Editorial objective:1- give diverse jobseekers sound information on job opportunities and how to successfully navigate the job search process,2- invite “employers of choice” to share success secrets and valuable information on where the jobs are.
Issue link: http://diversityemployers.epubxp.com/i/224970
THE ON-SITE INTERVIEW: "Landing The Offer Is The Goal" By Vernon E. Martin, Jr. A successful interview is one in which the candidate leaves with a feeling that they know the interviewer and the job, and the interviewer feels they know the candidate. You understand the interviewer and they understand you. In the interview, the employer has three objectives: (1) to gather relevant information about your qualifcations; (2) to access how your qualifcations match the requirements of the job; (3) to present the organization very positive to you. Your objective as a candidate should be to communicate self information and qualifcations clearly and accurately and to seek relevant information about the particular job, position, and employer. Most interviews can be successful for you, the candidate, by preparing for the expected and unexpected. The process is usually a six part process: (1) Preparation (2) Establishing rapport (3) Infomercial- Talking about yourself (4) Talking about the organization (5) Close-Out (6) Evaluation You are part of the frst fve segments; the sixth takes place usually while you are on site or right after you leave the premises. To prepare for the on site interview, you should know the company's products and services, fnancial picture, geographical locations and culture. You should take the time to research what alumni are working there from the institution you are graduating or have graduated. Use them to research the kinds of positions that are available and the environment or workplace (culture). Others that are in the workplace can lend frst hand knowledge on what they like, dislike, pitfalls, and community involvement. Also inquire about the demographics of the area in which you will be working, provided you are successful with the on-site interview. Your eye contact is very important because often it is the believability concept that sells what you are saying. If you have to travel to the interview city, you will most likely arrive the evening before the interview is scheduled. Be sure you are comfortable with knowing exactly where you are going for the interview. Plan on arriving at least 30-45 minutes before the actual interview. This allows you time to unwind, make sure that you are well groomed and to relax. Most on site interviews will put you in a panel interview, group, or one on one interview setting. Most of you will be escorted into a room where you will meet one person, a group or panel of people. Be sure that your handshake is frm with eye contact on each individual as you are introduced. Let the interviewer invite 22 Diversity Employers | DiversityEmployers.com | First Semester December 2013 you to be seated. Your eye contact is very important because often it is the believability concept that sells what you are saying. Your body language also sends a message of confdence and sincerity. In addition to the frm handshake and eye contact, be sure to have a well balanced posture, and open relaxed facial expression, a frm voice, and use appropriate gestures when emphasizing key words. The frst 30 seconds to fve minutes of the interview are very important. The frst impression is next to impossible to change. You never get a second chance to make a frst impression. Your appearance and dress is critical in that you should ft into the culture that you are interviewing for by dressing appropriately. You should wear conservative colors and avoid excessive jewelry, fashy colors, excessive make up, strong perfumes, and colognes. Be sure that you have practiced your 30 second or 3-5 minute infomercial. The strong lead tells the interviewer about yourself, what your assets and strengths are and the value you can bring to their organization. Be prepared to give examples of a time when you exemplifed leadership, a time when things were not going well and you turned things around. Also be prepared to discuss your involvement in professional societies, civic organizations and summer or part time employment. Be able to express a time when you experienced failure and the lessons that came from that experience. Talk about some infrastructure that you put in place