Congratulations! Your application got you that big interview, which is an amazing accomplishment in this process. You are almost at the finish line but you need to complete the interview? 

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We're here to help! Follow some of the tips below to get you started.

INTERVIEWING TIPS FOR WOMEN ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

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1) Prepare for Confidence

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For a successful interview, will you need to project confidence about your professional qualifications and ability to do the job. You will need to be up-to-date in both technology skills and industry information.  You can get current industry information by conducting online and offline research, networking and taking classes.

By preparing yourself to re-enter the workforce, you will avoid the situations like that of one woman who went back to work after 12 years and was asked by her boss to save a document on a flash drive -- a device she had never even heard of.

Other surprises include fashion changes, for example Business Casual, office culture (emailing the person in the next cubicle instead of getting up and walking 10 feet to talk to them) and general jargon.
 

2) A Typical Interview

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In a typical interview, the interviewer will take the time to provide an overview of the company or organization, describe the job that you are interviewing for, and then ask if you have any questions. During this time, you will need to listen attentively and project confidence and professionalism. It’s important to maintain eye contact but not stare them down. Be careful never to appear bored. Try to appear enthusiastic about the job opportunity.

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Watch your body language -- your nonverbal gestures during an interview -- because you can flub your interview by sending the wrong message. There are many facets for projecting positive body language; here are a few examples:

• Use a firm and confident handshake (not limp, but not aggressive).   

• Do not sit before the interviewer sits down.   

• Do not slouch in your chair.   

• Do not put your hands in your pockets or fold your arms in front of you.   

• Do not look at the clock, your watch or cellphone.   

• Lean slightly forward to look interested in the conversation.   

• Speak clearly and confidently.

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3) Dress Up for Your Job Interview

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It’s important to dress professionally for your interview, Dress for Success will assist you with this to ensure that you have the right clothes.  Your first step is to try to find out what type of clothing people wear in the organization in which you are interviewing, and then try to dress accordingly. Remember, there are divergent norms for dressing in different types of industries; for example, if you’re applying for a banking job, then you will need to dress more conservatively than if you are interviewing for a job in advertising. That said, if you find that the company you are interviewing with has an overall casual dress policy and culture, you will still want to project your respect for the organization by taking the time to dress up in professional attire for the interview.

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4) Speak Confidently

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At your interview, be sure to project your confidence, but not arrogance, by speaking clearly. Try not to mumble. For some people, this can be very difficult, because you may feel very nervous. The key to alleviating this nervousness is practice. For most people, interviewing is a learned skill and does not come naturally. You can practice interviewing in front of the mirror, or, you may ask a friend to role play your interview. It’s important to practice many times so that the interview will seem natural to you.  

5) Question Time

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One of the key components to practicing how to interview effectively is to learn to anticipate and answer questions, and also ask appropriate questions. Generally speaking, many interviewers ask many of the same types of interview questions, so you may be able to anticipate these and practice your responses. Be careful not to sound canned when you reply, though, please refer to our Common Interview Questions and Answers.

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As a woman re-entering the workforce, you may be asked questions directly related to your re-entering status. For example: How have you kept your skills up-to-date?

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This is the key question that may get you the job. Be ready to explain everything you have done to keep up-to-date with your skills. For example, have you done any volunteer work or taken classes?
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6) Ask Your Interviewer the Best Questions

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At some point in the interview, the interviewer will ask, "Do you have any questions for me?" So, while you are doing your research, be sure to make a list of possible questions and tweak them as you find out more about the company. Your best questions will show that you have done your research and have a sincere interest in the company and its operations.

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