Preparation
Once you have secured the interview, you should
begin to focus on interview preparation. Do not be fooled into thinking that you
can simply walk into an interview and answer a few questions. The employer will
often meet with several hundred candidates in order to find 5-7 potential
employees. Your goal must be to demonstrate your interest and qualifications for
the position. Preparation is key!
Interviewers have many expectations of you as a
candidate for potential hire. You must know general information about the
position for which you are interviewing. You must also be able to articulate
your qualifications and interest. In addition, the employer expects for you to
have researched his/her organization and understand the nature of the
organization.
Many college seniors have not had the opportunity to
participate in formal interviews; therefore the process may seem intimidating
and complex. However, through research and practice, interviewing skills can be
perfected. It is a widely known fact that the best candidate does not always get
the job. Many qualified candidates are passed over due to lack of interview
preparation or an inability to articulate "fit" for the position. Once you
arrive at the interview stage, it is your ability to sell yourself that will
help ensure a job offer. The following suggestions outline proven methods of
enhancing your interviewing skills and improving your opportunities of
employment.
Analyze the Position
Before you are able to convince an employer that you want to be a
bank management trainee, it is important that you understand what a bank
management trainee does. To gather this important information, you may start
with research in the Career Resource Library. Current resources such as the
Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Information section of SIGI Plus, provide
up-to-date information regarding job responsibilities, employment outlook,
educational requirements, and starting salaries. This basic research will prove
valuable as you prepare to demonstrate a match between your credentials and the
position for which you are interviewing.
In addition, you are encouraged to participate in an internship in
a field you wish to pursue. An internship will help you gain experience and
provide you with firsthand knowledge of the field. Informational interviews
provide another excellent source of gathering information on specific career
fields.
Research the Organization
To begin, you must research the company or agency to determine the
nature of the organization. The more that you know about the employer, the more
comfortable you will feel in the interview. A demonstrated knowledge of the
organization will also help convince the interviewer of your interest. In order
to ascertain sincere interest, many interviewers will begin the process with a
question such as, "Why are you interested in our organization?" or "Tell me what
you know about our company." This is certainly not a question that you can
"bluff" your way through. It is a mistake to assume you know enough about the
organization without conducting any research. Only through research will you be
able to answer the question with confidence. For example, you may know that
Ralston Purina makes pet food, but are you aware that the company also makes
cereal for humans, owns a major tuna fish company, and operates resorts and
restaurants?
Through your research, you should become familiar with:
type of organization and its function
mission and goals
products or services
divisions and subsidiaries
position description and career paths
sales and earnings (if company is a public, for-profit
organization)
size
competitors
l location, including international operations (if applicable)
projects
new trends in the field
Sources of Information
There are a variety of resources that can be used to research organizations.
Publicly held companies are the easiest to research for they are required by law
to make certain types of information available to the public. Privately held
companies do not have the same requirements and are generally, more difficult to
research. To begin, consider utilizing the Internet to locate general
information. There are several sites listed on the Career Related Web Sites page
to help in researching companies. Also, consider articles from trade
publications. The Career Services home page will provide links to many
employment databases that will include company information. Annual reports and
employment brochures also provide good information for beginning research.
Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives
Dun and Bradstreet’s Guide to Your Investments
Thomas’ Register of American Manufacturers
The Value Line Investment Survey
Moody’s
The public library has business periodicals and newspapers to help you research
company trends and noteworthy ventures.
The Wall Street Journal
Business Week
Forbes
Fortune
Also, consider articles from trade publications, generally available through
professional associations. Career Services web page lists sites for company
research.
If you are interviewing with a privately held company or agency, you will need
to be more creative in your research approach. If you cannot find information
using the recommended methods, try identifying employees or volunteers (for
nonprofit agencies) to gather information; the Chamber of Commerce may also be
able to provide limited information. You may also consider talking with
employees of similar organizations to gain a general perspective of the
industry.
Market Your Skills
After you have analyzed the position and researched the organization, you are
now in a position to review your qualifications for the position. Knowing what
you have to offer is crucial. Expressing yourself clearly and concisely is a key
element of effective interviewing. Self-assessment of your skills, interests,
and work values will help you organize your thoughts in order to project a
positive impression. A thorough self-assessment should enable you to:
summarize your educational experiences as it relates to the position for which
you are interviewing
articulate your related skills and abilities
cite examples of how you developed/used particular skills
know your personal strengths and weaknesses
discuss your work and extra curricular experiences in detail
talk about your career goals and objectives
know where you want to work
identify any problem areas in your background and be prepared to discuss them
discuss variables you are willing to negotiate (e.g. salary for geographical
preference)
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