Interview Resources - The Arnold Group

UnlockYour Interview Success with TAG’s Resources

Picture yourself confidently navigating through tough questions, articulating your strengths, and leaving a lasting impression on potential employers. Join countless others who have benefited from our expert guidance and make your interview experience a memorable and rewarding one!

interview resources prepping for interview headline, Interview Resources

A job interview is an opportunity and a challenge: you get to show why you’re the right person for the job, while also deciding if it’s the right fit for you.

A little prep can go a long way when it comes to interviewing. As recruiters, it’s our job to interview candidates for our clients to find the best person for the job, which means we have a ton of insider tips to share to help you ace your upcoming interview.

Job Interview FAQs

What you should wear to an interview depends on the industry and position you’re interviewing for. Consider the type of work you’ll be doing and what the standard dress code will be… then dress it up a bit.

For a job where you’ll wear jeans and a t-shirt, clean jeans without holes, clean shoes, and a collared shirt would be a great choice. For a job where you’ll be expected to wear business casual attire, slacks paired with a button down or nice blouse would work well.

Check out The New Rules of “Professional Attire” for more tips on figuring out what to wear to your next job interview.

Bring a few copies of your resume, a list of references to provide if asked, and if you have one, your portfolio of work.

Definitely do not be late, but you also shouldn’t be too early. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early (you never know if you’ll hit traffic, or miss a turn), but don’t walk in the door until about 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you end up running late, call as soon as possible and ask for the opportunity to reschedule. The worst thing you can do is not show up and not call to let them know.

Be familiar with the job description of the position you’ve applied for. Look through the company’s website to learn as much as you can about their industry, business, and culture.

It depends on the position you’re applying for. An interview for a specialized position will last much longer than a less technical position. Likewise, interviewing for a management position will last much longer than interviewing for an entry-level position. Allow plenty of time in your schedule for the interview. Checking your watch if the interview runs long, or rushing out to make another appointment shows a lack of time management skills and lack of interest and respect for that company and job opportunity.

Interview questions will vary depending on the industry, company, and job position. Expect to be asked about your background, skills, qualifications, accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses. It’s also likely you’ll be asked why you’re interested in that specific position and company. It’s impossible to know what questions you’ll be asked, but rehearsing your answers to some of the most common interview questions can help ease your anxiety.

There’s no right or wrong answer to this one – what questions you should ask at your interview depends on what you want to know about the position and company.

Our best advice is to arrive with 3-4 questions already written down. This shows you’re prepared and interested, plus gives you a backup or two if some of your questions get answered during the interview conversation.

It’s a red flag for recruiters if you don’t ask any questions. They might think you aren’t as interested in the position as other candidates, which could prevent them from offering you the job.

This is important information you’ll need to know to make an educated decision if you receive a job offer, but the initial interview isn’t the best place to ask about pay and benefits. If this is the first or only thing you ask about, it shows the interviewer all you care about is what’s in it for you. If they ask what salary you’re looking for, give a range based on the market research you’ve done.

Hiring Managers know it’s an important factor in your final decision, and will discuss pay and benefits following the interview without being asked, or upon making the job offer.

Yes! A good option is to send a thank you note by email or snail mail.

Increase your chances of receiving a job offer by following up your interview the right way.

Maybe! Usually, you won’t be offered a job on the spot, but we have seen it happen.

There may be other interviewees scheduled, or there could be more than one decision maker that must be consulted before they make a final hiring decision.

Yes! Every company will have a slightly different hiring process, but second interviews are very common and arguably even more important than the initial interview.

You may meet with additional members of the team or with a decision maker, so treat any additional interviews with the same importance and preparation as you did the initial interview.

That’s a bummer, but it happens – multiple candidates are often interviewed, but only one person can fill a position. Not getting a job offer doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified or they didn’t like you… it simply means you weren’t the best fit for that position. You never know what other opportunities are out there, so if you don’t land the job, remain calm and tell the hiring manager you appreciate their time and consideration.

