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Before
the Job Interview
Things
to be informed about before interview:
- Be aware
of your interests, abilities, experiences, and values as they relate
to your occupation.
- Be sure
you can answer any questions about your education and previous work
experiences.
- Know names
of former employers, addresses, and current telephone numbers
- Your job
title(s), start and end dates of previous employment, and your starting
and ending salaries
- Names
of your direct supervisor(s) and other persons able to give information
about your work performance
- Reasons
you left your previous employment (or want to leave)
- Elements
of your past jobs that you've liked best and liked least, and why
- For large,
well-known companies, read all the company literature you can find (if
you're using the Web, start with search engines or directories; you'll
often find the most up to date information on the Web). If you use the
library, ask the librarian to help you use trade directories to research
the company.
- For smaller,
local companies that aren't on the Web, go to your local Chamber of
Commerce to reach the company. Find out about the company's products
or services, major competitors, philosophy, goals, history, size, number
of employees, annual sales, market share, and hiring practices.
- Ask the
company's personnel office, or the person who calls to schedule your
interview, for a job description of the position you're interviewing
for before the interview.
- Ask your
guidance counselor, family, or a friend to role play an interview with
you.
- Ask for
feedback.
Things to carry for the Interview:
- Bring
your social security card, driver's license, or other papers (such as
a birth certificate or green card) necessary to prove you're eligible
for legal employment.
- Bring
copies of your resume.
- All interview
outfits should be neat and clean.
- Plan to
dress appropriately for the occupational setting you wish to enter.
Examples: persons who apply for construction work should wear work clothes
which include safety shoes, goggles, and helmets; persons seeking employment
in an office usually wear suits to an interview.
- It's usually
helpful to bring paper and pencil to the interview in case you need
to make notes.
- You might
want to carry tissues, just in case you need one.
- If the
job states you must have your own tools, it's helpful to have them available
at the interview.
- Prepare
work samples, volunteer efforts, and self-assessment material and put
them all in one place.
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