{"id":361,"date":"2022-04-04T16:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T16:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/chapter\/preparing-for-a-job-interview\/"},"modified":"2022-04-04T16:00:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T16:00:09","slug":"preparing-for-a-job-interview","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/chapter\/preparing-for-a-job-interview\/","title":{"raw":"Preparing For a Job Interview","rendered":"Preparing For a Job Interview"},"content":{"raw":"\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcome<\/h3>\n<ul>\n \t<li>Describe effective strategies to prepare for an interview<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nIf your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter have served their purposes well, you will be invited to participate in an interview with the company or organization you're interested in. Congratulations! It\u2019s an exciting opportunity, and your prospects for employment are very strong if you put in the time to be well prepared.\n\nIn this section&nbsp;we look at how to get ready&nbsp;for an&nbsp;interview, what types of interviews you might need to engage in, and what kinds of questions you might be asked.\n<h2>Preparing Effectively for a Job Interview<\/h2>\n<h3>Review the Job Description<\/h3>\nWhen you prepare for an interview, your first step will be to carefully read and reread the job posting or job description. This will help you develop a clearer idea of how you meet the skills and attributes the company seeks.\n<h3>Research the Company or Organization<\/h3>\nResearching the company will give you a wider view of what the company is looking for and how well you might fit in. Your prospective employer may ask you what you know about the company. Being prepared to answer this question shows that you took time and effort to prepare for the interview and that you have a genuine interest in the organization. It shows good care and good planning\u2014soft skills you will surely need on the job.\n<h3>Practice Answering Common Questions<\/h3>\nMost interviewees find that practicing the interview in advance with a family member, a friend, or a colleague eases possible nerves during the actual interview. It also creates greater confidence when you walk through the interview door. In the \u201cInterview Questions\u201d section below, you'll learn more about specific questions you will likely be asked and corresponding strategies for answering them.\n<h3>Plan to Dress Appropriately<\/h3>\nInterviewees are generally most properly dressed for an interview in business attire, with the goal of looking highly professional in the eyes of the interviewer. In the article \"<a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/what-business-casual-dress-code-means-2015-11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Here's What 'Business Casual' Really Means\"<\/a>&nbsp;by Jacquelyn Smith, learn exactly&nbsp;what is meant&nbsp;by \u201cbusiness casual,\u201d and see the specific types of attire appropriate for men and women.\n<h3>Come Prepared<\/h3>\nPlan to bring your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, cover letter, and a list of references to the interview. You may also want to bring a portfolio of representative work. Leave behind coffee, chewing gum, and any other items that could be distractions.\n<h3>Be Confident<\/h3>\nAbove all, interviewees should be confident and \u201ccourageous.\u201d By doing so you make a strong first impression. As the saying goes, \u201cThere is never a second chance to make a first impression.\u201d\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/8715\n\n<\/div>\n<h2>In the Interview<\/h2>\nOnce you are in the interview, there is that rush of adrenaline that comes with the desire to excel and land the next interview\u2014or better yet the job itself. Perhaps the simplest trick in the interview is to quickly wonder, \"Why did they ask that question?\" There's a purpose behind each question asked\u2014that person wants to know how you can do this new job. You quickly have to demonstrate that you have what it takes.\n\nThere are all kinds of memorable names for interview techniques. STAR is one such technique that quickly helps you present the stories of your career in a way to demonstrate skills to the interviewer. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Activity, Result. This is a way to showcase your skills in under two minutes by setting the context of when you exercised a skill, describing what was required of you, what you did, and how the situation concluded. Here is a nice summary with examples from the article \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/careers\/careers-blog\/star-technique-competency-based-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Using the Star technique to shine at job interviews: a how-to guide\"<\/a>&nbsp;by Michael Higgins.\n<h2>Contribute!<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\">Did you have an idea for improving this content? We\u2019d love your input.<\/div>\n<a style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 600; color: #077fab; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #077fab; border-radius: 7px; padding: 5px 25px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.5em;\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1G-3mm4htneuyjoxM5yM69B5bQ0yP1w5ySHZi7fJL1jY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improve this page<\/a><a style=\"margin-left: 16px;\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn More<\/a>\n","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcome<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Describe effective strategies to prepare for an interview<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>If your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter have served their purposes well, you will be invited to participate in an interview with the company or organization you&#8217;re interested in. Congratulations! It\u2019s an exciting opportunity, and your prospects for employment are very strong if you put in the time to be well prepared.