Most importantly, don’t be discouraged! The right job is out there, it just wasn’t that one.

interview resources final prep text, Interview Resources

Checklist:

Job Interview: Final Prep Checklist

It’s the day before your job interview… are you ready?

Everything you do and say will be evaluated, so look and act your best to give yourself the best chance for getting a job offer. No pressure. Of course, you’re feeling the pressure! But the key to standing out and remaining calm is arriving prepared. If you can check everything off on this list, you’ve done all you can to prep for the interview.

interview resources final prep photo, Interview Resources

Research the company so you can use that knowledge during the interview. This shows your interest and enthusiasm about the company and position, and will help you come up with intelligent questions to ask.

Double check where the office is, how to get there, how long it’ll take to get there, and parking availability.

Your clothing should be neat, clean, and appropriate for the job. It can be difficult to know the culture of the company beforehand, so err on the side of conservative.

Prepare and rehearse your answers to common questions the interviewer is likely to ask.

Find at least three key people – such as former supervisors, colleagues, or instructors – willing to serve as professional references.

Get their permission before adding them to your reference sheet, and be sure they’ll speak highly of you if contacted by a potential employer.

Arrive 10 – 15 minutes before the interview. Take the time to visit the restroom, wash your hands, and check your appearance in the mirror.

Turn your cell phone off so it doesn’t cause distraction during your interview.

Be polite to everyone – hiring managers often ask the receptionist for their first impressions of candidates.

Gather all necessary items to bring:

Portfolio of professional work (if applicable)
Questions to ask
Professional references
Extra copies of your resume
Notepad and pen

Greet your interviewer with a smile and firm handshake, and maintain eye contact as best you can.

During the interview:

Show you’re willing to take on the necessary job functions. If you lack necessary skills, show you’re willing to learn.
Remain positive and avoid negative comments about past employers.
Pay attention and listen carefully so you can respond clearly and concisely.
Be sincere and truthful when discussing your specific background, skills and achievements that relate to the position.
Encourage the interviewer to share information about the company by asking appropriate questions.

The interview is your chance to shine, don’t be afraid to discuss your abilities and achievements. Develop your elevator speech, a 30-second sales pitch outlining why you’re the best person for the job. It should include your strengths, abilities, and what sets you apart from other applicants.

Keep the following in mind during your interview:

Don’t answer questions with a “yes” or “no.” Explain or elaborate whenever possible, but keep it brief and concise.
Never pretend to know something or someone you don’t. If you don’t understand a question or need a moment to think about it, say so.
Don’t rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you, interviewers want to get to know you and why you’re the best fit for the job on a human level.
Don’t make negative remarks about present or former employers. When explaining your reasons for leaving, communicate your rationale professionally.
Don’t over-answer questions. If the interviewer steers the conversation into controversial topics, do more listening than speaking and keep your responses non-committal.
Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, benefits, bonuses or retirement during the initial interview.

Reiterate your interest by asking about the next step in the process. If you get the impression the interview isn’t going well, don’t let your discouragement show. Remain poised, upbeat and professional – you never know what opportunities will come up.

After the interview, send a handwritten note or friendly email thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration, as well as restating your interest and commitment to the position.

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UnlockYour Interview Success with TAG’s Resources

Job Interview FAQs

Checklist:

Job Interview: Final Prep Checklist

It’s the day before your job interview… are you ready?

Helpful Blog Articles

Preparing for A Video Interview

The Right Way to Follow Up After a Job Interview

‘Twas the Night Before Your Interview

Do’s and Don’ts of Asking Interview Questions

Top Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid

10 Things To Do In the 15 Minutes Before Your Job Interview

Modern Job Interviewing Techniques and How to Use Them

Micro Managing Versus Managing

How to Assess Potential Candidates

Don’t Forget the Thank You Note

Getting Ready for A Job Interview? Avoid Asking These Questions

Interviewing 101: Common Questions Answered

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