After a successful interview with EPIK the day before yesterday, I know what i should continue to do in the future and what to change...here are my tips:
Do:
- post not pages on the wall on list of weakness, strengths, top Questions probably get asked (with answers), lesson plans, ideas, stories
- handwrite big description of each sheet of notes in Red ink or a marker (ie. accomplishments, weaknesses, questions, etc)
- practice answering questions outloud in the exact manner you want to answer the complete question during the interview
- imagine having success during the interview and the great feelings u have afterwards
- answer the question + give 1 supporting statement in under 1 minute
- tab up multipage page documents (applications) with handwritten table of contents notes
- stand up while talking (louder voice)
- smile and show enthusiasm
- do mock questions and practice walking to the corresponding note sheet
- close your door
- reread over and over your 60 second sell and be very familiar with your 5 selling points
- allow for silence after you finish your question (they are just writing notes...just wait...shows confidence)
- use hand motions when talking to slow down talking speed
- allow for slight pauses and slower annunciated speech to allow self to gather thoughts and to emphasize points
- have an answer to every possible question u can think of that they might ask (you should not be surprised by any question if u were fully prepared...if surprised, u were lazy and ill-prepared)
- relate every question back to atleast 1 of your selling points
- do something enjoyable like watching music videos or listen to your favorite music prior to the interview
- take control of the interview by your answers.
- turn off any cell phones or alarms in the room
- practice over and over 1 or 2 great stories that can be used as accomplishments or difficult situations - very likely to be asked about it
- take notes on what they are asking so u can refer to it during or after the interview
- sound positive, energetic, and courteous.
- make it a goal to make them smile or laugh during the interview
- write down their name and use it when saying thank you in ending the interview
- have questions ready
- use printed paper for notes (better than PC)
- research the company and any thing they might ask you about...best to have notes on it on the wall to refer to as well
Don't:
- write too much on the note sheets - only 1-5 words per line...purpose of the notes is not to read, its to give an outline..too much writing hurts u
- allow yourself to get off topic
- babble because you feel the answer is too short (it weakens your points and makes them forget your initial arguments) - if it really is shorter than they want, they will ask for followup questions
- add new arguments after a question is fully answered
- answer questions that go way off point of your 5 selling points
- allow them to give you a multipart question (if it happens, write notes!)
- give more than 1 supporting statement unless necessary. (you are just making it more difficult on yourself and weakening your initial and best argument)
- ask more than 1 question. The time to ask questions is after your pass the interview. During the interview, extra questions can only hurt their impression of you. (remember that more than likely, you can get better answers online or from another source anyway)
- use your computer during the interview...frustration is possible if you can't find what you want...and it forces you to be a stressed out sitting position. better to just have notes hanging on the wall. (the new job will pay for all the ink and paper that you will use...it's a good investment)
- feel the interview is over after their questions are over...it is only over after you hang up. don't lose focus and get sloppy with your speech. stick with the gameplan. time to celebrate and be casual after the phone call is over.
- take the interview lightly. You can never be too prepared. Remember that today's preparations is tomorrow's successes
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