The interview is a conversation in which you and an employer exchange information (this could also apply to a college admissions interview). Your objective is to get a job offer, and the employer’s objective is to find out who you are, what you have to offer, and why you should be hired.
The interview process
It’s not always quick and easy to get hired. The job interview process can be lengthy – being interviewed once and getting a job offer is typically a thing of the past. Today, many companies have an involved interview process starting with screening interviews, which often take place on the phone, followed by in-person interviews, second interviews, and even third interviews.
How hiring is handled depends on the employer and the systems they have in place for screening and evaluating potential new hires. Depending on the company, the interview process may involve multiple rounds of interview with different levels of team members and decision makers.
When you have made it through the sometimes grueling interview process, the final step will be a job offer. The job offer may have conditions attached, so review the terms carefully. Before you accept, it’s important to evaluate the compensation package, consider whether you want to make a counteroffer, and then accept (or decline) the job offer in writing.
It’s time to prepare for your interview!
It’s important to remember that every interview is a two-way street. You should be assessing the employer just as much as they’re assessing you because you both need to walk away convinced that the job would be a great fit.
Do you have any questions for me? Failure to ask anything may be interpreted as disinterest or a lack of preparation, so it is important to have a few questions ready.
Here you can check out a list of possible questions you may be asked; questions about yourself, about leaving your previous job and your work history, why should you be hired, your salary expectations, your performance and qualifications, and even the “negative questions.”! Remember you can frame your responses in a positive manner even when discussing a challenging situation.