Before
Be sure to make whatever arrangements are necessary so you can be on time – or early – for your interview. Your punctuality indicates your commitment, dependability, and professionalism. What’s more, you’ll be in a better frame of mind when you’re not in a rush. Relax. Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. And remember, the interviewer may be just as nervous about making a good impression on you.
During
Here are some important guidelines to remember during the interview:
- Be confident. Show self-confidence and openness by leaning into your greeting with a firm handshake and smile. Be positive and try to make others feel comfortable. Work to establish a rapport with the interviewer; make eye contact and answer questions in a clear voice.
- Don’t be negative. Never make negative comments about current or former managers or associates – at ADP or elsewhere. You may be perceived as disloyal and what you say might be repeated.
- Remember to listen. Communication is a two-way street. If you talk too much, you will probably miss cues concerning what the interviewer feels is important.
- Reflect before answering difficult questions. If you are unsure how to answer a question, try replying with a question of your own. For example, if the interviewer asks you what salary you expect, you might say, “That’s a good question. What are you planning to pay your best candidate?”
- Ask Questions. At most interviews, you will be invited to ask questions. This is an important opportunity for you to learn more about the position and for the interviewer to further evaluate you. This will require some advance preparation on your part. Here are some guidelines for asking questions:
- Prepare five good questions. You may not have time to ask them all, but be sure to have at least five questions. These questions should indicate your interest in the job, in ADP, and the industry. For example, you might ask, “I read in Business Week that … Do you think this will have an impact on our operations at ADP?”
- Don’t raise warning flags. Asking, “Would I really have to work weekends?” implies that you are not available for weekend assignments. If you are available, rephrase or eliminate the question. Also, avoid initiating questions about compensation (pay, vacations, etc.). You might appear to be more interested in paychecks than the actual job.
- Don’t ask questions about only one topic. People who only ask questions about one topic are often perceived as one-dimensional and are not considered good candidates.
- Clarify. It’s OK to ask the interviewer to clarify something he or she said. Just make sure you have been paying attention. There’s a difference between asking for a clarification of a specific point and asking someone to re-explain an entire subject – which may give the impression that you have problems listening or comprehending. You can preface a clarifying question by asking: “You mentioned that the department does … Can you tell me how that works in practice?”
- Show you want the job. Display your initiative by talking about functions you could perform that would benefit ADP, and by giving specific examples of how you have helped past employers and managers. You might also ask for greater details of the job position – such as functions, responsibilities, who you would work with, and who you would report to.
- Avoid negative body language. An interviewer wants to see how well you react under pressure. Avoid these signs of nervousness and tension:
- Frequently touching your mouth
- Faking a cough to think about the answer to a question
- Gnawing on your lip
- Tight or forced smiles
- Swinging your foot or leg
- Folding or crossing your arms
- Slouching
- Avoiding eye contact
- Picking at invisible lint
After
End the interview with a handshake and thank the interviewer for his or her time. Reiterate your interest in the position and your qualifications. Ask if you may telephone or e-mail in a few days to check on the status of your application. If you are told you will be contacted, politely ask when you should expect the call. After the interview, send a brief thank-you note. Try to time it so it arrives before the hiring decision will be made. This note will serve as a reminder to the interviewer about your appropriateness for the position, so feel free to mention any topics discussed during your interview. If the job contact was made through the Intranet, send a cc:Mail thank-you note immediately after the interview, then send a second letter through the inter-office system, timed to arrive the week before the hiring decision will be made. Don’t be afraid to follow up with a phone call if you are not contacted within a week of when the interviewer indicated you would be.