Interview Tips

How Should I Prepare For An Interview?

Interviewing is a skill that you can learn and practice. The nervousness that comes from anticipating an interview is a sign that your body is gearing up to meet the challenge you will soon face. Being nervous is natural, but feeling anxious is unnecessary.

Research

The first step in preparing for an interview is to learn as much as you can about Mercedes Homes. Your research will allow you to choose the most appropriate responses to interview questions. If you are aware of typical career paths within our company, you can answer an interviewer's questions about your future goals in a way that parallels Mercedes' plans for your advancement. Researching an employer's clientele allows you to highlight your experiences with similar populations.

Knowledge of the Mercedes Home's "culture" will allow you to address the qualities you have that are a good match with our company's style. Answers that demonstrate that you know something about Mercedes Homes will convince an interviewer that you're taking them seriously.

Anticipated Questions

This is the single most important activity you can do to help ensure your success. By preparing ideas in advance, you'll avoid fumbling for answers during the interview. Instead, you'll come across as poised, focused, and confident.

Anticipate that our interviewers will ask homebuilding-specific questions or questions about your technical skills in your career area. They may also pose "story problem" questions, presenting a situational challenge you might face on the job and asking how you would resolve it.

Interview questions fall into four general categories. Carefully evaluate what you wish to share in each of these areas:

1. Goals. Questions about your future plans are inevitable. Our Employers will evaluate your responses for evidence of motivation, drive, and potential commitment to the firm. Describe yourself within Mercedes Homes five or ten years down the road, and describe the steps you're taking to establish future plans. This will demonstrate that you are a goal-oriented candidate.
   
   
2. Education. Think seriously, about what you've learned in your degree program that has prepared you for this position. What experiences, academic or extracurricular, have strengthened your skills? Show how your education is an appropriate background for this position?
   
   
3. Experience. Know your resume inside and out. Not only should you be able to outline your responsibilities for each position you held, but also be prepared to discuss specific skills and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to excel in Mercedes Homes.
   
   
4. Personal Skills and Abilities. Describe skills that enhance your value to Mercedes Homes. Use specific examples to support and validate your statements. "Tell me about yourself" can really mean "Tell me what you can do for Mercedes Homes."

Develop A List Of Questions To Ask

Another essential step is to prepare questions. In nearly every case, interviewers will turn the tables and ask if you have questions for them. Their hiring decision will be based on the questions you ask as well as those you've answered. Candidates that come unprepared, demonstrate a lack of interest. On the other hand, job seekers with insightful questions further demonstrate their knowledge of the organization and a sincere interest in the position. In addition, Mercedes Homes is not the only one making a decision. The questions you develop are a tool for gathering the information you need to make a decision, as well. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask!

Questions You Might Ask

• What are the principal responsibilities for this position?
  
  
• Are there opportunities for me to grow in this job at Mercedes Homes?
  
  
• What learning opportunities are here?
  
  
• How does the office work (in teams, individually, etc.)?
  
  
• What is the hierarchy of Mercedes Homes?
  
  
• To whom would I report?
  
  
• Who are the other people I would be working with?
  
  
• Describe what my duties might be.
  
  
• What kind of person are you hoping to hire for this position?
  
  
• What do you consider the most important responsibility?
  
  
• Where are the last few people who held this position working now?
  
  
• What are going to be my most important relationships--clients, customers, other employees?
  
  
• Where will I be situated? What kind of resources will I have?
  
  
• How is an employee's performance evaluated?
  
  
• What is the work schedule?

How Can I Maximize My Performance?

Answer Thoughtfully

The more concrete your responses are, the better. Give brief examples of what you are trying to convey, don't just make empty claims. For instance, if you are applying for a sales position and have decided to focus on your persuasiveness as an important skill, give an example from your education or experience of a situation when you successfully persuaded a client or co-worker. Don't leave the "show" out of "show and tell."

If you get thrown a ringer, don't panic. You can buy some time by asking for clarification or just taking a moment to think. If you're handed a negative question like "Tell me about your weakness," don't avoid the issue. Address a quality that you can use to demonstrate strategies taken for improvement or examples of your growth.

Finish on an upswing. For tough salary questions like "What do you expect to earn?" try putting the ball back in the interviewer's court with, "What is the hiring range for the position?" Avoid over - or under - pricing yourself with a specific dollar amount. Don't expect salary to be discussed in a first interview. It is also inappropriate for you to bring up this topic. In most cases, our managers will wait until they are prepared to make you an offer before discussing salary and other benefits.

Dress Appropriately

The outfit you choose to wear won't get you the job, but it could limit your chances of getting an offer. An interviewer's attention should be on what you say, not what you are wearing. A conservative choice keeps the focus on you. Resist the temptation to dress for impact. Ruffles, excessive makeup/perfume, low-cut necklines, flashy colors, and numerous accessories can distract the interviewer. What will make you memorable is your interview performance. Tailored suits for men and conservative suits or dresses for women are good choices.

Show Interest Non-Verbally

The language you choose to create a positive impression is not always spoken. A firm handshake conveys energy and enthusiasm non-verbally. Maintaining good eye contact shows interest and lets the interviewer know you're listening. Smiling appropriately suggests a pleasant personality. Even the way you sit "speaks" to the interviewing manager.

Good posture enhances your confidence, while leaning slightly forward when seated indicates interest. Practice speaking with a strong voice level and inflection to convey enthusiasm. If you have nervous habits, like "talking" hands or twitching feet, practice controlling them. They tend to surface in stressful situations where they non-verbally detract from, rather than enhance, your image.

Follow Up

Follow up after an interview by making notes on what was covered AND by sending an letter of thanks to the interviewer as soon as possible. Your letter should reemphasize your strengths and/or remind the interviewing manager of topics you covered in the interview. Even if you are no longer interested, a polite thank you letter is a professional courtesy that leaves the door open for future opportunities with Mercedes Homes.

Practice and preparation not only will enhance your performance, but also will improve your attitude toward interviewing. Many candidates view interviews as an interrogation. They see the key to their success as answering all the questions right-an anxiety-provoking attitude. Preparation will give you a more confident attitude. If you follow these tips to maximize your success, you will be able to adapt to any interview situation with ease.