Interview Checklist for Bergen Catholic Career Day

For College & sports scholarship interviews, internship interviews, job interviews.

As soon as you know the date of the interview:

• Check location of interview and plan how you will get there. Plan alternate route in case of road/weather issues.
• Establish exactly which building, which floor, which office.
• Call and find out if there is Guest Parking. If not, ask where you should park.
• Establish security / sign-in procedure. Do you need photo ID? How long does process take?
• If in any doubt, do a site visit beforehand.
• Plan to arrive in reception 15min before interview.
• Calculate when you should leave your house.
• Check dress code and plan outfit accordingly.
• Examine every single item {shoes, socks, belt, etc.} for stains as well as wear and tear.
• Repair and launder/polish as needed.
• Set entire outfit aside until the day of interview.
• Buy / borrow a good leather folder and decent pen. Note: no company/college branding.
• Plan a haircut if necessary.

Night before:

• Double-check details and outfit.
• Set alarm/s.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

Day of interview:

• Eat something plain before interview. Limit caffeine.
• Shower & shave. Make sure hair is neat and teeth & nails are clean. Avoid strong fragrances.
• Dress. Take some cash (coins for street parking) and ID but avoid bulky wallets and bunches of keys.
• Double check that folder contains copies of resumes/necessary paperwork, paper and pen.
• Check travel conditions.
• Leave in good time.

When at location:

• Check in with receptionist. Be polite.
• Wait in lobby. Avoid waiting in coffee shops or other “food odor” places.
• Silence phone and stay off websites with videos or games.
• Throw out gum and water bottles.

Once you are called in:

• Shake hands firmly and repeat each person’s name.
• Keep good eye contact and smile.
• Avoid standing with hands in pockets.
• Wait to be invited to sit.
• If at boardroom table, folder on table. If at personal desk, keep folder on lap.
• Sit back in chair, no slouching, feet flat on the floor.
• Keep still. Avoid fidgeting, touching face / clothing, or bouncing legs.
• Look at person asking questions. If a panel of people then look at questioner, but reply to everyone.
• Know resume inside out. Eyes should remain up throughout interview portion.
• Breathe before answering. Speak slower than normal to avoid ums and ahs.
• When asked if you have questions, then refer to folder and take notes if necessary.

When interview ends.

• Stand immediately when the interviewer stands.
• Shake hands and thank everyone involved.

Once interview is over.

• Send / email a Thank You message.
• Ensure person’s name, title and company are accurate and that spelling is correct.