Job Search

* http://www.careerbuilder.com - top job search resource site
Places to get interview help:

editorial.careers.msn.com/... 

Interviewing Tips/Advise 

careerbuilder.com/... 

negotiate salary 

youritfuture.com/... 

technology.monster.com/... 

job-interview.net content.monster.com/... 

pse-net.com/interview/interview 

jobseeker.dws.state.ut.us/... 

bls.gov/... 

asktheinterviewcoach.com 

collegegrad.com/... 

joblink-usa.com/interview 

collegerecruiter.com/... 

Also see: jobsonline.com/interview/...
Making a Good Impression 
on Job Interviews
Here's what you should keep in mind the day of the 
interview and immediately afterward.

Before the interview

To your Interview, Dress 1 step above what you normally would wear to the job/work.
ex) CAD, Design, Engineer (normally wears nice shirt, slacks) = shirt, slacks, TIE at interv.
ex) (normally wears nice shirt, slacks, tie) = suit at interv.
• Be on time. Being on time 
(or early) is usually interpreted by the interviewer 
as evidence of your commitment, dependability, and 
professionalism.
• Be positive and try to make others 
feel comfortable. 
• Show openness by leaning into a greeting with a 
firm handshake and smile. Don't make negative 
comments about current or former employers.
• Relax. Think of the interview 
as a conversation, not an interrogation. And 
remember, the interviewer is just as nervous about 
making a good impression on you.

During the interview

 •Show self-confidence. Make eye contact with 
the interviewer and answer his questions in a clear 
voice. Work to establish a rapport with the 
interviewer.
	•Remember to listen. Communication is a 
two-way street. If you are talking too much, 
you will probably miss cues concerning what 
the interviewer feels is important.
	•Reflect before answering a difficult question. 
If you are unsure how to answer a question, you 
might reply with another question. For example, 
if the interviewer asks you what salary you 
expect, try answering by saying "That is a good 
question. What are you planning to pay your best 
candidate?"
	•When it is your turn, ask the questions 
you have prepared in advance.
These should cover any information about the company 
and job position you could not find in your own 
research.
	•Do not ask questions that raise red flags. 
Ask, "Is relocation a requirement?", and the 
interviewer may assume that you do not want to 
relocate at all, Too many questions about vacation 
may cause the interviewer to think you are more 
interested in taking time off than helping the 
company. Make sure the interviewer understands why 
you are asking these questions.
	•Show you want the job. Display your initiative 
by talking about what functions you could perform 
that would benefit the organization, and by giving 
specific details of how you have helped past 
employers. You might also ask about specific details 
of the job position, such as functions, 
responsibilities, who you would work with, and who 
you would report to.
	•Avoid negative body language. An interviewer 
wants to see how well you react under pressure. 
Avoid these signs of nervousness and tension:
	•Frequently touching your mouth
	•Faking a cough to think about the answer to a 
question
	•Gnawing on your lip
	•Tight or forced smiles
	•Swinging your foot or leg
	•Folding or crossing your arms
	•Slouching
	•Avoiding eye contact
	•Picking at invisible bits of lint

Asking Questions During a Job Interview

At most interviews, you will be invited to ask 
questions of your interviewer. This is an 
important opportunity for you to learn more about 
the employer, and for the interviewer to further
evaluate you as a job candidate. It requires some 
advance preparation on your part.

Here are some guidelines for asking questions:
	•Prepare five good questions. Understanding 
that you may not have the time to ask them all. Ask
questions concerning the job, the company, and the 
industry or profession. Your questions should 
indicate your interest in these subjects and that 
you have read and thought aboutthem. For example, 
you might start, "I read in Business Week that... 
I wonder if that factor is going to have an impact 
on your business?"
 •Don't ask questions that raise warning flags.
For example, asking "Would I really have to work 
weekends?" implies that you are not available for 
weekend assignments. If you are available, rephrase 
the question. Also, avoid initiating questions about 
compensation (pay, vacations, etc.) or tuition 
riembursements. You might seem more interested in
paychecks or time-off than the actual job.
 •Don't ask questions about only one topic.
People who ask about only one topic are often 
perceived as one dimensional and not good candidates.
	•Clarify It's OK to ask a question to clarify 
something the interviewer said. Just make sure you 
are listening. Asking someone to clarify a specific 
point makes sense. Asking someone to re-explain an 
entire subject gives the impression that you have 
problems listening or comprehending. For example, 
you can preface a clarifying question by saying:
"You mentioned that the ABC Company does (blank)...
Can you tell me how that works in practice?" 

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Make a good impression at your interview by doing a 
little homework beforehand.
Research the company and the position 

The more you know about the company and job you are 
applying for, the better you will appear in the 
interview. An interviewer will be impressed by your 
interest and motivation, and you will be able to 
explain what you can do for the company.

Find out as much key information as you can about 
the company, its products and its customers. If 
possible, talk to people who work at the company. 
There may be other sources of information on the 
Web, especially if the company is publicly traded.

Search for the following:
	•Office locations
 •Products and services
	•Customers
	•Competitors
	•Philosophy
	•History
	•Recent news
	•Financial info, including salary and stock

Prepare for the actual interview

•Practice your answers to Common Questions. 
Likewise, prepare a list of questions to ask the 
employer. Most interviews follow this pattern: 
First, you answer questions about your experience 
and qualifications, then you ask questions about the 
job. 
	•Rehearse your interview with a friend. You 
should be able to convey all pertinent information 
about yourself in 15 minutes. Tape yourself to check 
your diction, speed, and body language. 
	•Prepare your interview materials before you 
leave. Bring several copies of your resume, a list 
of references, and, if appropriate, any work samples. 
Make sure they are all up-to-date. 
	•Dress professionally and comfortably. You will 
be judged in some respects by what you wear. When in 
doubt, dress conservatively. 
For women:
	•A Straight-forward business suit is best. 
	•Wear sensible pumps. 
	•Be moderate with make-up and perfume. 
	•Wear simple jewelry. 
	•Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed. 
For men:
	•A clean, ironed shirt and conservative tie are 
a must. 
	•A simple jacket or business suit is a good 
idea as well. 
	•Shoes should be polished. 
	•Face should be clean-shaven; facial hair 
should be neatly trimmed. 
	•Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed. 
	•Use cologne or after-shave sparingly. 
	•Bring pen and notepad to jot down any 
information you may need to remember (but don't 
take notes during interview). 

After the interview

	•End the interview with an handshake and 
thank the interviewer for his or her time. Reiterate 
your interest in the position and your 
qualifications. Ask if you can telephone in a few 
days to check on the status of your application. If 
they offer to contact you, politely ask when you 
should expect the call. 
	•Send a "Thanks for the Interview" note. 
After the interview, send a bried thank-you note, 
Try to time it so it arrives before the hiring 
decision will be made. It will serve as a reminder 
to the interviewer concerning your appropriateness 
for the position, so feel free to mention any 
topics discussed during your interview. If the job 
contact was made through the Internet or e-mail, 
send an e-mail thank-you note immediately after the 
interview, than mail a second letter by post timed 
to arrive the week before the hiring decision will 
be made.
	•Follow up with a phone call if you are 
not contacted within a week of when the interviewer 
indicated you would be.