2. Preparing for an Interview Interview practices and expectations vary with each situation. In order to give an effective interview no matter what the circumstances, you will need to prepare adequately. Proper interview preparation involves many levels of planning and should be taken seriously. When you arrive at an interview unprepared, this signals to the interviewer that you are not interested in the job Check Company research is an important step in the preparation process. What should you rese all that apply. ready and have good people skills Number of employees busy and didn't have time to adequately prepare O Company background What should you research about a company and job before you interview? Check all that apply. Social networking pages of friends who work for the company O Products and services Latest stock market quote Read the scenario about planning your appearance, and then answer the question. Max has a second interview with an engineering firm in Boston that works mainly with the U.S. military on government defense contracts. If Max gets the job, he would be a customer and technical support manager. Max's first interview with the firm was a videoconference. In the videoconference, Max noticed that one of the interviewers was wearing a Hawaiian print shirt, and the other was wearing a tie. Max is preparing for his second interview. Which outfit should he wear to the interview? O A Hawaiian print shirt and khaki pants His gray suit and a conservative blue tie O A nice golf shirt and a pair of dress pants A job interview may be the most important face-to-face interaction you have. Preparation is important. What materials should you prepare to bring with you to an interview? Check all that apply. A professional notebook that contains everything you will need during the interview A small gift for the interviewer and his or her assistant Copies of your rsum, lists of references, recommendations, a pen, and paper 3. Conducting a successful interview Interviews are different for each stage in the hiring process; however, any interview will have three parts: the opening formalities, the information exchange, and the closing. Improve your chances of delivering a successful interview by understanding the expectations for each part of the interview. You have about one minute to make a favorable impression. What common courtesies will help you make a good first impression during the opening of an interview? Check all that apply. Maintain appropriate eye contact. Be conscious of nonverbal messages. Ask the interviewer a few personal questions to break the ice. Apply a firm handshake. Once the opening formalities are out of the way, the information exchange begins. What do you need to convey to the interviewer during the information exchange portion of the interview? That you have plenty of experience and want the opportunity to grow and climb the corporate ladder That you can do the job, will do the job, and will not negatively impact others while you are doing the job That you are enthusiastic and excited about making money and saving for your future During the information exchange, you must convey a professional attitude. The first step in displaying a professional attitude is to communicate your sincere interest in the company bout presenting qualifications. deny that you have any weaknesses indicate you are motivated by your paycheck Henry has a second interview for an entry-level position in human resource management with a national retail chain. He is a recent graduate and has held one internship with a regional sports retailer. Henry is very interested in working in human resource management and has taken many classes that have given him the knowledge he will need to perform the job well. Henry is a good listener and has been the leader on two class projects, as well as numerous club events and initiatives. He adjusts well to any situation. When Henry is in his interview, what is the central selling feature that he should focus on as he presents his qualifications? O His educational background and knowledge O His adaptability and interpersonal skills O His work experience To succeed in an interview, you need to be aware of what to expect, what is acceptable, and how to best present your qualifications. Be prepared to demonstrate your qualifications by learning to recognize what interviewers are asking, asking appropriate questions of the interviewer, and closing confidently. Consider the interview scenario, and then answer the question about discussing salary and benefits. Peter is preparing for a final-round interview for an assistant regional PR manager position with a national bank. He has three years of experience in a similar position with one of the bank's competitors. Peter knows that he will be expected to discuss salary and benefits in the interview. Which response would be the most effective if Peter is asked what his salary expectations are? I'm not sure, but I hope that I would be making more than I currently am. Otherwise, it's not worth changing jobs. O With my three years of experience in a similar position and my educational credentials, I would expect to start at the upper end of the range for an assistant PR manager. O Comparable salaries indicate that I would be unhappy if I were offered anything less than what I am currently earning. Some interview questions may lead to discriminatory hiring practices. Which of these questions should not be asked in an interview? Check all that apply Are you planning on having children anytime soon? What year did you graduate from State University? Do you have a police record or have you ever been imprisoned? May I see proof of your U.S. citizenship or work visa? In order to make a good decision, both interviewer and interviewee want to learn as much as possible about one another. When asking questions of your interviewer a question such as will help you make an informed decision if you are offered the position. Do you think I am the ideal candidate? The closing of the interview is almost How quickly do you think I would get promoted? you do when the interviewer indicates that the interview isthe closing of the interview is almost as important as the first completed? impression. What should you do when the interviewer What is a typical day like in this job? indicates that the interview is completed? O Shake the interviewer's hand and restate your central selling points. Rise, shake hands, inform the interviewer that you will be calling in the next few days, and ask to speak with the interviewer's supervisor. Rise, shake the interviewer's hand, and close by saying you look forward to hearing from the company