the interview.

---------------------------------------------------------------[Date] [Hiring Mangers First and Last Name] [Hiring Mangers Job Title] [Company Name] [Company Street Address] [City, State, and Zip Code]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Hiring Managers Last Name]: [This paragraph should thank the hiring manager for meeting with you. Include the position for which you were interviewed, as well as the date and time. Express your pleasure with the interview and restate your interest in the company.] [Use the next paragraph as a way to remind the hiring manager of your major qualifications. Be specific about how you will benefit the company using a specific topic that you discussed in the interview.] [The next paragraph can address anything you wish to add after the interview, in the event that you forgot to mention something during the interview itself. This paragraph is also a good place to clarify a point or follow up on anything you were asked during the interview. The point again is to demonstrate how your qualifications and skills will benefit the company.] [Your final paragraph should again thank the hiring manager for his/her consideration. Additionally, you should restate your desire to work with the company and ask that you be contacted once a decision has been made. You can include contact information here if you like, or include it in the signature area below.]

Sincerely,
[Your signature]

[Your First and Last Name] [Your contact information, if desired] July 1, 2009 Mr. Henry Granholm Greene and Associates 100 Main Street Raleigh, NC 27601 Dear Mr. Granholm: I was very excited to get your call this afternoon and to hear your offer of employment as an assistant bookkeeper for Greene and Associates. Please consider this letter as my formal acceptance. I gladly accept your offer at a salary of $31,000 annually. As we agreed, my start date will be July 28, so that I am able to finish my QuickBooks Pro course at Wake Tech Community College, which will further enhance my skills for Greene and Associates. I also understand that I will receive full company pay and benefits during the 90day probationary period that is standard for Greene and Associates.

Thank you again for offering me this opportunity, and please let me know if I can do anything in advance of my start date to facilitate the new hire paperwork, or if there are anything else you require from me. I am looking forward to being a part of the Greene and Associates team! Sincerely,

Thom Davidson
Thom Davidson t_davidson@email.com (919) 5558985