Interview Tips

1. Basic Interviewing Tips

• Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early
• Give yourself ample driving time
• If possible, make a “dry run” the day before interview to avoid getting lost
• Wear light make-up
• Wear minimal jewelry
• Hair should be neat
• Wear a suit and be sure fabric is one that does not wrinkle easily
• Men must wear a tie
• Bring extra pair of stockings
• Wear a closed shoe (no open toe) and no high heels
• Men should be clean shaven
• Absolutely no gum chewing or sunglasses
• Bring a portfolio and a pad to take notes
• On application, never scratch out-use white out
• Have questions prepared
• In waiting room be pleasant, but do not offer too much to others waiting
• Firm Handshake
• Do not sit until told to do so
• Ask for a business card to ensure the correct spelling of interviewer’s name for thank you card
• Ask for position description
• Eat before interview
• Do not accept offers of food or drink
• Let company know you are a team player and will do whatever it takes to get the job done
• Be professional-first impressions
• Let them know you are interested in their company
• Know company background
• Body language-good posture
• Ask questions-take notes
• Why do you want to work for this company
• Bring a hard copy of your resume

2. Potential Interview Topics

• Strengths
• Weakness
• Biggest Accomplishments
• Proudest Career Achievement
• Ways To Diplomatically Motivate Site Staff
• What Motivates You
• How Do You Handle Difficult Situations
   

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• Be prepared to explain your career experience, gaps (if any) in your resume, and why you are in the field of Clinical Research.
• Don’t be afraid to ask if you can take a moment to think about your answers.
• Let them know you love what you do – are a team player and will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
• Try to limit discussions about desired salary during the interview.

3. Phone Interview Tips

8 Tips To Help You Improve Your Odds

1. Remember that the person on the other end of the phone may be just as uncomfortable as you are. Concentrate less on your feelings of inadequacy and more on how to make the other person feel at ease. Most people do not like the telephone interview process – remember that it works both ways.
2. Smile over the phone. Believe it or not, smiling while you are talking will actually help you sound more “ friendly” and open. Many telephone marketing offices have a mirror on each desk so that their people can always keep this in mind!
3. During the telephone interview, you are judged by the same criteria used in an in-person interview, i.e.: self-confidence. Self-confidence is judged differently by phone than in-person (where eye contact, for example, can be excellent barometer). Instead, you’ll be judged by a much more subtle set of factors – the sound of your voice, your level of friendliness and enthusiasm, etc.
4. The ability to speak succinctly about your past experiences and accomplishments will be critical. Many technical professionals launch into long, drawn-out answers to telephone interview questions. Because they do not have the sense of sight working for them, they are quite unable to tell if the person on the other line has gone to sleep!
5. Many people find that the most uncomfortable scenario in a telephone interview is the occasional “dead air” of silence during the conversation. Do you have a list of questions prepared about the company and the opportunity that you can refer to when caught in one of those dead spots? Although good communication seems to be up to both of you, typically that dead air will be your responsibility to fill.
6. Although you are always judged on your ability to listen well, nowhere in the recruiting process do listening skills become more important than in the telephone interview. You’ll find that your nerves will sometimes make this very difficult. I suggest that you close off all thoughts about whatever is going on around you and concentrate on the words and voice of the interview.
7. It should be remembered that since so much of your success in this situation is determined by your comfort in the surroundings you are in during the call, make certain that you get yourself situated properly. Perhaps it is by suggesting a time for the call that is after the kids have gone to bed. Or, if the caller takes you by surprise, ask for five minutes to get organized and get a phone number to call them back.
8. Don’t ever talk about issues related to potential compensation, company benefits, problems at your current employer, etc., when in the throes of an initial phone interview. This is solid advice for any first-interview situation. It always amazes me when an experienced veteran launches into a diatribe about bad management at their company, or asks the infamous line “What’s the job pay?”

Topics

1. Basic Interviewing Tips
2. Potential Interview Topics
3. Phone Interviewing Tips