Improving Your Interviewing Skills

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Definition

The word interview is defined as a formal consultation to evaluate the aptitude, training, or progress of a student or prospective employee.  This should not be limited.  The interview includes any confrontation between two or more people with the understanding that the purpose is for an evaluation to be made.

The Purpose of an Interview

Contrary to what you might think, the purpose of an interview should not be to get a job, but rather to get a job offer.  It should be your goal on a job search to get as many offers as you possibly can, so that you may choose the one that pleases you the most.                                                                                   

Criteria for Selection

The interviewer will be evaluating the interviewee in three ways:

• Is the candidate able to do the job?
• Is the candidate willing to put the effort to be successful?
• Is the candidate manageable?

The Challenge

It is a sad fact that in many cases, the best applicant does not get the job or the job offer.  This is for two reasons.  First, few candidates understand dynamics and the complexity of the interview situation.  Second, there may be a lack of expertise on the part of the interviewer.  The challenge to you is to learn as much as you can about both the interviewing situation and the interviewer.  Through the Interview Skills Workshop and much practice, you will be able to gain mastery of the interview situation.