- After The Interview

After The Interview

Write A Follow-up Letter Ask for the interviewer's business card and write him/her a letter or follow-up e-mail. But make it more than a plain thank-you note. Tell him/her you are still interested in the position and go over some of your qualifications that were discussed in the interview so that his/her memory will be refreshed. Possibly include a couple of pertinent questions that you did not ask in the interview. If s/he answers you quickly, this might be an indication that s/he is interested in you. For further instruction, refer to suggestions in the Letter Writing Guide.

Make Each Interview A Learning Experience As soon as possible after the interview, write down what you have learned. Ask yourself these questions:

• What points did I make that seemed to interest the employer?
• Did I present my qualifications well?
• Did I talk too much? Too little?
• Was I too tense? Was I too aggressive? Not aggressive enough?
• What can I do to improve my next interview?

By reviewing your performance, you can make plans to improve your skills.

Remember, the more you interview, the sharper your skills become and the sooner you will receive an offer!

Appendix A: Sample Questions

What are your long range and short range goals and objectives? When and why did you establish these goals and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next 10 years?
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
What do you really want to do in life?
What are your long range career objectives?
How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
What do you expect to be earning in five years?
Why did you choose the occupation for which you are preparing?
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
How would you describe yourself?
How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe you?
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
How has your college experience prepared you for your chosen occupation?
Why should I hire you?
What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful in this field?
How do you determine or evaluate success?
What do you think it takes to be successful in an organization like ours?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
What qualities should a successful manager possess?
Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her.
What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
Describe your most rewarding college experience.
If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what qualities would you look for?
Why did you select your college or university?
What led you to choose your field of major study?
What college subjects did you like best? like least? Why?
If you could do so, how would you plan your academic study differently? Why?
What changes would you make in your college or univerisity? Why?
Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?
What have you learned from participation in extra-curricular activities?
What have you learned from your previous jobs?
In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
How do you work under pressure?
In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most interested? Why?
How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?
Why did you decide to seek a position with this organization?
What do you know about our organization?
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
Are you seeking employment in an organization of a certain size? Why?
What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work?
Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
Are you willing to travel?
Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?
Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our organization is located?
What have you done that shows initiative?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
Describe an example where you worked as part of a team.