DURING THE INTERVIEW

CONDUCTING YOURSELF DURING THE INTERVIEW

The major points that are important will include the following:

1. Because first impressions are very important, be certain that you dress conservatively. You may have a special blue suit, a red dress, a great sports jacket, a lot of large jewelery, or other items that you enjoy, but play it safe and dress simply..
2. Try to remember persons' names, and call each person by his or her name.
3. Always focus on the person asking the question, but use your peripheral vision to observe the facial and other nonverbal expressions of others involved in the interview.
4. If you don't have an answer to a specific question, respond honestly that you don't know much about that topic.
5. Be aware of your tone of voice and your body language. Do not, for example, slouch and put your arms on a table. Also, do not display nervous mannerisms or speak with a strained voice.
6. Don't try to answer a question immediately; if you want to, take a little time to provide a more complete answer.
7. Always answer each question honestly, because you will probably have to live with what you present. Being dishonest in your answers may occasionally assist you in obtaining the position you desire, but you will have to live with the dishonesty. If you have presented a false image and you behave differently on the job, you may soon be on your way out!
8. Display a good knowledge of the district, based upon all the homework you have done. However, do not bury the interviewers with your knowledge, as you may very well turn them off. Also, if you display greater knowledge of a variety of subjects than the interviewers, you may scare them off from your candidacy.
9. Do your home work about the organization , about its origin, the area of work and how your work may help the organization grow.
10. Don't argue if you disagree with the opinion of an interviewer. If you can, avoid them.
11. At the end of the interview, you will often be asked whether you have any questions for the interviewer(s). It is wise, at this point, to respond (a) that the interviewers and your homework have provided you with all the information that you feel you need, but ask permission to call to obtain additional information if you think of something important that you missed, and (b) ask if you can take a few minutes to stress why you desire the specific job in the specific district, emphasizing strengths that you will bring to the Position.
12. If you have materials that you would like the interviewers to review, do not hand them out prior / during the interview.. If you do this, the interviewers many times will be reading your handout materials rather than paying attention to what is being discussed during the interview.
13. At the end, make certain to express your gratitude for being given the opportunity for the interview.
14. At the very end, provide an additional copy of your resume to each person conducting the interview. This will probably be taken home and will remind them of you when they think about a final employment decision. This is especially important if you were fortunate enough to obtain the final interview.
15. Throughout the entire interview, respond with sincerity, tact, and a high degree of interest.
16. Engage in active listening. Pay attention to the emotional tone of the interviewer, not just the words he or she utters.
17. Most important, throughout the entire interview situation, display life, pep, enthusiasm.Let your personality shine and display a high interest for the job for which you are interviewed.

A final recommendation is that you attempt to obtain the final interview if multiple candidates are being interviewed. This has the following advantages: (a) You will be the last person the interview­ers will see and the last contact in their memories; (b) if the inter­viewers are not experienced, they will become accustomed to the process and be much more at ease when your turn comes to be interviewed; and (c) if you can have a friend or someone you know observe the prior interviews and provide you with feedback, you will have attained much valuable information that will assist you when you are interviewed.

Following through after the Interview

Once your interview has been completed and you have re­turned home, don't forget to follow through with the interviewers. Write a letter of thanks, and inform the interviewers that you would very much like to serve in the administrative position they have announced. Also, if you have picked up on areas of specific interest to a certain member of the interview team, try to find interesting information about that subject and send it to that person. Also, include a note that indicates your high degree of mutual interest in that specific area.

The advantages of this approach are that (a) it shows courtesy and the fact that you appreciated the interview, (b) it allows you a final chance to impress the individual interviewers, and (c) it gives them a final contact that makes you memorable with the interviewers.