This document provides guidance on preparing for and participating in a job interview. It discusses doing research on the employer in advance, dressing professionally, arriving early, having copies of relevant documents, and practicing answers to common questions. During the interview, questions may focus on work experience, strengths, goals, and interest in the position. The interviewee should ask questions as well to learn more about the job and employer. Follow-up after the interview includes sending a thank you note and following up on next steps in the hiring process.

1. ESPACIO EMPLEO – LATU – OCTOBER 20,2009
THE DOs & DON’Ts OF A JOB INTERVIEW
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:
a) Personal Appearance
b) Preparation
3. DURING THE INTERVIEW:
a) Most Common Questions & How to Answer Them
b) Should You Ask Questions?
c) Finishing the Interview
4. AFTER THE INTERVIEW:
a) Keep Showing Interest

2. ESPACIO EMPLEO – LATU – OCTOBER 20,2009
THE DOs & DON’Ts OF A JOB INTERVIEW
ABSTRACT:
There is only one opportunity to make a great first impression.
Adequately preparing yourself for a job interview is the first step to success.
What are they going to ask me? How should I answer? What should I ask? How
can I prepare myself for it? This workshop will focus on answering these
questions with practical suggestions for those who are just starting off in the job
market.
INTRODUCTION
How many of you have been in a job interview? Have you had any
previous preparation? In a 2002 book called: “Libro de la Entrevista de Trabajo”
by Moreno Puchol, there is some interesting information to take into account.
The book mentions that it has been statistically proven that when someone
sends his or her CV in answer to a classified ad, probably 200 people have also
answered to it. From those 200 candidates, only 20 will be taken into
consideration for a job interview. This shows the importance of having, first of
all, a well prepared CV. Basically, these 20 candidates theoretically have the
same qualifications to do the job. However, in the majority of the cases, from
those 20 candidates only 1 will actually get the job. This proves the relevance of
devoting time and effort to the preparation of a job interview. There is no doubt
that this first impression is your passport to failure or success.

3. ESPACIO EMPLEO – LATU – OCTOBER 20,2009
1. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:
a) Personal Appearance
♦ Be well groomed
♦ Dress appropriately
♦ Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
♦ Maintain a professional image
(1) Do not chew gum or smoke
(2) Turn off your cell phone
(3) Treat all people with kindness – firm handshake and eye
contact – SMILE -
(4) Be aware of your posture and gestures
(5) Don’t ever interrupt the interviewer – Listen carefully!
(6) Address the interviewer by “Mr. / Ms. Last name”
b) Preparation
♦ Learn about the organization – This will help you make
intelligent questions and answer why you would like to work
there. It shows interest.
♦ Have a specific job or jobs in mind

4. ESPACIO EMPLEO – LATU – OCTOBER 20,2009
♦ Prepare papers for your interview in advance
(1) CV and copies
(2) Job reference lists or Recommendation letters
(3) Note pads or agenda!
♦ Review your CV and qualifications for the job
♦ Prepare answers to general questions about yourself
♦ Practice an interview with a friend or relative
3. DURING THE INTERVIEW:
a) Most Common Questions & How to Answer Them
The interviewer already knows that you are qualified for the position, so now
he or she wants to know how you are as a person and how you might be as an
employee. Therefore, it is your job at the interview to convince the interviewer
that you are the right person for the position. Some tips for answering questions
are: first, listen carefully and ask for clarification if needed, second, think before
answering, focus on your successes, always offer positive and truthful
information, finally get directly to the point unless you are asked to go into
detail.
Before paying a look at some common questions, I would like to go over some
useful expressions when answering questions in English:

5. ESPACIO EMPLEO – LATU – OCTOBER 20,2009
- I believe that…
- From my experience…
- I would say that…
- Well, that’s an interesting question…
- To begin with, …
- I feel that…
- To be honest with you…
- Let me think about that for a minute…
Common Questions:
♦ Tell me about yourself
♦ What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
♦ Why should I hire you? / Why do you believe you are the best
candidate for this position?
♦ Why do you want to work here?
♦ Are you considering other positions at this time?
♦ How does this job compare with them?
♦ What motivates you?
♦ Tell me about your greatest achievement and greatest
disappointment
♦ What are your short and long-term goals and how do you
expect to achieve them?
♦ Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
♦ How soon would you be able to start this position if we offer it
to you?
♦ What is the minimum salary you will accept? / What salary
range are you wishing to be considered for?

6. ESPACIO EMPLEO – LATU – OCTOBER 20,2009
b) Should You Ask Questions?
When in an interview, your two main objectives are to “sell” yourself and to
evaluate the position it is being offered. By asking questions, you gain
knowledge about the organization to make a better, more informed decision.
Besides, you make a good impression by showing the employer that you are
indeed interested in the position.
♦ Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?
♦ What will be the greatest challenge in the job?
♦ How many people have held this job in the last five years?
Where are they now?
♦ If this position is offered to me, why should I accept it?
♦ What qualities do you prize the most in those who report
directly to you?
♦ Do you offer any benefits?
♦ What is the salary range?
c) Finishing the Interview
♦ Make sure you understand the next step in the hiring process:
who is going to contact you and when; are you expected to do
something else after the interview?
♦ Thank the interviewer for his or her time and establish a follow-
up plan. (handshake & eye contact)
4. AFTER THE INTERVIEW
♦ Make notes right away not to forget crucial information.
♦ 3 or 4 days after the interview send a thank you e-mail or give
the interviewer a phone call. Thank them again for the
opportunity and let them know that you are still interested. If
another candidate was already hired, show your interest in
case another position opens in the future.
GOOD LUCK! Prof. Fabiana Hernández