How to prepare yourself for job interviews

SEEK ADVICE
As the interviewends, eventhough you feel you maynot get thejob, bepolite and friendly. Seek theemployer's advice on other jobsthat may openin the future. Make a good impression, and you may becalled back.
HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Your Georgia Department ofLabor Field Service Office is ready to assist you with:
n Referral tojobs n Employment counseling n Testing n Vocationalchoice n Improving your chances of getting a
job

NOTES

HOW TO
PREPARE YOURSELF
FOR
JOB INTERVIEWS

DOL-578 (R-01/01)

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR MICHAEL L. THURMOND COMMISSIONER
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program l Auxiliary Aids & Services Are Available Upon Request To Individuals With Disabilities

PREPARE YOURSELF
Before you getalmost any job, you will have an employmentinterview. That interview is probably the single most important step toobtaining a job. So to help you alongthe way, here aresome suggestions - waysyou can prepare yourself beforehand forthat decisive step into yourfuture.
KNOW YOURSELF
What are your interests and qualifications? Your prospective employer will wantto know. So,be prepared to talkabout them briefly, intelligently and clearly during the interview.
KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE FIRM
Before you make an appointmentfor a job interview,find out whateveryou can about thefirm. Themore you know about the firmthe better ableyou will be to suggestways you canbe of service to your prospective employer when you areinterviewed.
CHECK YOUR PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Before you leavefor the interview, check your appearance. Dressfor the job, soyou look asthough you are ready to goto work.

GO TO THE INTERVIEW ALONE
Employers areinterested inyou, inthe way you presentyourself.They don't want to hearwhat your relativesor friends think ofyour qualifications.They will judge forthemselves. So, go tothe interview alone.
ARRIVE EARLY
Get to theinterview 10 to15 minutes ahead of time. Present yourself in a straightforward manner.Let the receptionist know whoyou are and whom you wishto see.
BE ALERT DURING THE INTERVIEW
Sit up straight and look alert during the interview. Try to be atease and answer your prospective employer's questions in a businesslike manner.
THINK BEFORE ANSWERING
Think before answeringquestions. Be polite, accurate, honest andfrank. The employer is especially interested in experience and training that fitsyou to the job.So be prepared to answer questions such as these: n Tell meabout yourself? n What work haveyou done? n How didyou do it? n Did you useany special toolsor
equipment? n How muchdid youearn? n Why should I hire you?

BRING A FACT SHEET
A fact sheetabout your formerjobs, dates of work, wages,kinds of workand reasons for leavingis essential.Make the fact sheetbrief,but accurate.Your local Georgia Departmentof Labor Field Service Officecan give youa "Personal DataBook" or "Pocket Resume" thatwill aidin organizingthis information. Hereare some ofthe things you should include: n Personal information n Names and addressesof your past
employers n Dates you worked n Names and addressesof at least
Two otherpersons whoknow ofyour abilities and background n Names and addresses of all schools you attended and the type of diploma or certificate, if any, you received
BE POLITE
Be diplomatic,polite and tactful. Listen to everything your prospective employer has tosay. Don't argue. Try to answer all questionsaccurately and tactfully.
LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES AT HOME
Don't tell employersyour troubles.They are not interestedin your personal family problems.They are interestedin you as aprospective employee.