After the Interview...What Next?
Every interview is an opportunity to improve your interviewing skills. One of the best ways to maximize your potential for success is to self-evaluate you performance after every interview. Ask yourself these key questions to gain insights into your interview techniques.
- What image did you project?
- Did you arrive early or late?
- Were you polite to the administrative assistant?
- How did you answer the questions?
- Did you use the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action and Results?
- Were you thoughtful? Rushed? Arrogant?
- Did you speak calmly and clearly?
- How was your nonverbal communication? What did your body language project?
- Did you fit into the company culture?
- How did your clothing choices compare to your interviewer’s?
- Did you have a good rapport with the interviewer?
- Did you ask thoughtful questions about the organization or ask for more information when you needed clarification?
- How did you feel about your performance, the company, the interviewer, and the culture? Is this role a good fit for both you and the company?
Record your answers to these questions after each interview. Your notes will be most useful if you take them while the interview is still fresh in your mind. These notes will help you in two ways:
- If you are called for a second interview, you can easily review your experience in the first round.
- If you do not get the job, you can review your interview performance and improve it for next time.
For more advice on the job search process, contact your installation’s Transition Readiness and Family Member Employment Assistance Programs and the Marine For Life Network.