How to Ace the Interview

You know that putting your best foot forward requires professional and personal preparation. But you also have to keep track of what, where, when, and how—and then look your best at the interview to make the optimum impression.

See Identifying Your Values (Chapter 1) and Questions You Might Ask (Chapter 3) for ideas to formulate your questions

Refining Your Preparation

As the date of your interview approaches, you’ll have many details to keep you busy. Use these lists to keep your preparation schedule on track.

The Week Before

• Practice interviewing by role playing—a great tool. Talk aloud about your skills and accomplishments as well as your possible responses to behavioral-type questions. Have a friend—preferably someone who’s been through the process—ask you questions and listen to your answers. If possible, have someone videotape a practice interview and critique it.
• Request that any forms (and a job description) be sent to you in advance. Take your time to review and fill them out neatly and completely, without having to rush.
• Study your resume. No matter how many times you’ve read it before, read it again. Dates and achievements must be fresh in your mind so you can be ready to tell the interviewer all about them and how they match the organization’s needs.

If you have a cell phone be sure to turn it off before the interview has started

• If your interview is out of town, confirm all transportation arrangements. Remember to ask about procedures for submitting your expenses, too.
• Prepare a list of job-related questions.
• Fine tune your presentation and materials.

The Day Before

• Verify the meeting details. Who will be there? When will it start? How long will the meeting last? Where will it be held?
• Confirm the directions. Make sure you know how long it will take you to get there and what time you’ll have to leave. Jot down the time and place (including floor and suite number) so, even if you’re a little nervous, you will still arrive at the right place at the right time. Make a note of the interviewer’s phone number so you can call if you’re delayed.

For more advice about clothing, ask at a reputable clothing store or consult a placement office counselor at your college/university

• Pack the essentials. In your briefcase or folder, place the information you’ve assembled about the organization, the questions you have prepared, extra copies of your résumé, your publication list, a list of references, a pad of paper, and a couple of pens or pencils. Bring enough change for subway fare, parking, tolls, and telephone calls. Listen to the weather forecast to determine whether you need an umbrella or raincoat.
• Get a good night’s sleep. And don’t forget to set the alarm to leave you plenty of time to get ready.

See the ACS guide, Resume Preparation—Tips for Chemical Professionals, for assistance with your resume.

A Good First Impression

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so get it right. Arrive on time; there are no acceptable excuses for being late to an interview. And look well groomed; your appearance will influence the interviewer’s final decision about you.

A suit is a good choice for men or women; select an attractive, conservative style and color, with only a modest amount of jewelry.

The Interview Itself

If you’ve adequately prepared for the interview, you should do well. The more interviews you have, the more comfortable you will feel with the process. Here are some tips for increasing your confidence.

An Effective Introduction

The first few minutes are the most important—that’s when your interviewer will form a lasting impression of you. How you look and behave will set the tone for the rest of your meeting.

Begin with a firm handshake and look the interviewer in the eye. Be enthusiastic in your greeting. Smile. Wait until the interviewer is seated or invites you to sit down. Don’t use the interviewer’s first name unless you’re invited to do so.

During the interview, sit up straight (but not stiff) in the chair and keep your feet on the floor; you want to avoid a swinging leg. Also be careful about moving your arms or hands excessively as you talk. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer and a pleasant look as you listen to and answer questions.

Promoting Yourself Without Exaggerating

This sounds obvious, but it’s good to avoid the temptation to embellish your accomplishments. False information can cost you the interview or the job. Your behavior is likely to give you away, anyway. If you stammer or appear hesitant or anxious, an observant interviewer probably will ask follow-up questions. If you’re asked whether you can perform a certain task and you dishonestly say yes, it will be very embarrassing to admit you can’t once you’re on the job. If your credibility is damaged there’s little you can do to recover, and you’re likely to lose the job even if you get it.

No matter how much you want the job, go about it honestly. If you’ve reviewed your résumé and other materials, you can be clear about your skills and accomplishments without having to exaggerate.

If the interviewer breaks the ice with some chitchat, realize they’re trying to put you at ease. One tells the story of a recruiting trip to his alma mater the day before a big football game

The recruiter thought a conversation about the game would be a perfect way to get started with a candidate

When the candidate arrived and introductions were made, the recruiter asked, “So, what do you think about the big game tomorrow?”

The candidate looked down at the recruiter and said rather sternly, “Sir, we’re here to talk about me, not football.” The interview went downhill from there.

Being an Observer

Pay attention to what is said and how—be sure you understand what’s being asked before starting to answer a question. If you are not sure, ask the interviewer for clarification.

The interview is a conversation, not an interrogation, so strive to spend 50% of your time listening and 50% talking. Interviewers often will drop cues about the organization through what they say during an interview.

Also note how people act and interact with each other. Are they formal or informal, friendly or reserved? Would you enjoy working there? If you see a bulletin board, stop and look at it. Are job openings posted? If so, what kinds? Are there any flyers announcing activities, such as a softball team or internal training? Try to be alert to any details important to the work environment.

Meal Etiquette

If your interview includes a meal, remember that you’re still being observed—it’s just as much a part of the interview process as the discussions about you and your work activities.

Avoid foods that are difficult to eat when talking or foods that are messy (ribs, overstuffed sandwiches). Don’t order the most expensive item on the menu—tempting as that may be—but you’re not obligated to order the cheapest, either. Decline alcoholic drinks. And be sure to thank your host for the meal.

If you’re uncertain about behavior during interview meals, get a book about social etiquette.

Closing

Without an offer, you have nothing to negotiate

Before the interview ends, the interviewer will ask for your questions. Add to those you’ve prepared any that occur to you during the interview process. Not asking questions when invited to do so may cause the interviewer to think you’re either not inquisitive or not sufficiently interested in the job.

Save questions about salary, vacation, and benefits for the negotiation process, once you have an offer in hand. If you bring up these topics too early in the interview, you risk giving the impression you’re interested in only what you can get from the employer.

Ask for business cards from all the individuals you meet

Your goal is to sell yourself to a prospective employer by demonstrating belief and confidence in your work, sincerity in your purpose, courtesy in your dealings with others, and tact in difficult situations.

It’s unlikely that you will be offered a job on the spot, so don’t be discouraged if that doesn’t happen. At the end of the interview, ask the interviewer about the time frame for making a decision, but don’t force the issue. Try to get a contact for follow-up if you haven’t heard by the designated time.

Leave the interview the same way you started it: Look the interviewer in the eye, smile, and shake hands firmly. Be sure to let the interviewer know you’re enthusiastic about the job and the organization, enjoyed the meeting, and look forward to hearing from them soon.

Following Up With a Thank-You Letter

Write a short letter (not an email) to each interviewer within 24 hours of your visit to thank them for their time. Show you were paying attention by mentioning something discussed during the interview. Say you were impressed with the organization, people, and position, but don’t overdo it. Be enthusiastic about the job—confirm that you can do it and that you want the position, but keep it simple and concise.

The main purpose of the letter is to thank the interviewer, not to sell your qualifications.

If you’ve decided you are not really interested in the position, send a thank-you letter anyway. You want to leave a good impression—in the future you may want to apply for another job with the same organization, or you may end up working for an employer doing business with this organization.

If you had an information interview where no specific position was discussed, still thank the person for their time and ask them to keep you in mind if a suitable position opens up.

After a screening interview, thank the person for meeting with you to discuss the position, and reiterate your interest.

If your interview was out of town and the organization is covering your expenses, be sure to submit an expense account with your thank-you letter. Include all your receipts.