2007-01-26 03:29:32 · 6 answers · asked by bowwow_wifey36 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
An interview is the first impression you'll make on your prospective employer. It's wise to bring your coverletter to be sure, but your resume, along with any samples of work you've accomplished that's related to the job for which your applying is also recommended. Dress appropriately for the interview, but don't overdress: if it's an office job or person-to-person sales like clothing retail or door-to-door sales, wear a suit and tie; if it's foodservice, khakis and a collared shirt might do; manual labor, go in ready to work. Be sure to show interest in company attire -- concern for appearance can be important to employers.
Prepare for your interview: Know what your position entails, the duties and responsibilities, what skills you bring to the position, what your plan is in improving that position, what your overall goal in the company is, and how this job fits in your overall lifetime goals. Identify your strengths and, most importantly, your weaknesses, and be prepared to explain how each of these will impact your performance on the job and your integration with the rest of the staff with whom you'll be working. Look for ways to turn your weaknesses into strengths. Prepare a short piece about yourself, describing why you'd be an asset to the firm. Practice questions with a friend, go over answers in the mirror; smooth interviews are a result of practice.
In the interview, listen carefully to what is asked. Show you're at ease, but that you're attentive and excited about the prospect of working there. Gauge the personality of the interviewer: conversational, technical, authoritative, reticent. Conversational interviewers want you to talk, want to hear a lot about your experiences, and appreciate anecdotes and a sense of humor. Technical interviewers want facts about you, about your skills, about your knowledge base, so be able to rattle off this kind of info. Authoritative interviewers want to see your ability to get to the point, that you're a team-player, that you follow instructions. Reticent interviewers won't give away too many things -- they expect you to do the talking, so questions may be short, and you may need to fill in the blanks.
Remember that the most important thing you bring to the interview is yourself. Be confident in your abilities, understand your role as an asset to the company, and be persistent. Interviewing for a job is a sales job: sell yourself by identifying your features, explaining the advantage of hiring you, and the benefits that will bring to the company.
Good luck!!
2007-01-26 03:59:26 · answer #1 · answered by John K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to bring a cover letter to an interview. You should bring a list of references in case they ask for them, a list of all your previous employers, the dates you worked for them, address and telephone numbers, names of supervisors. (To fill out a job application) If you would like to bring some letters of reference with you that would be good as well. Bring a list of questions about the company or position if you would like.
Good luck!
2007-01-26 14:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by hr4me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take two copies of your resume. You keep one in your folder so that you can refer to it quickly during the interview and another one, just in case you move on up the scale and meet another manager. This is called being prepared and thinking positive.
Yes, take a pen. You will be surprised how many I have interviewed did not bring a pen. It infuriates me. Make a lot of notes as you are talking - make eye contact. Making notes shows you are interested in the job. It is all a show, really.
No other items are needed. Do some research on the company before you go. Jot down a couple of interesting, job related questions to ask if they give you that chance to do so.
That's it.
Good Luck.
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2007-01-26 11:46:03 · answer #3 · answered by Nightrider 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, of course, a resume. Also, it's good to do a little research on the company where you're interviewing. That way, you can ask some intelligent questions and show you really are interested in the job.
2007-01-26 11:37:38 · answer #4 · answered by clarity 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A resume' would be a nice idea instead of just a cover letter...
2007-01-26 11:37:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bring the resume.
A winning attitude
Addresses/phone numbers of previous employers (in case you have to fill out their application)
A list of references (in case they ask for it)
2007-01-26 11:39:44 · answer #6 · answered by Develin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