Interview tips from Eastman Chemical Company
What to Expect in a Typical On-Campus Interview
- Interviews are usually 30 minutes in length – arrive 10 minutes early so the interview can begin promptly.
- The interviewer will usually spend a few minutes at the beginning introducing himself/herself and giving some information about the company and job openings – it is fine for you to take notes.
- The interviewer will ask questions based on the student’s resume – he/she will want to hear specific examples of behaviors from past experiences, not hypothetical or vague answers.
- Time will be left at the end for your questions – be sure to have specific questions about the job openings or location, etc.
- If you want to highlight or point out something you’ve accomplished that didn’t come out in the interview, mention it to the interviewer at the end if there is time.
- Ask for the interviewer’s business card if he/she hasn’t already given you one.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Answer questions honestly, thoroughly, and sincerely – if you don’t know the answer, indicate that.
- Do not try to tell the interviewer what you think he/she wants to hear.
- Don’t be afraid to discuss your successes and most positive traits.
- Be careful about saying negative things about past experiences (e.g. insult a company that you interned with).
- Don’t display a negative or arrogant attitude.
- Be polite, tactful, and sincere – eye contact is also important.
- Be neatly and appropriately dressed in professional business attire (conservative, not trendy).
- Do not be late unless there is an emergency!
How to Prepare Ahead of Time
- Confirm the date, time, and location for your interview with Career Services or via their online information.
- Review the company’s website and any literature you’ve obtained – know the latest “news” about the company.
- Talk to any students on campus that has interned/co-oped with the company (Career Services or the co-op office can tell you).
- Generate quality questions to ask about the company based on what you’ve read and heard – don’t just ask questions for the sake of asking them – make them count.
- Review your resume again to make sure everything is accurate and that you’re prepared to answer any questions pertaining to it.
- If for any reason you must cancel or withdraw from an interview, contact the company and/or Career Services promptly – don’t be a “no-show”.
- If the company needs an employment application or other forms filled out before the interview, do this as soon as you receive them and submit them by the deadline.
- Find out whether you need to bring your transcripts to the interview (Career Services should be able to tell you).
- Even though the interviewer already has your resume, bring an extra copy to the interview just in case he/she needs another one.
Follow-up
- Email or write a “thank-you” note to the interviewer – email is perfectly acceptable.
- Provide the interviewer with updated contact information if it’s changed since you last communicated with him/her.
- If you are receiving other offers/have deadlines and need to hear back from the company, contact the interviewer to get an updated status and explain your timeframe.
- If you think of any questions that you forgot to ask during the interview, don’t hesitate to email them to the interviewer!
Final Notes
Many companies have a team that will be responsible for ‘researching’ information on candidates via phone screens, Facebook, MySpace, etc. Depending on the subject matter, it is safe to say that the impact could play a role in whether or not someone is viewed as being the type of employee we would want on our team. Pictures of groups, outings, friends, etc. – all well and good. Those that would probably not be so helpful – well, we know what those look like.
Last Spring we had a group of candidates that were on a plant tour and a couple of the candidates let their guard down and were trying to be either funny or the center of attention not realizing that the tour guide provided input to the interview team. This behavior was viewed as immature and not someone that we would want to hire. Students should realize that their interactions with Company employees, be it the assistant that makes and confirms their travel plans, to the Staffing Reps ,to the dinner hosts, all the way up to the Hiring Manager, are constantly trying to make a hiring decision given a short amount of time with the candidate . Their interactions with all of these people add up to an impression. Even the company’s drivers who take you to and from the airport provide feedback.
Eastman is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.