How do you excel in a job interview? Be yourself, be honest, and provide accurate information about your skills, abilities and experience. Also, remember that you are evaluating the company just as much as they are evaluating you. Both of you need to determine if you are a good fit for each other. Your future and the company's depend on it.

APC has compiled some Interview Tips to assist you as you prepare for your upcoming interview. If at any time you would like some assistance, please contact your APC Recruiter.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

• Research the Company
• Go to the company's web site.
• Scan the latest news and press releases.
• Review the last earnings report, if the company is publicly held.
• Familiarize yourself with the company's products and services and with its mission and vision statements.
• Read about the company's executive team.
• Research the interviewer, if possible.
• Google the company's name for any additional news items.
• Ask your APC Recruiter or BDM about the work group, manager, and culture of the department.

• Understand the Job
• Thoroughly read the job description and ad. Ask your APC Recruiter about any aspect of the job that is not clear.
• Ask your APC Recruiter what are the most important skills required by the job.

• Align Yourself with the Job
• Identify your strengths as they pertain to the job. Write them down, as this will help you remember them for the interview.
• Write down examples of the types of projects or work you have done that the job requires.
• Review your resume.
• Does your resume accurately reflect your skills and experience?
• Is it obvious from your resume that you are qualified for the job?
• Be able to answer any question that the interviewer may have about the information you have in your resume. The interviewer will likely select at least one accomplishment that you have noted on your resume and say, "Tell me about it."

• Practice, Practice, Practice
• Get a list of generic interview questions from the Internet. Draft an answer to each question. Pay special attention to behavioral interview questions that start with, "Tell me about a time when you…"
• Know what is important to you before your interview. What kind of manager do you excel under? What kind of culture brings out the best in you? What kinds of projects excite you? Know what you want and be able to articulate it to your APC Recruiter and to the company's interviewer.
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Ask questions about the job, the department and the company. This is your opportunity to gather the information that is important to you and to show interest in the position and the company at the same time.

AT THE INTERVIEW

• Presentation Matters
• Dress professionally, even if the work environment is casual.
• Be conservative in your selection of shoes and jewelry. A suit with white sneakers will not help you get the job.
• Do not chew gum or smoke at any time during the course of the interview.
• Speak clearly and at an appropriate pace.

• Don't Leave Home without these Key Items
• Quality copies of your resume.
• Portfolio or notepad and pen.
• Any other documents that may be pertinent to the job.
• Work samples
• Certificates
• Licenses

• Arrive Early
• If you are not familiar with the area, go there before the day of the interview.
• Allow extra time for traffic.
• Arrive early and wait in your car or a nearby coffee shop.

• Be Polite
• Be polite to everyone with whom you interact. Some interviewers will ask the receptionist or front desk attendant what they thought of the interviewee.
• Do not swear or use slang at any time.

• Be Confident
• You have spoken to an APC Recruiter as well as an APC Business Development Manager (BDM), and the Client has seen your resume. The Client wants to talk to you. Everyone already thinks you are a good fit for the position.
• You have prepared for the interview. You know the company and the job, and you are ready to explain to the interviewer how you are a great fit for the position.

• Stay Focused
• Stay focused and interested in the interview.
• Maintain eye contact. Good eye contact when you are talking conveys confidence and sincerity. Good eye contact when someone else is talking to you conveys your interest and politeness.
• Smile. Interviewers seek people who will be a positive influence to the work group.
• Listen.
• Listen intently to the questions so that you can answer them appropriately.
• Listen to the information the interviewer provides about the job, the work group and the company so that you can make an informed decision.
• Answer the Questions.
• Answer the questions as they are asked. If you don't understand, ask the interviewer to repeat the question. If you don't know that answer to the question, say so.
• If you need a moment to think about your answer, take a moment to think.
• Keep your answers to two to three minutes at the most. You tend to stay more focused, when you limit your time.
• Use the PAR (Problem, Action, and Result) method when possible. State the problem you faced, describe the action you took, and explain the results of that action. Interviewers like results.

• Close the Sale
• Shake the interviewer's hand and thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with them.
• Convey to the interviewer how interested you are in the position. Let him/her know, in no uncertain terms, that you want the job.
• Ask for their business card if they have not already given it to you. (This will give you their e-mail address so you can follow-up.)

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Make Notes
• After the interview, make notes regarding what you learned about the job, department, and company that you did not already know.
• Make notes about any interesting and unexpected questions that the interviewer asked.
• Make note of any unanswered questions that you may have about the company or job.

• Call APC
• Call your APC Recruiter or BDM as soon as possible after the interview.
• Tell him/her how you think the interview went and about anything you learned about the job, department or company in the interview.

• Say Thank You
• Send a Thank You e-mail to the interviewer as soon as possible after the interview, within two days at most.
• If you do not have the interviewer's e-mail address send the e-mail to your APC recruiter. They will forward it to the interviewer.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS

• See Before the Interview above.
• Be in a place where you can read your resume and company/position notes that you prepared.
• Keep a glass of water handy.
• Smile. This will change the tone of your voice and project a positive image to the listener.
• Avoid areas with a lot of noise in the background. This will be distracting to both you and the interviewer.
• Ensure that you can hear and are being heard clearly.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Listen. It is important to answer the question asked and not talk over the interviewer.
• Don't be afraid to take a few seconds to collect your thoughts when you are asked a question.
• Your goal is to get a face to face interview. When the interview is complete, thank the interviewer for their consideration and ask if it would be possible to meet in person.