By Noah Bond
It takes years of study and sleepless nights to graduate, but all too often that work is thrown in the trash when a poor performance is given during the job interview.
The interview process is the most important part of a job search, preparation is the most important part of the interview process.
It is important to make sure the job you are interviewing for is what you want, according to an interview preparation packet used by Bill Brady, director of graduate career services.
“The most important thing that an applicant can do is make sure that their is a good fit between the employer and the employee,” said Jay Irvine, the placement coordinator for the Marriott School of Management.
An employer wants to hire applicants who live the same ideals as their company, said Irvine.
If you are not sure that you want the position you are interviewing for, you can”t convince the employer that you are the right person for the job, according to the interview preparation packet used by Bill Brady.
Research the organization by using information from networking published materials and web sites.
Understanding the products, processes, history, industry dynamics and people involved in the company will allow you to answer interview questions intelligently, according to the interview preparation packet used by Bill Brady.
Identify themes that are important to the potential employer and position.
Talk about prior internships, work experience, and other extra curricular activities.
The interviewee should present problems they have dealt with, the action they took to resolve that problem and then explain the results of the action taken, emphasizing the benefits that resulted to the organization. Telling these experiences are most effective when they last 30 to 90 seconds, according to the interview preparation packet used by Bill Brady.
Dress the part. If you are interviewing for a professional position, wear a business suit. Dress similar to the people currently working at the company.
Think of potential questions that the employer could ask and be prepared to answer them.
“When GPA and classes and work experience are all the same, it really comes down to personality,” said Jen Moxon, Assistant Recruiting facilitator at the business school of management.
While in the interview, use eye contact, sit up straight, square your shoulders, avoid awkward leg positions, place one or both hands in the interviewers view and keep them still and don”t forget to smile and relax, according to the interview preparation packet used by Bill Brady.
