One thing all Auburn University students have in common is that, we usually come to college in hopes to, one day, graduate and get a job. It is almost that time for about a fourth of the undergraduate classmen at AU. This means many will be participating in, often dreaded, job interviews.

Job interviews can amount to some of the most important minutes of your life, and therefore, can cause lots of anxiety. Most importantly, interviews are about making successful matches.

According to Randall Hansen, Ph.D., from Quintessential Careers Web site, “Both the company and the job-seeker want to determine if there is a correct fit between them.”

Hansen goes on to explain that there are two main types of job interviews, behavioral and traditional, but there are basic instructions you should follow before and after the interview to achieve success.

First and foremost, you should take time to research the company you are interviewing for. Knowing basic facts, such as who the C.E.O is, where the company is based, when the company started, will prevent you from looking ignorant or careless.

Next, you must anticipate questions you know you’ll be asked and prepare answers. Hanson suggests that you do not memorize answers, but it is good to plan out your answers ahead and have key phrases in mind. You will not know every question that will be asked, but questions, such as, “What could you bring to this company?” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” are generally most common. In addition to preparing your answers, you should also prepare questions for your interviewer. This is a time when you have the chance to show your knowledge about the organization, and you can also demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the job.

Finally, you must always write a thank you note to each person who interviews you. According to Hanson, “not only is this letter part of professional etiquette, but it is often time to reinforce a concept or skill that you have and that the employer desires in the person they will be hiring.”

As mentioned earlier, there are generally two types of interviews, behavioral and traditional. Traditional interviews consist of broad “tell me about yourself” questions. For example, “Why do you want to work here?” and “What is your best quality?” Behavioral interviews are based on the theory that past behavior/performance is the best indicator of the future. The questions in these types of interviews are specific, and probe to discover how you have acted in certain situations. For example, “Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected problem, and how did you handle it?”

Haley Adcock, an AU senior majoring in public relations, talks about her behavioral interview.
“I had never been in an interview like this before, so it caught me off guard at first,” says Adcock. “The hardest thing for me was to think of a situation off the top of my head that was appropriate to answer their question and would still impress them. After a few questions, I got comfortable, and I think the interview went really well.”

For more information on interviewing, tips on thank you note writing, or to find mock interview questions visit Quintessiental Careers Web Site.


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