[Job] Interview tips

I'd bring a copy of my resume, even though they may already have it. Sometimes headhunters will change your resume to suit the job and it's somewhat unsettling when you're asked about stuff on a resume you don't recognize.

Also, just be prepared to back up, and speak intelligently about, anything you've put down on your resume.

 

Make sure and ask LOTS of questions at the end of the interview about the company/your role and responsibilites/what successful people there do/etc...

the q+a session at the end is almost as important as the answers you give

 

:10 seconds in...

nobody in this town works without a retainer

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What has worked for me is that I brought with me a report on a project that I had worked on while in college and talked about the project for about 15 minutes. In your case this could be a report on a research you have done. The Interviewers usually like it whenever you speak technically, at least that's the case in my field (engineering). The more technical and knowledgable you sound the better your chances are of impressing.

 

When sharing about experiences in working with/ in a group, never talk about you. No "I did this..."

Third person... You want to portray that you observe the function of the whole group...


When they ask for your strengths and weaknesses, then talk "I"

 

Just be confident and outgoing...it's the easiest way to be hired.

You don't have to make them think you're perfect for the job - they can train that into anyone (at least for an entry-level position)...they just have to like you.

 

its your dream job and you love to do nothing more that whatever particular function this job entails. You love the company and the industry and you can see yourself being there forever. You are an eager young professional looking to learn a lot and help the company make a lot of money

of course be prepaired to ask questions in return.

Do some research on the company. If appropriate, bring examples of work (but that could backfire if it sucks).

relax...eye contact and body language of course.

Finish strong! Shake his/her hand at the end and tell them that you will make them a great employee.

 

I second this. Display your interest in the company by showing that you've done your homework. Sure, you can ask stock questions, like "What is the typical career path?" or "How is the work/life balance?", but to be noticed, you also need to ask some insightful questions. If at all possible, find some news on the company (use Yahoo! Finance or something) and ask a relevant question or two based on what's currently happening with the company. Don't spout off facts for the sake of showing off, though.

Also, when asked a behavioral question, frame your stories in the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Results.

 

Keep eye contact...especially when talking or when they are talking to you. Don't fiddle around with your hands.

Prepare yourself for the dreaded "what's your weaknesses" question. Make sure you can spin your stated weakness into a positive. I always have said that my biggest weakness is my desire to stay focused on one single task. I explain that while I can handle multi-tasking without problems, I prefer to focus on one project and drive forward until I get the job done.

Good luck!!!

 

Act like you don't want the jobs act like they need you not the other way around. It did a lot better for me than acting like I actually wanted the job.

 

One thing I can't stress enough: Make sure you can answer questions about EVERYTHING you put down on your resume.

 

Similar to what I said in an interview I had a couple of weeks ago (I start the job on Monday). I said my greatest weakenss is my time management. I concern myself so much on the detail that I spend too much time on one project. They seemed to like that.

Just be confident and know what you are talking about. The few interviews I've given, I was quick to notice bulls***. With your field, I would do what one other said and bring an example of a project. A copy or 2 of your resume and a couple copies of your professional references shoud come with you.

 

Just don't say something idiotic and shallow like "My problem is I work too much!" or "I care too much about TPS reports!" You'll make your interviewer .

Oh, and for the love of God, don't ask if the company drug tests.

I disagree with this advice. It's great to have confidence, but when you start in with a cocky attitude, you're more likely to hurt yourself than help yourself. The better method would be to act like you're interviewing the company at the same time the company is interviewing you. (Interviews ARE, after all, a two-way street.) I must stress, though, that this is far from 100% foolproof, since the interviewer may not take too kindly to you taking the power away from them.

Remember, first impressions are key. Within a minute of the actual interview, the employer has already made a judgment about you. The rest of the interview they will look for things that will reinforce that image of you, positively or negatively. Yes, it sucks, but that's life.

 

Be prepared for anything...

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I have been to so many interviews that I acted nice did my research etc. and I got nothing. So I just started acting like I didn't care if I got hired or not and suddenly I got like 2 offers in like a month.

 

Communication skills are frequently the first thing companies look for. Bottom line is, they want someone who's easy to work with...someone who's capable of receiving instruction and criticism. Companies would much rather train an inexperienced team player than work with an experienced/perfect student who's incapable of working well with others.

Make sure you ask lots of questions at the end. If you ask no questions at all, you can pretty much kiss the job offer good-bye. It signifies that you have no interest in working for them.

My guess is that when you stopped caring, you finally relaxed during interviews and appeared to be more confident/sociable as opposed to looking like you were desperately seeking employment. Personally, I don't think it's ever a good idea to give off an "Oh you know...I don't need this job, and I couldn't care less" impression.

 

1. WHAT TO BRING
Bring a copy of your resume, a copy of your references or a References Summary page, and any other career documents (as someone suggested, perhaps a report or paper, or summary of a project that relates to advertising).

2. TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Anything on your resume is fair game, so make sure you can back up anything you include. It's best to use the "CAR" formula when describing your achievements, the Challenge you faced, the Actions you took, and the Results. They may or will ask you questions to probe into your personality, so you just try to answer those as best you can.

As another response mentioned, if you are asked the question, "What is your greatest weakness?", don't give them a smart-alecky remark ("I work too hard!"), and don't mention something that would be a critical aspect of the job (e.g. for a sales position, don't say you have trouble communicating with others). If the position is in advertising, you can talk about the importance of data and metrics to determine customer trends/preferences and how that can translate into advertising strategies. Tell them what you know about branding, competitive product positioning, etc. As someone else mentioned, research the company and make sure you can tell them something specific about themselves. More than anything, companies want to hear about themselves at this stage and what you know about them.

For interns, the little things matter, such as willingness to work extra or odd hours, take on any type of task (they may expect you to take care of administrative tasks as well as marketing-ad related duties), be flexible to the department's changing needs, etc. Above all, let them know that you are dependable and are most concerned at this point in your career with making sure you can help them achieve their goals. Asking them questions about the position and the company's primary targets/goals, as someone else mentioned, is great too, because again, you are focusing on them.

Also, send a thank-you letter within 24-48 hours of the interview. In the thank-you letter, in the 2nd paragraph, mention 1 thing you remember from the interview (such as an important point they emphasized) and make the connection between this point and your background ("I noted from our interview that you emphasized the importance of online advertising strategies. Previously, I was involved with using Search Engine optimization techniques to promote a financial services site in my XXX class..."). The letter does not have to be long- 3 very short paragraphs. 93% of job seekers do not send a thank-you letter following an interview, so if you are one of the 7%, you put yourself in a much better position for the job.

I have tons of these types of career documents, so if you need any samples, feel free to email me privately. If it's not in my signature, let me know your email and I can send you some of these free of charge. Good luck!

 

This is going to sound funny, but , now your sh*t and know the company, but not too much...If someone knows too much about the company, quoting and such, that's kind of weird...Don't over do it in answering things that were not asked and last but not least, be confident...

Good luck!

 

Good point- especially for an intern, you don't want to sound over-confident. Maybe mentionining 1 thing you know about them is a good thing.