Get off to a good start

• Check your appearance and grooming.
• Bring extra copies of your resume in a portfolio.
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early so you don’t appear rushed or hassled.
• Behave respectfully with everyone you meet, from administrative assistants to managers.
• Offer a firm handshake, greet the interviewer by name.
• Don’t be distracted by ‘small talk.’ You’re being evaluated from many angles, including informal conversation.
• Be aware of your non-verbal communication, especially your eye contact and physical posture.
• Display energy and enthusiasm in a way that fits your personal style.
• Be YOU.

Keep up the momentum

• Be sure you have a clear understanding of the job, the requirements, and the challenges.  
• Ask questions if you need clarification or want to know more.
• Your questions should highlight your interest and knowledge of the organization and industry.
• Be prepared to deal with aspects of your background that could be construed as negative (e.g., low GPA, few outside activities, no related work experience). A low GPA or minimal extracurricular involvement could have resulted from working for financial support.
  Or, you may not have directly related experience, but can point to an employment history that demonstrates positive qualities.
• Never criticize a former employer.
• Watch your grammar and enunciation. Employers want articulate employees.
• Never bring up salary or benefits in the first interview.

Conclude with confidence

• Remain enthusiastic and courteous in your conclusion in order to leave a lasting impression.
• If you’re unclear about next steps in the hiring process, ask for clarification. Example: “When do you expect to be making a decision?”
• Shake the recruiter’s hand, offer thanks for the opportunity to interview, and request a business card (so you have contact information for your thank you letter).

After the interview:

• Jot down the pertinent facts you want to remember about the interview
• Make note of questions as preparation for future interviews
• Send a ‘thank you’ email, within 1 - 2 days, to those who interviewed you.  Emphasize your interest in working for the organization and how you can contribute.   Use this as an opportunity to clarify or to mention something you might have overlooked in the interview.  
• The following is an example of a Thank You letter:

Letter to be sent immediately after the career day:

“Dear Mr. Rogers,

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for meeting with me during Career Day at the American University of Beirut; I appreciate your attention during such a busy event.

After our conversation, I became very interested in the marketing trainee program in your organization and I am sure I can be an effective member of your team.

I would welcome an opportunity to visit your office and speak to you further about the trainee program. Please inform me if this is possible and when the most convenient time would be.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

John Smith

Business Administration, Marketing 2011, American University of Beirut

Tel: 050 123 4567, Email: john.smith@aub.edu.lb”

Letter addressed to firm representatives after the interview session:

Date
Name
Address
Email
Phone Number

Dear HR manager,

I would like to extend my gratitude for taking the time to discuss the financial analyst position at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). After meeting with you and observing the company's operations, I am further convinced that my background and skills coincide well with your needs.

Our discussions have greatly increased my interest in the field of consultancy and heightened my enthusiasm for the position. I believe my education and internship experiences meet the job requirements and I look forward to contributing to your business goals.  I appreciate that you took the time to really acquaint me with the company and its corporate culture, consequently I feel I could learn a great deal from you and would certainly enjoy working with your team.

In addition to my qualifications and experience, I will bring excellent work habits and judgment to this position. This is especially important, as I am sure you require people who can be trusted to carry out their responsibilities with minimal supervision.

I’d like to reiterate my strong interest in the financial analyst position and it was a pleasure to learn more about what I can bring to BCG.  If I can provide any more information that would be of assistance to you, please don't hesitate to reach me on the above contact address. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,

John Oakley

Reasons of Rejection: Unfortunately not every interview taken guarantees a leap into your dream career. However, it is important to understand the several reasons why applicants get rejected. The following are a list of possible reasons behind a rejection.

• Lack of Self-Knowledge. An interviewer cannot determine where you fit into the organization until you explain your career interests and applicable skills.
• Lack of Company Knowledge. Most employers make information about themselves readily available, especially if they recruit on campus.
• Lack of Question. When employers ask if you have any questions for them a negative response indicates a lack of interest in your part. 
•  Lack of Enthusiasm. Employers want to hire someone who is excited about the prospect of working with their organization.
• Lack of Confidence. If you doubt your ability to do the job, an employer will also experience doubt
• Poor Communication Skills. The employer must be able to hear you, understand your words, and follow your train of thought. Otherwise, no matter how qualified you may be for a job opening, you put yourself at a disadvantage.
• Unprofessional Application or Appearance. It is true that you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. If your resume is sloppy or has typos, you are at an immediate disadvantage and may not even get an opportunity to interview. Additionally, if you present yourself at an interview inappropriately dressed, an employer may decide you wouldn’t fit into their organization
• Be sure to learn from these mistakes, change your interview strategy and achieve success in your next interview opportunity!