Just before the Interview:
Generally, you will get either a phone call or an email requesting an interview.
1. If it is over the phone, be sure to have a piece of paper handy so you can write down where to go and with whom you are meeting.
2. Ask the following questions, and then write down the information that they give you.
a. Ask for the name of the company
b. Ask for the exact location of the interview, including any suite or office number
c. Ask for the telephone number of the company, in case you are going to be late or need to reschedule
d. Ask for the name of the person or people who will be interviewing you.
e. Ask if you will be filling out an application at the interview location
f. Ask if you will be seeing more than one person
g. Repeat this information back to the caller, every piece of this information, so you can be sure it’s correct.
h. Drive or take a bus to your interview location BEFORE your interview date. This is so you can be sure of how long it takes to get there and so you know how much time to give yourself before the interview.
3. Be sure to arrive early, but not too early. If you will be filling out an application, you should be there a ½ hour early to give yourself enough time to fill out the application. When you arrive. Smile at the receptionist. Introduce yourself and tell her who you have an interview with.
Example: (Smile) Hello, my name is Jennifer Evans and I have an interview with Mr. Jones at 3pm.
4. Sit straight in the chair, smile and look the interviewer in the eye.
5. Refer to the Sample interview questions
6. After the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time, ask them when they might know who they are going to hire, shake hands with them (if appropriate) and leave.
Example: Thank you for taking the time to interview with me, Mr. Jones. I would like to know how long or when you might be finished interviewing candidates for this position?
7. If your appointment was early in the morning, be sure to write a thank you note immediately. When you get out to your car, or to the bus stop, write a quick thank you note and hand deliver it to the office. It doesn’t have to be long. If you're unsure what to write in your Thank you note, click here!
If your interview was late in the day, sending/delivering the thank you note is okay. If the contact was made via email, an email thank you note is appropriate.
8. After they tell you when they might be done interviewing, make a call to them to find out the status of their interviews and to let them know that you are still interested in their company.