Interview Tips

Prepare for An Interview

At Kenneth, Nicholas & Associates, we will show you the best way to tackle every aspect of your interview preparation.

Prepping for an Interview

Dress as if you're a board member, and it's picture day. Always best to be over-dressed than under-dressed.
At the beginning of the interview, ask, "what are you looking for in your ideal candidate." Be sure to write this down on a piece of paper. This will serve as a strong reference during the close.
Prior to the interview, write down any key performance metrics you feel might come in handy during the interview.
Be prepared to answer behavioral-based questions during the interview, along with why you are looking at new opportunities, why are you interested in the position you are interviewing for, and where do you feel you might add immediate value to their organization.
Make sure you have prepared a list of thoughtful questions.
Do your research on the company and interviewer.
At the end of the interview, reiterate how your background/experience aligns with what the interviewer identified as the ideal candidate.
Make sure you obtain the contact information from your interviewer so that you can send a thank you email/letter.

Make sure to create and sustain eye contact with the interviewer.
Avoid using "we". They want to know what "you" have done.
Remember to say "what" you did, "how" you did It, and the results of "your" efforts.

Adaptability

Give me an example of a situation when you had to overcome or circumvent an obstacle in order to achieve a goal.
Describe the last time your schedule was upset and how you handled situation.

Strategic Thinking

Describe a process you designed and the steps involved in developing that process. What was the result?
Tell me about your job search strategy. Where do you stand?

Innovativeness

Describe one of the most cutting edge or imaginative things you have done in the last two years in the job setting.
Why do you do differently than your predecessors/ peers to provide value to the company? Give a specific example.

Intellectual Horsepower

Give me an example of the most complex assignment/project you have worked on.
How long were you in your current/previous role before you felt confident about performing your job? How did you go about learning the job?

Customer Focus/Commitment to Results

Tell me about a time when you went above the call of duty to satisfy an internal/external customer.
Give me a specific example on how you knew if your customers were satisfied.

Planning & Organization

What is your procedure for keeping track of items requiring your attention?
Describe a situation in your job that required things to be done simultaneously. How did you handle the situation?

Team Effectiveness

Tell me about one of the toughest teams you’ve had to work with or been on. What made it difficult? What did you do?
Give me an example of a team decision you were involved in recently. What did you do to help the team reach the decisions?

Do company research. At a minimum, thoroughly study the company’s website.
Do show examples depicting strengths/experience that align with the company’s candidate requirements.
Do plan on arriving about 10 minutes early for your interview. Also, if your meeting is by phone, be ready and make sure your line is free at least 5 to 10 minutes before the employer is designated to call you.
Do make good eye contact during the interview.
Do show enthusiasm when learning about the company/position and most importantly, be very enthusiastic when answering the employer’s questions.
Do prepare a list of pre-planned questions for the employer. Questions should be thought provoking and related to the success of the company, opportunities for advancement, specific challenges/projects you’ll handle during the 1st3 to 6 months with the company, critical skills required the position, etc.
Do receive contact information/business cards from the employer at the end of your interview. This will help when you’re preparing to send the employer a thank you letter.
Do prepare not only tell the employer what you did in your job; be sure to tell him/her how you executed your responsibilities and how well you executed your job functions. “Emphasize your achievements”.
Do explain all job transitions as well thought out, logical moves.

Don't be too relaxed during the interview, even if all feedback has been positive. You want to project a confident, results-oriented personality. Maintain a professional profile. Don't slouch in your seat.
Don't communicate with a soft-spoken voice. Within reason, project in a confident, more forceful tone of voice.
Don't communicate negatives about any former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
Don't act as though you would take any job. Act as if you have multiple job leads.
Don't talk too much. You want to provide an appropriate level of depth when answering questions, however, be succinct. Don't over-answer the question.
Don't have your cell phone on during an interview.
Don't ask questions about the salary range of the position during the first interview. During a first interview, your goal is to learn about the opportunity, the company's needs, and thoroughly show the employer how your skills and experience will help you to execute the responsibilities of the job successfully.
Don't answer a question unless you clearly understand what is being asked of you. If you don't understand the question, have the employer clarify their question.