How to Improve Your Chances of Turning That Interview into a Job Offer!

Prestige Personnel will speak with you directly about any telephone screen or one-on-one interview we set up for you. We’ll do our best to describe the job duties, the company and the hiring manager. But how you do at the interview ultimately rests in your hands. Here are some tips that should help:

• Do your homework. Check out the company’s website or look them up at the library. Ask us as many questions as you can think of ahead of time. Know as much as possible before ever walking into that interview. Forewarned is forearmed.
• Get a good night’s rest the night before your interview. You want to present an alert, upbeat and enthusiastic demeanor.
• Dress to Impress. Even if the company brags about its casual dress policy, they will still want to see you at your best. Besides, it will help with your confidence level if you start out looking the part.
• Take extra copies of your resume and prepare a list of professional references (make sure the folks on your reference list know that they might be called).
• Get clear directions to the company and know where you’re going. Know how long it will take to get there at the time of day you’re going.
• Be on time. Or even better, be about 15 minutes early. Most companies have an application you will need to complete before your first face-to-face meeting. Don’t forget to take a pen and fill out the application completely. Don’t just write “See Resume.”
• Make sure you allot enough time for the full interview (your consultant should be able to give you an approximate length of time before you go).
• When you meet your interviewer, smile, look the person straight in the eye and offer a firm handshake. Have some small talk ready for the walk down to the interview room (weather, local news item, etc.).
• Expect to be asked certain standard interview questions. These might include your short- and long-term goals, how past work experience will help you in the job you’re interviewing for, and why you’re in a particular field – in addition to questions about your technical know-how. A lot of companies use work-based / scenario type questions to find out how you have reacted to challenges in the past, because of the insight provided regarding your future actions (i.e., what you’ll do for them). Prepare some anecdotes about past successes, challenges and even failures, so they can be recalled easily if needed.
• A picture tells a thousand words. Take along “show and tell” items that can clarify your explanations. These might include brochures, CAD drawings or even sample products.
• Tailor your answers to the information your interviewer needs to know, so that you can keep to the point. However, always be prepared to offer additional details if needed. If you claim to have reduced downtime by 45%, you will almost certainly be asked the follow-up question, “How?”
• Be friendly, flexible and enthusiastic. Sometimes interview agendas need to change at the last minute due to unforeseen business reasons. Demonstrating your flexibility during such an occasion shows the company that you can “go with the flow.” Likability plays an enormous role in candidate selection.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Ask for a detailed job description/typical day, why the job is available, what they want the new hire to accomplish and when you can expect to hear back.
• If you have some important information that didn’t come out during the question phase of the interview, offer it now. It may be your last chance to convey the information.
• If you like the job opportunity, say so. Let them know that you are interested.
• Write down the names of the people you have interviewed with. Ask for their business cards, if available, so you can write thank-you emails or letters once you get home.
• Call us as soon as possible following the interview. Let us know how it went (details will really help) and whether you are interested in taking the next step. If there are concerns, let us know them as well. We can often help work out a win-win solution for all parties concerned.