Interview Process:

You decide you want a particular job. Great! Now you have to go and get it. No one will come begging you. (Unless you can run and catch, throw and shoot, score)

First: Contact your potential employer by phone (or if requested, in writing) and ask when a good time to pick up an application will be.

Second: Go and get an application at a convenient time. Many businesses will mail an application to you.

• The Application: It tells the employer what they want to know about you. Don't lie, ever, on an application. Fill out the application completely. Many employers will trash an incomplete application. Fill out the application in pen. Print legibly.
• The Resume: Tells the employer what you want the employer to know about you. It's an advertisement for you. Again, don't lie. However, you can omit certain information that you might feel in damaging. For example, if your GPA is a 4.0, brag. Put your GPA in a prominent place on your resume. If your GPA is a 1.0, leave it off! If they ask you, of course be truthful. But, if they don't ask, don't volunteer the information.
• The Cover Letter: The cover letter is a brief (less than 1 page) letter explaining to your employer your interest and unique qualifications for the job. You then ask the employer to consider the enclosed resume and to contact you for an interview.

Third: Mail in the application, resume, and cover letter (on top), or drop them by the potential place of employment. (If you go by, look nice and act nice.)

Fourth: Call in a week to check on the status of your application.

You get an interview! Yeah!

Research. Find out as much as you can about your potential employer. What is the mission of the company? What is the management style? The product? The history? Know enough to ask informed questions. Find out where you will be interviewing ahead of time and do a drive-by. In that way, you will know how long it takes to get there and reduce the stress of potentially being late or getting lost on interview day.

Interview Day!

• Dress appropriately.
• Arrive 10 minutes early.
• Bring a copy of your resume with you.
• Don't bring anything else you won't use in the interview. (Briefcase, purse, etc.)
• Be incredibly polite to the gatekeeper.
• Nerves? You are interviewing your potential boss as much as he or she is interviewing you. Take questions with you that you want to ask.. It is an opportunity to learn about a place of business in your community.
• The interviewer should cover the following information with you. If it is not, then ask!

Job Content: Overall purpose of the job? Responsibilities of the job? What does an employee in this position spend each day doing? What is the most important function of this job?

Organization: To whom do I report? Who will assign my work and evaluate my performance? Whom will I support and what does that involve? Who will support me? Who so I supervise? What is the flow of work?

Performance Expectations: What doe you expect me to accomplish in my job the first 6 months. How will you measure my results. Do you have written plans or goals for this position? What training will the employee in this position receive?

Benefits: Detailed questions are inappropriate in preliminary interviews. However in a second or third interview, after the employer  has indicated an interest in hiring you, ask questions. Benefits include, insurance, retirement, leave policy, perks, etc.

Salary: In a first interview, ask about the salary range for the position. In a second or third, after the employer has indicated an interest in hiring you, ask how often is the salary reviewed. Is there a profit-sharing program? What is a the commission structure?

Employment policy and career outlook: What kind of job security does the company offer? Is there a probationary period? What are the advancement possibilities for this position?

Advice: We spent 40% of our day at work, 40% of our day asleep. That leaves only 20% for free time. Therefore work makes up you day. Make sure you work at a place you enjoy! You have a choice! Especially if you are a responsible, hardworking, caring, employee.

Lastly: Write a thank you note to your employer. Express your interest in the position or your disinterest. Thank that interviewer for his or her time.