Helpful Tips and Advice
 Take a look at the helpful tips and advice StratStaff offers job seekers to better prepare you for finding that next career. We value all candidates that use StratStaff and we want to help you in any way we can. If you have additional questions or need advice, contact us and we will be glad to help. You can also visit our StratStaff blog and Myspace page for more useful advice.

Interview Tips and Advice

Preparation
 Applicants who just drift into an interview without proper preparation are never successful. Mental preparation is the first step. You must remember that even though the company is conducting the interview, you are also interviewing the company.

Here are some basic tips to ensure a successful interview:
  • Know the exact place and time of the interview.
  • Know the interviewer's full name and correct pronunciation.
  • Know the interviewer's title.
  • Allow more than suffient time for the interview. You will most likely interview with more than one person during the course of the interview. Because of this, your interview may run longer than expected. It is a huge mistake to rush any of these interviewers due to a prior engagement.
  • Dress professionally for the interview:
      • - Men should wear a dark suit, white shirt, and a contrasting tie. You may carry a briefcase/portfolio.
      - Women should wear a business suit or dress (with matching jacket depending on weather). You may carry a purse or briefcase/portfoilio, but not both.
  • Learn pertinent facts about the company such as annual sales, principal lines of business, locations, etc.
  • Use the facts you learned to prepare a list of appropriate questions.
  • Find out why the company is interested in your qualifications. Your consultant will help you identify your most marketable skills and attributes.
Arrive Early
 You should arrive for the interview 15 minutes prior to your actual appointment. A last minute arrival implies that you possess poor time management skills. A late arrival shows that you are irresponsible. These negative impressions can be avoided by arriving 15 minutes early.

Interview Tips
  • Greet the interviewer by last name. If you are unsure how to pronounce the name, politely ask the interviewer to repeat his/her name.
  • Give the appearance of energy as you walk. Smile, shake hands firmly, and be genuinely glad to meet the interviewer.
  • Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, look alert, and be interested in the conversation at all times.
  • It is just as important to be a good listener as it is to be a good communicator during the interview.
  • Look a prospective employer in the eye while speaking and listening.
  • Try to get the interviewer to describe the position and duties early in the interview. This will allow you to communicate your relevant background, skills, and accomplishments.
  • Express your skill set to the employer in a factual, sincere manner. Stress your accomplishments.
  • Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job. However, you must do this in a tactful manner or you will come across as abrasive.
  • Show enthusiasm. If you are interested in the opportunity, enthusiastic feedback enhances your chances of further consideration. If you think you are not interested in the position, your enthusiastic responsiveness will still demonstrate your professionalism. You should never close the door on an opportunity by being unprofessional.
  • Do not smoke, eat (unless you are at lunch or dinner), drink, or chew gum during the interview. You should refrain from these activities even if presented the opportunity.
  • Do not answer with a simple "yes" or "no". When possible, explain your answer by describing those things about yourself that relate to the situation.
  • Answer questions truthfully. Never lie!
  • Do not make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers. When explaining your reasons for seeking a new position, limit your comments to those necessary to adequately communicate your rationale. Your GSC consultant can give you specific examples.
  • Do not inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement plans, etc. during the initial interview. If the interviewer asks about your salary expectations, indicate that you are more interested in opportunity than money at this point.

Questions You Should Be Prepared to Answer
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Tell me about your background and accomplishments.
  • Why would you be a good fit for an outside sales position?
  • What are your strengths?
  • What are your weaknesses?
  • How would you describe your most recent job performance?
  • What interests you about our company?
  • Why are you considering a change?
  • What are your professional affiliations?
  • What position do you want to hold in five years?
  • Are you a team player?
  • Avoid questions that relate to benefits, vacations, and retirement.
The Exit
When exiting the interview, repeat the opinion that you can do the job and that the position is exactly what you are seeking. Such reinforcement at the exit can make the difference between receiving and not receiving the job offer

.Follow Up
 Always follow up with each person with whom you have interviewed. This needs to be done with a verbal call/message via telephone. The purpose is to reinforce your interest in the company and the opportunity. You can set yourself apart from other candidates by following up in a timely, effective manner. (You can refer to our website for example letters and other helpful links.)

Reminders
  • Getting the job offer is your main objective. The interview is also not the time to broaden your knowledge of available opportunities. There are far more effective and efficient, not to mention discrete, methods to do this.
  • A nonchalant attitude has no place in a job interview.
  • If you are interested in the position and feel the position is a fit for you, convince the interviewer you can do the job.
Negatives
  • Personal appearance that is less than professional.
  • Overbearing, overaggressive, or egotistical behavior.
  • Showing a lack of interest and enthusiasm; a passive and indifferent attitude.
  • Having a lack of confidence and poise; nervousness.
  • Overemphasis on compensation.
  • Evasiveness; making excuses for unfavorable factors in work history.
  • Lack of tact, maturity, and courtesy.
  • Inability to maintain a conversation.
  • Failure to ask questions about the position/company.
  • What can you do for me?" attitude.
  • Lack of preparation for the interview; failure to get information about the company resulting in the inability to ask intelligent questions.