In Person Interview Tips?

I have received an invitation to interview in person with a company that I believe would be an advancement over my current job. I’m happy with my current company and want to have this interview to learn more about whether it would be a good move or not. And of course, after the interview the new company might decline to offer me the job. However, I would like to make a favorable impression if I can.

I will be interviewing separately with 4 different people in management from operations, safety and two driver coaches.

Any tips on how I should prepare? Specific questions to ask, etc.?

From the archives

Thought you were going on FMLA to get knee replacement surgery?

Thought you were going on FMLA to get knee replacement surgery?

Yeah, the whole knee replacement issue is now on hold because my living arrangements for recuperation fell through unfortunately. Now I’m back to square one and will have to postpone the surgery until I can make alternate arrangements.

In the meantime, I will continue driving for Helwig, but I do want to do this interview and check out this opportunity to see what it would be like.

Bruce it sounds like an oral board if your meeting with all them at once. They should/will have a set number of questions to ask you in their areas of responsibilty. Some maybe scenario type.

Dress business casual in my opinion. It’s a trucking company not congress.

At the end they will likely ask you an open question such as “is there anything else we should know” or “why should we select you”. This is your chance to sell them your the right person for the job.

Have some basic background info studied on their specific operation.

BK, good luck on your interview.

PJ is right business casual is the right way to dress. Like the old saying goes you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Keep your answers brief but focused. What I mean is don't ramble on when responding to a question. It is ok to pause for a second and form your answer in your head before speaking.

Ask at least one question when it is your chance. PJ is right again when focusing on how that company operates. Another option is there a go / no go policy that would make you not want to work at a company. If you ask something like this make sure you write it down and it does not sound disrespectful.

Lastly thank then for their time and the opportunity to interview with them.

If they have more candidates to interview and they will not be making an offer that day send an email to again thank then for the time they spent with you.

If you plan on having your surgery in the near future, I'd stay with Heleig. You need to be with a company for a year to qualify for FMLA.

Most of those interviews are based on experiences and outcomes. "Tell me about a time blah blah blah". Like "tell me about a time you had a difficult customer? How did you handle it?" Or "tell me about a time you were under pressure?"

General rule of thumb is same as applications. Answer the question they're asking. For example "how do you handle stress?" I'd answer "I handle stress fine" and leave it at that.

If they say "tell me about yourself" keep it to the experience you have pertaining to the job. Keep personal stuff out if it. You never know who you're offending or what their beliefs are.

As far as what questions to ask, I'll typically ask about their experiences there. What do they like about it? What jobs have they done? Where did they start? It shows genuine interest and it's a good conversation gateway.