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Interview Tips
Kindly written by biochem alum Carrie (Clothier
'97) McCray,
Project Manager, Pierce Chemical Co, Rockford, IL
* Always leave the interview with a firm handshake, a
smile and a re-affirmation of how excited you are
about the position and how you think your talents would be
a good match for the job.
* Sell yourself. The interview is not about what
the company can do for you, it is about what you
can do
for the company (ie. usually companies don’t care about
giving you a new challenge, or helping you to make a
decision). Tell them how your skills would be a great
match for the position because….. Give examples
of how you have used your skills to achieve an objective.
The bottom line for any position is ROI (Return On
Investment).
* Don’t ask about salary until they bring it up
at the end. Don’t give them a figure, tell
them you are negotiable and ask what the position
currently
pays.
* Don’t be afraid to negotiate wages. Don’t
jump at the first offer. Ask about a signing bonus. Signing
bonuses are common in industry today. Often times if
you don’t ask, they won’t tell.
* Do your homework. Know a little history about the
company to which you are applying. Mention something
about it
in the interview so they know you’ve done your
homework. It re-affirms your excitement and commitment
to getting the position.
* Have prepared questions to ask. Communicate both ways
during the interview. Ask questions. Smile. Personality
is everything! There are a lot of smart people out there
with credentials, but it all comes down to your ability
to work with others, compatibility.
* Tailor your resume and the way you list your skills
(or tell your story) to the characteristics/qualities
they are looking for in the position.
* Present yourself professionally. Keep good posture.
First impressions are everything. Your attire shows how
seriously you consider the position (no jeans!).
* Re-affirm your ‘long-term’ commitment to
the position. Although one’s decision may change
after a year or two, companies are looking for long-term
hires. They are not going to hire someone who they
know is planning on doing something else in a year
or two.
INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Here
are some questions typically asked in job interviews,
etc. You should have snappy answers
to
all of them
and
any others you can think of. Be positive, confident,
enthusiastic. Sell yourself.
1. What good books
have you read recently?
2. Why do you want to work here as opposed to another
company?
3. Why should I hire you?
4. What do you want to be doing in 5 yrs? 10 yrs? (looking
to see if you have a personal development plan, an adequate
amount of ambition)
5. Why did you take a course in Anthropology? (or whatever)
6. Tell me an incident that shows you are creative...resourceful...independent.
7. Why did you go to Beloit College?
8. Tell me about some
research you have done.
9. What questions do you have about the company? (You
should have several good ones. Use them over again if
the last person you spoke with already answered them,
but be sure to have some questions)
10. How do you get along with other people? Tell me
an example.
11. If you could invite some historical person to dinner,
who would you invite and why?
12. How come you got a C in (whatever course you did
poorly in)?
13. Why were your grades so bad as a freshman?
14. How come your GREs, MCATs, GPA are not as good as
the students from UW-Whitewater?
15. What skills
do you have that are especially relevant to this position?
16. What hobbies do you have?
17. What do you do with your spare time (anything worthwhile)?
18. On your resume you say that you did X (job, technique,
research), tell me a little about that experience?(and
indicate why it was important)
19. Do you prefer to work independently or under close
supervision? (you should indicate you can work under
either situation)
20. Why do you want this particular position?
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