<\/p>\n<p>In this section&nbsp;we look at how to get ready&nbsp;for an&nbsp;interview, what types of interviews you might need to engage in, and what kinds of questions you might be asked.<\/p>\n<h2>Preparing Effectively for a Job Interview<\/h2>\n<h3>Review the Job Description<\/h3>\n<p>When you prepare for an interview, your first step will be to carefully read and reread the job posting or job description. This will help you develop a clearer idea of how you meet the skills and attributes the company seeks.<\/p>\n<h3>Research the Company or Organization<\/h3>\n<p>Researching the company will give you a wider view of what the company is looking for and how well you might fit in. Your prospective employer may ask you what you know about the company. Being prepared to answer this question shows that you took time and effort to prepare for the interview and that you have a genuine interest in the organization. It shows good care and good planning\u2014soft skills you will surely need on the job.<\/p>\n<h3>Practice Answering Common Questions<\/h3>\n<p>Most interviewees find that practicing the interview in advance with a family member, a friend, or a colleague eases possible nerves during the actual interview. It also creates greater confidence when you walk through the interview door. In the \u201cInterview Questions\u201d section below, you&#8217;ll learn more about specific questions you will likely be asked and corresponding strategies for answering them.<\/p>\n<h3>Plan to Dress Appropriately<\/h3>\n<p>Interviewees are generally most properly dressed for an interview in business attire, with the goal of looking highly professional in the eyes of the interviewer. In the article &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/what-business-casual-dress-code-means-2015-11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Here&#8217;s What &#8216;Business Casual&#8217; Really Means&#8221;<\/a>&nbsp;by Jacquelyn Smith, learn exactly&nbsp;what is meant&nbsp;by \u201cbusiness casual,\u201d and see the specific types of attire appropriate for men and women.<\/p>\n<h3>Come Prepared<\/h3>\n<p>Plan to bring your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, cover letter, and a list of references to the interview. You may also want to bring a portfolio of representative work. Leave behind coffee, chewing gum, and any other items that could be distractions.<\/p>\n<h3>Be Confident<\/h3>\n<p>Above all, interviewees should be confident and \u201ccourageous.\u201d By doing so you make a strong first impression. As the saying goes, \u201cThere is never a second chance to make a first impression.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_8715\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=8715&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_8715\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>In the Interview<\/h2>\n<p>Once you are in the interview, there is that rush of adrenaline that comes with the desire to excel and land the next interview\u2014or better yet the job itself. Perhaps the simplest trick in the interview is to quickly wonder, &#8220;Why did they ask that question?&#8221; There&#8217;s a purpose behind each question asked\u2014that person wants to know how you can do this new job. You quickly have to demonstrate that you have what it takes.<\/p>\n<p>There are all kinds of memorable names for interview techniques. STAR is one such technique that quickly helps you present the stories of your career in a way to demonstrate skills to the interviewer. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Activity, Result. This is a way to showcase your skills in under two minutes by setting the context of when you exercised a skill, describing what was required of you, what you did, and how the situation concluded. Here is a nice summary with examples from the article &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/careers\/careers-blog\/star-technique-competency-based-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Using the Star technique to shine at job interviews: a how-to guide&#8221;<\/a>&nbsp;by Michael Higgins.<\/p>\n<h2>Contribute!<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\">Did you have an idea for improving this content? We\u2019d love your input.<\/div>\n<p><a style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 600; color: #077fab; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #077fab; border-radius: 7px; padding: 5px 25px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.5em;\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1G-3mm4htneuyjoxM5yM69B5bQ0yP1w5ySHZi7fJL1jY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improve this page<\/a><a style=\"margin-left: 16px;\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-361\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>In the Interview. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Susan Kendall. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>College Success. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Linda Bruce. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-collegesuccess\/\">https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-collegesuccess\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":395986,"menu_order":15,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"College Success\",\"author\":\"Linda Bruce\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-collegesuccess\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"In the Interview\",\"author\":\"Susan Kendall\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"467e075e-b5da-402d-806f-9786bc001b3f, 897e1579-e141-4d54-b4ff-f364a791bb89","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-361","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":346,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/395986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/361\/revisions"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/346"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/361\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=361"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=361"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}