PACE-IT: CE 1.6 - Interview Prep, Delivery, and Follow-Up
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The document provides comprehensive guidelines for interview preparation, including company research, potential questions, and professional behavior during the interview. It emphasizes the importance of punctuality, appropriate attire, and post-interview follow-up actions like thank-you emails. The content is part of a workforce solution funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, highlighting equal opportunity and non-discrimination policies.
PACE-IT: CE 1.6 - Interview Prep, Delivery, and Follow-Up
- 1. Interview Prep, Delivery, and Follow-up CE 1.6: Interview Prep, Delivery, and Follow-up Daniela Axinte and Mary Keany2015/2016
- 2. Topics for discussion • The research of the company • Potential interview question
- 3. Company research • What is it and why you should have a profile • What they do • How you fit in (from both your skills and personality) • Research the published work of people you might be working for or with or are in your area of expertise • Research both the positives and the negatives about the company. If you have positive ways to improve the negative comments, present it. It has to be very succinct, doable, and thought through. Otherwise, don’t mention it. • List of potential interview question for that type of position in that specific industry
- 4. Potential interview questions • Write down the most likely interview questions • For each, write down the response you will give • Rehearse the response
- 5. Last minute tip • Create a list of technology blogs and keep checking it regularly • Here some examples: • Lifehacker • Mashable • TechCrunch • Fast Company • Wired • Gigaohm • Gizmodo • Business Insider • Venture Beat
- 6. Topics for discussion • Attire • Punctuality • Professionalism • Dress rehearsal
- 7. Attire • Better to overdress than underdress
- 8. Punctuality • Arrive at least 15 min early
- 9. Professionalism • Be professional • Be courteous • Listen carefully • Don’t interrupt • Don’t boast • Don’t spread your legs or lounge like you were on a beach
- 10. • Thank you emails • Any remaining items that you promised clarification or follow up on
- 11. • DO NOT spam them with emails and phone calls every day
- 12. • Make sure you follow up on any remaining items, such as: • Reference names and contact information • Copies of certificates or diplomas you mention you have • Previous work example, if you promised them you’ll send samples
- 13. Topics discussed • The research of the company • Potential interview questions • Interview »Attire »Punctuality »Professionalism »Dress rehearsal • Post interview »Thank you emails »Any remaining items that you promised clarification or follow up on
- 14. This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53. PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call 425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about PACE-IT Program. For any additional special accommodation needed, call SSD office at 425.640.1814. Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship; marital or veteran status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.
Editor's Notes
- #4: There nothing more annoying to an interviewer than the candidate asking, “So, what do you guys do?”. If you didn’t bother to research the company and learn about it, why should they bother to hire you? The more you research the company, and the hiring manager, if you know who that person is, the more prepared you will be to answer their questions. Research who the company is, what their culture is like, what products or services they offer, what their employees say about them from online reviews, and other details that will help you stand out as an informed and engaged candidate.
- #6: Creating a list of technology blogs you check regularly it’s a great practice that will help you stay up-to-date on the technology trends. It’s also a great conversation piece during the interview to mention an article from one of the popular blogs when providing an answer to an interviewer’s question. The list in this slide is just a snapshot of a few tech blogs, some are daily, some every other day, some weekly. There are many more in specific areas, for example in cyber security.
- #8: Attire is very important during the interview. It shows both respect for the company and its people, and for yourself. It shows that you are serious about this opportunity. When in doubt, overdress. It’s better to overdress than underdress. Fail-proof solution: wear a suit. Solid color (dark blue/navy, grey, black, or dark brown) are better than ones with patterns. The interview is not the best place to show your individual style, unless you are interviewing for a position in the fashion industry. If you eat before the interview, take extra care not to stain your clothes or smell like onions. Keep jewelry to the minimum, even if you wear lots of jewelry and that is your style. You will have the rest of your life to wear them. For your interview, keep it simple. Have a fresh haircut. If you color your hair, make sure you don’t show your roots. You can do a quick fix with a drug store “color the roots” solution. If you have facial hair, make sure it’s nicely trimmed. Also, make sure that your nails are clean and cut. You don’t need a professional manicure. You just need to look like you care about your appearance, hygiene, and grooming. Make sure you smell clean by taking a shower and using a deodorant. For this one day, refrain from wearing cologne or perfume. There are a lot of people who have various allergies. Last thing you want is for the interviewer to be allergic to your perfume. They will focus on how to deal with it and finish the interview as fast as possible, and may not be able to pay attention to what you are saying.
- #9: Be early. Even way early is better than missing the appointment. Drive there a day before your interview during the same time as your scheduled interview. This might not always be possible, especially if you are interviewing for a company in a different city. At least, do a Google maps search and see what is the typical travel time from where you live or are staying, and the company’s location. Give yourself extra time for unforeseen traffic problems. Arriving 15 minutes early is commendable and will allow you to be relaxed instead of stressing about if you will get there on time.
- #11: Congratulations! You made it through the interview. One last thing you should do is send thank you notes or emails to all the people with which you interviewed. Most people will give you a business card, so you have their email address. If that is not the case and you don’t have a way to get the person(s) email address, send an email to the recruiter you talked to before. Firstly, thank them for organizing the interviews. Secondly, ask them to pass along the thank you note to the person with which you interviewed. Below the email to the recruiter, write an email to the interviewer as you would if you had their address. Thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Tell them how excited you are about the position and write about a couple of specific things you mentioned during the interview. Also, ask if you can provide any additional information.
- #12: Do not spam your potential employer. One thank you email is enough, unless they ask for additional information. Sending multiple emails may present you as desperate and annoying. It is OK to follow up after a week or two, if they don’t communicate with you. Some jobs have a multiple-step interview. Some take a long time to make a decision. They usually interview multiple people and that takes time. Before you leave, ask the recruiter or the last person you interview with about the process from that point on, i.e. what can you expect as a timeline or call back date, what is the intended start date of the position. They will tell you. If they say it’s going to take 4 weeks before they know, send a follow email or give a call sometime between week 4 and 5. (That assuming that you don’t hear from them).