Top Ten Interview Tips for Moms Returning to the Work Force
10. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for your interview. You never know if you’ll hit traffic or if you’ll have to change a poopy diaper on the way out the door. Plus, if you become friends with the secretary while waiting for your appointment, that’s a good thing. Your interviewer will most likely ask her what she thought of you.
9. Look your best and look professional. Before your interview, go to the salon and get a haircut, manicure your nails, and plan to arrive well dressed for your appointment. (See “Dos and Don’ts of Interviewing”)
8. Get an extra hour of sleepâÂ?¦hubby can use some extra time to play with little one anyway. You’ll wake refreshed and alert the next morning, ready for whatever comes your way.
7. Take a refresher course in your area of expertise just to get you back on track. Even if it’s a one-day course, it will put you in the right frame of mind and get you up to date on anything that may have happened while you were out of the office.
6. Keep up with the latest news and current events. Knowing what is going on in the world and, specifically in your industry, will keep you in step with all those other youngin’s that didn’t take time off for MommyHood. Let’s face it, sometimes we have to watch cartoons instead of the news.
5. Don’t be afraid to boast a little…but don’t brag too much! Show your interviewer how good you are with people, tell him about that award you got for meeting your sales quota, and let him know that even though you have these great qualities, you are still willing to learn.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice. Have a friend or your husband help you get ready for your interview. Have him ask you questions that your interviewer may ask you so you’ll be prepared. (See “Questions to Expect from your Interviewer”)
3. Listen. You can learn a lot when you listen to what the interviewer says, including what he’s expecting in a good employee, what he does not want in an employee, and even how high he’s willing to go on your salary.
2. Ask questions. The more you find out about the job, the more you know if you are a good candidate for hire, and the interviewer can read these feelings from the way you speak and act during your discussion.
1. Be You. Relax. You don’t want to be hired under false pretenses. If they like who you are pretending to be during the interview, they will be angry when they find out that wasn’t the real you. Likewise, if they don’t like who you are pretending to be during the interview, you won’t get hired, and they won’t get to find out how wonderful the real you really is! Be You.
Dos and Don’ts of Interviewing
Do�
�have a firm handshake. It shows that you respect your interviewer, and that you are proud of yourself.
âÂ?¦tell the truth. They’ll know if you’re lying, even if you tell one little white lie.
âÂ?¦ask questions about the company or the job you’re interviewing for. It shows you are interested and really want the job.
âÂ?¦say ‘thank you’ when the interview is over. It shows you know their time is valuable.
Don’tâÂ?¦
�get off subject. The interviewer probably does not care about the lasagna you burned three weeks ago.
…wear lots of makeup. In this situation, less is more.
…wear skimpy clothing. In this situation, more is more.
…forget to follow up one week after the interview. Call and thank them again for their time. It reminds them that you really want the job.
Questions to Expect from Your Interviewer
Why should I hire you?
What assets can you bring to our business?
Tell me about yourself.
What kind of experience do you have in this industry?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Tell me about a learning experience you’ve had on the job.
Do you see yourself as a leader?
Tell me about one of your best and one of your worst characteristics.
What are your salary/wage expectations?
Do you have any questions for me?
