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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