The interview is one of the key elements of the job search process. As with any skill, we can get better at it with preparation and practice. Be sure you can address the Five Basic Areas before the interview.
The Five Basic Areas
In reality, the company really wants to know just five things about you:
- Why do you want to work there (as opposed to somewhere else)?
- What can you do for them?
- What kind of a person are you? (Will you fit in? Are you easy to get along with? Do you know what the company thinks is important, and do you share those values?)
- What makes you different (stand out) from the competition?
- Can they afford you, or might you come on board, get trained, and then leave for the first outside opportunity?
You probably want to know similar things about the company:
- Why do I want to work here? (Would I like to do this job for this company?)
- What do I need to know (skills, knowledge, and attitude) to do this job well?
- Would I like to work with the people that work there?
- If this seems like a good place to work, what will make me stand out from the competition so that they offer me the job?
- Can I convince them to hire me at the salary, vacation, and benefit levels that I want?
