Before the Interview
What happens before the interview is extremely important,
although it's often overlooked. Before you meet prospective
employers, you often have indirect contact with those who
know them. You might even contact the employer directly
through e-mail, a phone call, or correspondence. Each of
these contacts creates an impression.
There are three ways an interviewer may form an
impression of you before meeting you face-to-face:
1. The interviewer already knows you. An employer may
know you from previous contacts or from someone else's
description of you. In this situation, your best approach is
to acknowledge that relationship, but treat the interview in
all other respects as a business meeting.
2. You have contacted the interviewer through email or by
phone. Email and the phone are important job search tools.
How you handle these contacts creates an impression, even
though the contacts are brief. For example, both contact via
the phone and contact via email give an impression of your
language skills and ability to present yourself in a
competent way; email also quickly communicates your level of
written communication skills. So if you set up an interview
with the employer, you have already created an impression,
most likely positive enough.
You should call the day before the interview to verify
the time of your meeting. Say something like: "Hi, I want to
confirm that our interview for two o'clock tomorrow is still
on." Get any directions you need. This kind of call is just
another way of demonstrating your attention to detail and
helps to communicate the importance you are placing on this
interview.
3. The interviewer has read your resume and other job
search correspondence. Prior to most interviews, you provide
the employer with some sort of information or paperwork that
creates an impression. Sending a note, letter, or email
beforehand often creates the impression that you are
well-organized. Applications, resumes, and other
correspondence sent or emailed in advance help the
interviewer know more about you. If they are well done, they
will help to create a positive impression.
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