US Pharm. 2006;5(Student suppl):12-13 

The interview, one of the most important components of the job search strategy, can be instrumental in securing a position. With thoughtful preparation and practice, you can learn the skills to interview effectively to help obtain the career you want.

An interview is an opportunity for candidates and employers to evaluate the match between the candidate's qualifications and goals and the organization's needs. It is also a learning situation that candidates can use to critically evaluate their performance and determine how to improve their interviewing skills. It is important to keep in mind that interviewing involves a mutual exchange of information, not an inquisition or interrogation.

Planning for the Interview
Often, an individual will approach the interview process with apprehension and a degree of nervousness. This is normal, given the importance of the interview in the job search process. Without careful planning and preparation, you may become overwhelmed by the interview and fail to present your qualifications clearly to the employer. Consider the following areas when preparing:

Know yourself: It is difficult to articulate your skills, interests, and goals to an interviewer if you can't articulate them to yourself. Complete a thorough self-assessment that reviews your skills/abilities, background, values, experience, education, training, and career goals.

Know your field of interest: Employers will be interested in why you chose to pursue a particular career field and what your related experience has been. You need to be prepared for these types of questions. Researching the career will help you.

Know the employer: Research the organization thoroughly to discover the company's products/services, location(s), previous and projected growth, and future prospects. Consider researching these additional areas:

• Size and number of employees.
• Type of organization.
• Number of entry-level positions available.
• Structures and divisions.
• Profit/revenue/sales.
• Academic majors considered for the position.
• Training available for new employees.





Types of Interviews
There are several different types of interview. The information discussed earlier regarding planning and preparation can be applied to each interview situation. The following types of interviews are best viewed as "phases" of the overall process, rather than as separate interviews.

Screening interview: This is often the first meeting you will have with a prospective employer. It is usually general in format and relatively short, lasting 30 to 45 minutes. On-campus interviews and recruiting interviews are examples. The purpose of a screening interview is to reduce the number of candidates to a manageable number.

Follow-up or second interview: The number of candidates has been reduced to a manageable number, but the final two or three candidates have not been selected. The purpose of this interview is to identify the finalists for the position. This interview takes place on-site at the employer's location, and several people often interview the candidate. More specific questions, possibly hypothetical in nature, will be asked to reveal certain skills and characteristics of a candidate to determine if there is an appropriate match with the organization's needs.

Selection interview: Since the final candidate pool has been selected, the position's supervisor or corporate manager for the branch will usually be the primary interviewer. During this interview, all of your questions regarding the position should be answered so that you can decide whether to accept the position, if it is offered. Salary, benefits, professional development, and additional areas, such as responsibilities and travel, should be discussed at this time.

Phone interview: A phone interview could replace a screening interview or a follow-up/second interview. When the interview is scheduled, ask the employer how many interviewers will be participating. This information will help you to prepare and anticipate the dynamics of speaking with one person or numerous individuals over a speakerphone. Evaluation for this type of interview is based on your responses, tone of voice, enthusiasm, and ease of conversation.

 

Stages of the Interview
Breaking the ice (approx. 2 minutes): Always shake hands and introduce yourself. Be friendly and responsive. Most likely, the opening of the interview will include "small talk." Feel free to initiate a conversation of some very general topics, such as weather or travel. The interviewer will most likely discuss your reason for interviewing with you and confirm your interest in the position.

General information sharing (approx. 10 minutes): Your resume is an outline of your experiences. This part of the interview is your opportunity to fill in the gaps and provide details. You will be asked questions about your education and training, work experience, and skills that you have acquired from work and/or other interests.

Further probing of key characteristics (approx. 10 minutes): The job for which you are interviewing has certain characteristics and requirements. The interviewer is looking for a candidate who understands what these are and who can relate past experiences and skills to what will be required in the new position. The interviewer will be trying to gain a clearer understanding of your style and your potential for blending with the company/organization. Expect questions that ask, "How?" "Why?" and "What did you do?"

Solicit questions (approx. 5 minutes): There are questions that you need to ask in order to clarify your understanding of the job. For example, what specific responsibilities would I be expected to perform? What might a typical work day in this job be like? What new prospects or ventures are contemplated in the near future? Always ask questions! A lack of questions infers that you are not interested enough or alert. Do not ask about salary in the initial interview. If you are not invited to ask questions, politely ask if you may.

Closing (approx. 3 minutes): The interviewer or interviewee asks other questions that they need to have answered to make a decision.

Follow-up: This is another opportunity to make a good impression. Write a thank-you letter immediately after the interview. If you do not hear anything from the company, wait at least one week and then call to inquire about the progress of the candidate search and your current status. If you don't get the job, ask for some feedback.

Evaluating Your Performance
After each interview, make notes to yourself about what occurred during the interview and the types of questions you were asked. It is critical that you review your performance and look for ways to improve for the next interview.

Tip: Executive recruiters state that the most important characteristics that interviewers seek are a track record of accomplishments and/or growth in a previous position; motivation, drive, and ambition; a sense of objectivity about oneself; professional dress and image; and a positive approach to the position.

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