THE INTERVIEW ADVANTAGE: INTERVIEWING TIPS FOR THE NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT
By Carol Stanton, CGS Career Counselor

For many reasons, non-traditional students have a definite advantage in the interviewing process. You have more experience, both with work and with interviewing, you know yourself and your abilities, and you know more about what you want in a job. Here are some points to remember before you go out on your next job interview.

Practice makes almost perfect.  
The more interviewing experience you have, the better you're likely to do on an interview. As with anything in life, the more we do something, the better we become at it. Think back on some of your first interviews, and realize how far you've come. This is one of the big advantages of being older and wiser.

Learn from your previous mistakes. 
Were there questions on a past interview that you were unprepared for or felt flustered about? Now is the time to go back and recall those difficult questions and prepare a more thoughtful response.   There are no mistakes as long as we can make them into lessons learned.

Emphasize your skills and experience.  
Especially when the job market is tight, employers are more likely to be interested in job candidates with previous work experience and transferable skills. Even if you're applying for work in a different field, you probably have many basic work skills just from being in the work force. Don't underestimate such qualities as punctuality, creativity, and being a team player. If you've been a mom and homemaker, talk about your home management skills that can be transferred to other environments.

Use concrete examples.  
Be ready to talk about your skills and have examples from past jobs that you can give to illustrate those skills. More mature job candidates usually have a variety of experiences to choose from, so be sure to choose the ones that will show your top strengths and skills. See Preparing for a Behavior-Based Interview by Terry Fitzwater for assistance in this area.

Do your homework.  
From previous interview experience, you know that you need to research the employer in order to ask intelligent questions.  With the information that is available these days on company websites, this is easier than ever before. Showing that you know about the company and can ask relevant questions will save time, show your interest, and demonstrate that you took the time to prepare.

Make a good first impression.  
Be punctual and look professional. From being in the work world, you already know the appropriate attire for an interview. Have your interviewing clothes ready in case you get a last minute call. As you know, in most cases, it's always better to dress more on the conservative side for an interview.

Ask the interviewer questions.  
You know that an interview needs to be a two way street where you can find out information about the position, the organization and its culture. Using your former places of employment for a reference point, ask questions that will give you a good sense of whether you would feel comfortable there.

Be a good listener.  
Listen carefully to the questions so that you can give the appropriate answers. If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification.  Don't be so focused on what you are going to say that you don't listen to the entire question.

Let your real self shine.   
The interviewer wants to know who you are and what you can do for their organization. The more experienced job candidate usually has a better sense of himself or herself and can more readily present their qualifications in a job interview.

This is no time to be modest. 
You're there to talk about your strengths and skills so do it with confidence. Know what you want to convey to the interviewer about yourself before going into the interview.

Anticipate difficult questions.
Having been through previous interviews, you are probably aware of some of the more difficult questions that employers ask. Spend some time preparing for the open ended questions like, "Tell me something about yourself."  Use this as an opportunity to give a mini lecture about your strengths and skills. If you have gaps in your work history or were fired from a job, be sure to be prepared to answer these questions in an honest but positive way. Find helpful information in books such as 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions by Ron Fry.

Spotlight your education.  
Point out courses you have taken and how these have improved your performance on the job. If you have been working and going to school, mention this also if it seems appropriate. This will show your perseverance and dedication, not to mention your ability to do many things at once.

Bring your professional skills portfolio to the interview.  
A portfolio is a collection of materials that provides evidence of your accomplishments and skills. It can include work projects, presentations, writing samples, professional memberships, etc. Refer to the material in your portfolio when asked questions about your experience.

Make a smooth closure and follow through.  
End the interview with a smile, assurances that you are interested in the job, and then follow through with a written thank you note within 24 hours. Letting the employer see your enthusiasm and going the "extra mile" will leave a good impression and give you a competitive edge.

By remembering these tips and reminding yourself of all the experience and talent you have to offer an employer, you will go into an interview feeling more confident and, hopefully, leave the interview with the job offer you were looking for!