Job Interview Tips
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it is important to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints:
Preparation:
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Learn about the organization
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Have a specific job or jobs in mind
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Review your qualifications for the job
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Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job
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Make sure your answering machine/voicemail has a professional sounding message (Remove any inappropriate language, music, and other recordings)
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Be sure you use an appropriate email name (a combination of last and first name and/or initials is a good way to setup up a professional email name)
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Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" "Where do you see yourself in five years?'
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Practice an interview with a friend or relative (use video if possible and critique your performance)
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Inform the interviewer if you must cancel or change the date of your interview. Plan ahead for conflicts with other interviews, exams, etc.
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Find out the logistics of the interview (When is it scheduled, what to expect during it, how long you will be there and who will be interviewing you)
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Give yourself extra time to get to the interview
Personal appearance:
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Be well groomed/practice good hygiene
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Dress appropriately (Generally, attire is more formal/conservative for large corporations and less formal for nonprofit and government)
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Do not chew gum or smoke
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Avoid wearing cologne/perfume, your potential employer may be allergic or may simply not like your fragrance
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Jewelry should be kept to a minimum
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Remove body piercings and cover tattoos
The interview:
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Be early (10-15 minutes)
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Turn off your cell phone
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Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake
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Bring a copy of your resume
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Use good manners with everyone you meet
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Relax and answer each question concisely
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Use proper English-avoid slang
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Be enthusiastic and cooperative
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Use body language to show interest-make eye contact and don't slouch
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Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company's Web site
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Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits until a job offer is made
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Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands
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Send a short thank you note following the interview
More Sources of Help & Information
If you don't have access to a computer at home, your local library has free computer and internet access.
Workforce1 Career Center
New York City's Workforce1 Career Centers provide job seekers with a full array of free employment services, including job placement, career counseling, professional development, and access to training opportunities. Help is available both online, and in person
Services include: Workshops, Career Counseling, & Job Search Resources
Location: 9 Bond St., 5th Floor.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: (718) 246-5219
Web: http://home.nyc.gov/html/sbs/wf1/html/home/home.shtml
Brooklyn Central Library's Education & Job Information Center (EJIC)
The EJIC is a free service for job hunters, career changers, and students of all ages. The center is open whenever the Central Library is open.
Location: 10 Grand Army Plaza,
2nd Floor Balcony, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Tel: (718)230-2177
Go to their Web page for additional Brooklyn Public Library branches that offer job-hunt help.
NYS Department of Labor
The NYS Department of Labor's website offers help with resume writing and interview techniques as well as apprenticeship opportunities, training grants, on-line job listings and job fair opportunities: www.labor.ny.gov/lookingforajob.shtm
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics offers interview tips at:
Web: www.bls.gov/oco/oco20045.htm
Email: DoES.cmts@labor.state.ny.us
Federation Employment Guidance Service
Location: 938 Kings Highway,
Brooklyn, NY 11223-2338
Tel: (718) 336-2836
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island
Location: 3001 West 37th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Tel: (718) 449-5000
Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush
Location: (Administration and Bookkeeping) 1550 Coney Island Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11230-4716
Tel: 718-377-2900
Sephardic Bikur Holim (Community Service Network)
Location: 425 Kings Hwy
Brooklyn, NY 11223-1629
Tel: (718) 787-9598