Extra News
Posted on 08-27-2009

Acing the Job Interview Process

Your shoes are polished. Your suit is pressed. Your hair is neat and professional. With your résumè in hand, you are ready to take on the world.

As you enter the building, you are practicing how you will respond to certain interview questions and recalling vital information about the company that you may want to inquire about later. You are ready to ace that interview. However, many job applicants are unaware of the fact that some interviews begin before they ever set foot in that conference room.

When you arrive – ideally 10 minutes early – you should anticipate sitting in the waiting area for a short time while the interviewer prepares his or her notes. How can you use this time to your advantage? Remember, eyes and ears are everywhere. Think about your conduct the moment you walk in the door.

Don’t look nervous
You might be feeling the classic “fight or flight” response, but you shouldn’t look like you are. This means no foot or finger tapping and no pacing the floor. You should not look like you are in fear of an interrogation. When in doubt, be sure to sit with both feet on the floor and hands folded and keep yourself busy.

Review your résumè while you wait
This will keep you occupied, refresh your memory and keep your mind off the challenge ahead. You should always bring extra copies of your résumè with you to the interview; take another glance, so you’re better prepared to talk about your current and past job duties and qualifications.

Start reading
If you are in a waiting area where literature about the company is readily available, start reading. This shows an active interest in the company and it definitely reflects well on you when your potential boss walks in and finds you reading the company’s quarterly report.

Write it down
Bring a notebook with you to record your impressions and, most importantly, your questions for the interviewer. You should never go into an interview without thoroughly researching the company and having a few well thought-out questions in mind. If questions do come to mind while you’re waiting (possibly after reading the available materials), you have a notebook handy to jot them down.

The notebook also helps you keep track of information you learn in the interview, but don’t take notes during the interview. Pull the notebook out of your briefcase once you are safely in your car to write down vital information like position duties, salary, benefits and the opportunities for advancement in the company. Write down whatever strikes you as important and that would lead you to accept or reject a job offer.

First impression
Perhaps coinciding with the notebook tip, take note of your surroundings while you wait. Is the room clean and organized? Is the receptionist gossiping about the boss or coworkers? How are employees dressed? Do people seem like they want to be there or are they just trudging through their day? Of course, it may be difficult to accurately gauge this, but remember, first impressions say a lot. Assess the company’s appearance and attitude while you wait just as they will be assessing yours.

For further assistance in finding a job and acing the entire interview process, call the National Latino Education Institute’s Career Services at (773) 247-0707. Business Development and Office Technology programs are currently open for enrollment. Students may qualify for Pell or WIA grants to cover tuition costs.

by Elba Aranda-Suh
National Latino Education Institute